Thursday, June 19, 2014

Kids and Fences

Cute kids, former residents of our neighborhood

Aren't those the cutest kids! I wouldn't mind having a few goats if they would be sweet and stay as cute as these.

I think this type of fence is called 'hog panel.'  I'm planning on using hog panels to give my pole beans something to climb on.  I sure like picking pole beans better than bush beans! I'm looking forward to canning green beans, so it would be great if we'd  keep getting this perfect garden-growing weather.

Feeder and Fence - with a kind thought of the bluebirds

I was sad to awaken to the news that the storm had taken the top and part of the side of our very tall spruce tree in the front yard. The tree had been hit by lightning quite a few years ago, which had split the tree. Only the top part died, but the split was still there, making it weak. Both went over in the storm. An occasional eagle would perch at the dead top and scope out things in the field below. More recently, a catbird has enjoyed the perch from which he can serenade us.

And yet, it was just part of a tree. I know that many people have suffered huge losses in the tornadoes that have been hitting the midwest.

Irises in late afternoon

I was glad to get that photo before the wind and rain rearranged most of my irises at a 30 degree angle.


Another farm down the road


I thought it was about time that I posted a photo which showed an operating farm without rust.
In our neighborhood


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Have you ever raised goats or sheep? What are your thoughts on that. Easy? Difficult? One of your biggest regrets? (either way)

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Joining Theresa
at


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53 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Love these fence photos with the darling kids. I love goats --- their eyes hypnotize me.

I am late getting around to visiting with you 'cause of Dr.s appointments. So, I wanted to leave a comment about your Hodgepodge too.

I also like Father Knows Best and the era of moms wearing dresses...I so agree "Thank Goodness that phase went out the window with Levis"!!

Love your perfect summer...AND your random thought. Tho your parents are gone...missing them with all the fond memories that remain is a good thing!!! Sweet portrait you shared of the two of them!!

eileeninmd said...

Love the cute kids! Wonderful farm shots, I love the barns. The fence shot with the irises is my favorite, just beautiful. Have a happy day!

Jenny said...

I love the goats as we have lots of them and sheep in Holland. The irises are gorgeous and I am glad you got the picture. Great farms. There was a time when I liked to paint them. xo Jenny

Eileen H said...

My son got head butted by a goat once, so although they are cute I only like from a distance :-)

Optimistic Existentialist said...

So sorry to hear about the storm damage to the tree. And those goats are adorable!! I want one!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Sorry about the storm damage :( The little kids are so cute :)

Dicky Bird said...

We have raised both. Goats are more maintenance free - as the sheep need shearing. I loved having both species. I might consider getting another goat - as my nest becomes empty. Also, an intact male goat will mark his territory - and it is stinky.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Judy A wonderful selection of great and varied fences and barns. When I looked at the first shot, it looks like the fence is going through the goats neck!! Also loved the Iris with the fence.

Unknown said...

I find very modern almost futuristic, bravo for design! And thank you for sharing.
Wonderful Modern Dream House

podso said...

The storms have sounded terrible, I'm glad this is all the damage you had. Summer has hit hard here with the humidity, heat, and daily thunderstorms. My only experience with goats and sheep was in Africa where they roamed kind of freely. It was obvious one was more intelligent than the other. The last farm picture is so pretty -- love to see a red barn.

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

Cute kids! When Josh was a baby, we actually thought about getting a goat. He had so many allergies that goat's milk was the only milk he could tolerate. Luckily, we found a farmer nearby who raised goats and we were able to buy fresh milk from him.

I'm sorry to hear about your storm damage, but thankful it wasn't any worse.

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

Cute kids! When Josh was a baby, we actually thought about getting a goat. He had so many allergies that goat's milk was the only milk he could tolerate. Luckily, we found a farmer nearby who raised goats and we were able to buy fresh milk from him.

I'm sorry to hear about your storm damage, but thankful it wasn't any worse.

MadSnapper said...

i love the rusty barn scene much more than the non rusty barn.. and those are my favorite kind of kids. i have not had any but the people who run the petting zoo here tell me the best are the minature goats, they stay small if you just want them for pets...so sorry to hear about your tree... will you have to remove it now?

Susie said...

We had some kids like that next door for a while..They are naughty kids if they get out of their pens....eat everything in sight.:):) Sorry you lost your tree. Hope the birds still come back. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I always hate to lose trees are see them damaged....makes me sad! I've never had animals but I know it must be a lot of work. Well....I have stuffed animals today! haha Enjoy your day my friend!

21 Wits said...

What do you mean, of course the grass is always better on the other side of the fence! Great clear photos!

TexWisGirl said...

i'm sorry about the tree loss, but glad the rest of your place fared well. so much storm damage again!

loved the working farm - looked straight from my home area. :) your irises, too. beautiful.

TexWisGirl said...

re: goats, i know they require good fencing. my neighbors have 2 that just walk thru their fences and cut across their yard to the other pasture. and i've seen too many in ditches along the road, having done the same thing. :)

Primitive Stars said...

Oh I love the first picture, kids and fence, adorable, Francine.

Pamela Gordon said...

Wonderful photos! The working farm is beautiful and well kept. Your iris are a beautiful colour. I had 4 blooms and 2 have fallen. ;( A friend down the road had 4 goats. They were her daughter's for 4H. They got rid of them this spring as they're selling their home but the goats were a nuisance to them and got out of their pen a lot. They will eat anything, including clothes on the line. There's a petting zoo near here and they have the smaller (pygmy?) goats and they are fun to watch. They sure can climb! Have a great day Judy.

bj said...

