tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65000652930119742102024-03-12T18:43:11.020-07:00Life on Alpacazona FarmWhere fleece is king and the people only think they are in chargeclaudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-34740834457460845702015-05-31T16:07:00.000-07:002015-05-31T16:07:35.900-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQERpEcmRxEcB7tLbHeN0-BhTzPpx5oTPz9w7BCQ-OYV-TTvpRweztt-_6zWs7SeHxFXkaqVMcOFulqw0hGquYi7j1h0pXtVnb1dBJLM1_HM4dkxXySkt5r6edIYBnhyphenhyphen7FqHFNEiZiUM/s1600/freeze1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
It looks like summer is finally upon us. The dogs want to go
outside, they really do, but a nap on the couch is much easier to handle. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkuT2MqC4Vp5NXZUgnWzIOJah7lSdFapQxHLRwK8Kj9bkamTKit3iOCO0f-wfnsi6LXQ4z2Lx5b5NtRcPV9lKZWOTSNueDGPOnBvFWuIgm2JzxumjyTXhbplp_dCrJh__fFRKKiIlqXY/s1600/the+dogs.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkuT2MqC4Vp5NXZUgnWzIOJah7lSdFapQxHLRwK8Kj9bkamTKit3iOCO0f-wfnsi6LXQ4z2Lx5b5NtRcPV9lKZWOTSNueDGPOnBvFWuIgm2JzxumjyTXhbplp_dCrJh__fFRKKiIlqXY/s320/the+dogs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The alpacas, on the other hand, have nice cool barn they
could be laying about in. And where are they? Sunbathing for all they’re worth.
(You’ll have to take my word for it that they where all sleeping right before I
took this, but they saw the camera and immediately jumped up to see if I was
bringing them something tasty.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRjeT3YkYVwV-yRJ6FjfQyR_fTlKS1u2XegMl2MC2poO7sUQiXTOkV3CtaVxryXEkUUEWoXpnrx68CLfOEKn5ODbaI_qHQuNKpM5Rnut1KI5odJArzAPODxwceD9Vsk9wkDvxqcbFcNI/s1600/pacas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRjeT3YkYVwV-yRJ6FjfQyR_fTlKS1u2XegMl2MC2poO7sUQiXTOkV3CtaVxryXEkUUEWoXpnrx68CLfOEKn5ODbaI_qHQuNKpM5Rnut1KI5odJArzAPODxwceD9Vsk9wkDvxqcbFcNI/s320/pacas.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We have been splitting the difference as we tend yard and
house. Though yesterday we took a well-deserved break from work and took the
Suzuki out to the Pinal Mountains for some off-roading. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
While we were driving we came across a lovely metal sign
that read “Grannies Pass”. Intrigued we stopped and got out. A short walk off
the trail we came upon a small, well, I guess you would call it a cemetery.
There were seven or eight memorials. Some simple crosses, others elaborate
affairs of metal engravings and concrete. Some were placed quite recent; I
noticed a date from last year on one. We have no idea who placed the memorials,
but they found a very peaceful place for their friends or </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
families to spend
eternity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTkDfrjiAQFrikjbIPz5w-9L6DJB-3y6tuztKrJpGXpopLbGrZsWiDyMU3v5IXNHWMPQbXx2FufIY7bgobvYAlUAg3FV0pKw1Dbfz8WyY3uB-GzXy84_lbvRelELaSPWMl0VqfwtRXfI/s1600/granny1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTkDfrjiAQFrikjbIPz5w-9L6DJB-3y6tuztKrJpGXpopLbGrZsWiDyMU3v5IXNHWMPQbXx2FufIY7bgobvYAlUAg3FV0pKw1Dbfz8WyY3uB-GzXy84_lbvRelELaSPWMl0VqfwtRXfI/s320/granny1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But rest time is over and now it’s back to work. The gardens
have been producing nicely. We had the first corn of the season last night.
Yummmmmmy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year I left the ears
too long on the stalks and most of the corn got tough. This year I picked off a
bunch and spent the morning shucking and blanching the ears in preparation for
freezing. I also did a mess of green beans, pureed some cucumbers for freezing
in ice trays, (you can use the cuke cubes for smoothies through out the year) and
shredded a bunch of zucchinis to freeze for zucchini bread down the road when
we are not completely sick of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I learned a nifty trick to get all the air out of the
freezer bags when preparing the veggies for the freezer. Fill up a bowl with
water. Place the desired amount of food in the freezer bag. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQERpEcmRxEcB7tLbHeN0-BhTzPpx5oTPz9w7BCQ-OYV-TTvpRweztt-_6zWs7SeHxFXkaqVMcOFulqw0hGquYi7j1h0pXtVnb1dBJLM1_HM4dkxXySkt5r6edIYBnhyphenhyphen7FqHFNEiZiUM/s1600/freeze1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQERpEcmRxEcB7tLbHeN0-BhTzPpx5oTPz9w7BCQ-OYV-TTvpRweztt-_6zWs7SeHxFXkaqVMcOFulqw0hGquYi7j1h0pXtVnb1dBJLM1_HM4dkxXySkt5r6edIYBnhyphenhyphen7FqHFNEiZiUM/s320/freeze1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Then submerse the open
bag into the water up to the seal point. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqBmXg48Ae0rbwpqEhUQgT5YSFVfF2SiX9PefSI3AeHxREcUGm3WylFVCkehIIFDeW6sEL1-vPcHk7qvG5xVyMh9rgdXI3Rw2AmglsopDR0Lwg1hhO3wXo7yJBfboFZJmNFViyTt9nhA/s1600/freeze2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqBmXg48Ae0rbwpqEhUQgT5YSFVfF2SiX9PefSI3AeHxREcUGm3WylFVCkehIIFDeW6sEL1-vPcHk7qvG5xVyMh9rgdXI3Rw2AmglsopDR0Lwg1hhO3wXo7yJBfboFZJmNFViyTt9nhA/s320/freeze2.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYcQ8LQc4MVqdP7ZaqKwk8x6C3YrRQG0W1uRa0yNNvWx-MyqNnowNKPD9qp4zLuvar23FA_WvDeUU2QG-vDHUmUER7YB4AI0GgS-icun2hHyWEIldDp10GxeyaK92SZI35tlK5R_lMJQ/s1600/freeze3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYcQ8LQc4MVqdP7ZaqKwk8x6C3YrRQG0W1uRa0yNNvWx-MyqNnowNKPD9qp4zLuvar23FA_WvDeUU2QG-vDHUmUER7YB4AI0GgS-icun2hHyWEIldDp10GxeyaK92SZI35tlK5R_lMJQ/s320/freeze3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Zip it close and, viola, minimal air
left behind!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I wonder if this method would work for fleece bags? I
think I will probably not try and find out. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-24187631469357283492015-04-05T14:12:00.001-07:002015-04-05T16:49:36.343-07:00Spring is coming, I promise.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinN_1xHzd7k5mOZ9EzcI2sUb9lYH5ig9JUjnz5JG4MpPUYYn0sPuuD76-ARmFP7yyTDcDusfIqBOoBB9NH6eZ4EssNVh0xbxWOVXAoPbQGlY5KqAClQVWa_jSgDrOAxqkWl4nr4WbP5KI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinN_1xHzd7k5mOZ9EzcI2sUb9lYH5ig9JUjnz5JG4MpPUYYn0sPuuD76-ARmFP7yyTDcDusfIqBOoBB9NH6eZ4EssNVh0xbxWOVXAoPbQGlY5KqAClQVWa_jSgDrOAxqkWl4nr4WbP5KI/s1600/photo.JPG" height="207" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">palo verde in bloom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U3m1IvqnauzUKHQRJM0JM5Wt7vtNmcPEr2k-rjLV-9Yy1AVXrOPzuMij_r9AHrlxh2KOi7gWo6jDODLgNT56BiWKQlXNnmmLq0OS2kDNYmKt8Qf9Z2mWXuCHICl6K1O9UMD7S0ZnrMo/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U3m1IvqnauzUKHQRJM0JM5Wt7vtNmcPEr2k-rjLV-9Yy1AVXrOPzuMij_r9AHrlxh2KOi7gWo6jDODLgNT56BiWKQlXNnmmLq0OS2kDNYmKt8Qf9Z2mWXuCHICl6K1O9UMD7S0ZnrMo/s1600/photo3.JPG" height="320" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Pomegranate in bloom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’ve been away from the blog for a while. In honor of my
return, I’m dedicating this blog to all my friends and family back east where
they feel that Spring is never going to arrive. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsa9bmJ3o-T0RW9Ydvoy4HALPY6wNgFAraNWtVjW3etm7LlY7183VTSqMtSb6cCF6gV02MVBJwKsC3gHf5bn98Lppnbo1R6dwg4MlIJiEd0_mvdoEKlrG1d0_CRir-NRNWfdVfJX1tZA/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsa9bmJ3o-T0RW9Ydvoy4HALPY6wNgFAraNWtVjW3etm7LlY7183VTSqMtSb6cCF6gV02MVBJwKsC3gHf5bn98Lppnbo1R6dwg4MlIJiEd0_mvdoEKlrG1d0_CRir-NRNWfdVfJX1tZA/s1600/photo6.JPG" height="320" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppies (in bloom)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The gardens are starting to fill in. In the back, we just
tilled the green litter in as extra compost. Didn’t really think about it until
little corn plants started popping up everywhere. Unfortunately, the volunteer
corn is Golden Bantam, while we actually planted Blue Hopi corn in that bed. I
assume the two verities will cross-pollinate and we’ll end up with …Blue
Bantam? Golden Hopi? Whatever. Should be interesting.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
All the rinds and seeds from the Desert King watermelons
from last summer went into the compost bins, and the compost bins went into the
front garden. Now I have tiny watermelon plants pretty much everywhere.
