Wherein I Acquire an Alpine Goat

Sunshine today - a rare commodity these past few months!

I slept in late this morning mostly because I got to bed late.

After chores I jumped into my car to visit Violet. Violet is a 5 year old Alpine goat with a horrible udder due to mastitis a long time ago. Her teats look like bananas before she's milked but squashed bananas after. One teat is easy to milk (her left side) but her right is a bit of a struggle. Still, she's a good framed, if somewhat thin, goat that I think will give me good babies. I was told by her 14 year old owner that at one time she did have good teats but the mastitis did her in.

We negotiated on the price because I was there and had the money and because I promised them I would give her a good home. And I will.

I had a terrible time getting home from their place which was near Onalaska. I kept turning the wrong way each time I was supposed to come to a corner. I was nearly to Hwy 508 when I was so confused I had to stop and ask a woman who was outside cleaning her BBQ if I was anywhere near 508. She informed me I was about 2 miles away, just past the stop sign. Once I got to the highway it wasn't a problem to jump on I-5 going north toward home.

Violet rode in the back of my jeep with nary a peep. She did pee and poop tho'. Fortunately I'd planned for that and included a tarp. Next time I transport animals I will be sure to toss in a washable blanket to absorb the liquid. She did nail one of my cloth shopping bags but that was no problem to wash off when I did the tarp.

My senior Boer goat is giving Violet hell. We had a talk about her disposition. Violet will spend a few days being disciplined before being allowed to join the herd.

Since I milked her around noon when I was looking at her there wasn't much left this evening. She wasn't too thrilled about the grain I gave her and didn't eat much. She'll come around in a few days when she gets really hungry. I did get a few squirts out of her that I fed to the calf as a supplement to his regular powdered milk. I expect she's getting ready to dry off so I won't expect a lot of milk. She does give about a gallon and a half when she's first fresh.

By the time I got Violet settled and ate brunch (eggs and toast) it was time to go do my evening chores. I did fold some laundry and hang up a load of shirts and start vegetable soup for dinner. That's about all I had time for.

I forgot to mention that last night I also purchased an agricultural distance measurer. It will be nice to know exactly how large everything is without trying to use a tape.

My teeth must be moving around again (braces) because the left side of my mouth is a little raw and sore. Only 1 year and one month several days to go before I get my braces off.