this week

I ate my first homegrown watermelon, ever. 

Despite an unplanned and slightly premature harvest, it was enjoyable.

And look at this:

Have you ever seen this triadic pattern in a watermelon?

Do they all have this, and I've never noticed?

The hens enjoyed making their own abstract pattern in the rind.

~~~

This week I found an interesting new place to take Piper for a walk.

We were on our way to the pond after doing an errand,

when another driver began tailgating me on a 2-lane road.

A road where fox, turkey, bear and other animals

are very likely to cause sudden, hard braking.

So I just pulled over, parked, and we headed into the woods.

Piper loved the new spot!

So much so, she took off up a steep slope and promptly went deaf.

After I'd spent a few minutes calling -

and kicking myself for not bringing a lead -

Piper reappeared, covered nose to tail in sticky burr-like seeds.

Imagine this hair wrapped around hundreds of little burrs:

The gentle deseeding process took quite a while.

It was a thorough job, because the plant that makes those seeds

is not a plant I want growing at home.

Next time we walk in the new place,

I'll bring Piper's lead.

And my camera, so you can see the new place, too.

~~~

This week I baked the first plum cake of Autumn 2014:

~~~

In goat news:

the youngsters have all learned to dress for breakfast, just like the grownups.

Collars and ties, please; we are very formal here.

Mama Lily (above) and son Campion (below).

As the babies have grown, there have been several gradual changes in

how/where/when all the goats are fed every day.

This is the last step, and soon I'll be setting up the new barn

in a configuration that should see us through Autumn and Winter.

~~~

And finally, this just in from the Cloud Harvest Cashmere Social Club:

This week, Azalea realized she is bigger than Vinca.

Huzzah!

Back in July, Azalea had a horn injury, resulting in a sore head.

So she began to avoid head-to-head contact.

As soon as the other goats realized Azalea would duck away

instead of pushing back in their normal play-battles,

she was at a huge disadvantage.

I was very worried this might permanently damage her sweet nature.

And Vinca, my Vinca-dinka-doo, little sleekit girl,

began picking on Azalea.

"You know, Vinca," I often told her as I ran interference,

"Azalea's head isn't going to be sore forever.

And she is already a lot bigger than you.

And she's a very nice girl. You would be wise to seek her friendship."

But did Vinca listen?

I think you know the answer.

So one evening this past week I was surprised to see Azalea

not only return Vinca's solid head-bump,

but also follow up with a Bulldozer Broadside:

pushing a surprised Vinca sideways - push, push, push - 

til she was pressed against a wall.

And then, I was happy to see, Azalea walked away.

Good for you, Azalea!

Of course, I didn't say that.

But I surely thought it!

~~~

What was your week like?

And what are you planning for the weekend?

Something fun, and in nice weather, I hope!

Piper advises, "Watch out for sticky seeds!"

~~~~~