The page wire fence has been torn down in the ewe lamb pen and the goat pen, by the animals over the winter. They stick their heads through the wire and eventually the wire breaks from repeated motion and stress and then they continue until the fence is down. The goat pen has several livestock panels keeping the goats in, but soon will have wooden fencing and fence line feeders built in. 
This fence line feeder is basic. I used garden stakes to create the dividers. On the other side is a livestock panel into which the hay goes. The goats stick their heads through the dividers and eat hay, but because the sticks are angled, it is harder for them to just pull the hay out. They must turn their heads. The idea is that it does not waste as much hay. They have only been using this for a few days, and there is still a tremendous amount of hay wasted. Anything that falls on the ground is never eaten because goats are browsers and eat from above first given a chance. The sheep will have a similar fence line feeder and in between the feeders, the regular fence will be wood with a board instead of the slats. The beauty of the design is that I can unhook the panel on the other side and easily clean the straw out that they do not eat. Then that can be used for their bedding. 

The Nubian goats will require a warmer shelter than the hoop one they have, so the old granary brought here two years ago is finally going to have a door and possibly a window so they can be warmer in the winter. That also means they will relocate to the ewe lamb pen. During breeding, different groups have to separated into pens, the Jacobs, the Babydolls, The Cotswolds and the Blue Faced Leicesters. This year, I did not keep an Icelandic ram, so the Icelandics will be bred Cotswold. I hope Walter is up to the task. Anyhow, with these fence line feeders, it should be a little easier to fork hay over in the winter, as there are many pens for which to do so. 

It will take about a week to finish the fence and fence line feeders if all goes well. I am working alone, so some of the work takes a bit longer, but I have improvised ways to hold the boards up while I screw them into place. The fence is a great improvement in the yard as well, contributing to a nicer look for the pens. The wood is just slabs of raw spruce, 8 feet by 1 inch by 4 inches. It weathers to a nice grey colour and is rough cut. I do not think I will paint or stain it, just let it go barn wood grey over time. The sheep and goats seem to like it. Do you?

My farming venture has taught me a great deal, a whole lot about husbandry of animals, but also a lot about myself, my limits, my capabilities, my willingness to persevere, and my tolerance. I set out to create an organic permaculture farm with a monolithic dome home and be off grid and self sustaining. As it turned out, that venture was doomed by the infiltration of Waste Management and their insistence on locating a class 1 landfill across the road from my dream. 

So, I sold that farm to a neighbour who had a lot of cows and could use the extra pasture, and went forward to find a different place. I was running out of time to create a home though. Originally, the plan was to build two monolithic domes, one house and the other a garage with a living space above. I did find this farm in the mean time, flew out in February and purchased it and have been working to repair it for the past three years. Without the input of huge amounts of money, it will never be off grid, nor self sustaining, however; I can become self reliant, and that is the next best thing. 

Already, I do not shop for toiletries. I make soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and skin creams,butters and lotions. It is amazing how much that eliminates from a grocery bill! I quit decorating myself with cosmetics, can make them and have, but choose to no longer wear them at all, eliminating the dollars spent there. 

I have tried to grow a garden for the past three years here, with marginal success, more this year than in previous years. Next year should be even better. So, some of the vegetables will be produced here. The meat, for the most part, already comes from this farm, inadvertently from raising animals for other purposes, because they multiply and the excess (what a way to term it) become food. I find that I only have to go the grocery store once in two weeks. This winter I will be sprouting seeds for greens, both for my own consumption and as fodder for the animals who are always desperate for something green in the middle of a cold snowy winter. I really hope it is warm enough in the newly finished porch this winter. Last winter, after the poor contractor completed it, water froze in the dog's dish on the floor, so no sprouting occurred. 

So, my dream of being self sustainable is gone, and my goal is to be self reliant. With the tremendously heavy workload here, that is not so easy and I find myself scrambling to get things done, even feeling the pangs of guilt when I stop for a half hour coffee break. The added chores associated with the cow have tripled that work load for now, but a kind lady who raises dairy cows, promised to come tomorrow to help me put the calf to the cow, at least alleviating the three millings a day. Elsie has started a course of antibiotics and hopefully her mastitis will not cause any permanent damage. 

