We are located in the north end of the Cross Timbers Forest which originally extended from the eastern part of Kansas south to Fort Worth, Texas. In the 1800's as settlers were trying to find a way across this part of the continent they found it to be a major inconvenience. Post oaks, thick undergrowth, ticks, chiggers, and poison ivy made for rough going. Over the years most of the forest has been removed to free land for farming but pockets of forest remain. The trees are usually short and of little use for lumber. The practice of controlled burning has historically been used to keep the sprouting trees and undergrowth in check. Goats help because they are browsers, eating many things that cattle and sheep will not eat including wild roses, cedar and sumac saplings, poison ivy, and a variety of forbs that are called weeds when they are in your lawn. Since they are so susceptible to worm infestation it is ideal to have enough browse so that they don’t have to eat from the ground.
By day we walk in the forest. At night in the winter the whipporwills and owls call. The sky seems so close that you could touch the stars. In the summer nights toads and frogs call from the little pond by the house.
There are four cats on mouse and nap patrol. The population is stable except for the ones that choose to come here. Stowaway rode, unbeknownst to us, about twenty-five miles wedged under the ropes that were holding the load of hay on the trailer. Bet he was surprised when he wound up here!
There are two ponds on the property plus the little duck pond by the house. A State Fishing Lake is about a half mile away. The people going by slow down when the kids are out in the pasture. I do believe the person who said that farming is a spectator sport is correct.
Well then, keep your chin up and your feet pointed straight ahead.
We are located in the north end of the Cross Timbers Forest which originally extended from the eastern part of Kansas south to Fort Worth, Texas. In the 1800's as settlers were trying to find a way across this part of the continent they found it to be a major inconvenience. Post oaks, thick undergrowth, ticks, chiggers, and poison ivy made for rough going. Over the years most of the forest has been removed to free land for farming but pockets of forest remain. The trees are usually short and of little use for lumber. The practice of controlled burning has historically been used to keep the sprouting trees and undergrowth in check. Goats help because they are browsers, eating many things that cattle and sheep will not eat including wild roses, cedar and sumac saplings, poison ivy, and a variety of forbs that are called weeds when they are in your lawn. Since they are so susceptible to worm infestation it is ideal to have enough browse so that they don’t have to eat from the ground.