gym, stump, deer, leaves, Brawn

We're back in the gym. A few years back, we regularly worked out at a gym but... you know how the story goes. Sorta like getting in the kitchen and cooking, I actually like going to a gym if I am relaxed and have plenty of time but I'm always running short on time, however, I do have plenty of fat, so I gotta get there somehow. I need to take some photo's 'cause the gym is very nice, all the cardio equipement has TV's with lots of channels including music. You just plug in your headphones and go. Also, the cardio machine's have FAN's which is very important for a big girl.

When I was leaving out early one morning for the office, there was a big tree stump on our road, so heavy that Mike couldn't budge it, father-inlaw cranked up the tractor and pushed it out of the way.

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Glad I didn't see it but Mike called this morning to say that there was a badly injured deer in our chicken coop, poor thing had taken refugee in there. Mike said the deer had been shot in the hip/leg and couldn't get up. Father-inlaw called a friend who was coming to kill the deer and dress it out for the meat. Mike's got all our sweet goats locked up.

Can't remember what these are called, (some say they are poisionous?) but love seeing the red leaves on the hillsides around our farm.

We have a pair of Irish Terriers, Brawn and Bliss, but they won't ever pose together. No, we don't breed them. Here's Brawn looking over at the goats.

Goat Show at Raleigh, NC State Fair

The DAIRY goat show was at the Fair this weekend. On Saturday morning, we rode down to Raleigh to watch the show. Junior does event was Saturday evening and Senior does event was Sunday morning.
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map of the fair, and we walked around several times

no, we didn't eat any of these

however, we split an order of ribbon fries

You can recognize Alpine goats by their upright ears and long necks. This medium-to-large, hardy breed also milks well. Their coats are two-toned, with black and white the most common colors.

Oberhaslis have distinctive coloration, and are usually bay (reddish brown) with black markings or sometimes completely black. A beautiful medium-to-small breed, Oberhaslis don’t produce quite as much milk as the other breeds.

Saanens are commonly referred to as the Holstein of the goat world. Noted as heavy milkers, they are often the breed used in commercial dairies. One of the larger breeds, amiable Saanens are usually all white.

Toggenburg coat colors range from fawn to deep chocolate. A medium-size breed known for long lactations, their inquisitive nature can sometimes become quite challenging.

LaManchas are unique from the other breeds in that they have no visible external ears. (The ears are actually just very small.) Another well-known trait is their calm and gentle nature. Also noted as a good milker, this larger breed comes in many colors.

Several characteristics distinguish Nubians from other dairy breeds: They have floppy ears, a convex, Roman nose and an energetic disposition some say is just plain stubborn. Another large breed with myriad coat colors, Nubians are known as the Jerseys of the goat world for producing milk with high butterfat content.

Native to West Africa, the Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat has a straight nose, upright ears, and a soft short to medium coat. The breed’s smaller size – mature does weigh between 50 and 70 pounds – friendly personality and variation in coat color (any color combination is acceptable in the breed standard) make Nigerians very appealing.

Toggenburg, love those wattles
http://www.famu.edu/goats/UserFiles/File/Facts_About_Goats.pdf

Symphony belongs to a our friend Christine but I would like for Symphony to come live at BooneDocksWilcox. She is a red beauty and I want her bloodlines.

Of course, we're there to see the Nigerian's but I enjoy seeing all the dairy goat breeds and the goat people.

Karen Stanger's Suthern Drawl was the big Nigerian winner.

thinking of the Henry-Haley era makes me happy

On Jan 6, 2006, Henry's photo was in our local newspaper,
The Watauga Democrat
“My 13-year-old terrier mix, Henry, is looking good for an older fellow, Joanna Wilcox said. “Whenever anyone asks, ‘What kind of dog is that?’ I reply, "A Watauga Humane Society special.” “He was adopted in 1996 and then-president Dee Dundon handled the paperwork. Dee and I have been good friends ever since.”

Henry 1993-Oct 22, 2010.
I departed for the office this morning and as we agreed, Mike put Henry to rest.

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Mike and I adopted Haley and Henry from our local Humane Society in 1996. As far as we know, they weren't blood related, just looked somewhat alike. We knew different people turned them in. After adopting them, Mike and I never went anywhere without 'em, HH went to:
Busch Gardens, VA

Busch Gardens, Fl

SeaWorld, FL

DisneyWorld, FL

New York City, stayed at Broadway's CrownePlaza, loved Central Park

Washingtion, DC

Quebec City, Canada

many beach trips, bridge tournaments, etc

We just always stayed at motels/hotels that accepted pets, and HH slept in the bed with us.

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This photo, is from a previous Watauga Humane Society calendar, hangs in my office.

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This photo stays in my wallet. Henry on left, Haley on right.

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Mike put Haley down in 2005, she was blind and diabetic. Henry hung on until now but his health had been slipping, he'd gone blind and deaf. As Mike had done with Haley previously, he wrapped Henry in a quilt, shot him in the head, and buried Henry where he had a good view of our farm.

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I was just telling some girlfriends at lunch that every evening Henry got a big goodie, such as supper leftovers or peanut-butter crackers. I wasn't worried about his diet, just wanted him to have a big surprise each evening, although he couldn't see or hear, he still liked to eat.
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Yesterday, something happened to Henry's left eye, like it dissolved. This morning Mike and I nodded at each other that it was time.

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Anyway, I post this, not looking for sympathies, but because this blog has become my journal/scrapboook. I actually want to celebrate Henry's life.

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Our Henry-Haley era is unfortunately over, they brought us so much joy, I just couldn't begin to put in to words, such wonderful memories that Mike and I'll carry in our hearts forever.

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When I die, I want to be cremated and have my ashes thrown in my compost pile.

Why You Need A Goat

Latest edition Nov/Dec of Countryside Magazine. For those of us addicted to goats, it should read - Why I Need ANOTHER Goat. For us addicts, we're always rationaling the expense of another goat for much-needed/desired bloodlines in the herd.

Chamonix is almost 6 months old and Mama Clara still hasn't weaned her.

another glorious Fall day

http://boonedockswilcox.weebly.com/
Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats

SweetPea listening to Mike hammering. Doe/wether side of barn, looking towards the buckling part, then the buck side.

The bucks listening to Mike hammering.

Looking from the buck pen towards buckling part, then to doe/wether side.

I find it interesting that poultry breeds tend to hang together. These four Delaware girls (we only have four) were raised with other chickens yet they recognize and group together.

Buff Orpington eating some pumpkin.

I keep raking leaves, and throwing them in my new compost pile.