Dear friends,
If sending a Sunday Newsletter on a Thursday is any indication of a hectic time on the farm, holiday haze or just old age, you would be right ... Oh, and Happy New Year !
As you may have noticed in the last note, we now have horses in one of the barns. Actually, one horse named Miles and two ponies (Midnight and Bo Jangles). They are joined by 3 goats (Ella, Coco and Sarah) as well as Mr. Zacharias a new barn cat. They are often joined by their human friend Aimee and her two 10 year old twin daughters.
Preparing for their arrivals has been fun but busy: adding new fencing, creating a turnout area, installing cabinets and shelving, moving manure, hanging a plethora of horse paraphernalia and clearing the pasture.
In addition, we are ready for lambing season !! Due to the miracle of modern farming, we expect lambs to be born starting Monday of next week.Last year, they were born exactly on the right day, so we expect a frenetic few days with 16-19 lambs being born. Fortunately, Lauren is returning home to help on Wednesday and I am hopeful several of you can assist with the likely bottle feeding needs. If you, or someone in your family, would like to see a lamb be born, please email me your cell number. After ~150 lambs (and 2 children) I still enjoy watching the miracle of birth
The chickens are more productive as they completed their molt and are in the better coop with a timed light giving more "daylight." So text me if you want eggs and I'll put your name on a carton, or just stop by. There are 4 dozen in the garage (next to the peppers !!!)
We delivered Uncle Joe's 23 chickens and have 6 dominique / barred rock pullets (females) for sale. They are 13 weeks old and will start laying in 3-7 weeks. They cost $15 each and will lay wonderful big brown eggs. I need to sell them to make room for the lambs. I also need to relocate an extra rooster for a few weeks if you have a good home
Lastly (assuming you hung in this long) we are preparing a lot of firewood for next year and will be taking orders soon
Most importantly, due to your generous support, we are again paying for Jessicka Ayala's tuition to attend the University of El Salvador, where she is studying Political Science and International Relations. She is doing well in college and some day hopes to work in an embassy. If you are interested in supporting a student, please contact Jodie Bowers at Saint Dominic.
Fun fact: A pony is a small horse. The ancestors of most modern ponies developed small stature because they lived on the margins of livable horse habitat. These smaller animals were domesticated and bred for various purposes: driving and freight transport, as children's mounts, for recreational riding, and later as competitors and performers in their own right. During the Industrial Revolution, particularly in Great Britain, a significant number were used as pit ponies, hauling loads of coal in the mines. Ponies are generally considered intelligent and friendly. They are sometimes also described as stubborn or cunning.
Your friends,
Harry, Lauren and Harry
