In Bloom At The 4Rs

Flowers are getting few and far between this time of year. But I do have a few things. 

Ordinarily, I would pull this morning glory up as a weed. But it was pretty and pink so I left it. 

My late blooming hydrangea is blooming late like usual. 

And my red dahlias that were supposed to be pink from a couple of year ago have been blooming non stop all summer. 

Then there was this cosmos. All the others have bloomed and are done. I thought this one was some sort of mutant sterile one. But it has finally started blooming. 

It is a nice pop of color in a dying fall flower bed. 

Then I have planted something new. There were three of these on the clearance table at, wait for it, Walmart not Lowe’s.  I planted asters in a different bed many years ago. They are still there but have never thrived. I am hoping this different variety in a different location will do better. 

 

Surprise Replacement

Some may remember the failure of my Birdfy camera this summer. After the loss of that brood, I cleaned out the bird house and discovered ants were nesting in the camera.  I eliminated the ants but the camera would still not work.  I spent an hour on chat with technical services but had to stop once my phone charge ran out.  I set the project aside until I had time again.  Last week, I plugged the camera back in to start with a full charge and contacted technical services again.  They never asked if it had been invaded by ants and I didn't offer up that information.  After trying all of their solutions, taking pictures of the camera and providing the original sales receipt,  they decided to mail me a new camera.  

What I wasn't expecting was a brand new bird house to go with it.  

The first bird house still works as a bird house.  I can also open the side and examine the nest and take pictures with my phone.  I was very pleased with the service and the warranty.  A definite win, win.  If anyone is wanting a birding camera, I can recommend Birdfy.  
 

G.O.A.T. Festival

We attended our Sheep and Goat club’s 5th annual festival Saturday.  There is no admission fee and chances to win $10 gift certificates for the food and craft vendors or lots of other prizes. All of the kids activities were free. 

There were buggy rides,

pumpkin painting,

face painting,

photo shoot areas,

Oh, Virginia saw this bug on the ground and said it was a spotted lanternfly and we needed to kill and report it.  She was right, it is an invasive species. I squashed it after I took the picture. 

There was live music,

Lamb burgers,

                                                                                          games for candy at different sponsor booths, 

                                                   

and barrel rides. 

Different species of sheep and goats for sale (thought this sign was humorous)

I bought some merchandise.  A couple of years ago I bought a needle felted card that I love. This one came from the same vendor. 

I also bought my own needle felting kit. It is supposed to be enough to make two goat ornaments. 

I also bought a nice pink club hat. Since everything else was free I thought I would splurge a bit.  It was a fun filled day.  

 

More Goats Gone

Friday before heading to the beach, we rounded up the goats. 

Most had actually been staying down in a hollow, hopefully eating weeds and rose bushes.  

When we got them into the holding field for the night they made a bee line to start eating pigweed.  

Saturday morning's sunrise was gorgeous.  

We got an early start getting the goats to the barn.  

Then the sorting began.  This sorting involved the larger wethers from last year, cull nannies and yearling nannies we didn't like.  We tagged 47 to send.  I had also sorted out two smaller doelings.    The person that bought the two semi bottle goats a couple of week ago said her neighbors had fallen in love with them and wanted two females to begin homesteading with.  Joe headed out with the trailer load, the other buyer took their two, and I went to the beach.  That night Joe said when he got to the market they only counted 46 head.  I insisted that I had used 47 tags.  The next day Joe said he found the 47th one back out with the rest of the herd.  Somewhere between tagging and loading she had escaped.  Goats can be tricking that way.  
 

Beach Girls

Sadie, Allie and I headed to the Saturday.  Gigi had made the trip for the first time in over two years, so we wanted to go enjoy the trip with her and all my sisters an brother.

Virginia was worried that Allie would not listen and would run out and be swept away by a rip tide.

To help alleviate Virginia’s worries, we formed a circle of protection. 

We had lunch at Riverview. Sadie and Allie declared it at “Good Restaurant.”

There has been more beach time with shell collecting. 

And running around. 

Mitchell was showing them how to do a puzzle on his phone. Carol has been doing crafts, Ann has been playing Go Fish and War, and Linda did nails. 

After the first day, the beach circle of protection disbanded and I am on my own. But there has been no worry about Allie, she is being a good listener. 

The enjoyed the fruit pop break. 

 We have been having a great time. Today’s weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, so maybe we will get to go a little deeper in the water.  

Meet Clyde

I have to opportunity to buy a wonderful kid’s pony. His name is Clyde. 

He is 23 years old and his current kids have outgrown him. 

He is so cute.  Just look at that face. 

He seems very safe and tolerant of about anything you throw at him. 

 Sadie asked if I could get him for her. Can you guess my answer?

Clean Up

We still have tons of work to do to clean up from hurricane Helene. 

 The fallen trees and trees that were cut in order to replace the flooded fences have been pushed up into piles.  

Yesterday, Joe suggested that I work on burning a pile that he was done cutting firewood from. 

Since I have pyromaniac tendencies I took on the chore.  One piece of paper and about a tablespoon of lighter fluid and we were in business. 

After lunch Joe came back with me to finish up. One pile down, half a dozen or so more to go. 

I found these caterpillars while I was dragging more brush to burn.  I told

Joe they were monarch caterpillars. He said how did I know and I said because we raised one in 3rd grade. 

Apparently, the lesson didn’t stick with me long enough.  They were swallow tail caterpillars not monarch.  I will have to stop acting like I know anything now.