the Intrepid Fiberwizard

adventures in spinning, knitting, gardening and life

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

A River Runs Through it


It's been an eventful few days around here.
The pasture where our goats and sheep have been staying is now no more.

If you look closely at this first photo, you can see the river is now very close to the barn.
We evacuated our animals back to our property on the hill yesterday - after we received yet another call that they were opening the flood gates on the dam up river.
In the past two days, the river has risen 10+feet. this is ALOT! (It's a very big river called the Nisqually River) Although it does not show very well in this photo, the river is really racing along - with large trees and stumps flying by. This photo of the river shows how it looked this morning (there used to be ten foot high banks here.) The water is still rising as I type.

Picture this : 17 baby goats, 8 Mama goats, thirteen sheep and 6 other goats.... all running around frantically trying to 'escape' from the arms of their rescuing shepherd..... think an entire day of transport... in the hard pouring rain. My dear shepherd husband finally collapsed last night around dark. All the baby goats and all the rest are safely back on our hill now.. phew!
He drove down several times during the night to check on all of them - everyone is fine ! :-)


The baby goats think that they have gone to heaven!! They are jumping around the big pasture they are now in - kicking up their heels in the tall grass (we didn't get a chance to mow the resting pastures before the emergency move)
Our little shetland sheep are praying for a 'dry' day so that Dad can come and mow the pasture for them!

All in all, we are fortunate to live on a wonderful big hill, about 400 feet above sea level.
The rain is now at 28 days, and is predicted to continue for another ten days.
Our street is also home to a sweet little creek, which has now flooded, and half the road is closed. I went out and bought supplies, as it looks like we may be housebound tomorrow if this continues.
Plenty of yarn, a ton of fiber... and a couple of pounds of coffee.. and the critters are all safe... I'm going do just fine :-)

7 Comments:

At January 12, 2006 at 3:45 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Teyani I saw on the news last nite about your rain! I can so relate we had the same problem last year with the rain (before the hurricanes). I'm so glad the little ones think it's an adventure! Wish I were there I would have come to help with (hug) those babies!

It's sure going to be hard to get any sock knitting done with all this going on isn't it?

Stay safe girl! I hope the rain lets up soon!

 
At January 12, 2006 at 3:55 AM, Blogger Miri Mack said...

I'm so glad that you and your animals are all safe. It sounds like one horrendous day, like something out of a Hardy novel.

I'll be sending positive energy your way.

 
At January 12, 2006 at 12:21 PM, Blogger Kim said...

Wow!! Stay safe, and keep us posted!!!

 
At January 13, 2006 at 5:12 AM, Blogger Lanea said...

Hiay. Just hoping that all is still going well.

 
At January 13, 2006 at 7:22 PM, Blogger Teyani said...

Thanks for all the comments -
so the update is - status quo. Still raining, still flooding, goats and sheepies all safe (tho' one baby decided to play houdini and "escape" today - he was shephered back to Mama)

The governor has declared a state of emergency.
We are high and dry on our hill - there are many not so fortunate folks who live near the flooding rivers.
Please send out a little prayer of safety to them.
thanks all.

 
At January 14, 2006 at 9:17 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Weather has been a pain to say the least lately huh?? So sorry about all that rain your way!! Your place is gorgeous though and like Becky said, I too wish I lived close enough to help hug/care for those darlin' babies!!!

Stay dry and safe my friend.

 
At January 18, 2006 at 3:00 PM, Blogger Bristolcare said...

I live on Vancouver island Canada and we are also getting the same rain fall as you. I am not in a flood area though which I am thankful for after reading what you had to go through with your critters!

 

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