Jan's Jabber

Part One: Anita has asked me to be a contributing editor for ISBA, so I will try to help out to the best of my ability. I guess the first thing I should do is tell you a little about myself, so you know who this “crazy goat lady in Florida” is. I was raised on a farm in Springfield, Oregon back in the 50’s and 60’s. Yip, I do go back a ways. We had milking cows, calves, horses and chickens, and I was responsible for milking 5 cows before and after school every morning. This was always my favorite part of the day with the cow swishing their tail with manure on it in my face and pooping while I milked. Sure right! I always swore as long as I lived, I would NEVER milk another cow! I couldn’t get off that farm fast enough! Married my high school sweetheart in 1961, he had joined the Air Force and we spent 10 years moving from state to state and country to country. I won’t go into detail, but the marriage was a disaster, except for my children. In 1971, I left him and Germany behind (where we were stationed) and returned to Pensacola, Florida. Through a mutual friend I met the love of my life (I thought) in 1972 and we were married in 1973. In 1975, my mother passed away and my husband who was from Miami, Florida flew out to Oregon to help my dad. He fell in love with the beauty, hunting and fishing of the West Coast and we moved to Washington state in 1975. We bought a house in town, but I was beginning to realize I was missing something and that something was the farm life! We found a lovely old two-storied farm house on 10 acres, surrounded by 3,000 acres of government land, it needed work, but I couldn’t wait! I could already see the farm critters and wallpapering going up everywhere! My husband was all for being self-sufficient, so along came the chickens, geese, ducks, beef cattle, Quarter horses, etc. But still something was missing! I wanted a goat!! Why, I don’t have an answer. I never had even seen a goat as far as I know. But we were trying to be self-sufficient, garden, livestock, wood cook stove, wood for heating, etc., and everywhere I read they kept mentioning goats. I could milk them, make butter, cheese, drink the milk; then we would really be self sufficient! I read all I could find regarding goats, which wasn’t all that much and my husband finally agreed okay only one goat! (Now I knew and you know that doesn’t work, but I told him yes only one). I start scanning the newspaper and finally there is an ad for milking goats. Yippee! I must have flown to Port Orchard, Washington and met a very nice, young, pregnant girl who had a variety of goats, but I fell in love with the Nubian, Dani. The girl warned me that Dani and the Toggenburg (Linda) were very close, but I could only take one, so it was Dani. After all, she had a huge, huge udder and was so sweet! So I give the girl my whole $35.00 for Dani, load her in the back of my Oldsmobile and take off for home. Now keep in mind, I had never tasted goat milk!! Home I go with Dani. Whoops! I forgot about a milking stand. What a rodeo, as my

as my husband holds her complaining I thought you knew how to milk. Sure I did, but cows! Dani did back flips, threw herself on the ground, knocked over the plastic container, also didn’t know I needed a milking container. It was a God awful experience, but I think in my previous life I was a pit bull, because once I get an idea in my head, I just won’t let go! Finally, I get some milk out of this huge, pendulous udder. The next few days weren’t any better. Dani fighting me, husband complaining and NO ONE would drink the milk, myself included. Dani cried constantly, wouldn’t eat or drink and I finally had to have the vet come out. Still no better after a nice little vet bill. Finally as I continue to read, duh I figure out she misses her friend, Linda. Yep, my husband agrees, he will do anything to get that Nubian to shut up! Back I go to get Linda, only have to pay $25.00 for her and bring her home, my son builds me a milking stand and Dani ate like there was no tomorrow. So now I have two milkers and what do I do with all this milk?? I finally decide I have to at least try it, the family is going to figure out that I am dumping it out in the pasture. I just prayed I wouldn’t throw up. I am a very picky, picky eater, so this was a major decision for me. I taste the milk and wow it tastes good. “Mikey likes it!” Family still won’t touch it, but I start buying whole cow milk at the store and then start mixing half cow and half goat milk, then straight goat milk. After a few months I confess and they are converted also. Now I really have it made. I make cheese, I churn butter, raising chickens for eggs and meat, canning everything, garden, raising beef cattle to eat, start purchasing calves from the dairy and selling them. I have my Quarter horses to enjoy and I guess I about did it all but make soap. Rendered lard, ground up egg shells and even made the dog’s biscuits. I subscribed to Countryside magazine and did everything I could to be self-sufficient. I was happy and life was good! ( End Part 1)   (Editor's Note: Well, Jan, you sure know how to leave us hanging... we can't wait until the next chapter of Jan's Jabber!!!! Next month .... Jan faces an embarassing moment with the UPS man? AD SPACE Available