For those of you who have business (or personal) websites and you are not using Google Analytics, you are missing out.  It is a free program that tracks the visitors to your websites.  Since last month, we have had visitors from 7 countries stop our pages.  Pretty cool when you think someone in Slovenia is checking out the website.  Now, are they going to buy anything, probably not.  However, I hope that they are spending time, admiring our animals and learning a little bit about how a small farm in America is run.  It's neat how the web ties us all together.

We just loaded the last 2 heifers into the trailer this morning and wished them bon voyage.  Not to worry thought, we are still expecting 2 calves this year and our herd will once again increase.  I also need to get busy identifying new cows to add to the herd as our girls are getting a bit mature.  They are still looking healthy and maintaining excellent body condition, but we need to start planning for the future.  We are still looking to sell our senior herd bull, JR.  He is priced really low if anyone is interested an inexpensive way to start your own mini beltie herd.  

It's in the 70's today and sunny with low humidity.  In other words, a perfect day to work the bees.  So, I shall get up off of the couch and head outside.  

Well,

  It has been a while since I posted.  I've been thinking of a lot of things to tell everyone then I'd get home, do my chores and pass out in bed.  Ergo, not a lot of computer time.  But things are rocking right along.  The meat chickens are scheduled to go to the butcher this week (anybody looking for some free range chickens for the table, contact me).  The hay is ready to be cut.  The fruits and veggies have been planted.  Our annual trek to the big box hardware stores have brought us 16 new fruit trees, which also have been planted.  I'm considering putting a bee hive in the middle of the back orchard next year.  I'll have to think about that.  

  I love irises.  They are about done for the season but they are beautiful plants.  They spread (choking out the weeds) and they have the most wonderful flowers in every color imaginable.  I've been driving to and from work and admiring all the brilliant palates of blue, orange, yellow and red.  I want to stop at each clump and dig up a bulb to add to my iris collection.  I believe that would be frowned upon however.  

  The kid has graduated and will be heading back to Italy this weekend.  So, I'll have to find other things to distract me over the coming weekends.  I'm thinking it's time to add some girls to the herd of cows.  We have 3 cows and they are all getting older (8-10 years old) and while they look great and continue to produce beautiful calves, this too shall end.  I'd also like to replace JR as we have sold alot of his offspring and I would like to be able to offer existing clients some new genetics.  So maybe in the next few weeks, you will be seeing new faces on the website.  

  I hope everyone is enjoying summer (as it quickly bypased spring... 3 weeks ago I was standing outside at noon and it was in the 50's, now we are in the 90's and it is extremely humid).  It has done quite a number on all of the critters here, but we continue to survive.   Here's hoping your tomorrow is better than your today.