Merriwether : aka Merri. aka Mr Meer's...is our three yr old, 230lb Saanen boy. He and his younger 1/2 brother-Ajax are our yard goats. They do not live in the yard but they visit it for hours daily. They let themselves in and out of our goat pasture. NO, It was ~never ever~ in my plan to have loose goats roaming as they please in our yard, but lack of funds for a new fence ...three children going into college...and well, it is what it is. Thank God that he gave these kooky goats brains and they are trained to stay in our yard, off the highway. YES they ~are~ trained thusly. It took some time but they totally get it.

I work with all four of the goats as I can- dayhikes, etc. I also like to sit outside and swing in the cooling evening air and the two brother goats automatically come running over to join me. *(they greet anyone who pulls into the driveway. Mr. White-the refuse guy, gives them each a biscuit on Tuesday pickup day.) I also like to sit under the shade trees and have designated one blanket for a "picnic" type blanket that has been deemed okay to spread out in the yard. I also use it folded up on our 6-7 ft long ( ?) wooden yard swing if the dew has already fallen.

The goat boys know this blanket well. They recognise it even if it's not in it's usual place. If spotted, Jax will even pick it up, drop it and try to lay on the heap of blanket. When the boys meet me on the carport where I keep the blanket, and I'm ready to go sit in the shade I'll lay it over Merrie's back and he knows to carry it for me. It's the funniest sight to see two full size saanens vying for space ~ON~ the spread out blanket...I'm okay with them laying on it, but I do not tolerate goat fights over my head for the preemo spot.

Last evening I had the blanket folded just big enough for my behind as I sat on it to avoid the dew on the swing. As usual, the two brother goats came bounding up the yard to visit with me as I swung. They fiddle with the firepit charcoal in front of the swing, nibble lawn, then flop down in front of me on the ground- usually. Last night, my husband decided to join me, the goats and the cat as I took in all the calming effect of the content creatures, colorful sunset, cooling air, and smell of just bloomed memosa trees. Ahhhhhh! This combo is good for the soul. While my husband shut down his computer, I stood and unfolded that yard blanket to cover the whole seat portion of the swing.

DING DING...It was like a lightbulb went on in Merrie'e head- total recognition and total focus. He saw that blanket, stood and decided the only way to get on the blanket (isn't that goat protocol??) now 18 inches off the ground- and -swinging.... was to kneel on the swing seat next to me. Of course I obliged, but have you ever witnessed a goat trying to coordinate his timing to a swing? Once aboard, Mr Meers knelt straight on and ended up with his face kinda flat into the back of the swing LOLOL....but smart boy just started over and adjusted his angle and he had his face next to my lap with his knees against my legs and his hinder parts ratcheting back and forth with the motion of the swing. OH IT WAS TOO FUNNY!

Guess who wasn't so glad to give up his place on the swing for my husband? Guess who didn't care to share the swing with a big goat who was acting put out? Guess I'm supposed to be flattered. Oh- the cat figured it all out some time ago and now fits himself on the other side of me-under the arm rest ..in order to avoid a painful tail yank by jealous and pushy goats who don't really like to share with "inferior" species.... Guess who thinks this whole little microcosm of serenity is just ....well, the bomb?

And this is just one more reason why I absolutely LOVE my goat boys!

-Wendy Hannum Secret Creek Farm Packgoats SE Ohio 6/27/09

BUMMER....

I started getting error reports in my email inbox and I guess that means that folks have been replying to me, but there's a break in the system somehow. Unfortunately I'm not currently able to see those replies. Hopefully the messages are not hate mail or spam...UGH

Sorry if you've written and I've not replied...

-Wendy

This is a random-rambler of a post, a reminder of sundry things for me to ponder upon when the occasion suits itself to such.

I may...with that process in mind come upon the answers, or sufficient enough answer that I needn't bother God with my trivialness...but then again, He wants conversation, so?

(1) Mosquitos and fleas, and I guess every other biting blood sucking pest.

Analysis: Why? Birds and bats, maybe fish eat mosquitos- cool, but why make them so irritating. Is the annoying whine of a mosquito God's way of warning us of approachiing irritation? I grew up in Michigan. As with any low lying land region, pooled water presents the perfect habitat to spaun mosquitos. So, being outdoors during temperate weather means more than a horde of blood sucking creatures will attempt to rid you of life force...physically and mentally. Some species grow to resemble pterodactyls (well,almost). SE Ohio is hilly enough that water does not stand long enough on the natural terrain to allow mosquito larvae to hatch..okay except for marshy river bottom land...See can't escape the things! So, how come they weren't made to need dust or some other banal product for survival...why blood, and why so annoying?

