Freedom Gardens - JordanneDervaes's Garden Journal

Posted: Feb. 16, 2009 - 2 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ]

I had to fill out a questionnaire / interview a year or two ago -- using the info to do a test journal post here.

NAME: Jordanne Dervaes

WHERE YOU LIVE: Pasadena, California

DO YOU HAVE NIGERIAN DWARF DAIRY GOATS? Yes. I have a Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat - note the omission of the plural "s". *sigh*

HOW MANY? Just one Nigerian Dwarf. The other is a Pygmy.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH GOAT KEEPING? I'm an animal fanatic. I've been wanting a goat for the longest time... maybe it was that visit to the zoo when I was a tyke and when I got to feed a goat that sealed my fate...Anyhow, I did some research and finally decided to just do it and get a pair of goats for my backyard.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RAISING GOATS (ANY BREED)? About 2 years now, maybe a little bit more? Dunno ... I don't look at the calendar much. My life doesn't revolve around structured little boxes.

IS THIS A HOBBY FOR YOU? OR A BUSINESS? A hobby right now due to space restrictions. Would like to get some profit from it in the near future, however. At least enough to cover costs and fund my animal addiction.

WHAT OTHER KIND(S) OF ANIMALS DO YOU HAVE? 2 cats, chickens, ducks, bees, will be getting a pair of pigeons soon, God willing.

WHAT KIND OF ANIMALS DO YOU WISH YOU HAD?

More goats!

Horses.

Shetland Pony.

Alpacas.

Miniature jersey cows.

Miniature donkey.

Dogs.

Sheep (jacob's and babydoll breeds).

Pigs.

Geese.

Pheasants.Quail.Any kind of poultry or bird, really.

Peacocks.

More ducks.

More chickens.

A pet skunk.

Heritage breeds of all species to raise and preserve.

And any lost, abused animal that comes my way.

Oh, and did I mention horses? :-)

DO YOU FEED YOUR GOATS TREATS? Ummmm noooo, that isn't a gingersnap cookie in my hand, honest! *g* And the bulk raisins in the feed shed? That isn't for the goats either.

DO YOU SHOW YOUR GOATS? No. Might do it someday.

DO YOU MILK YOUR GOATIES? IF SO, HOW MANY IS *AVERAGE* FOR YOU? I intend to milk them in the future.

DO YOU HAND MILK? MACHINE? OR BOTH? I would only do it by hand. I'm old fashioned. Ain't right fond of new fangled machines. *g*

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE GOATIE REFERENCE BOOKS? WHY IS IT YOUR FAVORITE? I like online resources and messageboards. I don't have a collection of goat books yet. I have just two: The Pygmy Goat Manual, The Goatkeepers Veterinary Book. But I have my eye on several others. I consult the Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable and Merck Vet Manual the most. And I like this list the best!

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? "Mmmpph... hmmmpf... Go 'way!" (my sister wakes me up) Or, "alright, alright ... I'm risin' but I ain't shinin'!"

PET PEEVES:

People who write books or educate others about a subject and they don't practice the subject or live it.

People who pretend to know it all. People who educate and don't "do.

"People who think having a degree or being certified is all that is important in life.

Others who believe that because you are homeschooled without a degree or certification of any kind or a paper telling you you're smart - means you are stupid.

FAVORITE SCENTS:

Fresh hay.

Bread.

Fresh baked desserts.

Honey.

A newly opened bag of Sweet Cob for my goats.

Sun dried laundry.

My cats' fur after they've been playing in the sun and grass.That space right between their ears that smells so sweet. Or my girl cat's tummy. She has the sweetest smelling belly.

The first rain of the year.

The indescribable scent of fog.

Rich composted soil.

Campfires.

Chocolate.

The ocean.

Feed stores.

FAVORITE SOUND(S):

Silence.

The quiet of being alone in nature with no one and nothing around for miles.

The emptiness one hears when hanging your head over a canyon.

Breeze in pine trees.

Laughter.

Singing.

Happy voices.

A kind word.

Campfire popping.

Streams.

Fountains.

The ocean.

The hiss of waves scraping the sand.Crickets.

Cat purring.

The soft cooing of a dove.

The quiet chattering of my hens.

Flutes and acoustic guitars.

Bird song.

A hawk's cry.

The whistle of a train.

A horse's nicker.

The soft, throaty "nnnnhhh" of my goats when they say "hi."

My cat's "rowwwr" that he does way deep in his throat when he gets "kissy" and wants to be loved.

FAVORITE HOBBIES:

Cooking.

Baking.

Knitting.

Crocheting.

Writing.

Photography.

Playing guitar / music.

Taking care of animals.

Learning holistic vet care.

Making art out of junk.

Jewelry making.

Beading.

Hiking.

Reading.

Mountain biking.

Designing gardens or indoor decorating.

Housekeeping.

"Dumpster Diving" or looking on the side of the road for thrown away goodies.

.Family history genealogy.etc.W

HERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT OR LIVE:

Visit:

Belgium, France, and Spain to see relatives and find family history. Most of Europe, particularly: England, Ireland, Scotland, etc.South America. Africa.The Middle East.Israel/Jerusalem, Biblical places in history.

Live:

Not sure yet. Central and Northern California is nice. Montana, maybe? Oooh, but I love the ocean. Anyplace where I could have some land, I guess. But I think I'd want to live in another country.

FAVORITE WEATHER: Sunny with clear *BLUE* skies. (rare in LA) The first warm, sunny day after a rainstorm. Hey, I'm a California girl... I like being warm.

FAVORITE GIFTS TO RECEIVE: Doesn't really matter. I treasure anything given to me. I like handwritten notes. Or a smile. A compliment or a kind word.

FAVORITE PLACE TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL: Anywhere in nature. Or, if I can't physically get away, I'll get away in a good book, or in playing my guitar, depending on my mood. Mostly, I hang out with my animals and talk to them.

I WISH I HAD.....

Acreage someplace far away from the city with a nice big barn to fill with goaties and other animals ( don't care if it had a house or not! *g*).

More animals.

A horse.

Self-confidence.

Skills and knowledge.

A wise elder to educate me and be a mentor

More talents.

Wisdom to make the right decisions.

An understanding of my role in this world and what God expects of me.

What I'm supposed to do in the future.

Companionship and community.