Poor Sophia & Shirley! They are both in heat and are in desperate need of a man. They kept us up most of the night moaning & crying out. At first I thought “Oh My God..they are sick or something has gotten into the barn”. They are sick…love sick that is. Alas they will have to wait another few weeks before I will bring them to their respective lovers. Thank G-d they are in heat for only a day or two…but then Annie will come into heat and I guess she’ll be moaning & crying as well. They will all come into heat again in December.

They’re dreaming of a love affair….and I’m dreaming of baby goats…will that make me a NannyGranny?

Yesterday Ed & I went to meet Jacob, the buck who will mate with Annie & Sophia, my does. He is quite the good looking fella and has black & white spots like Annie. They should have great looking “kids”.

Jacob lives with Dottie & Milton Cross on their farm. Dottie has been raising Nubians for over 30 yrs. and is considered the Guru when it comes to taking care of Nubians. She & Milton were so warm, gracious and hospitable. I had such a great time and time did get away from us. We were there for 2 hrs. talking about goats and family. In my opinion that’s a great way to spend my time.

Dottie had me bring a washcloth which she rubbed all over Jacob who right now is quite stinky. Male goats in rutt are in desperate need of a good deodorant, but the ladies love that smell. We put the stinky cloth in a jar with a good fitting lid. I brought it home and when I think my girls are in heat I am to take the stinky cloth and dangle it in front of them. If they strongly react to the cloth as if it is an aphrodisiac then I am to quickly pile one or both in the SUV and quickly drive to Dottie’s farm. Once there, Jacob will meet Annie and/or Sophia and hopefully consummate the union. This should take about 15 mins. and hopefully 5 months later Ed & I will become the proud grandgoatparents of baby kids.

Dreamin of “kids”….Irene

Well another one of my dreams is coming true. Cold Moon Farm is actually becoming a learning center. Ed & I have contracted with Jan & Ken Spaulding of Stony Knolls Farm to host their “Goat School” at our farm. We found out about their school through an article that had been written about them in Hobby Farm Magazine. They only present Goat School at their farm twice a year so we are lucky they are willing and excited to be coming to Vermont. Last Mother’s Day Ed took me to their Goat School and it was great..although very cold & rainy. I have since contacted them and they have agreed to bring it to sunny? & cozy! Cold Moon Farm. It will take place Presidents’ Day Weekend, Feb. 18th, 19th & 20th. The “Goat School” session will be on Sat. Feb. 18 & Sun. Feb. 19th..cost $200 pp, spouse $100 & includes their newest edition of “Goat School” book which is filled with great info and resources. Mon., Feb. 20th will be their Cheese & Soapmaking class…cost is $100 p.m. All sessions include lunch. Since space is limited contact me ASAP if you are interested.

At last we will be able to share with the greater public how wonderful goats are to raise.

In addition our Bed & Breakfast should be licensed and operational by then. We have 3 rooms with private baths that will be available.

This will be our first step into the business of Agritourism…we are committed to sharing the fun of food & farming with the public at large.

I will also be developing more workshops in gardening, raising chickens & sheep, herbal farming, etc. I am open to suggestions.

Nov. 3rd was our anniversary and I received 2 wonderful gifts. First, my son & 2 grandsons surprised us and showed up to celebrate our anniversary with us. They traveled 200+ miles to be with us. Unfortunately my daughter-in-law had to work & couldn’t make it, but it was her idea and she shooed them out of the house. The other wonderful gift was from my husband Ed. He knew how much I wanted a barn cam and he had it arrive on our anniversary. A wise person once said there is no such things as coincidence…my son’s arrival enabled Ed to get the cameras up and connected to the computers. Now I can view my animals anywhere I might be. I can even get them on my Blackberry.

So now I get up in the middle of the nights and I watch them. I have found that they all get up during the night and eat, even though the barn is dark. Last night at 3:00 a.m. Lucy & Ethel were having a head butting & sparing event. Poor Shirley is in the pen with them and she had everything to do to keep out of their way. I guess Shirley didn’t get much sleep last night.

I can’t wait til Christmas eve. My friend has told me that at the stroke of midnight the animals talk. Well, I’ll be ready and I’ll find out!! I wonder what they will have to say?

I guess I won’t be dreaming that night!!!