Friday, September 12, 2014

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!"

~~~~~

5 comments:

  1. I take it your waternelon is white because it left the vine too early? I have never noticed a triadic pattern either.

    Yeah I feel your pain regarding burrs...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The variety is "Petite Yellow," and it's actually a pale yellow but maybe not on every computer ;)
      I think it would be only a slightly deeper yellow even if it had been on the vine a bit longer. It was sweet but not very flavorful, so I do think more growing time might have made a difference.

      Delete
  2. Well, I love that it observes the Fibonacci pattern! and I like that the hens get their share, too.

    Gah, why do fluffy dogs get most involved with burrs and other such sticky and seedy problems? not to mention ticks which are hard to find on a shaggy old friend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. oh yes we don't have to imagine, we know what it's like! and when Ellie was alive, we got it twice over! I'm sure Miss Piper is a more patient hairdressing model than ours tho :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was bad. I had to use scissors to cut through some of the tangles enough to comb them. And because I was being SOOO careful with the scissors bear Piper's face, I managed to pinch myself with the handles of the scissors - in a very sensitive area! I need to work on my Scissors Skills!

      Delete

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