Rain Drops Have Been Falling on my Head, but at least our fields are greening!

We have had rain for days. I am not sure how many inches have fallen, seems like 20, probably more like 2.

We are grateful. We have said our thanks to God for all this rain in our every prayer.

Even so, it sure is messy. Muddy tracks cross the breakfast room, meander through the kitchen because sometimes it is too hard for people to take off their shoes at the door when they are having to go right back outside to finish a chore. The barn floor sure is mucky as the animals don't even think about wiping their feet, hooves, whatever, as they enter in for dry respite and more hay. No one would even think to venture out into the barnyard without some serious boots on to tackle the muddy regions. The ducks, on the other hand, are quite pleased with this weather. Splashing puddles galore. The peeping frogs in the pond are quite pleased with this wet weather as well. When the rain silenced last night, their chorus echoed through the valley. That must be one of my favorite songs.

Clover had her two little boys last Tuesday. Cornflower had a girl and a boy on Sunday afternoon. Mama Chevre had two huge girls yesterday afternoon, 20 minutes after I headed down the road to Lewisburg with two lambs going to the butcher. Maggie and Rose handled to situation beautifully. Mama Chevre is a rescue goat. She was involved in a fire that burned off her milking mechanism. She is a beautiful, spunky 100% alpine doe. Her babies are almost pure white, and long-legged and absolutely adorable ( and temporarily living in a big box in Maggie's room because she was on bottle duty last night). It was funny hearing their wake-up call to Maggie this morning.

We all wonder who will be next. Portia? Nita? Quizzy? Thistle? I am betting on Portia. She is a registered Mini-Nubian who had 4 babies last year. We are still excited about all the babies. That is, until we remember our friend Donna J. at Brambleberry Farm who now has over 50 babies. Then I feel tired. Very tired.

Today's forecast predicts sunshine and 60 degrees. I hope so! It is warmer this morning, very foggy, thick like pea soup. Oatmeal is bubbling, Patrick is making his special Irish Oatcakes to go with, for a special St. Patrick's Day late breakfast. We will continue to study the end of the Middle Ages and then make soda bread and read our traditional Tomie dePaolo's picture book about our favorite saint and missionary, Patrick. Of course, you never know what adventures will come in the middle of our plans. More baby goats we hope. Visits with friends and cups of tea.

No gardening, though. Too mucky. The potatoes will not be planted on St. Patrick's Day this year, alas.

I leave you with a portion of St Patrick's Breastplate Prayer.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of demons,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.