Comments on: She finally arrived, and her name is music to my ears

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:07:24 +0000

In reply to Marianne.

Awwww, I LOVE picturing this Marianne! And thank you for your encouragement. 🙂 And since you mentioned my discouragement about homesteading, I’m guessing you found this post from another… maybe this one?–> http://soulyrested.com/2018/01/16/hardest-thing-homesteading/

By: Marianne

Marianne — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 17:59:10 +0000

Oh my…sorry, but I had to laugh, and smile, and remember….shortly after my 4th left home fate moved me onto 5 southern acres! Like you one of the first things I wanted was fresh milk….soooo…did I buy a cow? Oh no. I bought a VERY pregnant goat (thanx to 4H).. I’d never lived on a farm in my life before. Finally a very kindly neighbor showed me how to round her up, contain her (by putting her between the gate and the fence), and how to milk her while sitting on an upside down 5 gallon bucket.while her baby jumped all over me, which is very different from milking a cow…and like you my story went on. I too am very thankful for all that I had “His” help with, so many times. Can no longer do such, but I would certainly suggest you think more than twice before giving up on homesteading. Chances are there is much to follow that will make you light up.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 22:04:30 +0000

In reply to Kathi. Thank you, Kathi, for reassuring me that I'm not alone in my gender-identifying inadequacies. :-) How fun that you had a goat named Selah; it's a very good name.

By: Kathi

Kathi — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 20:57:59 +0000

What a lovely story, Michelle. I had a goat kid named Selah, and there is a story in that name as well, a story of God’s preparation and provision, and in the end, His goodness.

I used to breed Maine Coon cats and have to sheepishly admit that I had a few kittens who were visited by the gender-change fairy. 🙂

Your photos of your adorable new Selah are so beautiful! I’m so glad she’s a she!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 19:31:23 +0000

In reply to Laura. Thank you for your kind words as well as reassurance, Laura. I guess I need to read up on what to look for with mastitis and sure hope I don't have to learn any lesson the hard way with that!

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 18:07:08 +0000

Oh, Michelle – you make me smile. I’ve been following along with your journey for awhile now, and you already have super bonus points for teachability and humility, which count a whole lot more than calf sexing skills in my book! I cow-sat for a neighbor once when we lived in VT, and unknowingly lost a very tiny but very important piece of the milking machine in the muck of the barn on my first day. After much sweat, frustration, and tears, I ended up having to call a neighboring farmer to help me figure the thing out. He did, and all was well, but it was a good lesson in feeling foolish. 🙂 It isn’t a feeling I enjoy so much, but I guess if it keeps me from the greater evil of pride, well, good deal, I guess. Congratulations on your calf, beware mastitis, and if you use a milking machine, make sure you have all the parts. 😉

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 15:52:31 +0000

In reply to Susan K. Stewart. Thank you, Susan, for the reassurance. I've been at it 3 years and feel I've barely scratched the surface of all I need to know!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 14:41:08 +0000

In reply to Danielle.

Thank you, Danielle, you summed up my hopes exactly… that Selah’s birth is the start of a new chapter. But God has absolutely taught me these last few difficult months that whatever the situation, and whatever pain we main still be asked to endure, He is good–in all the depths of the word–and I need to accept every situation where His sovereignty places me.

By: Susan K. Stewart

Susan K. Stewart — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 14:04:11 +0000

We’ve been at this homesteading thing for nearly twenty years and still haven’t gotten the hang of it. Each year I learn something that seems should be so basic. Or have a callosal failure — even the zucchini didn’t grow last year.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 13:17:03 +0000

Beautiful story, Michelle. We are all imperfect and make mistakes! As a newbie calf “mother” yourself, I wouldn’t be too embarrassed. I’m sure I wouldn’t have known the difference, but it’s good to know for future reference 🙂 I hope this beautiful baby girl signifies a turning point for you and your family. The rough times can be so hard, but boy is God good!