Right now I sit at he computer...frustrated by modern technology...the computer is slow...and the blog i wanted to write has left my brain in the frustration of this machine...and why am I sitting in front of a machine when the outdoors is cool and damp and smelling of earth...there is an incredible sweetness which overwhelms me as you walk out the front door...storms keep rolling in every afternoon this week...we take shelter in the hoop house hearing the drumming of heavy rain fall, as we weed...watching hail this afternoon and wondering if all of out hard work could be destroyed in a minute...all is well...
I am milking this week...a process of getting chloe into the barn and washing her down and keeping her clam to be able to milk her...this process seems like it should go smoothly...but Chole and i can not seem to get into a rhythm...she comes in only because i dangle her drug of choice in front of her nose (grain) feeling a bit guilty for using this to lure her away from her calf, who she now seems to be forming a strong bond with...she comes with Charlie close behind her...and then i shut him out of the barn to be able to milk Chloe faster...but fast is far from what happens with chloe...she moos and stomps her foot...often strategically placing it smack into the bucket I have just filled with fresh milk...she moves left away from me...it is a dance with her...keeping my head rested on her leg...sensing when whe will pick up...moving the bucket...moving my body as she moves left...moving the bucket.,.moving the bucket...moving the bucket...SPLASH...alas...and so I keep going...knowing that the udders must be empty...or she will develop mestitis...and then it is over...with sore knees...and aching hands...after an hour and a half...the cow is milked and put back to pasture...I feel determined to get this right...to figure out this complicated relationship with a cow...who provides us with golden milk...everyday...she turns grass...into milk...it is rather miraculous...so in an attempt to build relations I spent some time with chloe and charlie...trying to get myself in a better space to be with this lovely cow...we shall see...what tomorrow will bring...
on another note...this weekend we had a solstice celebration...and it was delightful to have some live music..singing...ending with a campfire:)
4 comments:
I feel like you are living out all my Little House on the Prairie fantasies--without the bonnet :)
Charlie looks like a fawn.
Katie,
I always thought it would be so nice to milk a cow. But after your blog I realize I was very naive. Good luck with Chloe. I think it is a good plan to bond with her outside of milking!Charlie has gotten big so the milk must be good! :>)
Love you
imocm
katie-alice is visiting and has introduced us to your blog...WOW-it is beautiful...I can't imagine all you're learning...we'll be checking in!
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