The tractor’s torn apart, waiting for parts

Our broke-down Oliver is in pieces and we’re ready to order a clutch rebuild kit for it as soon as finances allow. It’s about $350 for the kit plus another $50 or so to have the flywheel machined (in case it has any grooves or rough spots which could tear out another clutch). Our tractor’s clutch went out due to a throwout bearing freezing up and eating up the fingers on the pressure plate. Take a look at the photo!

Meanwhile, weeding, watering, and general gardening go on as usual.

Over the 4th, we traded goats with friends. We had sold them Will’s favorite doe, Dusty, two years ago then Dusty’s mother, Buffy, died and we lost the bloodline. But we sold our friends, Mike and Dar, a beautiful buck, which they bred to Dusty, renamed Heather and she produced twin doelings. As they don’t want to keep too big a herd, one or both had to go. And they needed a new, unrelated buckling. Choosing one of our beautiful Nubian/Boer spotted bucklings, we worked out a trade for Willow, a first freshener out of Will’s beloved Dusty.

It’s gratifying to see your breeding working. Willow has a beautiful bag and disposition like her mother’s — simply sweet. Willow immediately adjusted to our herd and gets right in to get her share of grain without being the slightest bit intimidated by the other goats. We’re so happy to have her join our homestead. Thanks Mike and Dar!

The garden is looking great and the corn is simply jumping out of the ground. It’s nearly knee-high and lusty. We planted some of our hybrid seed, Seneca Horizon, which we’re going to breed back to open pollinated. It’s looking very nice and even. We’ll let you know how the ears do as the corn enters its second generation. — Jackie