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!"
~~~~~
