A Really Unexpected Learning Experience!

When we set out on this crazy journey a year ago I expected it to be a learning experience and I haven't been disappointed one bit. Rich and I have developed so much confidence as we mastered each new task. Some of you readers have been with us from the beginning so you know about our early, rather humorous and failed attempt at rounding up alpacas and herding them into the barn. Since then we have both become pretty proficient at rounding up the animals together and alone. We feel confident loading them up into the trailer and hauling them anywhere we need to go and then unloading on the other end. I feel comfortable giving shots and Rich is able to snip the toenails of even the most reluctant animal. We've assisted at shearing time and I attended three days of intense training in how to sort and classify fleeces. More recently, we have given postnatal care to two of the most adorable crias; one of which I mis-identified as a female at birth. A month later Rich made the correction when he noticed a new development under the little lad's tail.

Last night, though, both Rich and I took part in lesson that left us both with so many conflicting feelings that it is difficult to describe the experience. After consultation with the vet who cleared Mango for breeding, Rich and I made the decision to visit Grass Run Alpacas just south of here and pick out a new boyfriend for her. We had been there to visit a year ago and remembered a handsome young black stud that we felt would make a perfect mate. Last week the arrangements were made to bring her down there for a "drive by" breeding. If it didn't take the first time, no problem, because Grass Run is so close that it wouldn't be difficult to return for another try. So after supper last evening we loaded her up and set off for Mango's date.

Mango's new boyfriend is a handsome, true black stud named Black Night. He curiously peered over the fence as we pulled into the driveway and when Rich backed the trailer up to the gate, Black Night started pacing back and forth along the fence. Myron and Rhonda, owners of Grass Run, came out to meet us and lend a hand as we unloaded Mango and walked her into the barnyard where Black Night waited. The minute we unsnapped the lead and backed away, Black Night went to work. He was ready. Really ready.

Mango, on the other hand, was more curious than ready, so rather than kush down immediately like a more experienced female would have done, she walked over to the fence separating Black Night's yard from that of the females. Unfortunately for the poor stud, Mango was curious and wanted to socialize. She walked around sniffing the other females and all the while Black Night was hopping along behind her  on his back legs, hanging on for dear life, and making the mating sound known as "orgling."  The two of them continued in this manner, making a lap of the pasture until they got back to the gate area where the three humans waited. Myron stepped in front of Mango and held her, pushing her down into a kush. Then Myron had to assist on her other end, holding her tail out of the way to allow Black Night full access as Rich and I looked on helplessly and more than a little uncomfortably. All the while, Black Night orgled, orgled and orgled! There is no way to describe the noise he made. Orgle says it all. Onomatopoeia: a word that sounds like the sound it is describing. Orgle.

This went on for almost half an hour. Before it was all over, I think Rich was feeling sorry for the young stud and I felt bad for Mango as she looked up with her big, dark eyes, as if to say, "Please, take me home." We won't know for about two weeks if the episode produced the results we want, a pregnancy for Mango. Either way, this was a decidedly out of the ordinary learning experience for Mango, Rich and myself!

Oktoberfest!

All week the forecasters had predicting drenching rains for all day Sunday, (today), when Rich and I were planning on taking mama Took and her son Asterius to the Oktoberfest at nearby Garlo Nature Preserve. I did a spinning demonstration there last year on the front porch of the first log cabin that was reconstructed there. I had so much fun that I volunteered again this year and even joined the Friends of Seneca County Parks. Taking the alpacas along seemed like a great idea to go along with the whole spinning, knitting, weaving thing. Rich even made a special, portable, deluxe pen for the animals. We were both excited to share our animals with everyone.

Then the rain was predicted. Not just rain but thunderstorms, too. All day. One of the first things we learned about alpaca fleece is that it doesn't contain the lanolin that sheep fleece has and tends to absorb water. The general practice is to only provide low sprinklers during the hottest weather. Only their legs and undercarriage should get wet. If the blanket (back) fleece were to get soaked it not only weighs them down, on a warm day such as this it acts as a sauna and could cause heat stroke. So we decided against taking them. 

Bridget, my wheel, and I went and I did the spinning demo. We spun and spun from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. I had a great time just like last year. I met some interesting knitters and some people interested in possibly owning alpacas. But the little kids were so much fun. So many of them were really fascinated by the spinning and asked many questions about the process. They liked to feel the raw fleece, the roving and the finished yarn. One little boy even asked if he could take my wheel home with him! He is clearly a future spinner.

We trusted the weather forecasters. All three of the Toledo stations said the same thing. You know how that goes. It rained all right. About an hour after the whole event was over! 

Pronking in the Pasture

It's beginning to look like autumn out here at Buckeye Star Alpacas. We had purchased several pumpkins at a farm nearby on Friday night on our way into town to eat and buy groceries.  Then on Saturday Rich and I (mostly Rich) put up the fall display under the old shebang. The weather was cool and sunny and so invigorating. I love this time of year.

