Each morning I wake up with a very full to-do list. Everyday I go to bed with a lot scratched off the list and yet at the end of the week there is so much yet to be done. As I write tonight, I can feel the slight sting on the back of my neck left by the sun. We reached 90′ today, but the breeze was so cool and the sun was so pleasant that I didn’t even notice while I was working at my table. Often, I am in the herb gardens in the morning when neighbors head off to work. I wonder as they pass by if they realize that I am in my office? Probably not, I know what I do looks much like a hobby to lookers on. However, if you could see my to-do list you would know that it is definitely not a hobby.
Whenever family or friends ask what I have been up to, I usually say “more of the same” . By that I mean more harvesting, drying, and processing of herbs. More planting, propagating, and watering of herbs. More retrieving the escape artist goat, planning for the breeding of animals, more feeding of what we have and so on. But really, no day is ever the same.
We learn new things every day, too. Like today, I learned how to unhook a fuel line on the riding lawnmower and how to drain the gas tank. Why would I do this? Well, because diesel doesn’t work will in a gasoline engine. It seems that, according to my husband, the label on the can with diesel came off. He was at work or he would have known better than to use that can in the lawnmower, but I was ignorant of the fact that the gas can did not in fact contain gasoline. Yes, I know many of you rule followers are appalled to hear that we used a gasoline can to hold diesel, but if you knew my husband you would not be surprised. Anyway, I am still a bit suspicious as to whether the can was ever marked properly- I do know my husband. But, I noticed that the lawn mower did not run quite right and parked it immediately. When Tony called to check in he was just so thrilled with the news. Never fear, I know my way around an engine well enough to manage. The tank is drained and we will refill with the right fuel and see how it goes. Once before, I added the wrong fuel (not diesel) to the push mower. When we took the mower to the shop, the old fellow said that it wouldn’t matter much, no worries. I like that sort of answer and will proceed forward as if this is no big deal until proven otherwise. The can in question with the push mower was also not marked properly- I should know better by now, right- so I still don’t think I am to blame.
Thankfully, the vast majority of the farm got mowed before the refueling incident. I am relieved due to the fact that we are looking at rain for the better part of the coming week. If I hadn’t gotten the mowing done we could have lost a small child in the grass by the time mowing was again possible. I am hoping to get more seeds into beds before the rain begins. I love fall gardening! We have many types of lettuce growing along with spinach, kale, radishes, beets, and greens. All the herbs are growing like mad and I am harvesting heavy each week. Buds are appearing all over the rose bushes, those that were not pinched back by the heat were “pruned” by the goats when they got out while we were in Galveston. I can’t even begin to communicate what went through my mind when I received the text that said “Are the goats supposed to be in the front yard?” Mercifully, they hadn’t done much damage when my older daughters found them. Seriously, though, I have only pruned my own roses a few times the goats have always seen to that chore for me.
Speaking of goats, my two bred does are building udders and I am excited. There is nothing cuter than baby goats- except maybe baby pigs. Raw goats milk will soon by back on the menu in the Ross household, oh happy day! The farm is expanding and the business is growing. New chickens have arrived, 6 Dominique hens and 1 Black Wyandotte Rooster. The rabbits have been moved to their new home. The chickens and the rabbits will be housed in a new building we are building. So far, the rabbits are in their side and the chickens are in a tractor for the time being. Of course, the birds free range in the day. Propagation has begun in earnest, time to get Spring 2014 under way. Lavender, mint, & rosemary are in such demand that I have to begin now for next year. However, I am selling all that I root just as soon as it is ready but I am certain that I will get ahead of the demand sooner or later. Not that I mind, selling the herbs is the name of the game.
I hope you all had a wonderful day!
Holly K. Ross 
I can only imagine how you felt to learn the goats were in the front yard. They certainly have a mind of their own!
yes they do, and evil mind and a huge appetite.