A Touch of Sadness

Today we lost tiny Fizzbo to pneumonia.  He was a special little goat, and brought tremendous joy to many people in his short six week life.  His foes were the weather, his mother's history, and life in general.  His mother came to the farms through a meat goat auction, less than 30 days before he was born.  That means she didn't have time to adjust to all the bacteria, flora, and fauna of our farms and pass that to him.  I held him while he passed and we comforted his mother as best we could.  Many people will miss him.

This was also a day when friends came.  Reba's owners came to first try to help with the baby, and then to take her home.  Others stopped by to visit, customers came for birds, the milk shipment went out, and we made plans for future fall feast days and celebrations of birthdays.

There is never an end to the battle for life on the farm.  We don't always win, but we never stop fighting.  And we celebrate the life around us even as we say farewell to those who leave us.  Always look forward.  Never look backward, except in fond reminiscence.

A new hen is coming for the turkey pen on Sunday.  Some "old friends", roosters that have been with us for a season before, are coming back.  There are 3 broody hens sitting on eggs on the front porch.  See the farmer.  See the farmer walk forward, on the promise of hope, and faith, and tomorrow's joys.