Okay this is taking way too long...

-Allergies: Why? -Smelly Flatulence: beneficial (((how?))) -Dust: Is this the result of decay? If so, I then need to have a conversation with Adam and Eve... -Tails on sheep, that man chops off at the sheep's spine to prevent infections from messy sheep BM's etc... what? -Ghosts and other supernatural stuff that's unexplainable..yea or nea? Is it really just a matter of eye floaters making fools of prefectly believable people? -crazy hormone years in females: preeteen and menopausal, why? I'm thinking to ward off births as much as possible...children born to too young or too old women have a higher tendency of birth defects. One way to avoid this is to make both sets of women no fun to be around? Was this the only chioce? Hmmmm, I ponder.

I recognise that in a world so filled with pain, hatred, vice, hunger, abuse of innocents, etc... there are more pressing reasons to talk to God. His teachings tell me most of the answers to those though...or at least why they exist, examples that teach me how to avoid them, etc... But some things are not addressed at all.

Maybe, just maybe that's why He is God...I know I don't want the job.

Enough for now... :o/

First off...I'm ~really~ bummed. i just read online that Les Stroud announced after his '08 series of Survivorman shows- that he will no longer be creating Survivorman episodes as they take too much of a physical toll. DANGDANGDANG...that was my (((favorite))) reality show of all time. There ae no immediate alternative shows that I respect...(Eat cheeze, Bear G!) So I shall read to get my fill. Of course going into my woods and practicing is even better. Nothing got my creative instincts lit like trying to figure out what Les( or I) would do in each situation. Okay. Les ...I hear you. Going days without the basics for a television show isn't sane...much less being away from your wife, children, etc.. Good on you for what you did film. I hear many people who'd watched the series were able to sustain their own lives when they met with survival challenges. I know it's goofy, but I use many of his little hints even if it's just starting a fire (gotta love hand sanitzer gel or corn chips for starter fuels).

But I DO wish he'd still produce more concerning survival/sustainability/ testing of new backwoods type gear/or more make do with what you can find laying around survival stuff...or the like along the same lines only not go out in the field! I did like his documentary on building his off grid home on an old farm site...

A book? Probably just be like reinventing the wheel...why? There's a zillion great survival books available already. There's a zillion online resources too. Go look for your self already, sheesh! ;oD

Actually, wouldn't it be great to have a cable channel that deals soley with reduce/reuse/recycle/make do/do it simple/do it for free/do it the old way... huh-huh? Oh yeah, I guess there's one similar called Planet Green ( and I like PG...they just need new episodes).

I'd also like to see old reruns of Roy Underhill's WoodWright Shop PBS series from the 1970's. I'd like to see Heritage Cooking shows, not ~just~ dutch oven cooking on RFDTV...even though I like them anyway. Homesteading 101 shows would be cool,( how to pick out chicks-chickens that is- that'll be good egg layers) as would tips for "This Weeks Finds to look for at the Farmer's Market ( maybe the Farmer's Almanac does this?). How about a Home EC show to teach/reteach since that class is no longer offered in highschools today. Many people have no idea how to darn a sock, they just pitch it ans go buy more. Home canning is a dying art, as is home cooking. Yeah- a Home EC show with a great host- cool...my kids would watch!

Och, ( that's a scottish disgruntled snort sound of sorts) I'm just an info-junkie and I can't learn enough. I just grump when my well(wealth) runs dry on me...

Here is FEMA information taken directly off of their disaster preparedness pages. It is only a basic guideline and it's only a plan for a few days time at best. A "few days" time will give you time to make a better plan, but big "how's and what's" come into play a few days after a disaster has struck. Will your local neighbor's or community mobilize or will life as you formerly knew it cease to exists, now seems a "free for all"/ "only the strong survive"...?

Here's that Basic list of supplies: *(remember this is only for a few days at best...adjust to your personal needs)*

www.fema.gov suggests...

Basic Disaster Supplies There are six basics you should stock in your home:

"Water "Food "First aid supplies "Clothing, bedding and sanitation supplies "Tools "Special items Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container; a camping backpack; or a duffle bag. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:

Water

"How Much Water do I Need? "How Should I Store Water? "If You are Preparing Your Own Containers of Water "Filling Water Containers How Much Water do I Need? You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.

Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:

"Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate. "Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water. "Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed. "A medical emergency might require additional water. Back To Top

How Should I Store Water? To prepare safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is recommended you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it.

Observe the expiration or "use by" date.

