Advertising on Craigslist

A large majority of the goats I've sold has been through ads I've placed on Craigslist.  It's a great way to reach lots of people.  For those of you who aren't familiar with it, you choose a city (or cities) to advertise in and list them under a specific topic.  I list the goats under Farm and Garden.  I'm one of the many who check Craigslist every day (farm and garden in at least 4 different cities) just to see what people are selling. 

Two days ago I listed 2 ads for some goats.  It's time to slim down before more babies are born.  I've received responses from 2 different people, both of whom I won't reply to.  One of them says, "call me about your goat".  Well, that's not the kind of person I'd sell to.  I want someone who asks questions and shows a real interest and also has some manners.  The next one was a real doozy.  I have to copy and paste it so I get it right. 

Hello,

l really appreciate your response to my email. I want you to
consider it sold, please do withdraw the advert from CL to avoid
disturbance,anyways I don't have time to come over to take a look
because of my Business but you don't need to bother yourself with the
shipment, I'll take care of that by engaging the services of a mover,
hence I'll be sending a Certified check and it will be delivered to
you via United Parcel Service (UPS), so I'll need you to provide me
with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check.
First Name.........Last Name.......
Street Address ...........................
City, State, Zip Code ......................
Cell Phone Number ...........................
Actual Amount of the Good ......................
Note that the payment will be shipped to your address via UPS NEXT DAY
AIR SERVICE and I will like you to know that you will not be
responsible for shipping i will have my mover to come over as soon as
you have cashed the check..........Best Regards.

I don't even know what to say about that.  Talk about impersonal, not to mention suspicious.  I like the remark, "you don't need to bother yourself with the shipment".   And also, "I don't have time to take a look because of my Business".  

I've also bought things through Craigslist.  My responses probably give too much information instead of not enough.  They might sound like this.  "I'm interested in the goat you have for sale.  Is it still available?  Can you tell me more about it?"  It usually gets into how I spoil my animals and on and on as the emails continue.  I'd like the person to know I'm really interested in giving their animal a good home. 

It's hard to tell what's a scam and what's not but I'll continue to advertise this way because I've met many nice people who are just using it like I do, like reading the classifieds. 

Golden raisins soaked in gin for joint pain

I know, I know, first I post about shrinking and then I write about joint pain.   I'll admit it, I'm getting old, or at least old enough to talk about my ailments.  Bear with me or don't.  You can click on the X any time you like.  One of the reasons I went to my doctor and found out I was turning into the amazing shrinking woman was because my joints have been hurting so badly and I was hoping she was going to give me an explanation  I could live with.  I was convinced I have lyme disease because I hurt so badly and felt fatigued.  This all came on in the past 2 months.  I tested negative for lyme which told me nothing. 

Some of you may remember I treated my goat buck with teasel root awhile back because he struggled to get up off the ground.  We had incredible results.  He seems to be just fine now.  So teasel root it was for me.  I have a few friends who keep tinctures available for all kinds of ailments so I've been taking teasel root along with some other things with pretty good results.  I'm not near as tired as I was and my joints are a little better but not as pain free as I'd like them to be. 

I had lunch with a friend a few weeks ago and she reminded me of a home remedy that I'd heard about in the past but forgot about.  Gin and golden raisins for arthritis and joint pain.  Ah yes.  Why not?  So I'm trying it.  I just Googled it and here's a website with some reviews, mostly favorable.
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2005/10/18/gin-soaked-raisins-for-arthrit/
Has anyone else tried this with success?

Next I'll tell you about my colonoscopy.  No I won't.  I'm saving that for when I'm just a little bit older. 

Thanksgiving in VA

After a busy 4 days in New York City it was nice to return to the slower pace of Rockbridge County for Thanksgiving. 

While eating at a cafe in the financial district James and I eavesdropped on a conversation between two young ladies who it appeared worked nearby.  One of them said her parents grew up raising all their own meat and vegetables and even made their own soap.  I wanted to tell her there are lots of people doing that again these days.  I imagine it's hard to imagine that kind of thing when you're surrounded by concrete.  We did see a few delivery vans that advertised "local fresh produce".  These two women probably wondered why James and I weren't talking.  Eavesdropping can be so interesting.

We still had turkeys in our freezer from raising them last year so we had our farm sitter take one out to thaw before we got home.  It was a big one and I'm guessing it was one of the last ones we butchered because we must have gotten lazy and didn't do a good job plucking it.  I'm going to blame it on Dan because he probably won't see this.  Dan and Amy helped us butcher many of them.  Many people raise white turkeys because you can't see the pin feathers you missed and it's not as unattractive as this one.

 It still tasted good.  It must have smelled really good too because Rosie spent most of the day lying in front of the oven right under my feet.  I don't know if she wanted to be near me, the turkey or it was the only sunny spot in the house. 

It was such a lovely day we ate outdoors.  I don't think I've ever eaten Thanksgiving dinner outside.  It's been a great week.   I hope it has been for you all too.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Bad news from the doctor's office

I haven't been feeling great lately but I won't go into detail because I'm trying not to act like an old person talking about my aches and pains.  I'll save that for my immediate family because I know they love to hear me whine, I mean, share with them how I'm feeling.  I decided it was time for me to go to the doctor. 

Well, the news wasn't good and I thought I'd tell all my dear friends who follow my blog what I found out from my doctor's visit.  Unfortunately your prayers and concern will not change things but I know you will all sympathize with me. 

