Thursday, March 30, 2006 6:22 AM
Yesterday, as I put out hay, again, everyone started to pronk. This
time though, it spread to every paddock, pretty much every cria and
open female ran and danced. It was really fun to watch. Tweak, a tiny
little male in boys town, has been bullying a couple of the bigger boys,
they haven't figured out that they're bigger.
Maybe there's something in the water? Strange alpacas around here...
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 7:45 AM
We had a real gully washer last night, and the weather people have changed
their minds, we may get some rain for the weekend. It may end up looking
like we raise overgrown rats.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 6:36 AM
We had some rain last night, and we're supposed to get some more throughout
the next couple of days. I'm hoping it clears out as planned for the
weekend, we're taking a couple of boys and setting up a booth at the
Pet Expo and FEI Eventing World cup at Galway Downs this weekend. No
we won't be dressage riding or jumping the alpacas ;)
Monday, March 27, 2006 7:02 AM
What a show! IAO was great, but very long and slow moving as usual.
We did manage to bring home ribbons on both of the boys, that made me
happy. There were some people onsite making embroidered shirts that
said "I made the cut at IAO."
The weather was superb throughout the show, and we took full advantage
of the great restaurants in Del Mar. I'm already starting to look forward
to next year.
Thursday, March 23, 2006 6:29 AM
Yesterday, while I was putting hay out, the entire center field, which
consists of mostly ~16 month old maidens, decided they were going to
pronk. They were at it for at least 20 minutes, it was fun to watch.
It looks like we'll luck out on weather for the show, the weekend rain
has been cancelled due to lack of interest. I'll be heading out mid-day,
there won't be any updates until Monday.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006 6:16 AM
It ended up being a nice day yesterday, and we may even luck out with
the weather at IAO. We got our shearing dates scheduled yesterday, April
16th, and the 20th and 21st. Fun fun!
Tuesday, March 21, 2006 6:32 AM
We had quite a bit rain during the night, the huacayas are all a mess.
Funny though, as usual, Gwen stayed dry and perfect. I really don't
know how she pulls it off.
I had planned on hosing off flash and Blade for the show this weekend,
I guess I don't need to now.
Monday, March 20, 2006 6:28 AM
It's nice to have the girls here to visit, and Venus, Juliana's (and
Shogun's) cria is drop dead gorgeous. She's bay black, I'll need to
get a pic or two.
We had a bit of rain yesterday, we're supposed to get a break today,
and a bit more tomorrow. It's making the suris look great and the white
huacayas look like mud pies. Good thing I'm only showing suris at IAO.
Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:49 AM
Cantana is really starting to act very pregnant, but since I'm not on
"official" baby watch, I guess I should be ignoring it. Victoria,
Aysso and Juliana along with their crias will be arriving today. They'll
stay here for a while then I'll be transporting them to Texas. We're
getting a full house here!
Saturday, March 18, 2006 7:53 AM
Pati got the temporary store arranged yesterday, we need about 3 times
the room. I guess it's time to track down a good framer to start the
store downstairs. Hopefully we can have it done by July.
Friday, March 17, 2006 7:37 AM
On Wednesday at about 6:00, it was off to Napa to pick up a whole bunch
of stock for the store. We made it just the other side of the Grapevine
and put down for the night. Yesterday we were up at 4:00AM and drove
the last 350 miles there. There was very little room to turn the trailer
around, but I finally got it done and backed the last 500 yards up a
winding driveway.
We were loaded up at 2:00, and decided not to visit any wineries due
to the rain, and began the trip home, expecting to stop about midway.
Nope, I could see the home stretch, and at about 11:00 last night, we
pulled into the driveway. Now we just need to unload before the rain
gets here.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 8:29 AM
I look out at all of the supposed white alpacas, and they're all varying
shades of brown after the rains. The one exception would be Gwen, she's
still white as the driven snow. I have no clue how she does it, nary
a hair out of place, never a drop of dust on her.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006 6:04 AM
It looked like day at the beach yesterday. Everyone claimed their little
piece of turf and stretched out in the sun, enjoying the day. It looks
like we'll have a few more days of sunshine before the next storm comes
in.
I'm heading down to El Cajon this morning to pick up a couple alpacas,
I'd say my trailer is definitely overkill for the job.