Considering the number of watermelons we got off of just three plants last
year, I’ve a suspicion we’re going to up to our eyeballs in watermelons before
too long. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Speaking of which, the great watermelon wine-bottling event
took place this weekend. And we finally tasted our brew. Here’s what I can
tell; it’s not horrible. If you taste it with “wine” in the back of your mind,
you’re going to be disappointed. Watermelons don’t taste like grapes, never
have, never will. But if you just have “alcohol” as your starting point, well
by golly, we’ve got that part right! This stuff has a pretty good kick. And a
vague melony-cinnamon, smoky kind of taste. I’m thinking some ginger ale, fresh
fruit and a good chill and this stuff would make really tasty sangria. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And I’ve got fifteen bottles of the stuff, so if any local
peeps want some, come and get it!</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8A4NAqeOZUWLhXYYjWtYy8uwps2Bi4ZRZMAquKTGIyOJA9cuSSb-05KyZPJqOIW81szwzCAZ_Tihj-Cam_xhvLO-BdBjhUAQDnHYzYNc7W5yQNpuKSMSr0Djczc7i0TdkaNqdcqJi2E/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8A4NAqeOZUWLhXYYjWtYy8uwps2Bi4ZRZMAquKTGIyOJA9cuSSb-05KyZPJqOIW81szwzCAZ_Tihj-Cam_xhvLO-BdBjhUAQDnHYzYNc7W5yQNpuKSMSr0Djczc7i0TdkaNqdcqJi2E/s1600/photo5.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We had a bit of sad news over the winter. We lost Godiva,
the first alpaca we ever owned, to old age. We buried her in the boy’s field. That’s
where she wanted to be most of the time anyway, so it seemed fitting. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The rest of the herd is doing well. We’ll be shearing them
next weekend. I think this year, since I have so much less free time with the
job I started last summer; we’ll be sending a fair amount of fleece out for
processing. I just don’t have the hours to dedicate to spinning, weaving or
felting. I miss it, but as I slowly adjust to working 40 plus hours again, I’m
hoping to get back into it, even if not on the same level as before. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">For now, I’m going to take some of this rare free time
to sit back, sip some killer-melon wine, and daydream about what I’m going to
try fermenting next.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinN_1xHzd7k5mOZ9EzcI2sUb9lYH5ig9JUjnz5JG4MpPUYYn0sPuuD76-ARmFP7yyTDcDusfIqBOoBB9NH6eZ4EssNVh0xbxWOVXAoPbQGlY5KqAClQVWa_jSgDrOAxqkWl4nr4WbP5KI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U3m1IvqnauzUKHQRJM0JM5Wt7vtNmcPEr2k-rjLV-9Yy1AVXrOPzuMij_r9AHrlxh2KOi7gWo6jDODLgNT56BiWKQlXNnmmLq0OS2kDNYmKt8Qf9Z2mWXuCHICl6K1O9UMD7S0ZnrMo/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8A4NAqeOZUWLhXYYjWtYy8uwps2Bi4ZRZMAquKTGIyOJA9cuSSb-05KyZPJqOIW81szwzCAZ_Tihj-Cam_xhvLO-BdBjhUAQDnHYzYNc7W5yQNpuKSMSr0Djczc7i0TdkaNqdcqJi2E/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsa9bmJ3o-T0RW9Ydvoy4HALPY6wNgFAraNWtVjW3etm7LlY7183VTSqMtSb6cCF6gV02MVBJwKsC3gHf5bn98Lppnbo1R6dwg4MlIJiEd0_mvdoEKlrG1d0_CRir-NRNWfdVfJX1tZA/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-28350651557745000762014-08-10T17:31:00.002-07:002014-08-10T17:31:41.919-07:00fun with watermelons<div class="MsoNormal">
I've</div>
<br />
come to the conclusion that there are simply not enough
hours in the day to get everything done. I’m not complaining, mind you, I could
really just go for a nap right about now. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKk_YEiOcNty0QN8NvnkAiMMMbKJe5Kda7wflCqbLyo8BVpphx3d0FXsTdgkX9V04uxw8WFkXyH2ayrCNoh_UGjKD4wiY6DOe-iutRO-yzGfzShPLvt6M3D-eg0PZ81_iGI3EhWYqYqo/s1600/jam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKk_YEiOcNty0QN8NvnkAiMMMbKJe5Kda7wflCqbLyo8BVpphx3d0FXsTdgkX9V04uxw8WFkXyH2ayrCNoh_UGjKD4wiY6DOe-iutRO-yzGfzShPLvt6M3D-eg0PZ81_iGI3EhWYqYqo/s1600/jam.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watermelon jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We started out the weekend in a nice relaxing fashion, by
taking the Suzuki out to Gila Bend where we had breakfast at the Space Age
Diner. The place is a hoot, doing its best Roswell impersonation. I’m
particularly found of the sparkly stucco the place is covered in. We ate so much I forgot to eat lunch. Which
is just as well, because I made a pretty big dinner. Some days I’m more domestic than others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn't all play for us. Brian did some more work on the
new veggie patch. (The alpacas are dutifully adding their contribution to the
project.) He also turned over what is now being referred to as the “little
garden”, where the bulk of the winter vegetables will go. It saves me a whole lot of time and backache
when he turns the soil with the tractor. I love that tractor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp6hLL393tQb1Io_gkMPowsgZEiefc0m4qrTc4oB9NISnH4BkYUgc_oRvYpM8UrBZMaFjoFGdDeCFr_3Yg2fvodXH1YZAVeV3MwQm42QDALLbuur4e6CGoJeA9hPQJIHcUOBlg0QXSN8/s1600/wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp6hLL393tQb1Io_gkMPowsgZEiefc0m4qrTc4oB9NISnH4BkYUgc_oRvYpM8UrBZMaFjoFGdDeCFr_3Yg2fvodXH1YZAVeV3MwQm42QDALLbuur4e6CGoJeA9hPQJIHcUOBlg0QXSN8/s1600/wine.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making wine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">For my part, I made watermelon Jam on Saturday, then
spent Sunday morning preparing my mix for watermelon wine. I’ll have Brian help
me put it in the fermentor after it cools down. Then it’s keep your fingers
crossed and hope I get a good fermentation and remember to rack it at the
proper time. Basically, hope that I don’t screw up. It’s killing me to know I
have to wait six to nine months to find out if I’ve made wine, or three gallons
of watermelon vinegar. I don’t think I know what I would do with three gallons
of watermelon vinegar… I wonder if I
could use it for dying? Na, let’s think positively and plan on toasting with a refreshing
fruit wine come the New Year.</span>claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-78546563410712327542014-08-03T19:07:00.002-07:002014-08-03T19:08:20.545-07:00Dog days of summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve been having a fairly wet monsoon this year. The
watermelons are loving it. I’ve been picking melons that are between twenty and
thirty pounds! It’s a good thing we like watermelon, though I have to admit, we
gave the last one away because, well, we’re getting just a tiny bit tired of
watermelon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The weeds have also been enjoying the rains. We finally
fenced off the watermelon patch and safeguarded the pomegranate and sage
bushes, and let the alpacas loose in the yard. I figured they could weed just as
easily as I could. Though it is just a little disconcerting to see an alpaca
walk by the window every so often. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Molly isn’t too thrilled with this set up. She is not a huge
fan of the alpacas and spends most of her time up on the porch giving me that
accusing look. (You let them out on purpose? What were you thinking???) The
feral cats are equally annoyed. Except for Rufus. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV63NF9iGLs0WpVzjgB6wNlSp4YeYBFpy8I1lxO70h0xXsy6VWtpRqRRm5JqaWLJG1JVlwg9zGzUqowniJicILsLcnJ9H-S9kqBpjANvl55i7aGPocyoIh5-4prEaFT744kyYXNwFRJk/s1600/sunny+and+rufus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV63NF9iGLs0WpVzjgB6wNlSp4YeYBFpy8I1lxO70h0xXsy6VWtpRqRRm5JqaWLJG1JVlwg9zGzUqowniJicILsLcnJ9H-S9kqBpjANvl55i7aGPocyoIh5-4prEaFT744kyYXNwFRJk/s1600/sunny+and+rufus.jpg" height="277" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq6JOnZkuBqjwjseDz86Fqz7-0dWX9s1ojVa_CwUgJ5mR1UZuCONtLJ47xaf2XxFL_Chv8xWI49Cy8woaeQ0G71IPhp2KBvzZLtZeYstkN4gnKidkxYYkTcutMEAG9RMHTKy7aND9j9w/s1600/sunny+and+rufus2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq6JOnZkuBqjwjseDz86Fqz7-0dWX9s1ojVa_CwUgJ5mR1UZuCONtLJ47xaf2XxFL_Chv8xWI49Cy8woaeQ0G71IPhp2KBvzZLtZeYstkN4gnKidkxYYkTcutMEAG9RMHTKy7aND9j9w/s1600/sunny+and+rufus2.jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a>He’s adopted the alpacas, and
the alpacas seem to have gotten found of him. During the heat of the day, when
the boys all find their favorite spots in front of the cooler, there is Rufus,
fast asleep in the middle of them. And I’ve lost count of the number of times
I’ve seen Rufus, arched back, rubbing in and out of the alpacas legs. It’s nice
to see they’ve all made friends.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Brian and I have been talking about setting up a new
vegetable garden in one of the pastures. We figured we could block it off until
it’s done producing, then open the gate, and let the alpacas clean up. Win-win.
