Decorations...

The Handlers had to go into town to replenish supplies at the dry goods store this weekend. Shelf displays indicate that we're in the final quarter of the year and thus, of course there are holiday decorations going up. Garland is big here, in assorted colors.

Female Handler went into a nervous twitch mode seeing the garland...and hence the blurry picture.

What surprised the Handlers was this display of Halloween items. They knew the Day of the Dead (November 1) was celebrated, but had no idea that trick or treating was done. Perhaps it is a city thing, because out in the campo it was most definitely quiet last year. Chochi would have certainly let out a bleat or two if a blue-haired witch showed up at the barn.

In Control? Doubtful....

Monday the rains returned. I was out stalking and the time was horribly inconvenient to take shelter. But the fact of the matter is that I like rain about as little as the goats like rain and while the goats are tethered, I am not. I bolted to the front porch and was eventually let in.

Female Handler thinks she is still a youngster super woman and the healing process on her torn knee ligaments should mend quickly. Alas, that is not the case. She was back on the floor wincing in pain early Monday morning with only me to comfort her. Fortunately, I was dry.

In spite of the winter residue on the windows, this little guy didn't interpret the glass barrier for what it was...a window. His demise was quick, but none the less sad. One less hummingbird to entertain us this year.

How these little feet clasp limbs and withstand our strong winds is beyond me.

So these happenings have reinforced that maybe, just maybe... these are reminders that we're really not in charge, we don't have control, and we just need to:
1. avoid going outside when there is a rainstorm
2. walk lightly and carry a big stick (yes, I have taken the liberty of modifying this famous line to fit the circumstance)
3. avoid cleaning the windows....forever.

Manzana Mundo

This is a special posting as the Handlers are not usually into promoting brands unless it is a company they currently work for...

With a population of less than 23,000 in the town of Colonia (but 119,000 in the departamento -county-), somehow Apple has justified opening a store here (right next to the Handlers' favorite book store).

That will make at least one of my followers smile with joy.

Perhaps this is a case of "if you build it, they will come..."

Here comes the sun...

The rain has stopped, at least for the time being.

The thermometer hit 70 degrees (inside) yesterday. It was the first time since last fall. Actually...we can only assume it was the first time. Temperature is really measured by the number of layers the Handlers have on. Five isn't unusual for Female Handler (FH) in the winter, and along with the layers is the usual muttering of "Que Frio!"

FH brought this gem of a thermometer back from Abuelita's last month. It has been in the family for a long time.

There was a bit of spring cleaning going on yesterday. FH is working the knee but occasionally there are yelps. Male Handler (MH) was working the duster on the ceiling rafters causing mortar to fall and the Dust Bowl of 2012.

I tried to not pay attention. If you pay attention and seem interested, the chances are greater she will hand you a cleaning tool. Case in point, MH came in for a quick snack, and then the next minute he's attaching an extension pole on the duster and coughing and cursing.

Keika took my lead as well, and stayed put on her throne.

If you think she looks a little pissy, you'd be correct. She seriously needs to lighten up and smell the lavender.

One area that FH just didn't even attempt to tackle was MH's desk.

Probably a good move on her part.

The night ended with a podcast of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations: Cuba (one of my followers will chuckle with recognition if she happens to check it out).

Here comes the sun, and I say...
It's all right.

Dulce de Leche Day!

Today is World Dulce de Leche Day!

Got to love the "World" recognition. I'm sure the Thai's are celebrating...

Alas it is 7:30pm and I had no idea of this day until unos momentos...

But here it is: http://dulcedeleche-day.blogspot.com/

And if it's on the Internet, it's got to be true!

"Home" for the weekend

Mini-Female Handler (m-FH) came home for the weekend!

First....let us examine what it is to just come for the weekend. Currently mini-Female Handler is residing in Buenos Aires. So it meant getting on the 1hour "fast" ferry across the Rio de la Plata in Buenos Aires, and finding a grinning Female Handler anxiously waiting on the other side.

Second...what does "home" mean? It means a place where there is family eagerly waiting to wrap their arms around a youngster and breathe in the scent so familiar and not let go ...until it's time to put her back on the ferry which they did this evening only after there was a promise to come back within a month's time.

