Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[jvls1942]

good morning
I got tired of waiting for bubbles to pop up in the fermentation locks. I took the lid off and put the hydrometer in. was i surprised. the wine is done.
all ready to prepare for bottling.
I dropped some campden tablets in. that stops any yeast from working. today i will strain it and add simple syrup to sweeten it to my taste. other people will just have to live with my decision. lol
have to go get some caps for gallon jugs. i have a few, but not enough .
i can't believe the temp today at 8am. 52f.
it rained almost all day yesterday.
good for the tree and 25 raspberry plants i planted.
lisa, the most geese i had at one time was 18
that is a good number. they kept the lawn pretty well mowed. still had to mow because there were certain weeds they did not eat.
watch out for wood ticks. annie had one on her last week.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I got my coat on this morning, stepped outside to go feed critters, and had to change to a light coat. Very wet and warm out. We got another inch of rain yesterday. I stayed inside, and got the tops of my kitchen cabinets cleaned up, and put up the snowflake lights. I know it's early, but I don't want to climb up there in a few weeks again.

I have a thin unwell goat. He unfortunately won't make it through the winter. That will leave me with 3 goats. If they don't raise the prices of geese I will probably get 5 more. Mine are in the goat and donkey pasture. They eventually will be all there is in there, along with the muscovy, and chickens.

The geese are enjoying their pond filled with water. Never thought I would like geese. They used to terrify me. They are mostly bluster, and if you call their bluff and stand your ground they walk away. They are personable birds. I enjoy chatting with them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Cute geese!!!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Cute geese!!!!!

Thank you. I'm debating if I want to try African again. They were so loud, and rowdy. Maybe I should hatch a few myself next year. Prices went up too. Apparently geese are golden.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thank you. I'm debating if I want to try African again. They were so loud, and rowdy. Maybe I should hatch a few myself next year. Prices went up too. Apparently geese are golden.

Hmmmmm

 

[Cebarmlds]

How are dogs around geese? we had a pair when I was a kid, we also had a dog but I don't remember if we ever had a problem or if it was not any big deal... ?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How are dogs around geese? we had a pair when I was a kid, we also had a dog but I don't remember if we ever had a problem or if it was not any big deal... ?

My geese always try to get my dogs. If they can pinch them through the fence they seem to enjoy it. If they dogs go in the pasture the geese will sometimes escort them out. I personally prefer my geese confined. They like to explore with their bills. Always pulling and chewing on latches and twine. If they ran loose I don't think any of us would like it. They consider themselves the law enforcement around here. They are interesting birds.

 

[Callender Girl]

My geese like to chew on wooden things -- including house trim and settees -- and herd the ducks for no other reason than because they can. They like to hiss when disturbed (I hiss back and that stops that) and go crazy when motorcyclists drive by. Totally entertaining critters!

I have no experience with African geese, but I kind of want some. I think they are magnificent looking.

Sorry to learn about your unwell goat

ShrekDawg, your goats are So Sweet!!

Jim, congrats on the garage, the wine and the trail ride where you met Annie! My dad used to farm with horse, and I can't remember their names now. But throughout the years, as horses came and went, his family just kept naming replacement horses the same two names. Not very creative, but easy to remember, I guess.

I've been trying to read the posts from the weekend. Lots of catching up to do!

I went back home to southern Iowa for three days, returned on Sunday, had company that afternoon and pretty much did nothing yesterday but the bare minimum. The weekend before was the Work Crew's busy-ness here, followed by company that Monday, and I think I was just worn out.

I wanted to vote yesterday, but it would have meant a drive into town, and I just wasn't up to it. On the other hand, that would have meant standing in line in Fort Dodge at the county auditor's office. Today, I can vote in the little community of Moorland, where a "line" is never more than three people.

Two inches of rain over the weekend -- including some pounding rain I had to drive through to get back here Sunday -- and more on the way. Why couldn't we have had that during the summer drought? The moisture means fallen leaves are sticking to everything; this morning, I had to knock some off the dogs when I brought them back in from doing their business.

 

[jvls1942]

I had a couple of African geese. the ganders have a shrill voice. that was before I had my hearing aides.,
I didn't mind the noise. I don't know how I would like it with hearing aides.
my geese and dogs ignored each other., I suppose it depends on the individuals you have.
yesterday I took a half dozen partially full bottles of hard honey and warmed them up. I drained almost 3 pounds of honey from them. thinking of making a gallon of mead., I can get it all ready in a jug, but I can't get the yeast until Thursday.