Brian decided to go ahead and get that started. He ripped up the soil and moved
our compost pile to the new garden. We’ll keep adding compost and keep the soil
somewhat moist so that it is well conditioned for spring when we’ll start
planting. In the mean time, we’ll put the winter garden where the old compost
pile was. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLqek4rs28LW66YHIeGKLrH3621nww0mz7SDHYxb-G8j6x_6ax1qMC_KYDOiEDV-zX-ZNNJVsr6XSoVZOIqJJgcFy9-aLaJ4mBbV7ol4RyRdOp85Dv9NoBrp-_6nk1rWPyRJ20jcMWGg/s1600/brian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLqek4rs28LW66YHIeGKLrH3621nww0mz7SDHYxb-G8j6x_6ax1qMC_KYDOiEDV-zX-ZNNJVsr6XSoVZOIqJJgcFy9-aLaJ4mBbV7ol4RyRdOp85Dv9NoBrp-_6nk1rWPyRJ20jcMWGg/s1600/brian.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a>claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-70788092964111332032014-07-21T19:38:00.002-07:002014-07-21T19:41:38.993-07:00PEM<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It’s funny how you become aware of things, before you
realize you’ve noticed. You get that nagging tug at the back of your mind;
something is different here. You start to look around trying to figure out what
is out of place, what triggered this feeling.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had that out in the barn last week. I was feeding the
alpacas. Everybody was eating. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Then I noticed Inara was eating while kushed. Her mother,
Godiva, use to do that all the time, but this was not typical for Inara. She
hopped right up when I walked over to her and went to eat out by another
feeder. I chalked it up to her just being lazy and left. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The next day, once again she was kushed while eating. This
time when I walked up to her, I noticed that she seemed a bit unsteady on her
legs as she walked away. I checked her temperature, which was normal, but there
was definite tremble in her back legs.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My first thought was PEM, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(thiamine deficiency induced polioencephalomalacia).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The typical treatment by injection large doses
of thiamine, or fortified B complex into the affected animal. Unfortunately, I
didn’t have any injectable thiamine on hand. A call to Linda, my vet, resulted
in her ordering some for me, but it wouldn’t be in until Monday. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The reason it is preferred to give thiamine by injection vs oral, is that
coccidian protozoa, a parasite of the intestinal tract, uses thiamine to
reproduce, thereby decreasing the amount available to the body. If you give
Vitamin B orally, you’re basically sending it straight to the critters that are
stealing it from the alpaca. By injecting thiamine, it goes straight to the
blood stream and bypasses the gut all together.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But since Inara was already showing neurological problems,
and some Vitamin B was better than nothing, I started giving her tablets. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After three days of vitamin slurries, Inara is showing
improvements. I finally got the injectable B complex, and I’ll switch Inara to
that until we get the results from the fecal to see if we need to be treating
for coccidia as well.</div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-61290762814126731832014-04-17T07:39:00.002-07:002014-04-17T07:39:50.291-07:00Alpaca dolls
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Alpacazona Farm is pleased to offer these adorable alpaca
dolls. Each one is individually hand crafted from alpaca felt with accenting
fabric. They each stand at approximately 8” tall. Discounts are offered for
bulk purchases,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
$17 ea</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
2-4 dolls $15.50 ea</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
5-9 dolls $14 ea</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
10-12 dolls $12 ea</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
13 or more $10 ea</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Contact us at info@alpacazonafarm.com for purchasing info</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhkBZT4yLk09TmKzM1dW7MGGHLiaox3eNcAUMCvWzPFwMNg3ZyrEGyJrHrHgtMe7uytH5ZdZSxHIo-M3_ZDJ03LLk3XxZhnHWubVaFc6Z7NXIxP6w1ctMMBCJTAHbBEiQB0p0lD4_F9A/s1600/alpaca+doll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhkBZT4yLk09TmKzM1dW7MGGHLiaox3eNcAUMCvWzPFwMNg3ZyrEGyJrHrHgtMe7uytH5ZdZSxHIo-M3_ZDJ03LLk3XxZhnHWubVaFc6Z7NXIxP6w1ctMMBCJTAHbBEiQB0p0lD4_F9A/s1600/alpaca+doll.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-78118293948688364872014-03-25T07:41:00.003-07:002014-03-25T07:41:40.288-07:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The last two weeks have been fairly busy out here at
Alpacazona Farm. It started out when I discovered George, one of our borders,
with an injury to his eye. I haltered him and tried to gage how bad it was. The
tissue surrounding his eye was so swollen that I couldn’t even see if he even
had an eye in there. It was late in the day and I couldn’t get a hold of his
owner, so we flushed it out with saline as much as we could and left it until
morning. I had thought about separating George from then others and locking him
up in the barn, but he tends to fret when he is separated, I knew that the
alpacas would all settle down for the evening shortly after sunset, so I left
him where he was and hoped for the best. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEbSiu4pdzcnBE9cRmGw912rWulyW8qAmkJXiqbenUuhKFzM9hCWxT7z1N5vPTycBikzr2QcBQHu0lHCdkn7CL_Fmd9rjpz3kmm-rPqE79v2N3k27ydYVrtzfdiw-6INcKVuK9kmbf_E/s1600/eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEbSiu4pdzcnBE9cRmGw912rWulyW8qAmkJXiqbenUuhKFzM9hCWxT7z1N5vPTycBikzr2QcBQHu0lHCdkn7CL_Fmd9rjpz3kmm-rPqE79v2N3k27ydYVrtzfdiw-6INcKVuK9kmbf_E/s1600/eye.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George's eye injury</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
By the time I went out for morning feed (at four a.m.) I
could see from the glow of my flashlight that the swelling around George’s eye
was almost gone and there was just a little discharge. We flushed it out a
couple more times over the next two days, and I’m happy to report that his eye
is as good a new. It’s amazing how quickly they can go from normal to “oh my
god he popped out his eye!” then back to normal.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97nzrcDiQtdoN7K3SI996Lp2fLe0QbuACpqLHuPAU2RL68erENMqQwx8kd3Q94C-P3V65PAALOA9VZsQjWr5jayrxkesFoPjf4-ox1lMNzThD8897E9xD4jxUFknM92Sq_2Nl-bPtEaQ/s1600/george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97nzrcDiQtdoN7K3SI996Lp2fLe0QbuACpqLHuPAU2RL68erENMqQwx8kd3Q94C-P3V65PAALOA9VZsQjWr5jayrxkesFoPjf4-ox1lMNzThD8897E9xD4jxUFknM92Sq_2Nl-bPtEaQ/s1600/george.jpg" height="310" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George three days later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As soon as we were done messing with George’s eye, it was
time for our yearly teeth trimming. Of course George was on the list to be
trimmed. All in all, I imagine George thought he was having a bad week. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The weather has been so nice recently that I have been doing
a lot of yard work. All the gardens are growing well and Jim and Dot have
helped me put some old pallets up on the barn wall to act as a trellis for some
luffas that I thought I would try to grow this year. Hopefully in four or five
months I’ll have some spongy looking things to show for all this effort. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Finally, I found some new hay I’m trying out. Hay has always
been an issue for us. Alfalfa and bermuda are plentiful in this area, but
alfalfa is too rich as a steady diet and the alpacas really don’t like bermuda.
