Happy Trails Tia and Opie

We feel very fortunate to have found a wonderful new home for Pygoras East Tia Maria, and Harmony Homestead Opus #13. 

Tia and Opie are two very lucky goats. They are going to be teaching Erika and Wiley how to live life in the goat lane. They have joined the critters of Roamin' Red MiniFarm in Norfolk, CT.  

We wish them many moments of QGT.  (Quality Goat Time :)

Goat of the Month!

It is with great pleasure that we announce that Private Ryan, our Buck, has made the Pygora Breeders Association Home Page.  

 He is the "PBA Goat of the Month" ~!     http://www.pygoragoats.org/

Aw shucks... Ma.... :)

Further along the Autumn Path

Awhile  ago I posted about an exotic blend of yarn I was spinning up. I have several skeins now of this blend, and lots more to spin up. Looks like it will be next year before it will be finished. Maybe I will have a product in mind by that time. Anyway, here is what the yarn looks like in a double ply.

Barn upgrades ~ Water and electricity at last

This project has been a long time coming and has been a goal we are so happy to have accomplished. 

We sub contracted someone to dig the trench. Then the plumbers ran water from the house  out to a hydrant.  Then, an electrician ran wire for lights  in each barn, and outlets, as well as a couple of spotlights. This should make our winter care for them much easier. Also, when kidding time rolls around, we will be able to install moniters to keep tabs on the moms.  

We have to take upgrades in stages, but we are pleased to be continually improving our facilites.  

Sadness in our hearts

It is with great sadness that I write about the passing of our beloved pet, Adagio. 

She was a grand old lady, full of charm and dignity. Her sweet dispositon  never failed to consistantly  amaze us .  

The Veterinarians beleive Adagio probably had a brain tumor. Fortunately, she did not appear to be in any discomfort, but something was terribly wrong.  

I will spare the details of her sudden illness, and just report that she was helped to leave her sick body  and this world, with the compassion she deserved. 

We will always keep her in our hearts, as she was a very loving and a devoted companion to us.  Those of you that have lost such pets understand our sorrow. We grieve our loss together in ways that words can not express. 

Someday, our tears will stop flowing so readily. But I expect that will take some time.

As the spectacular October leaves fall, I can't help but be reminded of the cycle of life and death. It is less than one year since my own father's death. I still weep and wonder if I will ever get through this passage .......

Then I recall he would want me to pick myself up and get going again.

 There is work to be done, love to give, and charity and laughter to share.  There are celebrations to plan. This is a good life to live. Give Thanks ... Always.

Autumm Path

What's on the wheel? I have been spinning a batch of fiber I have carded and dyed in fall colors. The fiber is something I called "Elaine's Exotic Blend" It is definitely one of a kind as it includes several types of alpaca , mohair, camel, Yak, buffalo, angora , and of course, pygora. It has variegated textures due to the great variety of fibers included in the blend. When I get to plying the yarn, I will post some more. 

I dyed the yarn up after carding it , then carded it again. I don't know what I will make with it yet, but it will be warm and cozy....perfect for an Autumn Path .

Summer Breeze

"Summer Breeze.... makes me feel fine....

 July is dressed up and playing her tune." 

Seals and Crofts 

Two of our buckling kids left the farm yesterday.  Their mom has been calling for them, and this is a bittersweet reality of goat breeding. They are going to a good home, and not far away, but leaving our Homestead. As I was feeling a little sad about missing them, (they are so sweet, playful and  cute !! ) a butterfly landed on a flower I was gazing upon.  

It turned and seemed to look right at me, as if to communicate and share the here and now with me.  

"OK, now, have  trust in God, and focus on the small moments of peace and beauty, and move on. " 

July 4th weekend

We had a nice visit from our daughter Nicole this weekend. She only had a couple of days off so her visit was very short, but sweet. She took some time from her Veterinary studies at U Penn to spend some time in West Greenwich. She has returned  to  Philly today, as she is on call tonight . We got to  relax together, and  she helped me a lot with goat care.  At left, this year's kids are clamoring for her attention! 

We had another visitor to the Homestead this weekend too. A white Peahen wandered over from across the road. We heard a very unusual call and this caught our attention. There was a pure white Peahen, exploring our yard! 

Watch the short video to see and hear her.

Bongo Joins Trinity Hill Farm

Well, we sold a sweet little wether goat named Bongo today. His fleece is soo soft, and he is so gentle that I am sure his new family will just adore him. He is going to Trinity Hill Farm in Connecticut.  His new family is going to be great for him. They have milk goats, and some sheep and chickens, lots of land and pasture . They have children to love and hug him too :) I gave him a pedicure before he left and all the instructions for his care.  Happy Trails Bongo! We will miss you but know you will thrive in your new home. 

Pygora kids

Today the kids got to go for a ride to Warwick. They visited Trudeau Early Intervention, and attended a staff meeting.  As you may have guessed, we love kids at EI, but usually we only get to play with 2 legged ones.  At the end of the meeting , we voted on a name for the latest baby  ( goat # 13 on the farm! ) born 6/13/08. 

Hence forth, he will be known as Harmony Homestead Opus #13, or " Opie ".

Opie and his peeps then went to Warwick City Hall to visit my sister Mary . 

Of course, this caused a small commotion in the parking lot, but a good time was had by all. 

Hello from Harmony Homestead

This is my first attempt at blogging , so please be patient with me.

 I have been very busy getting my Etsy site up and running, and made a sale immediately! I am soo happy about that:)

I will be adding more as time goes on, to my Etsy site, ( see logo above )  and to this blog. My fellow spinners got me going on this blog thing, and inspired me to get on the blog wagon. 

Today, our goat

vet made a farm call to disbud our latest addition to the goat herd. It involves lidocaine, and a very  hot iron. The results are that a goat will not grow horns. Why?   It will be  safer to be around children, will not get their horns caught in a fence,  etc.  The kids recover from the much ordeal faster than I do.  Many breeders do this themselves, but I am still too queasy to do it.  

I have some farm chores to do now, but I will be back later:)