My little baby bird had flown the nest

I feel so bereft. I am so worried. Will Mom make friends? Will she be late for dinner/breakfast/lunch? Will she be frightened? Will she miss me? What if she needs me and I'm not there? What if she can't find the light switch? What if she can't find the bathroom? What if she get's hungry? What if she get's cold? What if she can't figure out the heater? What if she hates me for putting her in that place?

Sparky thinks all the same things. I know.. she keeps going into mom's room, looking at the room and noticing the missing stuff and then she glares at me like I'm evil.

What do you suppose she thinks? First Sophie left us. Then my son, Kyle left us. Now Mom has left us. Do you suppose she's frightened that she might be next? Poor Sparky. She seems very worried.

Not only that but do you suppose I'm just the type of person who HAS to worry? Do you suppose I'm just a nut case, following close in my mom's footsteps?

I'm getting professional help.

oh.. not THAT kind of professional help. Some day maybe, but not just yet.

My goat cheese was a success. The flavor, a bit bland. So I went out and purchased a book.. "Making Artisan Cheese"

I still have 1/2 gallon of Goat's milk in the freezer to experiment with and now I have professional help and actual recipes.

On to the "mom" front. We have a move date. Friday, October 9. We found a lovely place with a studio apartment, a view of the garden and solarium and appropriate assistance. She's already picking out what she wants to take and was ready to start moving today. I think that's a good sign. It might mean she is sick of me though. Sometimes I don't blame her.

Success!

Finally, at long last, I made goat cheese! Picture me dancing, because I am!

Yesterday we took a country drive out to The Goat King's Daughter in Willamina and purchased fresh, out of the goat, goat's milk. It's a lovely farm with goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, cats, dogs, children and more.

The trick was fresh - but not too fresh - goats milk and rennet.

Korinna told me that store bought goats milk will NEVER make cheese because of pasteurization process and how it alters the proteins. Brand new goats milk doesn't work either. You must let it get a day or two old.



I used the same process as before but instead of lemon juice or apple cider, I added Rennet.



Change happened! It was so exciting!


Before you knew it, I had cheese hanging and dripping.


It was perfect.


I wish I could taste it - but the directions say to let it refrigerate for at least 24 hours before tasting. Patience is not my virtue!

Do you feel it?

Fall is in the air. There is a cool rain out tonight. The weight is lifting.

Today we found "THE Place." Monday we have an appointment for Mom to be assessed. Assuming there are no surprises Mom could be in her new place within a couple of weeks. She's actually somewhat excited about it and has decided this move requires a new wardrobe. She will, after all, be socializing on a daily basis.

Peter arrived HOURS early tonight. The house is cool.

I took this photo this evening. It reflects my mood.