We usually buy timothy hay by the semi load and bring it in from the north, but
the last load we got was so expensive and of such poor quality that I have been
aggressively looking for other options. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I stumbled across a farm nearby that was growing a native
grass mix last fall. Unfortunately, he was just about out by the time I came
across his ad, but he told me he would be cutting some annual rye grass hay in
February or March. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I picked up two bales this week and have been mixing it in
when I feed the alpacas. While perennial rye should be avoided because of a
fungus that grows on it, annual rye grass is okay. (at least according to all
the articles I’ve read)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The alpacas seem
to like it. I have yet to send a sample off for testing, but if the numbers
come back where I need them, I’ll be feeding the critters rye grass hay this
summer.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike other types of
hay, this is very short and doesn’t hold together in a flake so when you cut
the strings, it looks like a big pile of lawn clippings. I’ll have to make sure
I open the bales in a location where I can easily sweep it all up. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The next big event (at least the next planned one) will be
shearing in April. </div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-32205294336861632342014-03-12T07:40:00.002-07:002014-03-12T07:42:39.255-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I love a good day. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Friday was a good day.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 261.0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMSySOZFSbe6NoouVnF4LL77O6tHttg867mDYwcWxbqYtM7tcUulTHXDx_hZ2vNpbtMzeBTSFls95cYrFX6d7w5mthcOBHzaCNzN4K0RBT7ClVTU2ZWLeg2JbjS3KFjl8bhpCYwBC_rY/s1600/veggies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMSySOZFSbe6NoouVnF4LL77O6tHttg867mDYwcWxbqYtM7tcUulTHXDx_hZ2vNpbtMzeBTSFls95cYrFX6d7w5mthcOBHzaCNzN4K0RBT7ClVTU2ZWLeg2JbjS3KFjl8bhpCYwBC_rY/s1600/veggies.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a>I had the day off from work
(which, quite frankly, by it’s self would have qualified Friday as a good day.)
as I had a group coming out later in the morning to visit the alpacas. I
started the morning with a nice relaxing cup of coffee as the sun was coming
up. After feeding the alpacas and cats, I picked a mountain of carrots, kale,
chard, chives, cilantro and a couple of tomatoes. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 261.0pt;">
My group showed up right on time
and spent an hour and a half feeding alpacas pellets and carrot tops. Okay,
most of them spent an hour and a half feeding alpacas; the littlest ones spent
most of their time playing in the dirt. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 261.0pt;">
After everyone went back home, I
finished cleaning carrots and blanched veggies for freezing. Since I was in the
kitchen anyway, I made loaf of soda bread, which ended up being part of dinner.
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 261.0pt;">
Out side, I planted some
watermelons and tomatoes. Dot brought over a day lily looking for a home, so we
found a spot to plant that as well. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 261.0pt;">
Then I wound down the evening
sewing another alpaca doll. </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">It was a good day.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-6-Zu1h2_q3Xx92S8DPbfAJ2iNyTxSUG3-FpzHF3j2Y5xy6Jtrx2-tRe7OiuIhIfpXKtbglq_1r280wkRjJrUgZ9k89Fqt5xnO9Qi_2YDFlqsl36jCj51LVnBgELpp8vOcexvSPNzUI/s1600/farm1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-6-Zu1h2_q3Xx92S8DPbfAJ2iNyTxSUG3-FpzHF3j2Y5xy6Jtrx2-tRe7OiuIhIfpXKtbglq_1r280wkRjJrUgZ9k89Fqt5xnO9Qi_2YDFlqsl36jCj51LVnBgELpp8vOcexvSPNzUI/s1600/farm1.JPG" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-13577771736720309982014-03-02T09:02:00.004-08:002014-03-02T09:02:48.981-08:00Spring is in the air
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was reminded yesterday that I have been once again
neglecting my blog. I’d love to tell you that as usual, I’ve been swamped with
activity, but the truth is I’ve just had a spat of laziness. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Not to say that I haven’t been doing anything, just nothing
alpaca related. I’ve planted the spring garden, been busy trying new recipes,
cleaned out part of the house and had a yard sale. I have not been out to the
shop or even looked at my spinning wheel. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’ve changed that these last couple of weekends. I have been
warping the loom for a couple more scarves with the royal baby yarn we had done
back in Connecticut. I’ve sewed some alpaca dolls from the felt we had made in
Utah. And, here’s the big one…. I up dated the web store!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That may seem like no big deal to some of you. But for me
code is a foreign language. And my website was built in such a way that I can’t
just fill out a couple of fields and magically have the new items appear. Trust
me, I wish that it did work that way, but it doesn’t. And I fear going to that
type of system because I have finally got this one looking the way I want it, I
don’t want to start all over. (hmm, there’s that laziness again.)</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For me, all things computer involve some sort of evil magic
and a whole lot of luck. Ironic, considering my day job is as a CAD Tech, and I
spend all day on a computer. It’s a love/hate relationship. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Anyway, since we finally got our long awaited rain
last night, and the yard is a muddy mess. I see another day of pleasantly puttering
around the house, dusting off the spinning wheel, finishing the warp for the
scarves and possibly cutting out another alpaca doll to start sewing on. Or I
might make a loaf of Irish soda bread, (I did my first one yesterday. Easy to
make and tasty, my kind of baking!) or do something domestic, like laundry (not
that I really want to, but it would sever no one any good if we started running
around naked for lack of clean cloths.). The sky <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is the limit! Spring is in the air!</span>claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-32609364899187262202014-01-14T07:26:00.002-08:002014-01-14T07:26:40.403-08:00RMFIH '14 - "Daddy's" girl
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
I'm not a huge fan of the Huffington Post, but this little
gem needs to be shared. The next time a small child is asking for your
attention, maybe you should stop and play turtle with them. (I especially need
this reminder!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">January 14,
2014 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shanell-mouland/dear-daddy-in-seat-16c_b_4585865.html?fb_action_ids=10203005439607004&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B196777993851162%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shanell-mouland/dear-daddy-in-seat-16c_b_4585865.html?fb_action_ids=10203005439607004&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B196777993851162%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Dear "Daddy,"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I don't know your name, but </span><a href="http://www.goteamkate.com/" target="_hplink"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Kate</span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> called you
"daddy" for the entire flight last week and you kindly never
corrected her. In fact, you didn't even flinch as you could probably tell that
she was not confusing you with her own "daddy," but instead making a
judgment regarding your level of "safety" for her. If she calls you
"daddy" then you better believe she thinks you are alright. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I sat Kate, </span><a href="http://www.goteamkate.com/the-diagnosis.html" target="_hplink"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">my
3-year-old who has autism</span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, in the middle seat knowing full well that there
would be a stranger sitting next to her for the duration of this flight. I had
to make a quick decision and based on her obsession with opening and closing
the window shade, I figured she might be less of a distraction if she sat in
the middle. I watched the entire Temple basketball team board the plane, and
wondered if one of these giants might sit by Kate. They all moved toward the
back. She would have liked that, she would have made some observations that I
would have had to deal with, but she would have liked those players. I watched
many Grandmotherly women board and hoped for one to take the seat but they
walked on by. For a fleeting moment I thought we might have a free seat beside
us, and then you walked up and sat down with your briefcase and your important
documents and I had a vision of Kate pouring her water all over your
multi-million dollar contracts, or house deeds, or whatever it was you held.
The moment you sat down, Kate started to rub your arm. Your jacket was soft and
she liked the feel of it. You smiled at her and she said: "Hi, Daddy,
that's my mom." Then she had you.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">You could have shifted
uncomfortably in your seat. You could have ignored her. You could have given me
that "smile" that I despise because it means; "manage your child
please." You did none of that. You engaged Kate in conversation and you
asked her questions about her turtles. She could never really answer your questions
but she was so enamored with you that she kept eye contact and joint attention
on the items you were asking her about. I watched and smiled. I made a few
polite offers to distract her, but you would have none of it. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Kate: (Upon noticing you had an
iPad) Is dis Daddy's puduter? <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">You: This is my iPad. Would you
like to see it?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Kate: To me?????? (I know she
thought you were offering it to her to keep)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Me: Look with your eyes, Kate.
That is not yours.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Kate: Dat's nice!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">You: (Upon noticing that Kate had
an iPad) I like your computer, too. It has a nice purple case. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Kate: Daddy wanna be a bad guy?
