Silly Saturday

The goats were out this morning on the hill opposite Spike's meadow. A sign in front of the fence says: Animal grazing for vegetation management reduces dangerous fire fuels, reduces the risk of wildfires, improves public safety, benefits native plants, reduces herbicide use and supports local agriculture.

This morning's  paper showed firefighters putting out a fire that had been started by goats dragging brush up against the electric fence causing sparks.It wasn't these guys....they know better. Spike brushed up against the electric fence. Once was enough. He'll never go near that spot again....As the picture shows, the grass is bone dry and crunchy. It doesn't look very appetizing, but there are plastic swimming pools full of water for them to wash it down....

They're very efficient and the only feasible way to cut underbrush on some steep hillsides.

Speaking of diets...A neighbor couple are coming over soon for a glass of wine, bringing a niece who is visiting from South Africa.They were going to come for dinner, but it was revealed via a series of texts that the niece is a vegan but eats fish and loves salmon. (He notoriously hates salmon which I made the first time we ever had them for dinner right after I met them.) I suggested barbecued shrimp, but the niece can't eat shellfish. Only fish. I threw up my hands and said if Paul won't eat fish and your niece won't eat anything but fish maybe we should just make it wine and snacks. I made crudites and a dip, and John is going to barbecue the shrimp.

Late breaking news...the niece says she may want to just go for a run and relax....she's playing it by ear....oh dear....

It's been a quiet day. Everyone , even the dogs, seem to be tired today.  The weather is pleasant, but a stiff wind comes up every afternoon, sapping the energy and making it unappealing to sit outside. I've gotten my sewing machine back having been cleaned and serviced for the first time in years. The receipt came with a pointed comment on how it was 'extremely clogged with lint/thread/grease due to lack of regular servicing.' All sorts of things I don't know anything about were cleaned, oiled and deburred. I'm beginning to think about a new project. I'm sure it will be nice to have a machine that is as good as new....