Lil Bit

me, in bed, feeding Lil Bit

My hubby wrote about this very same topic last night on his blog, TheCompostFiles. But, I couldn't help myself; she's just so darn cute!  "Lil Bit" was born last week, was very tiny (still is), at less than half the size of the other baby goats.  She is bright-eyed, affectionate, and as cute as pie. Because her mother rejected her, Lil Bit depends on us people to feed her, keep her warm, etc.  Out at the farm (where she was born; and, where Moshe works), she gets bottle-fed a couple times a day, but that's really about it.  Here, she gets her bottle every couple hours; and, she also gets catered to, hugged, talked to, kissed. Loved.  Ahhh... it's a goat's life!


The only problem was...well...she's a goat...  and, even more to the point, she's a baby. This created the challenge of what-to-do-about-the-pee-pee...  Lil Bit has been coming home with Moshe after work, spending the night here, going back to work again with Moshe in the mornings.  All along, my biggest concern has been preventing her from peeing on everything - and, particularly, the bed!  I put a giant trash bag down in the center of the bed, covered with layers of towels, and topped with a soft blanket that Lil Bit seems to appreciate. (Maybe it feels likes another animal?  I don't know.) So far, this had worked well - no bed-wetting - praise God!  Bless her little heart, she stays right there in the center of the bed, warm and secure with "Mommy and Daddy" petting her, and talking to her, and hugging her.  Although she is friends with Moxie and CassPurr,  I think Lil Bit believes she is a "person", belonging with us.

the first attempt at a diaper... a bit too loose around the legs

But, I know that as she gets older and bolder, she is more likely to move to other parts of the bed - and other parts of the house!  So, I kept looking for a solution... Yesterday I found just the right thing.- adult incontinence products - the pads that hook onto a belt.. Moshe and I experimented on poor Lil Bit.  The first try worked okay, but it was really too big; it was loose enough around her legs that if she lay down, the wet would come out the sides.   The second try worked great; by cutting the incontinence pad in half, it folded "just right" on Lil Bit's tiny body to make a perfect diaper.  We secured it with - what else - good ol' duct tape!  So, the baby goat is now in a diaper!  It's so nice to hold her in my lap without having to change clothes afterwards!

a grown Nubian goat

Lil Bit is a Nubian goat. Some say that the Nubian goat is the best to purchase for milking purposes... their milk is abundant, creamy, and smooth.  A Nubian goat will produce between 2 quarts and a gallon of milk per day!  Nubian milk contains more butter fat than other goat mil - you can make butter and cottage cheese with Nubian goat milk. Internet sites also state that Nubian goats make good pets... but, then, WE already knew that, didn't we?

Shalom  Y'all - Twyla

Comin' In From the Cold

       Yesterday was a cold, windy day.  The day before was colder but less windy.  Yes, it is cold, and we need to know how to deal with the chill in the air.  But, we also have spiritual winters... when spiritual winter arrives it comes in the form of dark and dreary days.  The trials of a spiritual winter are difficult and many.  We need to know how to winterize our lives.  Otherwise spiritual winter can leave us lonely and discouraged.
     One of the things that can make our winter colder is the bitter air of the world.  When we are going through a spiritual winter, we tend to let down our guard... worldly influences creep in... they seep through the cracks of our lives, around the doors to our hearts.  The cold air of influence may come from worldly friends, from the media, or from within - wrong thinking.  We have to get out the caulk and seal up those holes and cracks. The best way to do this is God's Word. Read it. Memorize it. Apply it to our lives.
     The icicles of a cold heart are a problem in the winter, too.  It's easy to develop a coldness of attitude during our winters.  Talking with The Almighty in earnest prayer can melt even the coldest of hearts.
  

     Frost:  If we are going through trials, depression can easily nip at our toes like frost.  Left unchecked, the frost begins to affect more and more of our lives, becoming unbearable.  Inertia sets in.  And, inertia is deadly. Left  unmoved, frost can become frostbite, and frostbite can result in death.  It is, of course, better to prevent the frost from overtaking us, because once it enters us, it is difficult to relieve. Time spent with God every day will keep us warm, warding off the frost of depression and discouragement.
     And, then there are the blizzards of circumstance.  Blizzards can be devastating; the circumstances of our lives can be overwhelming... illness, financial burdens, relationship difficulties. In the times of blizzard, we must remember that God is in control.  Even in the worst of circumstances, He is right there, ready to guide us to a warmer state of mind.
  

 Before winter enters our lives - or even after - we need to pack Emergency Kits for ourselves and our families:
#1: Extra blankets:  Blanketing ourselves with the fellowship of others creates and maintains warmth in
our  lives. We need love and prayers from others to keep the edge off the winter chill.
#2: Non-perishable food:  Scripture is the perfect food;  the Bible offers milk, meat, or manna - depending on  our needs.  Memorized scripture can help us even in the most desperate of winter storms.
#3:Water - Christ is The Living Water.  Drink of His love and strength.  Relying on Christ will keep us  from a  cold, dry, and  bitter existence.  .
#4: Emergency Light source:  God is our light.  His guidance in our daily lives is essential.  In the cold of
      winter we need His light even more.

     We all have spiritual winters in our lives.  But preparing for them can help prevent them from
becoming disastrous.  So, today, take the time to make sure you are prepared for winter.


       SHALOM   Y'ALL  -  TWYLA

How Now Brown Cow

#1: Q: What does a farmer call a cow that doesn't give milk? A: An udder failure
#2: Q:What do you call cattle with a sense of humor? A: A laughing stock.
#3: Q: Why do cows wear bells around their necks? A: Because their horns don't work.
#4: Q: Does running out of a burning barn make a cow unusual? A: No; just mediem-rare.
#5: Q: Why was the cow considered a snob? A" Because she thought she was a cutlet above the rest.

My watercolor of Holsteins

#6: Q: How did cows feel when the branding iron was invented? A: They were impressed.

#7: Q: Why does a milking stool only have three legs?  A: Because the cow has the udder!

#8: Q: What kind of milk comes from a forgetful cow?  A: Milk of Amnesia

#9: Q: What do you call the spots on black and white cows?  A:  Holstains.

#10: Q: Where do cows go when they want a night out?  A: To the moovies.

#11:Q: What do you call a cow that can sing?
        A: A moosician.

#12: Q: What is a moosical cow's favorite note?
        A: Beef-flat.

#13: What do Hawaiian cows wear?
        A: Moo-moos

#14: Q: What do you call a cow that has just had a baby?  A: Decalfinated.

#15: Q: How does a farmer count a herd of cattle?  A:  With a cowculator.

My miniature watercolor & ink:  "Grampa's Barn"

SHALOM   Y'ALL -

      TWYLA