Nothing of importance to anyone, no emergency here, no heated debate, no anticipated question of the day... just good news that I thought I'd like to share with my Forum pals.

My first colored Angora of this year is a doozie. Put on your sunglasses 'cause he's LOUD. A calico... I swear, he is four colors: black, tan, orange-brown, trimmed in white. His mom is a pinto Angora-type doe from the Navajo Rez, pretty girl and I just KNEW she'd be a wild card gene pool; bred to an agouti black buck. OK, now my brown buck better move over, because this little guy will give him a run for his money next year! The next two were white twins... surprises from an unplanned midnight rendezvous between a 3 month old buckling and an "older" woman. The good news: they're both girls! Aster and Easter, one has wattles & one doesn't, so I can tell them apart! Two more on the way, hoping for reds. And girls. Can I have it ALL????

And, wait, there's more... I finished my barn addition the day before it started to rain/snow, and this weekend starting on my other barn... I am officially in with several people in a booth at the Taos Wool Festival this year... my fruit trees arrived... found a wonderful home in Taos for a Pygora doe (the little witch doesn't know how lucky she is)... AND my pet LaMancha doe is officially CL NEGATIVE. I 'bout startled everyone at the vet's office when I let out a yell after I got THAT news! How dare that doe scare me that way???!!!

Aydios, I'm off to the lumber store. debra in nm, cuesta farm, home of happy goats

-- debra in nm (goatgirl@unm.edu), April 11, 2002

Answers

It seems that it's not only "the home of happy goats" but one happy "happy goat girl",too! It nice to hear all good things for a change!!!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), April 11, 2002.

Glad to hear of your beautiful goat, how about putting something about a "goat" in your subject line. That way people who are not interested in this subject would know what you are talking about. I got clear to the end of your post before I realized you were talking Goats. It sounds just gorgeous! What fun! LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), April 11, 2002.

Me too, ....I was thinking calico rabbits?????...... then I thought lamas????....oh,..it's goats...ok,...cool,.. congrats on all your blessings.

-- Thumper/inOKC (slrldr@yahoo.com), April 11, 2002.

HA HA, me too. I was asking myself if my rabbits had waddles, I just couldn't remember! Sounds like nice babies, Deb.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), April 12, 2002.

Debra, What a nice thread and wonderful sentiment. Counting our blessings! It's the simple things in live that make the heart swell isn't it?

-- Judy (JMcFerrin@aol.com), April 12, 2002.

Well, you all, you are right. But, I figured my post was more "generic farm" than goats, but re-reading it, yeah... By the way, may I add to this??? My faded red doe (goat, that is) surprised me with twin girls last night, one a sandy rose color, the other a deep dark mahogany. VERY BIG GRIN HERE. And, could this be a testament to the apple cider vinegar-thing? I made sure everyone had it in their water last breeding season and here I am with one buck and two sets of twin does. Life on the farm is good. Thanks for letting me share. debra in nm

-- debra in nm (goatgirl@unm.edu), April 12, 2002.

Ok, Deb, how much cider vinegar to how much water did you use, and did you build up to that amount gradually, or just start off with it, and the goats accepted it? Congrats on all the new kids! You sound like you're doing great now. Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), April 12, 2002.

HEY!!!!!

I knew you were talking about your goats! What else! Great news! Congratulations! It's so much fun to find someone I know on the forum! Love, Grace

-- Christine Baillie (towanda515@yahoo.com), April 13, 2002.

RE: Apple cider vinegar. I just went with what Vickie McGough said, "a gloop". But, alas, my track record was busted by yet another set of twins on Saturday morning.. these are boys. Oh well. But, they're cute, they're healthy, they're cream-colored and one is a pinto with brown spots on his rump... and very curly like their dad. Still a happy nanny granny here!

ps: Hi, Grace! Fancy meetin' you here! debra in nm

-- debra in nm (goatgirl@unm.edu), April 16, 2002.