wee, wee, wee

all the way home...

Guess what was for dinner.

I harvested until dark tonight, after the rain stopped. I only got to three bushes of beans before the night swallowed me up. I brought my harvest down to the green door (table) and thought I would show you all what we else we are eating...

Probably wont eat it all tonight though. The cucumbers came from Shirl. He also gave me a bunch of less than perfect apples, "for your critters" he said. It was very thoughtful. He told me the color of my bean bushes were perfect. (That sounds funny.) But he did say that, and I felt a little pride well up inside of me. He also was impressed with my squash plants. He told me to keep picking the squash young, and the plants will keep giving. I kept picking.

For so reason, today, reminds me of the book, The Giving Tree.

~crow

blood thirsty

"He who fights monsters should see to it that in the process, he does not become a monster. And when you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you." - Nietzche

I know I am full of quotes lately, but I guess I am more in a listening phase, more than a talking phase. However, I will reflect a little on this quote.

If you live in American, then you have heard about The Casey Anthony Trial. A Young mother jailed and then put on trial for the murder of her young child Caylee. The trial was televised and had many Americans glued to the tube. It has been the talk of facebook, the media and now has perpetuated on to rants on youtube.com because Casey was found not guilty by a jury of her peers. I have done my best to avoid the constant media coverage. It has proven to be difficult as the ongoing drama of Casey Anthony. It has been everywhere.

It makes me sick.

First, I never have enjoyed shows like 48 hours and the stories of murder and who-done-it. I dislike the crime TV series such as CSI or Law and Order that is broadcasted every night on prime time. I don't like violent or horror movies. I don't want that type of information fed into my brain and soul.

My youngest told me that all of her friends are talking about "that trial". She told me that kids shouldn't be watching that kind of stuff, they should be allowed to just be kids. Obviously, she is repeating my sentiments, as this is not the first time this has come up. But I sure am relieved she is not repeating hate.

I believe we, as human are relatively new to these real-time experiences of crime, violence and gore. I think whether people are conscious of it or not, it embeds itself into our being, and therefor  into our collective consciousness as a people. I am afraid that this overkill (no pun intended) of bad, scary, news is now becoming common place. Scientifically, our brains were not meant to take in this much trauma.If you think your immune, is that something you want immunity of?

America is turning into a blood thirsty society. The details of these stories have to be more sensational and morbid, for that rush. We loose a sense of inner peace when we expose our souls to the horrors of the world. We watch real time War on TV like it is a movie. Cheering for the bombs. We are drawn to the video feeds of watching a tsunami sweep away a village, or planes crashing into tall buildings, played over and over,... and over.

He who fights monsters should see to it that in the process, he does not become a monster.

Which brings me back to the latest drug of choice for America:. Hating Casey Anthony because she got away with killing her child. There are facebook posts, youtube videos with death threats and venomous language coming from a people who revel in their freedom and live in a land that was Blessed by God.We live in a Democracy. We have these laws in place so that the innocent do not go to death for something they did not do. I don't know if Casey killed her child. I wasn't there. I wasn't there when Casey grew up, or how she got to the place where she is at now. I do know, Casey Anthony is a product of this very culture. She, is a representation of us.

And when you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you

People, if you can splash some cold water on your face and come back to your soul-self. You would look around and be thankful, perhaps hug your children and tell them how proud of who they are. You would teach them not to hate and how to care. You would show them compassion and grace through your own actions. If you want to make a change on the earth, you have a short amount of time to imprint your positive energy. Give without expecting back. Reserve judgment on your fellow travelers, or at the very least reserve judgment until you have walk a mile in their shoes.Stop feeding off of hate, and dine of some love. Turn off the TV and see if you can do a little something to help out, in your own world. And if you cant help somebody, please try not to harm them.

crow

Hafiz

 

"Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth,'You owe Me.'

Look what happens with a love like that: it lights the whole sky."

-Hafiz

 

 

 

~crow

 

how on earth?

"When people ask me, "How did you get interested in animals and nature?" I reply, "How on Earth did you lose your interest in animals and nature?"

Sir David Attenborough

first tomatoes

 

a different variety

stakes

no stakes

time to weed... again

one of the surviving cucumber plants

duck food (formally broccoli)

 crow

eight naked souls

This is what rabbits look like when they are born.

English Angora Rabbit Kits in the nest.

My super Mom Tahoe, the English Angora, kindled during the wee hours of the morning. There were no dead, no missing parts, no signs of birth. Just a neat and tidy nest fulled with her own wool that she plucked from her belly. All the kits were in the nest, nobody was on the wire, and everybody looks good. There are some runts, but I am sure Tahoe will get them fat and big in no time.

Rabbits are born blind, and deaf and have no hair. They are pretty defenseless. But they have an instinct to "pop" up when they sense that Mom might be near. It is really quite cute. I was checking her nest, and chopping up her wool that she pulled when the kits started to pop like popcorn. I cut the wool so it doesn't wrap around any necks. Rabbits, aren't affected by a human touching their kits. Tahoe and I have done this before.

Why breed rabbits? I know there are animal activist who think there are enough unwanted rabbits in the world. I have to agree. But these rabbits have a home. Here. They will produce wool, (angora) the warmest and softest wool there is, which I will harvest from them about 3 times a year. I will have to show you  one of my rabbits when they are at prime, and an after picture when they have had a hair cut. It is amazing. The grooming, I believe, is an art form.

My rabbits get a specialty diet, (that is not cheap) fresh water at all times, and premium hay to aid in digestion. They get exercise, and plenty of human contact.  I have to groom them once a week to keep their wool debris free and tangle free. This is done by blowing (with a shop vac) the wool and combing (lightly) any tangles. Their nails get trimmed regularly, and they are examined for any health concerns on a regular basis.

The English Angoras are part of my sustainable living plan here on our farm in WV. Even their poo pellets get used in the garden. They are perfect for cold climates, because of their wool.

I will sell some of rabbits to help support the rabbit program. But only to responsible breeders or owners. English Angoras are labor intensive. Many fiber artists keep them so they have a supply of the soft wool. All rabbits will have a place here if they ever need to be re-homed by their new owners. My rabbits are not cheap. I wont sell at Easter, when some folks like to buy a bunny, then later down the road lose interest in it. These are pedigreed, purebred and are responsibly bred. Meaning: if they have any unwanted features or attributes, they will be used as wool-ers or pets only. They are not in-bred, or over bred.

I think I made a good choice for a small farm operation. I know it sounds like quite a bit of work, but the rewards, are plentiful.

~crow

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