If You are Preparing Your Own Containers of Water It is recommended you purchase food-grade water storage containers from surplus or camping supplies stores to use for water storage. Before filling with water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Follow directions below on filling the container with water.

If you choose to use your own storage containers, choose two-liter plastic soft drink bottles  not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth when water is stored in them. Cardboard containers also leak easily and are not designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do not use glass containers, because they can break and are heavy.

If storing water in plastic soda bottles, follow these steps Thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water. Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.

Filling Water Containers Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to add anything else to the water to keep it clean. If the water you are using comes from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine, add two drops of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to the water.Tightly close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your finger. Place a date on the outside of the container so that you know when you filled it. Store in a cool, dark place.Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:

Food For Three Days: *(You can plan better than this, right??)*

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.

*Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

Note: Be sure to include a manual can opener. *(Wendy says: what about plates, tableware? Mess kits are complete, plus cheap and reusable!)

"Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables "Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water) "Staples--sugar, salt, pepper

"High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix "Vitamins "Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons with special dietary needs "Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags *(Wendy adds: hot chocolate, chai, and cappacino too)* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:

First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit* should include:

"Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes "2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) "4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) "Hypoallergenic adhesive tape "Triangular bandages (3) "2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) "3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)

*(Wendy says: feminine panty liners and larger pads are (((terrific))) bloody injury/wound pad absorbers along with vet wrap or stretchy -clingy ace type wrappings sold in the first aid aisle)and make great wound dressings)* *(Wendy says: don't forget Tea Tree Oil ~and~ hand sanitizer!!!Two useful items she'll never be without...)

"Scissors "Tweezers "Needle "Moistened towelettes "Antiseptic "Thermometer "Tongue blades (2) "Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant "Assorted sizes of safety pins "Cleansing agent/soap "Latex gloves (2 pair) Sunscreen Non-prescription drugs

"Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever "Anti-diarrhea medication "Antacid (for stomach upset) "Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center) "Laxative "Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center) Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a basic first aid manual. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clothing, Bedding and Sanitation Supplies:

Clothing and Bedding If you live in a cold climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that you will not have heat.

*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

"Jacket or coat "Long pants "Long sleeve shirt "Sturdy shoes or work boots "Hat, gloves and scarf "Rain gear "Thermal underwear "Blankets or sleeping bags "Sunglasses Sanitiation "Toilet paper "Soap, liquid detergent "Feminine supplies "Personal hygiene items (Tampons, panty liners) "Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses) "Plastic bucket with tight lid *(Wendy says: great for using as a seat also...ask for great buckets/lids at your local Wal-Mart bakery most early mornings- good buckets and cost only $1.00...they just dump them!) "Disinfectant "Household chlorine bleach *(Wendy would add space blankets plus Tea tree oil or Lavendar Oil) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tools; *(Leatherman tools RULE!!!!!)* "Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils "Emergency preparedness manual "Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries "Flashlight and extra batteries "Cash or traveler's checks, change "Nonelectric can opener, utility knife "Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type "Tube tent "Pliers "Tape "Compass "Matches in a waterproof container "Aluminum foil "Plastic storage containers "Signal flare "Paper, pencil "Needles, thread "Medicine dropper "Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water "Whistle "Plastic sheeting "Map of the area (for locating shelters) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~: Special Items Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

"For Baby æFormula æDiapers æBottles æPacifiers æPowdered milk æMedications

"For Adults æHeart and high blood pressure medication æInsulin æPrescription drugs æDenture needs æContact lenses and supplies æExtra eye glasses (repair kits too) æHearing aid batteries *(Wendy adds: Anti-fungals, hydrocortisone creams, Vit B complex for stress, Bach lozenges, Chromium Picolinate to help with stress repair)

"Important Family Documents æKeep these records in a waterproof, portable container. æWill, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds æPhoto IDs, passports, social security cards, immunization records æBank account numbers æCredit card account numbers and companies æInventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers æFamily records (birth, marriage, death certificates) æPhotocopies of credit and identification cards

"Cash and coins.

*(Wendy says: Small denominations of bills are best...who's gonna be able to make exact change if they can't open their cashdrawer?? Forget ATMs's or banks ( thus debits/ credit cards) working in crisis or a power outage... Who'll be able to break large bills for you?)*

"Entertainment--games and books: sudoku, crosswords, wordsearch, playing cards...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

REMEMBER THIS IS JUST A ~TEMPORARY USE~ LIST....THINK THINGS OUT AND APPLY THEM TO YOUR PERSONAL NEEDS!

Best Wishes!