THE BRASS ARK

Well, we've had our new additions for over a week now and it's going pretty well. Not something I would have wished for but it's getting better. For those who read this and don't know how this came about it all started with a phone call from daughter Heather who was heart broken. She has raised these critters, plus a few more that we didn't take, for the last 3 years where she works but the owners decided that they didn't want them any more. Just like that.
Get rid of them. Need I say anymore...?
So our little acreage now has 2 dogs, 2 cats, 9 chickens, 3 goats, 6 alpacas, 1 llama and a few goldfish (just for color). And yes it's nuts. The good news is no one has any nuts (except Jim but I digress). Myself & Jim know absolutely nothing about alpacas and llamas and actually we know nothing about chickens or goats either but we're getting there. About the only thing I do know is chicken poop (see, I can be polite) sticks to everything, goats poop everywhere and whoever said that alpacas & llamas poop in one spot has never raised alpacas and llamas!

Feeding time.
This is when I lock the goats away and walk out into the middle of these guys with
my heart in my throat, the bucket of grain on my head and just wait to get kicked.
So far so good but I know it's coming! Oh the bucket isn't over my head but on my head to keep them out of it until I can scoop it into their buckets.

Carlos, isn't that the cutest little face?

Hello, my name is Diego

What the hell are you?!
(Cinnamon & Bucky meet Wally for the 1st time)

The Beaver

Wally

The slightly insane goats checking out what the herd showed up in.

Simon, the very sweet llama, who, just for the record, scares the crap out of me!

Scooby Doo, horrible kicker but he's getting to be my favorite

The entire gang,
except the goats who were hiding in the barn at this point

Sweet, shy Bob

Anyway I'll keep you posted. It's been either raining or heavy fog other than two days since they showed up. I now own gum boots...ah what a life!!! I'm lovin' it!

THE END OF BEING MAYOR

I guess I should be sad but really you would have to slap the smile off my face, NO MORE MR & MRS MAYOR!!! Actually in a lot of ways we are probably going to miss it. We've met some amazing people and gained some life long friends along the way, in particular Randy and Pearle Price (I love you Kitty) and Richard & Jennifer Kannigan. But, I have to say, I can't wait to watch the Build, Bail & Sail from the Whaler not the Mayor's Luncheon.
It's only 6:30 as I type this and the polls close at 8:00. There are only a few that either of us could honestly say would be good on council or as mayor and I do worry for our beautiful little town. The funny thing is that we can't even vote in Comox because we're now in the regional district. I give it 3 years and I bet that you know who won't be able to stand what's happening out here and will run for that. In the meantime though maybe we can get some travel in and see our grandkids.
On another note I wasn't going to blog until next weekend when the newcomers arrive but I thought I would give those who don't know 'all' a heads up. Next Friday...we do...officially...become farmers! No we aren't getting cows and no I'm not getting my horse, we're getting!!!!! 6 alpacas and a llama (a guard llama, seriously). Now, I know a lot about horses, I now know a fair bit about goats (they are slightly insane, at least mine is), I seem to have very happy chickens (seems if you feed them a little BC Bud you get double yolks) (oh come on, I'm kidding, we have so many freakin' animals who could afford it!!!) But (and mine is getting bigger by the hour) I know nothing about alpacas and llamas. You see this is Heather's fault. Who could possibly say no to a crying Heather? Certainly not her dad or I. It's a long story but we are really excited about being able to help her and her herd out. And sorry Heather but they are our herd unless you are in the Valley.

We are on a learning curve like you wouldn't believe. Our vet couldn't stop laughing. We spent time today buying feed bags, confirming who sold the feed etc. I went with Darcee and a friend to a lady's place who had 2 alpacas and a llama last week. They, or these at least, weren't the prettiest animals I've ever been around. They were filthy dirty, bad teeth, bad feet, one kicked, one was deaf...okay they were all damn cute, well except for that. Hard to believe that's where your cashmere sweaters come from, eh?I thought this was a sheep but apparently it's an angora goat, talk about a face only
a mother could love.

This is a llama and he has the most horrible teeth and feet I've ever seen on an animal. I could be wrong because I know NOTHING but it kinda looked like a case of neglect because I do know that both the feet and the teeth trimmed and filed.

The really good thing was that they do indeedy poop in only one spot. See that's the other thing about becoming a 54 year old farmer, you learn that chicken poop sticks to everything, goats poop and pee on everything and alpacas poop in one place. See there's that learning curve. So stay tuned, I have a feeling the next post is going to be interesting. I'm taking bets that my slightly retarded goat can take the guard llama...crap that vet is going to be a wealthy man...This is the kicking alpaca with an attitude which knowing that they are such gentle animals makes me think he's been abused, not by her but whomever had her previouslyAnd this is little Blue Eyes whom I would love to have, she is terribly shy but so cute!! She is also totally deaf which apparently is a trait in alpacas with blue eyes, who would have known!
Man, I can't wait til Friday!!!!!

Gotta Love Those Surfer Shorts

Jamie and Heather took Sullivan swimming yesterday and I just had to look back
at our Hawaii pictures with Luke. We really need to win a lottery so we all go there once
Dan and Jen's little one is born.
Anyway I thought these were cute.