The Sheep Show

Hallelujah, we're almost done with 4-H.   The sheep were the final show. The kids did great, the lambs did great and Golden Delicious won the grand champion showman for the entire thing.  She didn't miss a beat, and Helga, her lamb, was lovely.  Now, the big question is, will we do this next year???  It's too early to think about - the smell of lamb's wool is still quite fresh.  We don't have to decide til January.

Farewell to Sampson

We sold Sampson last week. 

Sampson is our old faithful 1966 John Deere 4020 tractor.

 We needed to sell it, we wanted to sell it, and then when the people arrived to pick him up, everyone was suddenly not happy.  Granny Smith burst into tears and could not be consoled.  I felt awful, and Mr. Bechtel had a rather grim line to his jaw.  The people had come all the way from Boise and suddenly we were thinking thoughts like Mr. Bechtel's grandpa would think whenever he went to sell his cows:  It they're worth that much to them, they're worth that much to me!  

How is it possible to become attached to a piece of equi

pment?  Granny Smith stopped crying long enough for a final picture after the tractor was loaded on the trailer.  And in the future we are not naming vehicles. 

 I hope it helps - Mr. Bechtel and Granny Smith are already looking forward to Sampson Junior.... Long ways off! 

Meat Goats

This was the first year we tried meat goats.  Here are the notes for those secretly wanting to show meat goats at the county fair.  

They are easy as pie compared to sheep.  No shearing, etc.  Also, both the meat goats made weight, didn't prolapse their intestines (gross - the things you learn about...), and in general were a lot easier than either sheep or pigs.  Unfortunately, they also don't make as much money at the sale, either.  So what's a person to do?  

Here's Braeburn with his Boer goat Kruggerand.  

And Nova Spy with his goat, Nanni Pelli.  The judge got a real kick out of her name, I guess.  Too bad we can't send her political namesake to the sale also.

Apple Enters the Arena

Golden Delicious brought her pig, Apple to the fair.  He was a huge hit.  Apple was not your average, dirty, yucky pig.  He was very bright eyed, intelligent, and friendly.  (Think Charlotte's Web).  Several times during the week I would come into the barn and find little groups of children around his pen calling, "Hi, Apple!  Hi Apple!"

Showing pigs is a bit different than dairy goats, though.  You just let them wander wherever they want to.  Apple went pretty slowly and didn't get in too many fights with the other pigs.

I can't remember where Golden Delicious and Apple placed, but they both did well and it was a great experience for a first year project.  We sold him at the sale, which was sad, but G. D. Made some money for her college/mission fund, so that's happy.

The Dairy Goat Show

Golden Delicious brought 4 dairy goats to the fair.  Her two does, Maggie and Kyra, and her two baby kids, Jenny and Rosie.  Here she is with Jenny.

Let me just say (objectively of course...) that she DOMINATED!!  She was fantastic.  Everyone in the club raved about what a fantastic show person she is and there were tons of comments you only here at a 4-H show like, "You are SO DAIRY!!!"

Whatever that means, she won reserve champion for showmanship.

Here she is doing showmanship with her her doe, Kyra.  Keep your eyes on the judge!

Now, set your goat up.   

After showmanship, It was time for quality.  We were worried about Maggie's udder (another 4-H only kind of worry).  But all was well.  Here G. D. is answering some of the judges questions.  She asked her things like, "What is the purpose of the medial suspensory ligament?"  And, "Could you show me where the Chine is?"  

Golden Delicious answered all the questions flawlessly, Maggie performed beautifully, and they won Grand Champion in the Dairy goat division.  Nice Job!!

It's Fair Time Again!

It's that time of year again!  Yes, all the hard work of morning and nights in the barn is about to pay off (hopefully).  Fair week is PACKED with work; washing the animals, washing the animals again, washing the animals again, clipping, trimming, polishing, practicing, feeding, showing, it goes on and on.  But the end is right around the corner and victory is in sight!

Sweet Sixteen

Happy Birthday Braeburn!

Braeburn now has a spiffy new suit and life stretches out beautifully when you are finally 16.  

A few of Braeburn's friends came over to celebrate his birthday, and since they were so much older and wiser they were full of dating advice:

1.  Keep to the strength of youth.

2.  Be safe.

3.  Be sincere and honest.

4.  Be a gentleman

5.  Always be on time.

6.  Be constantly concerned about keeping the lady happy.

7.  Try to relax, be yourself, and have a good time.

8.  Think to yourself:  What would Westley do?

Then Westley's buddy, Ben, advised that the secret to getting a date was all about the opening line you use when you're about to ask the girl.  He recommended this:

"It has come to my attention that you are a girl."

I think Braeburn's tutorial should have ended then and there, but they insisted on writing an entire script for him to use.  I include it unedited:

-Hello?

-Hello, this is Braeburn.  Is Miss Carrie home?

-Uh, yah - Let me get her. 

-Hello?

-Hello - Carrie?

-Yes, this is her.

-Well hello Carrie, this is Braeburn.  How are you this fine evening?

-I'm good Braeburn, how are you?

-I'm doing just fine thank you.  Uh, Carrie, I heard you just turned the magical age of 16.  Is this true?

-(laughter) Yes.

-Well, Carrie, I just turned 16 myself.

-(more laughter) Oh yeah?

-Yes, and I was wondering if you might like to go on a group date with me this Saturday morning.

-Uh Well, let me check with my parents real quick.

-Ok.

-Braeburn?

-Yes?

-I'd LOVE  to go on a date with you Saturday.

- Really??! 

-Yes.

-Thanks.  Well, uh, let me give you the details.

-ok.

-...

Rainey Creek Hike

The second hike of Hiking Merit Badge is accomplished!!

The boys went went to Rainey Creek with Grandpa and went on a great hike.