Peter's -Day 2

Sunday's we play. Sundays are good. Usually doing stuff outside. Sometimes wine tasting, sometimes a drive, but almost always hikes are involved. Today we drove north. We drove all the way to Whistler, B.C. We investigated Shannon Falls, Porteau Cove, Howe Sound, Brandywine Falls, Squamish, Whistler, and more.

The main goal of our trip was to see Brandywine Falls. However, snow covered the parking lot ~ and we now know to stay out of snow filled parkintg lots ~ so we parked outside the lot, along hwy 99 and hiked in. We were the only ones brave enough (or stupid enough) to take on this challenge and so were the only ones for miles and miles. This was quite appealing to me until Peter mentioned seeing bear spoor and bear tracks. Despite that we had a lovely picnic lunch on the deck overlooking the falls. We ate smoked salmon (I'm sure a bear's favorite food!) and drank wine from a plastic taco bell cup. Such class! This photo is of the stream before it plummets over the falls.

We watched the sun set over Howe Sound. It was so very breathtaking. Click on the picture to see if full screen. It really does leave me in awe of nature...

Despite my busy busy weekend, I have managed to work on my knitting for a bit. I have nearly perfected the art of knit one, purl two & knit two, purl two. I think I'm nearly ready to tackle an actual project. A scarf? A hat? A cable-knit, button down sweater with contrasting cuffs (probably not) I should start with a scarf I think.

Day 9 - Peter's

Yesterday I spent much of the day taking my mom to dr. appointments.. then traveling north. Peter (that would be my totally awesome boyfriend) lives near the Canadian Border. Making this trip at the time of the day when you hit Tacoma at rush hour is not very clever. I spent an hour doing 20 miles an hour through Tacoma and then I crawled through Everett as well. AGH! But it (and he) is so very worth it.

Since there is about 325 miles between us and we both have so very many responsibilities at each of our homes, we have this deal.. when I go up to see him, I work for him on Saturdays. When he comes to see me, he works for me on Saturdays. That way neither of us really falls behind on our to-do lists, much.

Today I spent about 20 hours carrying about 80 pounds of weed killer on my back and then another 20 hours wrestling blackberries and cutting down pussy willows and burning them up. It was a good day. As I was getting scratched and mauled by the blackberry canes I thought none of this was working toward my TYPoE (as well as a lot of other things, including.. if I had goats.. they would LOVE to eat the blackberries!). But then it dawned on me that I can't make goat related advances every day, and that the simple fact that days progress get's me closer to my goal.

At lunch today we had home made soup. Peter is a master at cooking and feeds me well. I almost never have to cook when I'm there. The gin and tonic he drank with lunch is the only explanation I can give for why Peter tried to get the cat to ride the dog...

Day 7

Hey! It just dawned on me.. I'm a week into my TYPoE. I haven't given up yet. That's good news.

There is not a lot new on the goat front. Not only that I really do need to pace myself. I have two years. I have about 723 days left to go. So I shall slow down and breathe deeply. That's the ticket.

I have been practicing my knitting. and purling. and cabling. I think this has turned out quite nice so far. It won't actually be anything - although someone suggested it could become a tube top. I don't think so.

See the lovely little rooster on my banner? He belongs to Peter, My wonderfully awesome boyfriend. I shall get to go see the rooster and his chickens this weekend. They think I'm the chicken queen. They've been known to listen intently to everything I say. They like me. I like them. It works.

Day 6

My mother lives with me. She's quite ill and woke me the other morning at 3:00. After I got her back to bed I lay awake staring into the darkness thinking about goats and my plan. I realized I have two serious goat problems. I figure I need about 5 goats. 5 lactating goats. In order to get goats lactating the goats must have kids. If the goats have kids I'll end up with more than 5 goats. In theory I could sell the goats - which would add to my income but could I stand to sell my precious babies? I think not. My goat herd shall expand and expand and I'll be in real trouble. I'll be like that "octet" mother in California. How could I stand that kind of criticism?

My second problem is that if I have goats that require daily milking I will be forever trapped milking goats. What about vacations? What about Europe? What about weekends at the luxury spa? I wonder if the local temp agency would have experienced goat milkers?

My mother is ill (I know I said that..) but part of her illness results in her saying some very very odd things. Let me share today's conversation (Peter is my awesome boyfriend)

The scene: In the car and we passed a little empty corner farmer’s market.

Me: That’s what I need for my little goat shop
She: Goats?! I don’t think Peter is very good for you
Me: Why would you say that?
She: Because you’ll end up with worms in your pants.

Two years seems like a very long time...