(She offered shredder to you and that, my friend, is high praise)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">You: Cool. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The interaction went on and on
and you never once seemed annoyed. She gave you some moments of peace while she
played with her Anna and Elsa dolls. Kind of her to save you from playing
Barbies, but I bet you wouldn't have minded a bit. I bet you have little girls,
too. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Not long before we landed Kate
had reached her limit. She screamed to have her seatbelt off, she screamed for
me to open the plane door and she cried repeating, "Plane is cwosed
(closed)" over and over. You tried to redirect her attention to her toys.
She was already too far gone at this point, but the fact that you tried to help
your new little friend made me emotional. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In case you are wondering, she
was fine the moment we stepped off the plane. Thank you for letting us go ahead
of you. She was feeling overwhelmed and escaping the plane and a big, long hug
was all she needed. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">So, thank you. Thank you for not
making me repeat those awful apologetic sentences that I so often say in
public. Thank you for entertaining Kate so much that she had her most
successful plane ride, yet. And, thank you for putting your papers away and
playing turtles with our girl.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-82595169808824498042014-01-13T06:52:00.001-08:002014-01-13T06:52:36.404-08:00RMFIH '14 - Raise the Roof
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We're going to bring today's RMFIH '14 even closer to home.
In fact, we're going to bring it right next door.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jim and Dot have needed a new roof on their house for, well,
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for years, but they didn't tell anyone.
They just didn't know how they would pay for it, or how they would get it done.
Over the last year, it has become impossible to hide the fact that every time
it rains, the house leaks like a sieve. Granted, we live in a desert, and we
don't get a lot of rain, but when it comes, it comes with a vengeance. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the last four months, the roof has been covered by a big
blue tarp held down with old tires and bricks. If there was ever any doubt that
we're a bunch of red-necks, we pretty much dispelled it forever.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After spending months, worrying about it, and talking about
it and thinking about it, Friday Brian and Jim got up on the roof and started
lifting shingles to see just how bad it was.... It was really, really bad. So
Brian calls me at work to ask if I could get anyone from the office to help. We
knew it was last minute, and all these guys have young families, with
obligations of their own, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hadn't heard back from anyone by the time I left for home,
so we assumed we were on our own. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Around six o'clock, JD Called to let me know he and two
other guys would be there at eight a.m. to help out, and maybe a few more would
be able to come. They could only stay until noon, but they would be there.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hooray!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At eight o'clock sharp, JD's truck rolled in and six guys
came piling out. They got right down to business and climbed up on the old
rotted roof. It was like we had set six little whirlwinds loose up there. They
managed to accomplish in three and half hours what it would have taken us all
weekend to do. The roof was completely striped, the old rotted sheeting was
torn off, trusses that needed shoring up were repaired and most of the sheeting
had been replaced. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As they drove away at noon, Brian and I looked at each other
with the same thought in our heads: Thank God they could only stay until noon,
we were exhausted! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The roof isn't quite done yet, but we never would have
gotten nearly this far without help.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks JD, Josh, Kyle, Matt, Manny and Rich!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPY6VydfJBDrvuowskC1AuFpWpxZHaAkGLWW8p3vVqzwQDQoWD8uH7VdoxX5orGavjtXReVOgviS2lPdyEvtdxcjFPXMTXSXff2ummCawg7n8MSbj87tX-1KfYPhEfkwmFBFff4qbhME/s1600/roof1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPY6VydfJBDrvuowskC1AuFpWpxZHaAkGLWW8p3vVqzwQDQoWD8uH7VdoxX5orGavjtXReVOgviS2lPdyEvtdxcjFPXMTXSXff2ummCawg7n8MSbj87tX-1KfYPhEfkwmFBFff4qbhME/s320/roof1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q672cg8C6SsD_bgNCOwB5U-YxrI8SGUjJdRvMockZqxrJEnQKvlvYR2M2ftm4EP1TFzo3GD8KWMN9iGHr8VDkzVl9-ViriugN6T9OBZqSyymdqTdqoKRAK_B36_hvAA8vw65XlYLeEA/s1600/roof+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q672cg8C6SsD_bgNCOwB5U-YxrI8SGUjJdRvMockZqxrJEnQKvlvYR2M2ftm4EP1TFzo3GD8KWMN9iGHr8VDkzVl9-ViriugN6T9OBZqSyymdqTdqoKRAK_B36_hvAA8vw65XlYLeEA/s320/roof+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq7JI-ArT5ySGWrBW3rDG2er6yXreGoFxcxSw7v-nRVVCiIj6wdsWGSd6ham2Huih36BlWY8bBtd3IB6kR9nMAEh1GIxybbGl7hXreWNOXnKFot2s2iNTdVHfJg1Dd6l1a0ENExhZXwU/s1600/roof3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq7JI-ArT5ySGWrBW3rDG2er6yXreGoFxcxSw7v-nRVVCiIj6wdsWGSd6ham2Huih36BlWY8bBtd3IB6kR9nMAEh1GIxybbGl7hXreWNOXnKFot2s2iNTdVHfJg1Dd6l1a0ENExhZXwU/s320/roof3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-84525258281616292052014-01-10T05:38:00.000-08:002014-01-10T05:42:48.355-08:00RMFIH '14 - A dogs best freindThis one is a local story from around Thanksgiving. Not only should we help each other, we should be willing to go the extra mile for a furry friends too.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20131101wounded-pit-bull-saved-sensation.html?nclick_check=1">http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20131101wounded-pit-bull-saved-sensation.html?nclick_check=1</a><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20131101wounded-pit-bull-saved-sensation.html?nclick_check=1" target="_blank">http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20131101wounded-pit-bull-saved-sensation.html?nclick_check=1</a>claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-45484209466744309602014-01-09T05:49:00.000-08:002014-01-09T05:49:42.729-08:00Restore My Faith In Humanity 2014
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So it's a new year. 2013 ended with a whimper, leaving a
slightly bad taste in my mouth. In an effort to not dwell on the negative, I'm
starting a new project: Restore My Faith In Humanity.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As part of my effort to remind myself to be positive, no
matter what, to see the silver lining, even when I would rather just wallow in self-pity,
I am scoring the internet, talking to strangers and keeping my eyes open for examples,
big and small of people doing good deeds for others. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We're starting out with this: a yahoo story about a guy in
PA taking time to help out the elderly in his town during the recent cold snap,
by delivering anything they need so they don't have to venture out into the
cold. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/pizza-store-owner-delivers-medications-to-residents-during-blizzard-232427794.html">http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/pizza-store-owner-delivers-medications-to-residents-during-blizzard-232427794.html</a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stay tuned for more stories of inspiration, or add one
yourself.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Smile! It will really piss off a grumpy person.</span></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-36181499390558557572013-11-12T09:21:00.001-08:002013-11-12T09:22:35.197-08:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I was attending an open house at a friend's farm this
past weekend, I had a woman call asking if she could come out to the farm and
see the alpacas. Of course I told her she was welcome, but that weekend would
be tough, maybe she would be able to come to our open house in a couple of
weeks? That sounded like a plan to her, she started to ask for some more info
and then said, well that's alright, you update your blog.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">..... Uh, yeah. About that blog.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obviously, I have not been keeping up. I'm not even sure
where to begin. We attended the annual Fall Festival up in Pinetop again this
year. Sales were pretty good, beating last year. Sales aside, we always have a
good time at that show and it's great to see our show friends again. This year
we were next to a woman that makes clocks out of old door hardware. I was
highly impressed with her work, but couldn't think of a spot to put another
clock. Maybe next year.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also went to the Southwest Fiber Festival down in Tubac
earlier this month. That was a long drive, but well worth the effort. We blew
away last year's numbers.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This coming weekend is an off weekend for me, then it's
three weekends worth of shows in a row. The weekend before Thanksgiving we'll
be up in Sun City West at a new show we're trying out this year. Then off to
Chino Valley for the annual Christmas Boutique at Singletree Farm. Finally
ending up at out place for the 7th annual open house here. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The weekend after out open house, our partner farm, Mesquite
Valley Ranch in Gilbert will be hosting another open house, but we'll be
resting up and getting the house decorated for Christmas.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then I'm going to take a nice long nap.</span></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-42015204056115796782013-08-30T09:40:00.000-07:002013-08-30T09:40:24.186-07:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I've finally managed to get some work done out in the
shop. I've been avoiding the place for the last couple of months, well, because
it's 130 freakin' degrees out there and I'm totally sick of being hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But show season is rapidly approaching, and
I've got to get some product put together or the alpacas won't eat this winter.
