Rain, Rain Go Away!

The goats found a sunny south-west slope and are  taking advantage of the warm afternoon sun. Goats hate rain!

I'm not even in Oregon yet and I'm tired of rain! I wanted to say it seemed like it has rained every day this month, but I thought I had better check my facts first. I wasn't that far off. Here is the rainfall data for our area, in California, not in Oregon.   

03/01/2011    0.33   
03/02/2011    0.23
03/03/2011    0.00   
03/04/2011    0.00
03/05/2011    0.81   
03/06/2011    0.64   
03/07/2011    0.00   
03/08/2011    0.00   
03/09/2011    0.00   
03/10/2011    0.27   
03/11/2011    0.00   
03/12/2011    0.00   
03/13/2011    0.71   
03/14/2011    0.16   
03/15/2011    2.00   
03/16/2011    0.01
03/17/2011    0.00
03/18/2011    1.28   
03/19/2011    0.85   
03/20/2011    0.49   
03/21/2011    0.03   
03/22/2011    0.12   
03/23/2011    0.71   
03/24/2011    1.42   
03/25/2011    1.21   
03/26/2011    0.41   
03/27/2011 this data was not yet available, only a few sprinkles today.

According to the data there has been measurable precipitation 19 of the past 27 days, for a total of  11.41 inches of rain so far this month, it's not supposed to rain for the rest of the month. I don't know if that's a record, but it's a lot of rain.

Alice and her twin daughters born last week

Despite all the rain there are lots of signs of spring. The flowering Quince and Daffodils have come and gone, the Calla Lilies and Almonds are blooming and most of the trees have leaf buds greening. I have lots of vegetable starts coming up. I've started cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, chard, tomatoes and peppers. 

We also had some baby goats last week. My herd kidded in December, except for one doe who waited 'till now. Aren't these  the cutest little kids! My daughter would not forgive me if I didn't mention the poodle puppies, they are adorable. 

My grandson with his puppy "Baby"

My biggest frustration with all the rain is the inability to get moving, literally! We have the stocktrailer loaded and ready to make a run to Oregon but have been unable to because of the rain, who wants to drive and then unload in the rain? Not I... said Farmer Jane! With the break in weather we're heading to the farm with the loaded trailer on Thursday. I'm anxious to see how things are there. I'll have pictures to post next week when we return.

My "Dairymaid" daughter has miniature dachshund puppies, my grandson has claimed this one for himself.