goats

Tonight, I want share some photos of my new goats that are coming to the farm this month. The breeder sent me updated photos this evening. I am so excited.

I was looking online for a little something on Shamanism, and Animal Medicine, or Wisdom for the goat as a totem animal. After all, I so love my dear Deer and Oprah. I found this great site: Animal Spirit Totems, an online dictionary for animal totems. Take a look at her website. It is really a wonderful resource that I have stumbled upon. It is going in my crow food section.

Her beliefs seem similar to mine, as the Medicine Cards that I used and the philosophy that I keep sacred, is to pay attention to nature. To get in tune with it's cycles, land, and occupants. We humans forget that we do need to share the earth with the other beings that live here. Animal, mineral, plants, the works.

I got my first deck of  Medicine Cards: way back from my friend in FL. I think it was about 13 years ago. They were a gift. I didn't read cards at that time, so it was quite the prophetic gift. At the time, I suppose it made perfect sense to her. My friend did not know anything about the cards. I think it was the Native American nature of these cards that she saw that I would enjoy. I was so blind to my true nature back then. But she saw me.

I soon fell in love with the cards, and through the years, have spent many hours doing readings, picking cards, noticing the animals (or insects, fish, birds) that kept popping up for me. I always was surprised and delighted with the "readings". My children grew to love the cards as well. They would ask if they could pick a card, and we would read all about the card and animal they picked.

That is how I became crow. Because the crows came to me. I didn't go to them. They came to me at a time when I had little to no hope, but was taking my first steps towards learning about it. I was raw back then. I had cast out the poison in my life, but didn't know what to do next. It left me with a huge gaping hole in my soul. Because that is what happens when you make a bold brave move towards positive change. You don't have the layers of stuff to cover you anymore. Even if it is toxic, it is your contaminated security blanket. I was stripped from my "identity" left naked, vulnerable and shaking.

It was a major God-smack.

But at the time I had very dear, dear friends. Sara and Le Ann. I couldn't believe (at the time) how these really wonderful women wanted to befriend me. Really. And I know, it is so sad. Poor little lamb me. Anyway, they traveled with me, until I took off and flew away. But their friendship and love were the ingredients for my wings. That and lots of therapy and some antidepressants. Sara, Le Ann, my therapist, and my family doctor were wing builders. They didn't know it. They just loved me. Gosh I miss them. I moved, Sara moved, and Le Ann had a health scare with her husband. I bet if you put us all in a room together today we would pick up where we left off. Laughing until we almost peed our pants, sharing secrets, and being each other's life cheerleaders as we all took a stab at motherhood.

Goddess-smack.

I lost that deck of cards in a rushed move, and was given another, then lost that deck in a flood. I guess I am due for a new deck. I have no plans for future moving and no more floods either please.

Here is what I unearthed tonight at Animal Spirit Totems: regarding the goat:

"He shows the importance of supporting others as you move and being flexible in exploring new possibilities. Goat aids to establish foundations in which to stand and will guide in building a stronger foundation if need be. He wants to make sure what is before us is strong before the next lessons begin. Goat prepares for moves in life and teaches how to seek new heights in spiritual, mental and emotional areas so one can achieve the best future by looking up and forward. Do you feel stuck and lost? Goat will show direction in which to move. Is it time to finally put forth your independence and strength? Look within to find the answers and allow Goat to lead you where you need to be. Trust the sure foot of Goat's wisdom."

No wonder I want to surround myself with goats. No wonder when you are writing a blog entry and letting the creative flood gates wide open that you get a post such as this!

All I was doing was searching for a little quote about goats.

So at last, here are the photos I received this evening. My doe is named Cinco De Mayo. Well, because she was born on the 5th of May. So the buck, of course, had to be named something Mexican. So he is named Pancho Villa. I had to name them before the transfer of ownership, because the are pedigreed and registered Myotonic goats. aka TN Fainters.

This is Cinco De Mayo

I hear she is a real pistol. She looks like she has a light side and a dark side.

And this is Pancho Villa...

He is a twin. His sister is being retained by the farm. He is said to be easy going, but curious and always underfoot. He is born polled. Which means born naturally hornless.

 

Good looking kids. I can't wait until they become a part of mi familia. I kinda love them already. And yes, I will be speaking to them in Spanish!


More later on readings, my sorted history, (we all have one) and of course more goat news!

thank you june

Thank you June

for your nourishment,

dear deer on the milking stand with oprah

dear deer eats broccoli

my nanny loves her green

and laughter...

oprah

for the sweetness,

raspberries 2011

and softness,

blue topaz's surviving two english angora rabbits

bunnies in a basket

for your June songs,

earl brays

and brays

and brays

and for community.

2011 ducks and chickens

For the clouds and their silver linings,

silver indian runner duck

and for your pure white light.

pekin duck

I thank you for your offerings,

berries garlic and a bird's nest

and for your perfect love,

love

for a place to call home,

the little brown leghorn couple find a home in the chicken tractor

a place to grow,

mucho tomatoes

 and learn.

temporary rooster jail

I thank you June, for bringing Summer,

summer squash

for the sun and the shade,

squash and pumpkin forest

and for your hugs.

green beans

I really needed the hugs.

 

Thank you for sending your sacred prayers to the sky,

romaine lettuce

 your induced courage,

and your loyal companionship.

little pair

I will miss you June. You gave so much, so effortlessly.

I will always celebrate you, in purple and green.

Because, you June, brought me my baby,

who grew along with you every year. She is the reason I first noticed you, June.

Thank you.

See you next year. I will be eagerly waiting for you to come again..

~crow

harvest

I wrestled with the tomatoes today. I still have more to stake. I planted a ton of tomatoes, so I may never be done. I still have more to plant, for a later harvest. If you are local. Please don't buy those red bland round things they pass off as tomatoes. I will have plenty.

Right now, I have all the yellow squash you might want to eat. So call or message me if you want some.

I haven't had much to say since old Sling left the farm. I am ok. It is just different here without him. So, instead of any observations or philosophy, I thought I would show you the homegrown food we had for dinner. Fresh romaine salad with goat's milk cheese topping, grilled yellow Summer squash, along with burgers on the grill, and corn on the cob. We all sat at the green door and enjoyed the flavors of, here.

~crow

goats milk cheese

The goat's milk cheese turned out delicious. The herbal mix was just right. Fresh basil, parsley, oregano, and baby garlic, straight from the garden. Milk, fresh from the goat. The roasted red pepper added a nice flavor too. We made another batch today. No recipe needed!

roasted red pepper, garlic and herb goat's milk cheese

painted milking stand - much more charming

fine detail

It is very calm and quiet without Sling here. Other than one very noisy girl pekin duck, and Earl's occasional bray. Oh and my mean rooster crowing, who is fresh out of jail..

Off to pick berries to make cobbler. I am not too upset to eat.

~crow