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, as fat as
they've all gotten, it probably wouldn't hurt them to not eat for awhile, but
they can get quite whiney when they are hungry and the constant humming would
probably get distracting. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I digress...</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got about two dozen skeins of yarn dyed up and a bunch of
two ounce batts ready. During the month of October, there is a yarn crawl
organized for the state of Arizona and Tempe Yarn wants us fully stocked over
there. We are also donating a hand-woven rug to Tempe yarn as one of their
giveaways for the event. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So all you
yarnies, make sure to stop in and show Tempe Yarn your support.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLMLUah_3B1ThBk43ZsBnAeGF3V-KpkGA2vsW3BnmutQqu_rwOrVhTot759kk86eXfyoHiU_2XbroT6opBjEdksUXlDoZBBMolVzQ2FF9_-GLgFo3TmvjjeuFqvP-mCqosgwgugwnSmc/s1600/0813b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLMLUah_3B1ThBk43ZsBnAeGF3V-KpkGA2vsW3BnmutQqu_rwOrVhTot759kk86eXfyoHiU_2XbroT6opBjEdksUXlDoZBBMolVzQ2FF9_-GLgFo3TmvjjeuFqvP-mCqosgwgugwnSmc/s320/0813b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-5841409314524295212013-08-26T09:22:00.000-07:002013-08-26T09:23:42.904-07:00Kittens, kittens and kittens, oh my!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh Happy Day! We spent the weekend trapping kittens. In the
end we caught thirteen really, really pissed off<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cats. An achievement I am particularly proud
of as we only had 12 traps. I have become a very efficient cat trapper and
earned myself a spot on the Spay and Neuter Hotline's Facebook page. Makes me
kind of wish I had showered before schlepping all those cats up to Tempe.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any hoot, there is a single holdout left in our colony and
I'm 80% sure it's a male, so I'm less stressed about catching up with him than
I was about getting the females before they all reach breeding age. He won't be
making kittens on his own. Our colony has gotten as big as it ever will
(PLEASE!). </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For any one keeping count, we have spayed and neutered 31
cats since the end of May. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swore this
would be the last generation of kittens, and I think I am winning the fight. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And once again, Brian spent some time being amused by drunken
kittens wandering around the property. The kittens were less amused.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHT8HEvAawml5NdXkhIKFNCrwg_MkrGIMjlACdoEISwUtYGeBj9RT9bDN2roQA8vk1X67-zF1F4NuCRo8RmTCBr_gBV0RHQ7LV7BJF1FxTxc0o-MplwyqPPCOU2R3PowDUjv2u-M-hsg/s1600/FotoFlexer_Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHT8HEvAawml5NdXkhIKFNCrwg_MkrGIMjlACdoEISwUtYGeBj9RT9bDN2roQA8vk1X67-zF1F4NuCRo8RmTCBr_gBV0RHQ7LV7BJF1FxTxc0o-MplwyqPPCOU2R3PowDUjv2u-M-hsg/s320/FotoFlexer_Photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-15629864921358809602013-07-29T08:45:00.000-07:002013-07-29T08:49:04.541-07:00and then there is Yoda.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know this blog is suppose to be about alpacas, but lately
our lives have been revolving around kittens (okay, my life. Brian is far less
concerned about the fuzzy little buggers.)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The count for kittens under the house is now at thirteen.
Actually it has always been that high, I just finally managed to get them all
out in the open for an accurate count. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Plus one in the house.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, there is a kitten in the house, on purpose. In the
open, not hiding under the floor boards. For a two to three week period, the
momma cats developed a nasty habit of scattering kittens everywhere; under hay
bales, under car parts, in between <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>irrigation pipes. Which is fine except that
the kittens, now having to wait until their mothers came around to feed them,
would start yelling at the top of their little kitten lungs for a meal. It was
very distracting. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I finally started gathering kittens up and stuffing them
back under the house where their mothers were hanging out. (Here cat, you lost
this!) This plan was working rather well until we came across the last lost
kitten. When I went to fetch him from under the hay, I discovered that he was
not in great health. His eyes were swollen shut and he was just bones and
fluff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stuffing him back under the house
would probably just mean a slow death. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
challenge anyone to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>condemn a kitten to
a slow death. Even the most hard-hearted villain would have a hard time doing so. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So he came into the house so I could clean him up, feed him
and make him well. While I was washing out his swollen eyes, Brian made a
comment: "He looks just like Yoda. Hi Yoda!" </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crap. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well now he has a name, we have to keep him. So Yoda,
weighing in at a whooping 12 ounces, became a member of the family. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now two weeks later he has more than doubled his weight. His
eyes are looking good and he has gained enough confidence to lie on his back
and play with Molly's nose. Molly for her part, has agreed not to eat him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Daisy will play with him on occasion,
but only when the mode hits her and on her terms. (which usually involve her
flipping Yoda onto his back with her nose, then stomping on his belly.)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even Dot has gotten in on the Yoda bandwagon. When she comes
to get the dogs for doggy daycare, Yoda goes with her. Can't have him spending
all day by himself, after all. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of these days, I'm going to get back to writing about
the alpacas, I promise. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtL2jVde_-7IZBRGVVbti9iFAZaDc-hXSF5bBcx4q2m67exWXNV7MoQe3R8-VITO9cmIYocFO0U2vt94dOSNiiZ0wK_rTiogCllkIcmmE2HR9rXX7ta93gzPz5VJe2Z_JBtHQflrBFOk/s1600/yoda3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtL2jVde_-7IZBRGVVbti9iFAZaDc-hXSF5bBcx4q2m67exWXNV7MoQe3R8-VITO9cmIYocFO0U2vt94dOSNiiZ0wK_rTiogCllkIcmmE2HR9rXX7ta93gzPz5VJe2Z_JBtHQflrBFOk/s320/yoda3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYBjNyi-DQNQFy8VhD0FoP4dFWFvdacz7L-XW0NRfzddnRgvdC4FegIrB4mqiwIwd1lIfluym5edLi6B9exBPThO7MhkIlhKHPPefmaYEOD5R8UpWXi6CmC32Jv6Bg2d4gg99RFuePVQ/s1600/yoda2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYBjNyi-DQNQFy8VhD0FoP4dFWFvdacz7L-XW0NRfzddnRgvdC4FegIrB4mqiwIwd1lIfluym5edLi6B9exBPThO7MhkIlhKHPPefmaYEOD5R8UpWXi6CmC32Jv6Bg2d4gg99RFuePVQ/s320/yoda2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCVrAoykgC9TOmXsG8qUtwNr7oIhkL339HoUjwAibD9I-oB1VhM4fFZMdK88RlCzDYaop7zBbku8rRBkR_BOI4Xc-Ps3p6v8-PvYVB0SA52G-JaTnVha-K-QuZ2ouzA3jlXW8fY-RUKs/s1600/yoda1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCVrAoykgC9TOmXsG8qUtwNr7oIhkL339HoUjwAibD9I-oB1VhM4fFZMdK88RlCzDYaop7zBbku8rRBkR_BOI4Xc-Ps3p6v8-PvYVB0SA52G-JaTnVha-K-QuZ2ouzA3jlXW8fY-RUKs/s320/yoda1.JPG" width="243" /></a></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-32217330500027036682013-06-10T12:49:00.002-07:002013-06-10T12:49:51.895-07:00The kitten saga, or How I lost my mind and destroyed my house.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two weeks ago, my friend Pat asked me if we had any kittens.
Well, yes! I replied. We have four that are tame enough to be pets, two males
and two females. She was headed out of town on vacation, but when she got back,
she said she would take the two males. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So she called me Sunday afternoon to let me know she was
back and would come over for the kittens after awhile. Being the good and
dutiful friend that I am, I tried to lure the kittens out from under the house,
where they spend the heat of the day. (along with their mother, three more
adult cats and at least nine more kittens) I managed to get the two females,
but only one of the males. For safe keeping, I put them in the laundry room
until Pat could come and choose the ones she wanted.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brian, wanting to see what I was up to, took a peak in the laundry
room after a few minutes. He then informed me that there isn't a kitten to be
seen. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well shoot. I can't have them hidden away when Pat gets
here, so I go looking for kittens. I manage to find two (one boy, one girl) in
short order, but I cannot find the third kitten. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I stashed the first two in our small bathroom, thinking
there are no hiding places in there I can't get to, and go back to search for
missing kitten number three. I finally manage to find her in the motor of our
freezer and by bending my body into many unnatural positions, manage to get her
out. Triumph!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Off I go with my little prize, to put her in safe keeping
with her siblings. But wait! There are no kittens in the bathroom. What the....</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So stashing rotten kitten number three in a box, I set off
to find the little rats, er, kittens. Turns out, there is a tiny gap between
the floor of the vanity and the top of the kick board. The kittens had squeezed
themselves through it and where under the sink. At least I hoped so, as Brian
pointed out; what if there was a gap in the floor where the pipes come up and
the kittens where now in the insulation under the house. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, so now I'm panicked, think I have just condemned these
poor hapless kittens to a slow starvation under the floorboards of the house. Or
how I was going to convince Brian to start pulling up floor boards to get them
out. Luckily for me, Brian is a much calmer person and came up with option
number three; he pulled the kicker board off the vanity. (some splintering occurred
in the process, but I'll deal with that later) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could now see the three kittens huddled in
the corner. I decided they were safe enough there for the time being and went
to calm myself. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Pat arrived a few hours later, I got down on my belly
and retrieved the first kitten. The second kitten followed quickly after. To
get the last kitten, I had to reach as far as I could and twist my shoulder.