I think if we all aim to be more self reliant, the world would be a better place. In the city, growing a garden and canning, fermenting and preserving food would be a great start. If chickens are permitted, adding three hens for egg production and waste management (they are excellent composters and fertilizers) is another idea. There is no reason why a city dweller could not learn to make toiletries such as soaps, lotions and laundry cleaners. My next goal is to get a real clothes line so I cut down the dependency on the dryer. Hanging out laundry in the city can even be done on a balcony, if that is all the space one has. Being more self reliant is actually very freeing and makes one feel accomplished and even a little proud. Maybe you are ready to try it? 

Elsie, the Jersey cow, was supposed to have a calf and I was going to share her with the calf, that is I would milk her one time a day and calf could have her the rest of the time. That way, also, if I had to be away, the calf could take over for me and I would not have been bound to stay and milk the cow. 

But Elsie's calf died. So I got a replacement calf. What a way to term it? As if Elsie's most precious little baby girl could be replaced with a large hunkering Holstein bull calf. My goodness, he is twice the size of Elsie's baby, which disappeared for the most part, over night. I did see a large German Shepherd running into the area where she was. We have trouble with a pair of dogs that live across the road, but eating my baby calf is just too much. When my big dogs are a year older, those dogs won't be coming here anymore or they will tear them apart, or at least send them home crying. 

So, I went to the vet in Bonnyville this morning and they are not familiar with mastitis in dairy cows and were not sure the best route to follow. I tried to go to the St. Paul vet but they close very early and were not open by 5 pm. So, I got some long acting penicillin at Peavey Mart, just in case. In the meantime, I have been milking Elsie, but she is holding her milk or not producing much or something, because she is supposed to give 3 gallons a day and I am getting just over one. She has mastitis in one quarter and tonight I was able to move it out a little. She was very uncomfortable before because that is the side her calf preferred to suckle from and she was sore from the vigorous and strong suction of the baby. 

As it turns out, Elsie did not want to let the bull calf actually nurse from her though, so I am ending up milking her twice a day and then have to bottle feed the calf. He gets a half gallon of milk twice a day, so a gallon a day and that is it. Man is he strong. He is a day old and when he bunts that bottle, I get sent flying backwards. No wonder Elsie did not want to nurse that little fellow! Anyhow, that might change some with the smell of her own milk on him tomorrow. If he is that rough with her though,maybe it is a good thing not to allow him to nurse. I cannot afford the time to milk and bottle feed twice a day when there are bed and breakfast guests, at least not at the times they would have been accustomed to. I am going to milk Elsie at 10 am, maybe 11 and again at 10 pm. It was best to milk her this evening with solar lights, no mosquitos or flies and the smell of the night…way better than the day. She is so patient with me and stands so fine. Some one really trained her well. 

So, now, two more chores are added to my day. Whew!

Three days ago, Elsie, the beautiful Jersey cow, nearly ran me over and she pushed me aside and ran through the gate when I was letting the rams out. She ran into the bush and I tried to get her back, but she would not have anything to do with me. Then she disappeared. 

She has been missing for three days. I tried to find her every day, twice a day, morning and night, but I didn't even find a trace of her. 

Tonight she came to the barnyard where she lives with the rams and allowed me to milk her. She was heavy with milk, but the teats on her right side were tender as though they had been voraciously suckled, so I knew the calf was alive. The right side was cheesy though, so she has mastitis in one quarter. I got about two gallons of milk, but it was hard work. Elsie has small teats and milking her by hand is not that easy. I need a milker fast. And I need help with the mastitis. I will get help from the vet tomorrow morning. 

After milking Elsie, I followed her. She went around to the highway in the south west section where there was a tiny trickling bit of water that the cows had trampled into quicksand. She stood there staring at the mud, but she did not need water, because she drank when I brought her in to milk. It was almost dark and I could not see much, but suddenly I saw why Elsie was standing there. Her calf was dead and stuck in the mud. 

I got two long sticks and tried to pry her out, but that did not work. I got another stick and used the first one as a fulcrum and the body let go, but the suction of the mud was very great. I got the back legs out and then pulled hard. Nothing, so I pulled harder and there was a little give, then slowly, slowly, the calf came out. The mud is grossly smelly with cow poo and run off from the ditch. I cried for the little one, just here for a day or two and to die in such a horrific manner…it just was not fair. I left her there because she was too heavy to tote home and I will go back in the morning and bring her in with Elsie. Now I need to find a milker for Elsie or another calf, but late calves are rare here. Poor Elsie. 

My heart is heavy this night. 

You know, I really enjoy the hospitality aspect of this business. I get to meet amazing people, such as the guest who has graced me with his presence the past two days. Gourmet meals were prepared both evenings and I was invited to share the table, the best part yet, since that means the guest is open to conversation, and he was. 