Monday, March 13, 2006 7:18 AM
As the saying goes, I shouldn't quit my day job, my prediction was slightly
off yesterday. Yep, we had rain, hail too. I was talking with Michele
at Aces High Alpacas in Anza yesterday, I was looking that direction
and told her it would quit snowing within an hour. Anza is about 25
miles east of here as the crow flies. She endured blizzard conditions
most of the day. Actually, I guess I'd do just fine as a TV weatherman,
I'd fit right in.
Sunday, March 12, 2006 7:03 AM
The rain quite, the sun is out, and although the forecast says we may
get a little more rain today, I don't think I believe it. I'm not on
official baby watch yet, but I've seen ducks that waddle less than Cantana
does. Pink, pink, pink...
Saturday, March 11, 2006 6:55 AM
The rain started mid-day yesterday, and has continued since then. It's
a nice steady soaking rain, just what we needed. The alpacas all look
like wet rats, but with this type of rain many of them just sit out
and enjoy it. The crias, of course, are running around as usual.
Friday, March 10, 2006 4:41 AM
We tried out the fiber tumbler yesterday, and all I can say is wow!
The amount of dirt and debris that comes out as we watch is incredible.
The fiber came out about 90% skirted (cleaned). The machine will handle
4-6 huacaya fleeces at a time, but only 1-2 suri fleeces, as the suri
doesn't have the fluff that allows it to tumble easily.
We had a lot of wind overnight, not much sleeping went on here, the
noise just kept me awake. Oh well, maybe a nap during the rain today.
Thursday, March 9, 2006 6:52 AM
The high clouds are rolling in, the rain should be here tomorrow morning.
We do need the rain this year, better late than never.
The crias are all doing great, enjoying the weather and playing a lot.
I'm off to Hemet for a new trailer brake controller. Fun stuff!
Wednesday, March 8, 2006 8:14 AM
It's a beautiful day out today, puffy clouds, and going to be nice and
warm. It's been a nice little break, but in a couple more weeks, it's
back to baby watch. Let the good times roll!
Tuesday, March 7, 2006 6:23 AM
We had a nice little sprinkling of rain last night, not enough to make
a mess, just enough to rinse everything off. The kids are growing really
fast, Gwen and Mooney both find it easier to nurse while cushed, and
Nicholas is almost as tall as some of the adults.
Now I gotta go try to rig up a solution to get the fiber tumbler from
the back of the truck. Wish me luck!
Monday, March 6, 2006 7:21 AM
Yesterday, after a ranch visit, I saw an ad for a fiber tumbler. Last
one I saw advertised was gone in 24 hours. I immediately called and
got no answer. I decided to chance that they were out enjoying the day,
and drove the 2 1/2 hours to Acton. They weren't there, but their son
and a friend were. Now I just need to figure out a way to get this monster
unloaded. Anybody wanna help? I have Heineken in the fridge...
Sunday, March 5, 2006 6:11 AM
I have an "alley" that I use to take in the hay, so that if
there is an escape, they can't go anywhere. Yesterday, out they went
from the main field, and that had every single field running and pronking.
I had almost everyone back in when Windy snuck past me, sure enough,
I had to start all over again. One of these days, I'll do it intentionally,
and take the video camera out there. They all had a great time. I'll
admit, it was kinda fun for me too.
Saturday, March 4, 2006 7:11 AM
We did have a bit of rain yesterday, but the sun is back today. Now
that the rainy month is over, we're finally getting some rain. We should
get a bit more next week, then it'll start heading up to the 80's again.
The kids are all doing fine, enjoying the variety.
Friday, March 3, 2006 9:13 AM
It was a really nice day yesterday, we ate like kings. It was warm and
sunny, and we sat on the patio and watched the alpacas. There's supposed
to be a bit of rain today, good thing we enjoyed the outside yesterday.
Thursday, March 2, 2006 6:49 AM
Today is our anniversary, so we'll be starting our day with a breakfast
out, there's a restaurant that serves "pain perdue" which
is the real french toast. For dinner, it'll be either lobster or crab
legs. Yep, it's all about food. The alpacas, yeah they're fine...
Wednesday, March 1, 2006 7:00 AM
What is normally the wettest month of the year is now over. They all
spent most of the day yesterday stretched out in the sun and relaxing.
It kind of reminded me of a day at the beach, maybe I should have brought
them some drinks with the little umbrellas in them.