once I got the kitten in my grasp, I realized my arm was now stuck under the
vanity. I have to tell you, I just put my head down on the floor and decided I
would die there before I admitted I couldn't get free. After what felt like to
me, an eternity, but I'm sure was really just a couple of breaths, I tried to
turn my arm in various directions to see if I could pop it loose, all the while
keeping my grip on the kitten, who was now biting my thumb. At last, I find the
right combination and pull both arm and kitten from beneath the vanity. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pat ended up taking the two girls, and I let the little boy
go back to his mom and brother under the house. Pat's granddaughter was
thrilled with her new little friends. So, other than some scrapes on my elbow,
a few tiny teeth marks on my hand and a bathroom that is going to need some repairs,
the story had a happy ending. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the way, when I asked Pat how the kittens had done
through the night, she let me know that they had escaped from the kennel she
had set up for them so they wouldn't get lost, and they were hiding under the
sofa. At least they weren't somewhere between the walls.</span></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-34407613923996334562013-06-10T07:57:00.000-07:002013-06-10T08:53:41.824-07:00Life goes on.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's been a while since I posted. A lot has happened, some
good, some bad. I guess the biggest news, for us, is we finally came to the end
of the journey with Jack. Losing him cast a pall over the whole farm. I wasn't
really aware of how much our daily routine revolved around him and what was
going on with his health until he was gone. It sort of threw us all for a
while. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During this time, Storm developed a large swelling on his
jaw. We didn't know if it was a tooth problem, an abscess, or possible a lymph
node issue. We couldn't find any external wound and it didn't seem to faze him,
so it went on the back burner while we focused with other things. It turned out
to be an abscess which opened on its own and we could clean and dress the
wound. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as Storm was on his way to recovery, Donny stopped eating.
By now I was just having a WTF moment. It seemed like everybody, including me,
was falling apart. Last year Don had an abscess under his chin, which had
caused him to stop eating for nearly two weeks. I suspected this may be a
similar problem. For a couple of days, I was able to coax <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>him into nibbling some equine senior food, but
he eventually stopped eating altogether. When that happened, I had to mix up a
product called Fibrevive, basically alpaca mush, and syringe feed him. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have never been comfortable with tube feeding, and feeding
with a syringe worked just as well. It takes <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a little more time, but it <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>works. Up until now, I have been using a turkey
baster to do the job, well the old turkey batser had pretty much been destroyed
over the years and I didn't have another one. I did, however, have a giant
syringe that was used to inject brine (or whatever flavoring you desire) into a
turkey. It held about 60cc of fluid. I took off the metal needle portion, (and
by I, I mean Jim) reamed out a bigger hole, attached some flexible tubing and
viola! Alpaca mush feeder extraordinaire!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaCI5DYk6aV7RZ4oGsDwAfxoDOQ9e-j0KCB6KUFy0biEK9-y_EDajXq4QY07ulQvEOLRhonDcr3fRPhou0aK76Hn0RpSGMKNHZmRI6lBtFtD_TybItBxB_2FP8yqqN0Vq4mZ32Of7rHU/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaCI5DYk6aV7RZ4oGsDwAfxoDOQ9e-j0KCB6KUFy0biEK9-y_EDajXq4QY07ulQvEOLRhonDcr3fRPhou0aK76Hn0RpSGMKNHZmRI6lBtFtD_TybItBxB_2FP8yqqN0Vq4mZ32Of7rHU/s320/IMG_0919.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mean while, I had started Don on some antibiotics that I had
left over from Jack. (with my vets blessing) Five days after starting the meds,
Don started to nibble at food again. By the seventh day, his appetite seemed to
be back in full swing. We'll keep an eye on him for the next couple of weeks,
but I'm hopeful that we got this one cured.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It hasn't all been drama around the farm. We had another
cat-trapping event. We caught eight cats this time. Well, really nine, we
re-caught one of the cats from the original trapping. So much for the theory
that the cats won't go back into the traps a second time. We caught him fairly
early on in the evening, so we gave him some food and water and left him in
there. He didn't seem any the worse for wear when we let him back out in the
morning. Now we're down to just the latest round of kittens to spay and neuter
so we'll do this again in September when they are big enough. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also got our yarn from Zeilinger's. That was exciting. We
sent in two different colors and they sent back solids and a ply of the two
colors together. I was really pleased with how it came out. Since we're still
in the middle of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>doing some remodel work
on the house, the two VERY large boxes of yarn have taken up residence in the
middle of the living room. Someday we'll be done, and the yarn can get put
away. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAZ8z5fsFssK5G9zdQ9Ku-Y02gsIWid9Ykn0oafgEoxmAnWhuUIfmCcpVUw4xivJuQVuRG5Oel3kIUwC9xFzXAZhE-NcqXCqKGx8OWUL2w-9P8hNqqI11BXDyYy3wg53xPn-DFvPo7lo/s1600/gazebo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAZ8z5fsFssK5G9zdQ9Ku-Y02gsIWid9Ykn0oafgEoxmAnWhuUIfmCcpVUw4xivJuQVuRG5Oel3kIUwC9xFzXAZhE-NcqXCqKGx8OWUL2w-9P8hNqqI11BXDyYy3wg53xPn-DFvPo7lo/s320/gazebo.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While we have been tearing apart our house, Jim and Dot have
been busy building a gazebo at their house. We like to tease Jim about his
collection of "stuff" and the mistaken idea that some of my friends
have about him running a scrap yard, but he got his gazebo put together for
less than twenty bucks. It even has electric lights and there is a plan for a ceiling
fan in the future. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So we're getting back into a routine. Hopefully things stay
quite through the summer, I've had enough drama for one season!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaCI5DYk6aV7RZ4oGsDwAfxoDOQ9e-j0KCB6KUFy0biEK9-y_EDajXq4QY07ulQvEOLRhonDcr3fRPhou0aK76Hn0RpSGMKNHZmRI6lBtFtD_TybItBxB_2FP8yqqN0Vq4mZ32Of7rHU/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2DpEO5-XxzbIQODUwvXklOtwn03gJg4tR6MUo5qG2285q1DfKto1FJSreOLbxLl-IRtWKijo8dujjQkqgNH1O7fcYctDz_X_5-QFtNQ10JWVFRiGDcLKyIlpaZdjC4UCf_UGeO5NHTQ/s1600/jim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2DpEO5-XxzbIQODUwvXklOtwn03gJg4tR6MUo5qG2285q1DfKto1FJSreOLbxLl-IRtWKijo8dujjQkqgNH1O7fcYctDz_X_5-QFtNQ10JWVFRiGDcLKyIlpaZdjC4UCf_UGeO5NHTQ/s320/jim.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-9183515123404754622013-04-30T06:09:00.001-07:002013-04-30T06:09:42.019-07:00Life is good
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Friday I was the first person to
the office in the morning. A homeless man sleeping in front of the front door
startled me as I nearly stepped on him. I woke him and he moved out of the way.
Instead of snarling at him to get a job, as I might have done at one time, I
asked him if he wanted a cup of coffee. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He gratefully
accepted and waited outside until I came back with a cup of the freshly brewed
stuff. He thanked me, took his coffee and headed down the sidewalk to do what
ever it was he was going to do that day.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On Monday I
left work to go do yoga with my friend Lisa. Afterwards I stopped by the
grocery store then moved over to the gas pumps to fill my car. As I was waiting
for the pump to finish, I watched a man standing at the corner of the driveway,
sign in hand, panhandling. Most of the cars went by without stopping, but one
pickup did slow, the driver handed the man some money and drove on. As the
truck pulled away, I saw the man bend his head in prayer. Whether he was
praying for himself, or the driver, I couldn’t tell you, but it made me reflect
on my life for a moment. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I had just
spent time with a good friend; I had a car full of groceries; I was working on
a tank full of gas; I was headed home to a loving husband and a sturdy roof
over our heads. I was blessed in so many ways.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In my purse
was two dollars. It was the change from a large order of fries I had bought
earlier in the day, not because I was particularly hungry, but because I just
wanted some french fries. As I pulled way from the gas pumps, I fished the two
dollars out of my purse and a handed them to the man on the corner. As he
leaned into the car to get the money he said, “God bless you ma’am.” All I
could think was; he already has.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Will these
small acts of kindness make a huge difference in these men’s lives?
