At 815 pm last night I got a text from my neighbor next to the farm. My cows had jumped the fence and were headed west. I jumped in the car and drove over (10 miles). Fortunately I have been giving them a carrot or apple every day, so when I got there, they turned around and walked the quarter mile back to their pen. 10 minutes later I had the two big bovines in but the calf couldn't figure out how to walk through the open gate. 40 minutes, a lot of explicit language, a much less than helpful horse, and a few more escape attempts by the cow later, I had them in and the fence patched. I was about to leave, when she jumped it again and headed west at a steady trot. She is faster than I am, so I didn't try to run her down. I fixed the fence again, and gave the steer and calf more hay to keep them content. Eventually she realized that her friends weren't coming and she came back. I got her locked up just before it was really dark (945). I am heading out there early this morning to completely re-do the hotwire that is not carrying the charge I need to keep her highness in. It is a full moon and she is in a strong heat. At this spot there is a huge ranch across the river, but their bulls are at a different location, so it is a very long walk to the nearest boyfriend for her. I have a feeling that life is going to give me some "colorful stories" this week. Planting Frost again this morning, and there might be one more in the next 10 days, then I can finally put everything out in the garden. I did add lemon balm to the perennial tubs. I have been using it a fair bit this spring for stress support. Fig! I got a fig plant, which will go into a bigger pot. Eventually it will go into one of the future greenhouses at the farm. Harvesting Eggs and more eggs. A neighbor suggested pickled eggs. If anyone here has pickled eggs successfully before please drop tips in the comments. Catnip. It is out of control and I have a craft fair in a few weeks that I can sell it at.

Welcome Issa, Kristen and Candice! We hope you will please join the conversations and share your experiences and struggles! Together we are strong!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZsv5lilsJA/?img_index=19&igsh=MWpibGprbXZudXFwdg== I saw this post and want to open a discussion. Our goals affect our assessment. Our assessment affects our tactics, and that dramatically affects the outcome. I am a strong advocate for stewardship of land. Whether we are in a place for months or generations, the land will exist long long after we are gone. I was raised to leave it better than when I found it. For me, that means that it is more usable by wildlife AND people. A previous career was centered on restoring land in a way that benefits commercial ranches and wildlife. It is slower, but far better in the long run. What wildlife goals do you have for your site? Image: a flock of pelicans that cruised over the farm a few weeks ago. The image doesn't do it justice, how HUGE these birds are.