The goats are here! The goats are here! Certainly not the same as having a cow, but sometimes the universe sends us a gift and we are happy to oblige. Thank you Mel for this exciting new learning opportunity! There are six in all – a big Mama (Biquette), her eldest daughter (Pepper), Biquette’s latest kids (three as of yet nameless, rambunctious boys) and a young buck (who’s name I forget). Biquette and Pepper will be great practice (and teachers no doubt) for milking and then transforming. Yippee! I have plans of a goat milk cappuccino and batch of yogurt tomorrow morning. Nummy yummy chèvre and feta cheeses will be in our very very near future.

Joël and Louai threw together a temporary shelter yesterday – with hog panels, lots of staples, recycled baler twine, and army tarps. We are curious to see how long it takes them (the goats, not the men) to find the weaknesses. Bright and early they went to Mel’s with the pick-up truck to bring them back to the farm. I can’t wait to hear the loading story, but will have to since Joel left to do the second trip to get the buck. It’s too early (post birth) to have him mounting Biquette and Pepper so we have to ensure they stay separate at all times. Though I’m betting they could hold their own! While feeding them dandelions, Mateo and I saw Biquette assert her leader of the herd status as she forcefully shoved Pepper and kiddies out of the way to get first dibs at whatever we were offering. I can’t wait to see their grass/weed eating skills in action. The plan is to tether (rope and peg style) and rotate them when they seem to be finished – Joel’s latest thought was on a clothesline kind of system (aka a running tether). And we’ll never have to “mow the lawn” again! Hopeful, I know! After reading some of the poisonous weeds they should avoid, we may have to be a touch more careful with what they munch on. But if they could make a dent in the poison ivy at the edge of the forest, that would be most helpful. Anyhoo, off to give them some more water and make sure all is well.