"Those wearing tolerance for a label call other views intolerable." - Phyllis McGinley

On Dec. 26

It's 6:30 a.m. The goats have had their bottles and gone back to sleep, I've had my eggs and am on cup of coffee #2, the fire has the living room up to 65 and rising, and Pam's back there snoring away.

I got home about 3:30 yesterday afternoon after an easy drive south from Seattle. Twelve miles from home I looked in my mirror to see a flashing set of red and blue lights, pulled over, and was told by a very cordial Junction City sergeant that I was doing 71 in a 55. He took my license back to his patrol car and returned with a warning and a candy cane.
T'ank you, Fadder!

This cheapo rental car - a Hyundai Accent - had no cruise control. I use that feature on our Kia to keep me from speeding and it apparently works. If I'd have encountered an LEO out on I-5, either WA or OR, I could have been nailed for an even higher margin.

I stopped in Castle Rock, WA to look at a doe that had been advertised on a Facebook site for regional goat breeders. Really nice young mom who grew up raising all manner of farm animals, including for 4H, and now has horses, goats, and chickens. She sells to 4H kids and clearly knows her stuff. Thirty minutes after arriving I decided this doe was what we need - healthy, up to date on all vaccinations, tame, and solid. So we agreed I'd give her half now and half when we pick her up next month. It's three hours north of us so it will be a day trip when the time comes. And that time will be when Itzhak and Asante have been moved out to the barn. Having this doe out there by herself would make for a very lonely, unhappy, and therefore noisy goat.

I got home to a frazzled wife feeling a bit overwhelmed by taking care of two kids and also keeping fires going, chickens tended, and generally keeping Baker Rd. functioning. First up when I arrived
was getting fresh diapers on both kids and the wet spot in my chair wiped up. But we're now moving into the stage where we reduce the number of feedings (we just eliminated the 2 a.m.) and increase the volume of each bottle. They'll soon do more than just nibble at the alfalfa hay I have available for them now and, just like a child that moves to solid food, that will help, too.
Except for that part where the diet change wreaks havoc on their digestive system.

This week will be about sermon prep, more sorting on the truck, writing, and digging eight holes for the fruit trees that will arrive sometime in Jan or Feb. I'll have to get them all in and fenced from deer at the same time, so any work I can do ahead of time will help.

Looking back (at the end of a post), it was great to see my folks, be there for mom's 94th, and check in with my brothers. I don't like seeing mom & dad struggle with health problems, but statistically at least, the end is near I'm thankful for any time I have with them.

If you ever consider buying a Hyundai Accent take a cold shower and then sleep it off.