RE: Goats are not NORMAL...they're fun!

Goats are fun.  You never never never know what to expect from them.  They carefully watch one another when they are out to pasture.  If one gets up and starts to move off in some direction you will see another get up, then another, then another until all of them are following in that direction.  They definitely have a "herd instinct"  They are so funny.  They will get into the biggest "head butting fights" ever and then later you can tell they are there for one another.  It has been an eye opening experience for me.  Nature is a funny thing.  Yes, they do have a "pecking" order.  They decide who is the strongest, the leader.....and everyone follows that goat. 

January 26, 2014

I've been working at Wateroak Farms for more than a year now.  I've made such great connections with my goats.  The girls make me smile every day.  They each have their own personalities, really they do.  Some just want to be left alone, some want to be right up in your face so they can get some scratching, some will not stop giving you kisses as long as you will allow it and one in particular, Damaris, is looking to see if there is the slightest possibility that you might have a banana in your hand.  No matter how far out in the pasture she is...if she sees you waving a banana it only take a few moments for her to put it into high gear and RUN, RUN, RUN to where you are AND she is not willing to share her banana with any other goat...EVER!  Really, I've seen some serious "head butting."

Soon I will share some pictures of the different goat friends that I have.  If you read long enough you will become attached to one or the other.  You just can't help yourself.

Well, I have to run for today, but will have more tomorrow...along with some pictures.

Smiling and milking,
Joni

From flight attendant to Goat Lady

Wow, what a change.  I use to be scurrying off to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston or trying to catch an empty seat to fly up to Newark, New Jersey, every week to start work.  Now I just hop in my car and head out to the country.  NO fighting traffic, just nice country roads, beautiful sunrises, quirky cows getting their morning feed on as you're driving to work,  along with the deer still feeding during the early morning hours.  I love it.  No more sitting in traffic jams, no more rushing and hoping I make it to the airport on time, catch the shuttle, get through security, down to Ops and log in on the computer without being 1 minute late.  Whew!  Life is definitely DIFFERENT!   

I've never worked on a goat farm before.  I wonder what the goats will think of me?  I wonder if I'll be able to really learn to make cheeses, yogurt, and pasteurize milk? Well, guess what, I started from the ground up.  First I'm learning to feed the goats, separate the milkers from the non milkers, pen the milkers and then get all the equipment ready to milk.  Believe me...penning the non milkers can be a bit difficult. Remember, they are all girls and very hormonal at times.  BUT I love my girls.  

I get in my car around 6a.m. and start making the drive to the farm.  First thing I see is the most beautiful sunrises EVER.  NOW that's the way to start your day.  There is no way you can NOT believe in Yahweh, the creator of the earth, when you look at the most magnificent sunrise ever.  I've seen so many beautiful ones.  I always look forward to them. I turn onto the farm rode, a bit bumpy, at best.  As my truck bumps around the corner of the dirt road I see them.  They turn, they look and they start getting excited.  I hear a few "maa's" as I park and get out of the car.  They always make me smile.   They are so excited the minute they see my truck.  The non milkers KNOW it's almost time to eat before being put out to pasture to graze and the milkers KNOW it's time to head to the milking pen for feed and then up the shoot for more feed and then RELIEF....ahhh, yes, precious relief.  Udders full of wonderful rich milk and they are more than happy to freely give their milk.  (to be continued)