Deep breath....... ok, here it is.  I've gained "a few" pounds and, and, and I've shrunk 3/4 of an inch.  I keep asking, why me and then I think of all the people who haven't lived the full life I had lived at 5' 5 1/2". 

I won't go on because I don't want you to feel sorry for me.  I'm going to do my best to hold my head up and stand tall - maybe not as tall as before - and go on. 

And now for some uplifting news.  I'm including a link to a blog I follow because I know many of you are dog lovers and will appreciate this story.
http://blissfulintheboonies.blogspot.com/2011/11/simply-best-dog-ever.html#comment-form

The Apple Butter Gang

When I was a kid my family went to the drive-in and saw The Apple Dumpling Gang.  I remember I loved the movie but I don't really remember what it was about.  Here's today's Apple BUTTER Gang. 

There was no Don Knotts or Tim Conway but I feel certain this cast is just as interesting as the apple dumpling gang troupe.  I played such a small part in the apple butter making because I had other things I needed to do this weekend but I did get a chance to do some stirring.

Every apple butter making gathering should have a bearded man in camouflage pants stirring, bluegrass playing and kids hollerin' in the background.

Child's Play

What do you give a 1 year old to play with when you have no children's toys in your house?

How 'bout packing peanuts?  I wish this was a better picture of Layla because she really was so cute playing with and trying to eat them.  Now I can't blame all this mess on Layla because Emily crumbled many of these pieces of styrofoam into little magnetic bits that clung to her hair and everything else too.  No, Emily is not Layla's sister or playmate.  It's her mom.  Next time maybe I'll have a large cardboard box for Emily to sit in also. 

Outside dog

The other night when I posted that picture of Rosie and Lex all curled up under blankets I got a message from my neice saying, "and poor Keri is outside.  How do you do it?"  In the beginning it took willpower, I can tell you that.  I was raised with inside dogs and couldn't imagine how anyone could let a dog stay outside at night.  Well, now I understand it.  Some dogs truly love the outdoors and Keri is one of them.  She takes her job of protecting us very seriously I think.  She's very alert and barks at any sound she thinks needs barking at.  She barks a little more than I'd like.  She can be quiet for many hours at a time but when she's on a roll, watch out. 

Anyone who feels sorry for her should watch her out our window and they'd feel differently.  She's a busy girl.  She entertains herself like no other dog we've had.  She's forever bouncing on a green tomato, chewing a stick, carrying a frisbee, chasing a chicken, opening the gate to the garden to see what's going on, stealing chicken food, checking to see if there's more rabbit poop she should nibble on, helping us do chores, sunbathing, watching the goats, playing in a bucket of water or just plain making the rounds.  She always looks happy.  One night it was raining and she and I were in the basement doing something.  I decided to let her stay down there when we went to bed.  At midnight she barked to go out.  I think she was afraid she was missing something.  Most nights she sleeps on a small rug on our patio.  If it's raining she'll sleep in our garage in some hay, I think.  She has a beautiful, thick white coat so I don't think she ever gets cold.  Great pyrenees have been outdoor dogs for years and years.  I sleep very comfortably knowing she's out there watching over us.  There's only one thing that would make her happier and that is if we'd stay outside and play with her all day.  She loves when Rosie and Lex stay outdoors, which they seem to be doing more and more of since she came here to live.  They're all so good for each other.  At 6 months old Keri is now taller than both of them. 

Of course I love having inside dogs too.

Apple cider

Today was my first experience making apple cider.  It was very much what I thought it would be but more relaxing.  Our friend, TE, does this every year and asked if we'd like to help.  Of course.  If you want to know how to butcher a hog, make cider, take apart a car, fix and engine, raise chickens, train a mule, or find whatever it is you need, he's your guy.  If he doesn't have something or know how to do something he knows the person who does. 

There were about 10 of us making the cider.  Some were washing the apples.

From there they moved to cutting them in quarters.  James was very good at this.

Next they were fed into the chopper-upper.  I know the machine is called a cider press but they weren't being pressed at this point.  The press used to be hand cranked but someone had added a motor so things moved pretty quickly.

The chopped up apples slid forward to be pressed.

The chickens, pigs and ducks will enjoy the apple remains.

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon with great people making great cider.  We brought home 5 gallons.  As I type this James is canning some so it will keep. 
 
Next Saturday and Sunday we'll be making apple butter.  Another first for me.

brrr, it's cold

Lost Screech Owl

I was feeling lazy tonight and almost didn't go out to say goodnight to the goats and donkeys.  If I don't go out at night 4 of my chickens sleep in the goat barn and make a real mess of one of the stalls.   I decided it was worth getting up off my lazy butt and putting the filthy feathered, non-egg laying, spoiled birds in their coop where they belong.  I carry a little flashlight with me because my path isn't lighted.  I shined the light on the step of the barn and there was a clean feathered animal.  I quickly rushed back to the house to get a camera, just knowing he'd be gone before I got back.  I thought he was but he had just moved over from the step to a container I store animal stuff in.  It seems like there must be something wrong with a screech owl if it is this close to the ground at nighttime.  I was afraid Keri would get it but I'm not sure if she saw it or not.  She barked and looked that direction but didn't go after it, thank goodness.  I wonder how long he'll stay out there.  I hope nothing gets it.