Love all the fences...
and love to SEE goats but wouldn't want to raise them.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

When I was a little girl, my older brothers were in FFA and 4H, and one of them raised two sheep and the other a pig. The thing I remember most vividly is the rubber band ligation of the sheep's tails. (I already told you my goat story!)

Stephanie said...

Lovely post, Judy. I have never raised goats or sheep, but my grandpa used to have a pet sheep that walked around the house :)

Enjoy your day - hugs!

Cranberry Morning said...

I'm laughing at Margaret's comment. I didn't notice that before she mentioned it. Evidently the goat's hair was just long enough and he was pushing against the fence just hard enough to make it look like the fence was going through his neck. LOL

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I have enjoyed seeing your fence shots. I love the barns and the irises are beautiful.

I'm sorry about the storm damage, but glad you are okay!

Karen said...

Cute kids, and lovely rural scenes.

marilyn said...

great photos and fences....really nice looking working farm...but love those old ones too... i always miss old trees...sometimes for years...sorry you lost one ...especially one that gave perch to an eagle....

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

So picturesque! I'm sorry you lost your tree.

Diane said...

Love both farm photos! At a horse barn years ago, there was a female goat in a pen. She was super nice; loved to be petted. That was the only goat I was ever around.

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Ohh! I think I would take either. Though sheep are a little higher on the list. Especially Shetland Sheep as they are smaller and therefore look more manageable!
When we worked at a stable, there was a goat. They certainly have personalities! You would find them very entertaining.

Ruth Kelly said...

Those kids look like beggars.

Debby Ray said...

Judy...these are all fabulous shots! Love the cute "kids" and these wonderful country images!

Empty Nester said...

I was thinking about y'all when I saw the weather and wondered if you were in the path of the bad weather. The husband's grandmother always had goats. She loved those things so much! Glad y'all are ok!

Red Rose Alley said...

Judy,
These are my kind of kids - I love goats! They are precious. I think what attracted me your blog is all the nice barn house pictures you take. I love that red barn, and it caught my eye right away. These are great pictures, Judy.

~Sheri

Chatty Crone said...

I like those kind of kids too! And the other kind too.

Thank you so much for your card girlfriend. Very sweet.

Vee said...

No goats, no sheep. John has raised hogs and cattle.

The kids are very cute and their eyes are intriguing.

Sorry about the spruce...it may have been just a tree, but it was YOUR tree.

And what is up with irises? They seem so sturdy, but apparently the least thing sets them on their keisters. Mine are all at the same 30° angle you describe.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Gorgeous country photos today! Love the bluebird house on the fence post, too. Sorry for the loss of your tree - I love trees and always feel so bad when we lose one (which happens frequently here in the winter time with our ferocious wind storms.) It is particularly sad for you because of the visitors that used it, too. But like you say, it is only a tree, but the word 'only' is still difficult.
My Mother had a goat named 'Annie' that would follow everyone around. One day when my Mother and Father had just had a big Sunday dinner, they decided to go for a walk afterwards. They vaguely wondered where Annie was until they got home and discovered she had found her way inside and was on top of the dining room table helping herself to the leftovers. I wish she took a photo! Hugs xo Karen

Denise said...

Nice images.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

gorgeous iris. that color is just amazing. hope you are well. i would love to raise kids. i bet they are great pets. do you consider them pets? ( :

Terri D said...

No experience with goats or sheep, but they sure are cute, and you could save on mowing! :)

That is a beautiful, working farm! Well kept barn and out buildings. Nice!

Sorry to hear about your tree, but glad it didn't fall on something, causing damage.

White Lace and Promises said...

I have a friend who is making all kinds of soap and body butter. She wants to start a little business of naturals. We're supposed to get together and start cooking. Fun! Love the farms photos. Make me wish I lived on one. Thanks for dropping by my blog. I'm following you now.

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

The hodgepodge fence should work perfect. Just happened upon your blog, love the pictures and the way you write. Love the farm shots.

White Lace and Promises said...

Oh, the only experience I had with a goat is of it butting my 3 year old down and making him cry.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Great photos....We have often though about getting some sheep or goats. We would have to fence in some of the acreage. Farms are wonderful to look at. Thanks for sharing. Hope your tomato plants grow tall.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Cute little kids poking their heads through the hog panels.
The iris are gorgeous!

Ida said...

Those kids are adorable. I just love how they seem to be trying to sneak out of that fence.
Wonderful barn shots and your Iris are really pretty.

EG CameraGirl said...

The colour of the iris is gorgeous! Too bad the weather bent their stems. And worse, how sad you lost the top of your tree. The goats are very cute, so mischievous perhaps because they are so darn smart.

Trace4J said...

Too cute kids.
Fingers crossed I will be a goat owner one day.
I just love them.
I always love your beautiful photos.
Woolie Hugs

Unknown said...

Poor tree! There are really those little damages that make the devastation all the more wrenching sometimes. At least its stump serves a purpose for eagles and catbirds. Nice photos, by the way. You really captured the entirety of the farm nicely.

Mike Gurung @ Bay Area Tree Specialists

GranthamLynn said...

Oh sorry for the storm damage.
I loved visiting from the Fences linky. I loved your Iris.
I enjoyed my visiting. I am following you now. I posted some Dreamy Fences.
Have a good weekend,
Sherry

Unknown said...

I'm sorry to hear about the storm damage. Great pictures, love the goats they look really cute. These farms looks really nice too. Enjoy your weekend

Anonymous said...

Those are pretty irises! Thanks for the neighborhood tour. :)

J_on_tour said...

Nice to see a well looked after barn ... no doubt I'm regretting a comment about dilapidation on one of your other posts I made earlier :-)

I have friends who kept goats and they did a really good job. In fact, too good as they ate all the flowers as well.

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