The Saturday Farm snowbank

I think I'll make a snowman today!
- Posted using Iphone BlogPress; also on Facebook (Cindy Sauers and Island Cottage USVI)

Carolina Corral

Well, our dear friend, Tracey, has the flu. So. Har and I went to her shop, Awl Made Here, to put a 'closed' note on her door. As we were walking back to our Geo Tracker (or 'Chick Magnet', as Harry calls it), Dana rumbles by in her beat up, old pick up truck with her dog (Red Dog) in the bed and a donkey tied to the right side and a horse tied to the left side; both trotting like crazy trying to keep up. Yikes!


I was amazed. Although you never know what you are going to see on the road in Coral Bay. 'What are you doing Dana???! I bet you're wearing your seatbelt, right?'
I turn to Harry and he's just shaking his head in disbelief.
"Aww Harry, I miss Dana! Let's go see her!"
So Harry and I made the short trip over to Dana's Carolina Corral. (In Coral Bay, just past Skinny Legs and the mangroves.)


When we caught up with her, Dana explained that she, Red Dog, the horse, and donkey just came from Career Day at Guy Benjamin School. Wow. That must of been interesting for the kids; I wish I could have been there.
Dana is possibly the most amazing woman I've ever met. I believe that if Dana had time to hang out with poets as well as horses, there would be volumes of poems written about her.


(Dana checking out Winter's eye)

Everyday, twice a day and by herself, Dana feeds and waters 20 or so donkeys ,horses, several goats, sheep, deer, a dog, cats and more. In addition, she gives medicine, injections, does an occasional surgery and an occasional middle of the night sickness or birth. Then there are the administrative duties of running a business and, of course, her primary focus of saddling all the horses and taking dozens of tourists on three tuff mountain trail rides 6 days a week. AND she maintains the trails when they get washed out and does most repairs as needed at the Corral- all of this and I have never heard a swear come out of her mouth.
I helped her one season and collapsed from exhaustion and heat everyday after only a few hours and I gave up completely after a couple of weeks. By the way, she also has a limited amount of cistern water and only solar energy.
I highly recommend a visit to Carolina Corral. Dana's trail rides are special - you just don't get trail rides like these anymore. These are mountain trails and the horses are alert, not bored. And you won't be bored either; the views at the end of the trail are incredible. There's not another ride like it anywhere.
By the way, Dana rescues and brings back to health many St. John animals. Even if you are not taking a trail ride, you might enjoy visiting her corral and leaving a donation. Call 340 693 5778 to visit or arrange a trail ride.
Here are some of the characters you'll meet while you are there:


This is Rock Star; who, of course, stole attention


Andre



My favorite horse, Ivan



Sebastian




Fanny



Ginger - she wears special boots for the mountain trail



and Mindy



Love is........ :-)

Posted using Iphone BlogPress; also on Facebook (Cindy Sauers and Island Cottage USVI)

Why Sheep?

This post is for my urban friends and some of my artist friends who ask me 1) How did I even think of getting sheep and why? 2) Is it taking away from my art?
Farm animals appeal to me because they are generally working animals that give more than they take, which is why farmers have them - you have to be very practical to make a living as a farmer; you can't afford to keep animals that take resources and don't give back. Working with animals and giving animals the opportunity to work with us is a way of bringing mystery and magic into our life. A farm animal can give us that and affection, delight, joy and practical, tangible gifts like wool, fertilizer,mowing, weeding, eggs, milk, cheese... the list goes on and on. I'd mention meat and leather, but that is obvious and I'm a vegetarian so I'll leave that for someone else. :-) We need to be aware that animals can live without us, but we cannot live without them. I believe they are happy to work with us, but they do not need to be slaves to us and we do not need to be slaves to them either. They have a lot to teach us and give to us.
The other day my friend, Jenny, brought her daughter Emma over because Emma wanted to ride in the wagon. It was a big success. Jenny asked me how this fit into my life. And, actually, you know what? I realize that I believe this is art. It gives to people most if not all of the pleasure that I want people to get from my other creative work and I approached it like I do an art project. I had a vision of the Baa Brothers pulling a wagon and then I pulled together the media (the wagon, harness, etc) and worked to achieve it for the visual and tactile delight. I believe that if people have time with the Baa Boys (and other animals) they will be changed, delighted, touched, brought into the present moment....

The Baa Brothers on Youtube pulling a wagon

Here they are and I'm very excited that they've been able to pull the wagon so well and at such a nice pace to pull children. If anyone knows of anyone else who has taught their sheep to pull a wagon or a cart, I am very interested in communicating with someone who has done this before.
Here is the Youtube link to see the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTkP3xVYr1I
Two Sheep Pulling a Wagon

The boys are back! Sheep pulling a wagon!

I'm so proud of them! It took them about 15 minutes to get the hang of it. I need to get them both hooked up to the wagon at the same time, though, because the one not pulling is causing some mischief. I think they love it. Doesn't Bromley (first photo) look proud?

Speaking of the Land of Oz..

It looks like the house landed on Bromley instead of the witch!

"Bromley, what are you doing under the house and why haven't you been reporting the weather?"
"Because I think I've figured out a way to graze and avoid the weather all together."
"Hmm... there doesn't happen to be a beach under there is there?"

Baa Brother Weather, June 14

"Bromley, what is the weather going to be like on the ranch tomorrow?"

"Relax, Jobey. Live for today. There's no way the weather is going to be this good tomorrow."

"Bromley?"
"Yes, Lambo.."
"What did you put in my drink?!"

We go to a farm!

We woke up to a cool and drizzly morning so my son, Jason, the Baa Brothers and I decided to visit Great Cape Herbs (www.greatcape.com) in Brewster, Massachusetts. There was a little serendipity at play here because while we were thinking about visiting Great Cape the phone rang and it was them! We never talked before, but they heard about our Babydoll sheep and they are considering keeping sheep on their farm so they wanted to see them. Much to their surprise I told them we'd just put 'the boys' in the car and bring them right over. So, off we went! If you ever want to make any day a Saturday, visit a farm. Even if you are only able to visit one of those city co-op farms on your lunch break, your day will be transformed. As soon as we let the boys out of the car, they were a huge hit. They are like little people magnets - people wander in from everywhere to see them. I noticed an old tractor sitting in the middle of a tall grassy area, so Jason and I just attached the boys to the tractor with a long lead and they munched on this delicious organic grass while Stephan Brown showed us around their 14 acre farm. We loved the new caboose under construction that is housing their recently adopted baby chicks. Imagine how beautiful it would be to live in a caboose in the middle of acres amd acres of green, sweet scented herbs. Stephan says, 'Herbs are the People's medicine' and he has an enthusiasm for farm life that is contagious. Before we left, Stephen called Shelley of Golden Touch Farm in Westport (where the boys were born) and asked her about getting Babydolls of his own.
Now we are home and its raining loud, so I shall go now and have some tea, homemade bread, and honey from the farm with Jason.
Happy Saturday to you!
Itsa

Good morning! It's Saturday!

Happy trails to you! You've arrived at a very enchanting land where there are fields and fields of Saturdays. 100 % stress free and all organic. Saturdays are healthier and happier. I have a lot to share with you and I hope you'll stay and experience a world of Saturdays with me.
:} -Itsa Cin