He has some influence with the group he advises and promised that he would post the Inn as a recommended place to stay in Alberta! Yay! And also that he would like to do a write up for Trip Advisor hinting that he is going to give five stars. 

Now, what could be better? I love my farm, The Fat Ewe Farm, communing with nature, playing with the critters and such, and I love my business, Moose Hills Inn, and serving folks in all ways I can. The gentleman had a tendon problem in his foot. I have quite an extensive background in care and prevention of injuries and was able to alleviate some of the discomfort for him as well. He was dually impressed and suggested that I hang a shingle, but Alberta does not recognize my credentials and forbids this, so the service is free. 

I also managed to finish cleaning the pens and filled the hole in one pen and stabilized the post, so tomorrow I can begin to build the sheep and goat fence feeders. The goats were given hay, but the little ones do not know what to eat much of the time until the bigger ones begin to munch on it. Hopefully tomorrow they will have the feeder finished and can test out the new hay. Many of the goats will be going to the auction this year and I have been toying with butchering one or two for meat. It seems like such a crime to do so though. 

Tomorrow I am up bright and early to cook breakfast and then this guest will be going back home when he is finished his day's work in St. Paul. I am pleased to have made his acquaintance and I do feel blessed and happy with my little life out here in nowhere. I do. 

I think the animals know things we do not. They know about approaching storms, impending earthquakes and when to hunker down because of the cold. I think they know that winter is not on its way for a while, because Mamma duck just hatched 6 little babies, and Mamma Hen, just hatched 12, plus there are three more ducks on nests and two more hens sitting. If it was too cold for these babies, the animals should not be trying to hatch eggs at this time. Last year, for sure, by the end of August I was not aware of any nests still being tended to, but this year, there were seven. 

The tomato plants are loaded with green tomatoes just beginning to show a hint of blush and the squash is full of tiny orbs ready to burst into full sized fruits. If only we had enough time, they could fulfill their growing in time. 

Judging by the animals, I am thinking we do have another month at least before winter comes and maybe even longer. Years back, there was not even snow until Halloween, so maybe this will be one of those years. I could still get some painting outside done after the sheep and goat feeders are built. Fingers are crossed….

I was letting the rams out to the pasture this morning and Elsie, who usually waits by my side for her turn pushed me aside and blasted through the gate. I was NOT going to let her out because she is very pregnant and I wanted to keep her close to home. I ran after her and tried to catch her, but she was not having any of it and ran into the bushes. I gave up and went out a few hours later but could not find her. 

I started looking for her at 5 30 this evening and covered the entire farm corner to corner and back. Then I phoned my friends who have a quad but it was getting dark by then. They still came and ran it through the bush where she often stays, but we could not find her. I was worked about the coyotes and the calf, but there are the other cows in that area and depending on where she is, the dogs would not let anything near her. The problem is, if she is further away at the south or east ends of the property, they may not protect her. 

Elsie, I sure hope you are safe and if you had your baby, she is safe and sound and well shielded from danger. Protect my Elsie and the baby, Creator and bring them home safely tomorrow. Please. 

Summer is at end. It was so fast and now it is nearly gone. The garden did not produce much this year, with all root crops non existent for some reason. There were many weeds growing and Mr. Fukuoka, my farming mentor, says weeds come to repair the soil and should be left. I like his philosophy, so no weeding was done. It is interesting to learn about the types of weeds that came in places around the farm. Where the soil needs nitrogen, alfalfa, clover and pigweed grew in abundance. Where the soil needed minerals, the dandelions grew with their long tap roots bringing the best from deep down to the surface. Next year the garden will be even better. Today the first tomato began to turn orange and I see others ready to follow. We have not had a frost warning, but it has gone down to only 2 degrees. I will harvest all the tomatoes soon and do something with the green ones, but those that look like they will ripen will be left to do so. The sunflowers and squash are the only other vegetables that may produce something, but we shall see how it goes in September. 

In the meantime, I will begin the arduous task of yard clean up, taking the truck around and picking up dog bones, sticks, debris and twine lost through the summer. Then the lawn mower tractor will pull a pallet around to level the ground and clean up the poop to some degree and on the September 9th, the ducks and geese will be mostly gone and the chickens will soon follow, leaving the yard back to almost empty. The chicken coops need to be placed, insulated with bales and tarped for winter and the coops not in use be parked out of the way. 