The newest member of the herd (I shall call him Brutus until he has an official name) reached the one week mark last Thursday so we released he and his mama, Firenze, into the pasture with the females and Asterius. They were all curious about him and Firenze was very protective, air spitting at anyone who got too near the little one. Brutus, however, rapidly became accustomed to the others, particularly Asterius. It didn't take him long before he was romping with Asterius in the pasture.

Since then Rich and I have made a point to slip outside to the back deck every evening at sundown to watch the nightly ritual of Asterius and Brutus. As soon as the sun sinks below the horizon, when it's too dark for pictures but still light enough for us to see, the two little ones race madly around the pasture. They do laps and get going so fast until they are pronking. Pronking is a term particular to alpacas. To best describe it one has to know about the old cartoon featuring the skunk, Pepe LePew. Pepe moves in a bouncing motion with all four feet off the ground at once. That's what the alpacas do. They run and work up to a speed where they start bouncing on all fours as if they had springs in their legs. It's so amazing and we laugh hysterically at the little guys. Asterius gets so worked up that he often lets loose with a string of high-pitched screeches that echo across the fields. Nikko, in his adjoining pasture, often joins them and runs along the two sides of the fence that separate them. The other night our little brown Leezza was running with them. She is still a maiden and young enough that she enjoys a good pronk now and then.

The picture above is of our three boys. Nikko often pokes his head through the fence longingly, clearly wanting to join the playing. You can see the difference between one week old, Brutus; one month old, Asterius; and one year old, Nikko. It's amazing how fast they grow that first year. Rich and I have quickly learned to observe and enjoy each stage of their development much like parents do with their human kids because it passes so quickly.

Where is that cool fall weather?

It's been almost a week since our second little male cria was born and he's thriving in spite of the extreme heat. I just came in from a visit to the pasture and barn after a very brief visit to check the herd. The 90+ degree heat is oppressive and it is literally hard to breathe.

The animals all seem to be doing ok. Mama Took likes to put her front feet into the large tub full of water that we keep out there for just that purpose. They have hanging buckets full of fresh water that are replenished several times a day for drinking. This tub is a large one and full of muddy water because of Took's feet. However, whenever I spot her bathing her tootsies and rush out with a camera she steps daintily out of the tub as if to let me know that this is a private spa activity that I have no business capturing on camera.

Firenze and the little one are still separated from the rest in the barn and mama likes to relax in front of the large barn fan on days like this. The little guy sleeps by her side most of the time but occasionally I can spot him venturing forth into the pasture on his own while Firenze looks on protectively.

Little brown cria does not have a  name yet. My youngest grandchild, Zaidee, asked for the naming rights and because of the huge time difference between her home and mine I have not had a chance to discuss it with her over the phone yet. Rich had a tendency to call him Brutus, after the Ohio State University mascot. I'm not totally sold on that name. Notice how the corners of his mouth turn up. He looks like he's smiling all of the time. He's a floofy little critter and his fleece seems to be a bit longer and maybe less crimpy than our other little guy, Asterius. I guess it's really a bit early to make that judgment yet.

On these hot, hot days we put a sprinkler into the pasture for the herd. First in the girl pasture and then in Nikko's bachelor pasture. The kids come running when they see me turning on the pasture faucet. Leezza is usually in the lead and has become a real sprinkler hog. She lays down with her chest up against the sprinkler or sometimes even right on top of the sprinkler. The others wait patiently in the wings for their turn until she gets tired of the game or totally saturated on her undercarriage.

Took waiting for Leezza to move.

This afternoon, Leezza lingered longer than usual, probably because it is much hotter than usual. Today the temperature is supposed to reach a record setting high for September. Most of the summer has been cooler than usual and now, during the waning days of the season, the temperature soars. That's Ohio for you. 

Leezza warned Took and Mango away with a little air puff, not exactly a spit. But she did allow baby Asterius to poke his nose in the sprinkler in front of her.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the fence, Nikko looked on, whining; not so patiently waiting his turn. Next year, before the heat sets in, we are going to get a hose splitter and another sprinkler, I think. That way Nikko does not have to wait and I do not have to go out into the heat as often.

It's Another Boy!

First, let me say that this time I picked the little guy up, turned him almost upside down, (What an introduction to the world, right?) and very carefully examined him. I pulled the remains of the umbilicus out of the way and rubbed my hand gently, but firmly, along his underbelly.  Sure enough, there is a "little" something there. I also checked under his tail. Nothing yet, but clearly not a female.