Third...it also meant I was one happy cat!

Machete-wielding m-FH having cut willow bark (in pocket) and gathered plantago (Llantén)

Hitting the Pause button...

Finally Female Handler (FH) is back! She was away for a month+ taking on the role as primary caregiver to Abuelita who was struggling with lung cancer.  Most already know the outcome, but for those who don’t…all is GREAT now, and life for Abuelita is improving on a daily basis.

During her absence, Male Handler (MH) had to tend to Chochi’s last in-heat session which began the same day the leafcutter ants made their first assault of the season on the almond trees.  Without FH’s help, the “goat fast dating” process needed to be modified slightly. Instead of Mr. Billy Goat coming to our farm, Chochi and MH took a road trip to visit Mr. Billy Goat who was tethered on the outside of Diego’s front fence between his farm and the highway (a north/south major route between Colonia and Carmelo).

Across the highway and a tad south is a milk shed run by Asuncion and Mari. Their primary operation is in the making of cheese which was started by Asuncion’s Grandparents who immigrated from Greece years ago.

Their operation is aptly called Queseria Los Griegos as noted by the hand painted sign at the front of their driveway.

On that particular foggy day, about ten cows from Los Griegos were on the loose and making haste to get as far away from the milk shed as possible.  From where MH stood--just outside one of Diego’s gates, with Chochi by his side as she primped for an interested billy goat five paces away--MH watched as four of the cows stampeded diagonally across the road toward the driveway in front of Diego's other gate.  MH could discern Mari's slowly approaching figure near the driveway of Los Griegos, but at such a distance as she was, MH might easily have mistaken her for a fence picket.  Then, as if out of thin air, Asuncion appears, close on the heels of the four cows that had reached Diego's driveway.  When MH had caught sight of him, he was not running, as you might have expected; rather, he was walking with the gait of a duck--and, like a duck, his belly was leading the way.  Diego's wife appeared from the house to investigate what was going on and then went forth to offer her assistance.  Diego himself then emerged from near where the four cows had been in his driveway, although they weren’t there at the time. Instead the four cows were now standing in the road in a queue, blocking traffic in both directions.  In the foreground of MH’s view of this scene stood a yellow diamond sign of a black, belly-up bovine ….as the top screw had been dislodged for at least 3 months flipping the sign upside down.

By the way, Chochi and the billy goat hit it off instantly. the calendar puts the birth(s) about the third week in January  just days before the almonds are to be harvested. No problem...we have nothing better to do.

FH returned this past Thursday. What joy! I had spend the last 5 weeks howling for her, and the moment I saw her, I was speechless. Not even a single squeak. I was immediately content as finally things were returning back to normal. That evening I accompanied her halfway down the orchard to retrieve the goats. But honestly, I tire of that route easily. Coming back is uphill, and some of the grass between the rows of trees is quite high. The physical effort is better spend grooming myself as I wait for her and that's what I did. About an hour later I saw MH bringing the goats back at a quick clip. There was no chance to nibble along the way.

MH put the goats up for the night without the usual milking and then raced back down to the lower orchard. He returned sometime later with quite the haul in his wheelbarrow. He was without his ax, hoe, clippers, "homemade" fertilizer, and whatever else he loads in there. Instead, it was carrying FH coiled in a fetal position and streaks of dried tears on her face.

In Chochi's excitement to see FH, she managed to tangle her lead around FH's left foot while FH was bent over trying to untie her completely. Something spooked Chochi and away she ran taking FH's foot with her and the outcome was a twisted fall that produced three distinct pops to FH's knee. 

If only we could hit the Pause button, or better yet, the rewind button of life. But technology isn't there yet...so we continue on....

Two hours later, the Handlers returned home having spent the Uruguayan equivalent of US$138 on an emergency room visit and two X-rays. No broken bones but yes to major ligament tears. FH isn't moving as much as she would normally be moving around, so this gives me the opportunity to find her lap more often. The caregiver will now have to be the "caretaker" for a bit. It is not a role she adapts to or accepts easily.

MH has indicated that she can postpone cleaning the leaves off the roof until next week.

Can you feel the love?