The sheep and goats will go to the auction in mid September too so there will be many less to feed this winter. Yesterday I pulled up the amaranth and will feed it to the birds, goats and sheep. It is edible in all parts and the seeds are highly nutritious and a good source of protein, but each plant produces nearly a thousand seeds, so the harvest must occur prior to the seeds becoming ripe or the subsequent years will be a fight with the amaranth. 

There is always so much to do and it seems so little time in the late summer and early fall, and it is a race before the snow comes. At least this year, I am not purchasing more wood. There are about 5 or 6 cords left and since it will be used as a supplement to the furnace this year and not the sole heat source, that should suffice. 

Getting the chickens to use the coop again rather than roost in the trees, will be a challenge as usual. They will have to be caught and locked in the coop for a week straight to get the idea. The ducks are no problem. They seek shelter once the wind is cold and they will readily go in their hoop coop and stay warm. There are still quite a few chickens and ducks sitting on nests though and the nights are very cold for little ones. The Khaki Campbell hatched her eggs today, though it appears that the Rouen drake bred the duck and some other ducks laid in her nest, because not all the babies are cute tiny Khaki coloured ducks. The Muscovy ducks should hatch their clutches in the next few days, as Muscovy ducks do take longer than the others. There are three chickens on nests of various stages as well. Those critters surely do multiply quickly!

And then the snow will come and I will sequester inside and take up my other hobbies. The animals will try to stay warm and eat a lot and we will do our best to wait out the cold until spring once again comes and breathes the hint of new life on the farm . What a blessed way to live, this life among the animals and nature!

August 22nd was my 60th birthday and my daughter drove out from Vancouver to be here to celebrate it with me. Some local friends came by too and although one was called to work, the rest of us had a good meal and pleasant company. Then the next day, my youngest son and his partner drove up from Calgary, where they have recently moved, and the three kids (the middle son is living here at this time) and I had a great day together. I cannot believe how much they got done! They put some eves up, some door handles on, finally moved the furniture back to the porch so I can start to have my house back (it was moved from the porch into the house giving me barely a trail to move around through). They cleaned up the outside porch a bit and best of all, they did the chores for me so I could go out to a special dinner with a friend tonight, the day after my birthday. For me there could be no better gift than the presence of my children and no finer present than their willing help. 

The girls have been wonderful at keeping the kitchen tidy and they even welcomed tonight's guest at the Moose Hills Inn and saw to his comfort while I was out to dinner. I always think I can do everything myself and do not like to ask for help often, but I realize how great it can be to have assistance, especially willing assistance from those I love so much. 

My son's partner has grown quite fond of the The Fat Ewe Farm and is very much considering making a corner of the farm her home, though my son is not thrilled with the lack of stimulating activities in the area. I did offer ten acres for each of the kids if they paid for the subdivision. Wouldn't it be so wonderful if we were close enough to each other to help when needed? When they have their children, I could babysit and help out and from time to time, they could give me a little break on the farm. It may be wishful thinking on my part to have the kids around me, but I can dream. 

In the meantime, I am grateful to have them here at all and I love each one so much. I could not have better young adults. They have grown into people I am so very proud of and love beyond words. I am so blessed. 

Jenna is a little Maremma spayed female dog, two years old, and full of personality. She was the lowest member of the pack for a long time, until her sister, Jade and she had a fight. It was one of the first times Jenna stood up for herself rather than submitting and running. She bit Jade hard and Jade has shown her some respect, but she is still lowest in the pecking order, and she is the smallest. She must take her food away from the sight of the others, especially her sister Jade, so that she has some to eat. Usually, one of the dogs stops her and she drops the food. I have been giving her instalments in a secret place where she returns to later to enjoy. She is a nervous barker and will bark for hours on end if she feels a threat to the farm, but she does not usually go to the fight. She is quite small for a Meremma female, but she certainly has the livestock guardian dog traits. Unfortunately for her and for her sibling, she was badly mistreated and abused as a tiny pup, kicked back to the sheep pen, fed but not watched and the sheep ate the pups food leaving them starving. They ate the sheep's grain and pulled wool in order to survive. Jade had a broken hip at some point, which did not heal properly and she will limp always. In cold weather, it bothers her even more. Jenna is a little less shy of people than Jade, however; she will not go near a strange man wearing a ball cap. Her abuser was such a man. Jade and Jenna were rescues, but have permanent homes on the Fat Ewe Farm and are loved, cherished and adored. Who couldn't love that smiling f