It is what it is...

Uruguay lost to Colombia... we deal with it. There's always the next Copa to look forward to. We can only hope to have gained something out of this, a better understanding of limits, a better understanding of boundaries, a better understanding that perhaps things aren't always so black and white, and interpretation is really not always in our control...

But alas, I am a cat, and really life should be simple. But it's not.

In anticipation of milking time being rather crazy at the milk shed on Saturday (milking time was during the Uruguay Colombia game), the Handlers did their milk shed shopping Friday evening. Not too long ago the Handlers left the country for a spell leaving the goats in the hands of caretakers who had never milked a goat before. Rather than overwhelming them with the need to milk twice a day in addition to the other duties, the Handlers decided to let Chochi go dry one month earlier than normal (she is due to deliver in early September). Since then, the Handlers have needed to make the weekly milk run for pure fresh cows milk. In addition to 9L of cows milk (U$135 or US$6), they got 24 eggs (U$120 or US$5.33) and an 8 kilo round of Queso Comun (U$1028 or US$45.68). 8 kilos (17.6 lbs) looks like this:

This will last the Handlers through the winter. They also consume blue cheese and goat cheese, but that's for another posting.

Frost returns

Yesterday was our first day of frost for the winter. We've had frost before winter started, but I guess this OFFICIALLY makes it winter frost.

In addition to the frost and obvious fog, we also had a lot of humidity.

Bad dog!

Our typical evening scene these days

So, just in case you didn't know, the World Cup has been happening. I'm into paying attention to the evening games, if it allows me a chance to sit on Male Handler which invariably is close to the fire (the ipad is resting on my body streaming from http://www.mundialonline.com.uy/).

Also on the fire are almonds roasting on hot coals, and boiling water for the bedtime hot water bottles (and I'm very much into lying on one of those for an entire night).

So...yeah, that's pretty much the routine for the next three weeks.

Yesterday...First Day of Winter

Yesterday winter officially started, yet it was the warmest day in quite some time with no ice. The morning started with this scene and Female Handler singing Cat Stevens' "Morning Has Broken":

Aside from the singing part, it's a good way to start the day. 

The handlers took off to hunt for more property. They've been doing this more and more, and they take the dog...like the dog would have a say in how good the rodent population was, or whether there are a sufficient number of birds in the area. Whatever... Just as well, I prefer to stay at home. And Keika most definitely prefers to stay home...

(I hurled a baby bird on this same sheepskin on Thursday. I guess I forgot to chew and it didn't quite sit right with me, so up it came. Female Handler must have worked some magic to get it soft and looking fine again for Ms. Keika. She's pretty particular). 

Now we can look forward to the days getting longer!

So...did you see the game?

Uruguay vs Costa Rica.

(Mama always said...if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything...)

The Handlers were streaming it from a local Uruguayan TV station, Canal 10. We're not sure who the blue team was on the field because they didn't look like the team we saw back in 2010. Perhaps they were completely discombobulated with their different color shoes, or the fact that their shirts were a tad bit too form fitting.

Focusing on the game...Costa Rica looked great!

What was amazing though was hearing the commentary from the Uruguayan announcers. We are used to hearing "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL" that rivals any opera singers' ability to carry notes that seem to last forever. But yesterday, with each of Costa Rica's ..um T-H-R-E-E goals, there was hardy a mention. Matter of fact, we don't even think that they used the word "gol"! Had it not been for the FIFA replays, we surely would've missed knowing.

So yeah, Costa Rica looked great!

We're not sure what the other team was there to do.

Thanks Brose!

A visit not too long ago by family was absolutely wonderful. It's not often we get family at the farm since mini-Female Handler departed the southern hemisphere in February, so when we do, it's awfully special. They also came bearing gifts:

1) toe nail clippers for Nostra because she's a dog, and dogs are essentially useless at trimming their toe nails on trees. The Handlers have tried to purchase dog clippers in Colonia but none of the pet supply shops carry them because everyone just brings their animals in for the vet to trim. Nostra isn't particularly fond of the vet after her parvo experience. She ought to love them given that they saved her life, but I digress...

2) and a puzzle. Puzzles are not my cup of tea, but the Handlers seem to enjoy them. It was supposed to be a joint effort between the Handlers. I can't tell you how many times Male Handler told Female Handler.....ok, now you finish it.

I believe Female Handler contributed to placing three pieces in the correct spot.

TGIF