Chill Comes Back

Not the meteorological kind of chill – just yet, anyway – 

but Regel Katan Farm LysanstoChill, who returned after a long stay at the McCann Farm.

He was understandably hesitant about climbing into the Goatmobile again

remembering that last time he ended up in a Milaca cornfield after a dump truck t-boned the van with him in the back.

Safely ensconced at MeadowWild, he quickly made himself at home again in the Gentlemens’ Club.

Bhindi, his designated roommate, was at first a bit leery of the big guy

but soon got comfortable sharing the Club.

Chill remains pretty chill most of the time –  until breeding season, 

when he can morph into the Incredible Hulk.

He had to move out a few years ago when he tried to murder Mojo

seriously bashing in a heavy corral panel

and breaking off Mojo’s scur, leaving him a bloody mess.

Chill is starting to get stinky now and his neck is disappearing as breeding season approaches, but he no longer has a rival to worry about so we’re not anticipating any major hulk-outs.

According to Larry Weber, the National Weather Service ranks the 2020 meteorological summer (June-July-August) in our area

as the 2nd hottest on record. 

When they aren't mowing down the lush greenery

trimming trees

or visiting Chill and Bhindi

the girls nap in the shade.

The mystery volunteer vine continues to thrive on Mt. Compost.

The few day lilies not eaten by deer finally bloomed.

Apples are ripening, and the usual suspects patrol under the trees looking for windfalls:

The boxes of fresh produce from Northern Harvest Farm get heavier and more colorful by the week.

Barb turned some of the bounty into 5 qts of tasty ratatouille.

Tempted as we were to attend the Bigfoot Conference in nearby Grand Rapids earlier in the month, we decided to skip this year,

not knowing if the Sasquatches could be trusted to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

A storm on Aug 14th caused significant damage to isolated spots around us.  Nearby Elim Lutheran Church lost 10 large pines that bordered their cemetery.

We lost only a few branches

which the goats were happy to chew on

but our power was knocked out for 8 hours 

and our internet access for more than a day.

The enforced digital cold turkey withdrawal impressed on us how reliant we have become on the interwebs, especially during these hunkered down times.

Dustin was especially upset about missing his usual cute mouse videos.

What did we ever do before networked computers?

Everything seems a blank before we got our first PC back in the prehistoric ‘80s – a Kaypro II

with one 5¼-inch floppy disk drive for the software and another for data

and a squawky dial-up modem that sometimes would – and often would not – connect us to the mainframe at Virginia Tech.

Despite the brief intense rain on Aug 14th and over 7" total for the month, we’re still in the very dry category.

And despite the near-record heat, that other big chill is imminent.  Signs suggest that fall is approaching and winter not far away:

increasing splashes of red amid the greenery

and cool foggy mornings.

The Farmer’s Almanac predicts that winter will be “more wet than white” in our region.

We Aesopian ants are already preparing.

Barb turned 40#s of Roma tomatoes into quarts of sauce that will take us through the bleak icy months.

Propane is pre-purchased and a furnace inspection/cleaning scheduled.

And Happy Critters Farm delivered 125 bales of hay that will feed the goats into next summer.

Intruders are already starting to look for a winter home in our basement.  Big-game hunter Dustin bagged his first trophy of the season.

He’s deciding whether to have it head-mounted

or turned into a rug for his den.

After his exhausting hunt, the mighty nimrod settles down for a well deserved nap.