Realistically? Probably not. But if a butterfly can flap its wings in Mexico,
and cause a typhoon in China, imagine the potential a couple of dollars might
have.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> S</span>omeday
it may be me sleeping on the sidewalk, and it sure would be nice if someone
brought me a cup of coffee.</div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-49187026587633763182013-04-12T10:41:00.002-07:002013-04-12T10:41:34.344-07:00Shearing 2013 -- DONE!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shearing is once again behind us! This year, with a little
help from our friends, (okay, a LOT of help from our friends. Thanks Pat,
George and Chris!) we got everybody done in one weekend. There were a few minor
injuries, mostly to the people, that I'm happy to say everyone is recovering
from. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We sheared just in the nick of time. The day after we
finished, we had a major wind storm. The gust where so strong that it actually
blew a couple of bales of hay off the stack. I can just imagine the nightmare
shearing would have been in that kind of weather. We would have been chasing
fiber all the way to Casa Grande! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I meant to get some before and after pictures of the
alpacas, but I set my camera down and forgot all about it until we were
cleaning up on Sunday. So all you get is an after shot.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPasPyAZGbzGvbP2nkfn3EN7N0yn2ZVFcPeZhYITbwOZYS4tuPzUKX4GlxsSneYY5xNm0yy_vH0gCR_XE-KL7LQ6fBcDrLHlZjcyidP9N6c8ecZQQ_x9bYVJfq0vux7yA1DEJDckNNdo/s1600/jack-in-a-barn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPasPyAZGbzGvbP2nkfn3EN7N0yn2ZVFcPeZhYITbwOZYS4tuPzUKX4GlxsSneYY5xNm0yy_vH0gCR_XE-KL7LQ6fBcDrLHlZjcyidP9N6c8ecZQQ_x9bYVJfq0vux7yA1DEJDckNNdo/s320/jack-in-a-barn.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack-in-a-barn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaEEyAB-p5C5evU1ZjoNyY_sBH5bXTSwHMXLcD1BDHzquRPvVfA0RTrl50I3KwOW7V9u7rvK6lqVLdem4WolLkwtIP75NCR1WMZS0V2ZhiCynqHxDistkOjZbKQjidVZAu6cU_IyH81k/s1600/IMG_0907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-37043910840603195592013-04-04T09:10:00.001-07:002013-04-04T09:10:39.132-07:00This and that
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The heat has been teasing us. We'll get hot for a couple of
days, and we think here it is. Then we'll cool back down for a couple of days.
No 100 degree days yet, so at least we get to ease into it this year. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The funky weather tends to catch the alpacas off guard every
year, and every year we have one or two that don't stay hydrated enough and get
impacted. This year it was Cartigan. I use a product called Magnalax, it is a
laxative with a mild antacid, with a nice minty flavor. I know for a fact it
has a minty flavor, I also know that alpacas don't particularly care for mint
flavoring. Anyway, two <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or three doses
and it usually gets everything back in order. Cartigan was no exception.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We took Jack off medication again. So far it's been five
weeks and we're keeping our fingers crossed. This is the longest he's been of
meds in the last two years.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I've had a little free time recently so I've been working on
the web store. People have been asking me for years if our yarns and such are
on line. I finally figured out how to do it. I should be able to add some more
of our one of a kind finished products as well, so check it out. Just remember
it is still a work in progress, so if <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it
looks kind of unfinished, well, it is. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The big activity for this week is shearing this weekend. I'm
hopeful that we can get everybody done, but if there are a few left by Sunday
evening, I'll just get them finished up over the next couple of weeks in the
chute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it is back to the old routine
of skirting, and tumbling and washing and....<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>you know how it goes.</span></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-24547241461409398382013-03-18T09:52:00.002-07:002013-03-18T09:52:12.915-07:00Did you miss me?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alas, poor blog, I have neglected you so.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm going to claim it's because I've been crazy busy, but
there is a little bit of laziness involved as well. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We're gearing up for summer. The fans have been cleaned and
oiled, we're doing some modifications to the coolers, and we have a couple of new
great big water tanks for plenty of cool drinking water. (or a dip in the
afternoon, whatever floats everyone's boat)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been busy at the loom doing some special order
scarves. I finally finished them up yesterday so it's on to other things. The
spinning wheel has dust on it, it has been so long since we visited, so that's
on the to-do list. I won't even mention the state of the shop and the carder. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the plus side, we did get over 300 pounds of fleece boxed
up and sent off to a couple of mills for processing. Just in time for the next
clip to start coming in. We're scheduled for the weekend of April 6 & 7 to
get the bulk of our shearing done. Then it will be pretty much every weekend
after that until all the farms are done in this area.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">April 27 and 28, we'll be helping Pat and George with their
Wool Festival. It may be at the Pinal County Fairgrounds, or it may be at their
new home, I'm not entirely sure yet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
plan to have fun where ever we end up.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The broccoli crop is in and I have a freezer full! The rest
of the plants we're letting bolt so we have seed for next year. It looks like
I'll be passing out seed to everyone I know again. It's amazing how many seeds
you get of each plant. The snow peas are kicking into high gear right now, and
we dug out first potatoes (and ate them already). I've got peppers and tomatoes
in for the summer. I'll try squash again, even though I have failed
spectacularly every year with it. I guess I'm just an optimist. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The alpacas love when we switch over to new veggie beds
because they get to snack on all the old plants. So everybody is happy!</span></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-40906918841854878782012-11-23T07:37:00.001-08:002012-11-23T07:39:45.274-08:00some shows are more exciting than others...<br />
<div style="background: white; border-color: currentColor currentColor currentColor rgb(16, 16, 255); border-style: none none none solid; border-width: medium medium medium 1.5pt; padding: 0in 0in 0in 4pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 3.75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #1010FF 1.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">Happy
Black Friday. For me this is a day to do anything but shop. But I’m funny that
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 3.75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #1010FF 1.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">We’re
half way through our eight week marathon of shows and open houses. So far
everything is going well… mostly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 3.75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #1010FF 1.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">Last
weekend was a little rough. It started out well enough. I set up for Diane's
open house Saturday. The day was quite, but the weather was nice and the
company good, so no complaints. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 3.75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #1010FF 1.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; padding: 0in;">
<span class="ycalshortcuts"><span style="color: black;">Saturday night</span></span><span style="color: black;"> I
started feeling ill. End up with food poisoning and was up all night wishing
for the end to come and take me. Brian got me some anti-nausea stuff in the
morning, so I was feeling good enough to go back to Diane's Sunday, late
morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBlockText" style="background: white; margin: 1em 0.5in 1em 3.75pt; mso-shading: transparent;">
A guy
that lives down the road from Diane raises exotic birds. Lloyd (Diane’s
husband) brought a cockatoo over because he was trying to get Diane to let him
buy it and he wanted Diane to see how friendly it was. I went in to meet the
bird and after a few minutes turned to go back outside. The crazy bird
(feathered demon) flew off Lloyd’s arm, landed on my head and bit a hole <i>through</i>
my ear. And not in a location where I can just stick a stud through it and call
it good. Stupid bird (winged hell-spawn) has no fashion sense. </div>
<div class="MsoBlockText" style="background: white; margin: 1em 0.5in 1em 3.75pt; mso-shading: transparent;">
Then
while I'm sitting outside with a towel and some ice on my ear, just to add
insult to injury, an alpaca walked up and bit my boob. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 3.75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #1010FF 1.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; mso-shading: transparent; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">Oddly enough, I didn't notice my stomach bothering me much
after all of that! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 3.75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #1010FF 1.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 4.0pt; mso-shading: transparent; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">So net result; my ear hurts and Lloyd's not getting his
bird. (flying minion of death)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This weekend I’ll be at Singletree Farm in Chino
Valley. I’m hoping for an infinitely less exciting time.</span>claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6500065293011974210.post-57700260874969855652012-10-23T14:03:00.001-07:002012-10-23T14:03:27.781-07:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Show season is upon us! Here is what we have planned for the
next eight weeks:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oct 27 & 28</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">JMS Alpacas Open House 17001 W. Hopi Dr Casa Grande</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nov 3</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Southwest Fiber Festival Tubac, AZ</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nov 10 & 11</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Open House at Diane's <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Stanfield (ok, I know how to get there, but
I don't have an address!)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nov 24 & 25</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Holiday Boutique at Singletree Farm, Chino Valley AZ</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dec 1 & 2 </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6th Annual Open House at Alpacazona Farm</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">33117 W. Peters and Nall Rd Maricopa, AZ 85138</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dec 8 & 9</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2nd Annual Open House at Mesquite Valley Ranch</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">22625 S. Val Vista Dr, Gilbert AZ 85298</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dec 15 & 16</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Casa Grande Art Festival at the Promenade.</span></div>
claudklaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758207467554598782noreply@blogger.com0