After class this morning, I ran a few errands and then cruised home through the countryside. It's a beautiful day and I wasn't in any hurry. Other than being as big as a small house, Firenze hadn't shown any sign of labor when I left home  at 8:45. Her due date isn't until September 20, so I wasn't too concerned with being gone from home for a few hours. Upon my arrival at home I saw that the girls and boys were all grazing peacefully in the pasture, enjoying the breezy, sunny day. I took my groceries and books inside and put things away. I checked a few items relating to class and fired off a few e-mails and put some items in the washer.When I am working around the house like this I constantly look out of the back windows to watch the girls in the pasture. I didn't notice anything unusual. About an hour after I got home I took an old canvas briefcase out of the washer and out to the deck to lay it in the sun to dry and this is the sight that met my eyes:

A noticeably thinner Firenze was peacefully grazing beside what looked like a wet, brown rag. "OMG! You did it yourself!" were my first words. I grabbed the camera, my cell phone and a towel and dashed to the pasture where I snapped the little boy's first baby pictures. Very shortly after I pulled the gunk off of him and wiped him dry with a towel he struggled to his feet and took his first steps. Wobbly and adorable.

I took a minute to text a picture to Rich, who is at work, and other interested parties, then I picked up the little one and carried him to the nursery pasture. Firenze followed so closely behind me that she stepped on my flip-flop and pulled it off! The entire herd trailed along behind. Those animals are so curious when a new member arrives. I got mama and baby boy corralled in the nursery pasture, weighed the baby (16 pounds), put out fresh hay, fresh water and a generous scoop of sweet feed as a treat for Firenze. As I watched and snapped pictures, the little guy, who could still barely stand up beyond a couple of minutes, started sniffing around underneath his mama. With a little bit of help from me (I redirected his head when he kept sniffing alternately at her chest and behind) he soon began nursing heartily while Firenze stood patiently until he was done.

When I left the pasture the little guy was napping while mama stood attentively beside him grazing. 

Too cute!

No need to say a thing!

Ooooops!

This last week of August has been very hectic beginning with a fleece sorting class last Saturday and Sunday. I signed up months ago for this class and was eagerly looking forward to it. It was a bit of a hassle since I had to get up early and drive over an hour to get to Magical Farms where the class was held. Ruth Elvestad, of Olds College in Canada was the instructor. She has had 35 years of experience judging, handling and teaching about fiber and fleece. I came away from the two-day class with so much information and a lot more confidence when I look at and talk about fleece. Someday I want to take the next step up and become a certified fleece sorter.

I also met a group of talented, (knitters, weavers, spinners, etc.) like-minded women at the class. I so enjoyed talking with all of them. My two tablemates, Susan and Kathy, and I shared personal experiences and many laughs as we learned. One of the group members is collecting e-mail addresses and other information to compile a contact list for us. I look forward to receiving that so that I can follow up on the activities of some of the women and their farms.

On Monday of this week I began teaching a class at a local, small, private university. I am teaching a freshman level rhetoric and composition class and after only two days in class it has been an eye opener. So far, most of the young men and women in the class seem eager to learn. In spite of a few minor glitches, e.g. a computer that won't seem to connect with the overhead projector and students who misunderstood the syllabus, I think that the experience will be a positive one.

And now to the reason for the title, "Oops!"  After a month and upon closer inspection, it seems that the little girl cria, Asteri, is actually Asterius! Rich was working in the pasture earlier, filling water buckets, checking on our very pregnant Firenze, etc. He always likes to get up close and personal with the animals. Here he is having an up close and personal conversation the the females, Firenze, Mango, Took, and Leezza, and our little one.

Today he checked out Firenze and she is showing definite signs of the impending birth. However, according to all of the "experts" these signs could mean that she will give birth today, tomorrow or anytime in the next two weeks or so. Any of us who has ever been pregnant herself, understands this. Rich doesn't. Anyway, a short while ago, as we were sitting in our living room watching the Ohio State football game, Go Buckeyes!, Rich asked me if we were certain that Asteri was a girl. Huh? As the picture above shows, most of the time Asteri is right in your face because she is so curious. Today Rich got a little closer to her rear end than she usually allows and he saw what he thought might be the development of two very little essential male parts.

Curiosity got the better of me and I went out into the pasture to investigate for myself, an easy task this time since all of the girls were in their condo in front of the fan. As luck would have it, Mango and Leezza were in front and left immediately. Firenze was next in line and actually let me touch her side. Whatever is in there is very active. She left the building and Took and Asteri remained laying in front of the fan. Took reluctantly got up and sauntered outside leaving me with the little one. I cornered the baby and grabbed her around the neck with my left arm and lifted her tail with my right. Sure enough it seemed that the baby was developing two little noogies! I pulled her right leg aside to look closer underneath. I even had to run my hand along her undercarriage before I found the "other" nubbin. We had looked under her on the day of her birth and the umbilicus was "bloody" obvious but we hadn't seen or felt anything else. I guess we were so excited to have our first cria born on the farm that we just weren't as careful as we should have been and since then we just operated on the assumption that it was a she. Rich had picked the baby up frequently to weigh it but hadn't tipped it upside down to check closer. The cria was nursing and growing steadily and was nearly impossible to catch in the pasture. So it seems that Mango has a little brother. Asteri is  now Asterius, ruler of the stars.