12 October 2013

  Well, it's been a long time since the last post, but I've decided to resurrect the blog and try to be more faithful in keeping it updated.
  There have been quite a few small changes at Arcadia Farm in the last couple of years.  One major change is that another child has been added to the family: Claire Elizabeth, who was born early this summer.  She is a delightful baby, and a joy to us all.  Sam and Lucy adore her and are such sweet and helpful big siblings.
  Their little family has also purchased a beautiful home not too far from here, so they are now under their own roof and our farmhouse seems very large and empty.  We're so happy that most of our children live near to us and we can see them frequently.  We still have a daughter in California, and one in New York, but it's lovely having 3 within an hour's drive of us.
  This week we've been dealing with a sick goat - a mystery illness which is responding well to treatment, even though the diagnosis doesn't have a name.  The vet was here on Wednesday and has sent some samples to the lab for testing.  In the meantime, we've been giving him fluids subcutaneously (this takes a LONG time) and injecting antibiotics and a pain reliever.  We've seen daily improvement, but would really like to know exactly what this illness is.  Of particular concern, of course, is whether this is contagious.  I guess only time will tell.
  On a lighter note, we noticed this morning that PB had outgrown her collar so she's been outfitted in a spiffy new one: pink camo.  I think she enjoyed running around naked all morning (collarless), but once the new collar was donned, she began strutting around like a runway model, anxious to show off her new duds.  Everyone else's collar is faded and frayed, but PB is a shining pink beacon.  Looks great on her glossy black coat!