….Joan Harris, known in Devon circles for her calendars featuring Devon cows, has taken her art to the next level.  She’s decorating the cows at her Harrier Fields Farm in Schodak Landing, New York. In this case, it seems just a bit like the proverbial “guilding the lily”.  Harrier Fields was among the farms to receive the first Rotokawa Devon to this country a dozen years ago.

….on Thistle Hills’ pastures.  Checking for new calves recently, we came upon this sight: Photo:  Duane Ard

  Our good friend Tom Neel is a talented artist who we’ve featured here from time to time.  He’s also a talen…..well, he’s kind of a songwriter.  In any event, ’tis the season to be jolly and in an exchange of emails, Tom got jollier and jollier until he finally penned this little ditty.   Devon, by Tom Neel To the music of Irvin Berlin’s “Cheek to Cheek”    Devon, I’m a Devon and my hide’s so red if you could only see …. That beautiful meat that lives inside of me makes delicious burgers, ribs and roasted treats.   Devon, a red Devon Field raised and happy as I…

  ….you may need a “Panther“.  At least our friend Jim Yancy thinks he found his next Jeep! Warning:  equipped with some options that are extra! www.youtube.com/embed/2150iFXF5Vc?rel=0  

even a rabbit can do it. We’re  very proud of the progress our English shepherd Pokey is making at his herding class.  In his latest lesson he even learned how to handle a ram who doesn’t want to be herded.  Our little puppy can be a tiger, after all. Except that may not be what it takes.  Strolling the internet we came across a bunny rabbit who….without lessons….has learned how to herd sheep! http://dogwork.com/buhr9

….freezers.  After years of trudging down an icy hill to start the auxiliary generator, we finally took pity on me and bought the real thing.  Here a member of Mike Sweeney’s crew hooks up our new Generac 20kw unit….enough to power the whole house and our four big meat freezers. Until now it’s been a real chore, not only cranking the portable 6kw unit, but moving it and various extension cords around to keep not only us warm but the meat solid. This not only senses a power loss and automatically kicks in, it also shuts off when the power returns.  And the gas company keeps it filled.  Again, no…

….the first of two calves born today at Thistle Hill.  The first, a bull calf, was delivered in our “nursery”…a small area near the house where we keep an eye on “first calvers”.  It was no problem for W64….she found a safe area and delivered before we could come out and monitor the event.  The sire is Thistle Hill Reality. It was a breeze as well for Q48 this morning.  She was in the eastern pasture and strolled away from the herd for a few minutes for another non-fuss delivery, her fourth calf.  This one a heifer, again by Reality. I mentioned earlier that the mamas here tend to keep a…