Where have all the days gone?

How can it be August already?  I have difficulty some days when I realize how much time has passed and how much longer it will take before some semblance of normal returns to life.  I am one of those who absolutely refuses to accept this "new normal" as an acceptable way to live.  Perhaps it is that I work in the mental health field so I am seeing the direct effect on families and especially children.  This new normal is not a healthy choice.  It actually ensures that we connect even less with each other, which I feel, will in the end just continue to exacerbate the issues we are all already facing.  I think that is why I am more motivated and focused than I ever have been before.  I know that my herd can help a lot of people, so now I am working hard to reorganize my business so that it can be much bigger than just me.  I can only personally see so many people in a day, so my team is expanding.  This will allow programs to run concurrently and I can have more time to focus on creating my specialized FEEL programs.  It is kind of ironic that I spent all this time and money to be able to bring the FEEL Approach to my Muskoka community, but I actually am unable to offer this service because I'm too busy with the farm chores.  That is all changing and as each week passes will only get better.  My new "boss lady" as I am calling her, is a Godsend I swear,  and I am so proud of what we are creating together.  If you haven't looked yet, you should check out the new website and see the direction my business is now taking in order to stay alive in this crazy covid world.  With the new look also comes a new pricing model.  This was a very difficult decision to make, but as the herd is quite expensive to maintain there had to be an adjustment.   Although you will now pay more money for 1 on 1 time with the herd, if you come with your social circle, or "bubble" you can actually save money now.  Of course also due to the changes and my decision to keep all groups private, my goat walks also have to evolve.  When the walks resume it will be at a new price as it will be my first FEEL Program and will include some fundamentals of the FEEL Approach.  Participants will get way more bang for their buck, as they will also take away some powerful teachings that can really help cope with this stressful new reality.  I am really looking forward to expanding on the experience of anyone who has come prior, and to introducing this new program to first time visitors.  I hope to launch this new program by mid month so stay posted for more info if you're interested.  

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SRM "Little Lady"

I am sure that many of you are anxious for news about our darling baby girl who was sick is doing.  I am happy to report that she has made a full recovery, but will continue to be monitored closely, as her system is already weakened, she is much more susceptible to other illness.   I am so grateful to have volunteers here now to help me.  I am rarely alone to deal with stuff now, which at first was a hard adjustment for me, but I am learning that letting go of some responsibility will allow me more time for myself.  The herd has never been so well tended with so many hands on board to help.  We are so lucky to have the volunteers we have.  This little lady, along with her brother still remain without names.  I have this tendency to wait until all babies for the year are born before I make a solid decision.  I am still a little undecided on my exact theme yet anyways.  With only one more doe due (and likely not pregnant), no one will have to wait much longer.  Honestly the fact that there are less babies to name, actually make this choice tougher for me.  If these two little ones grow up to be therapy goats then their name will be important.  Perhaps by next week I'll figure it out ;)

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I have been sitting on a big secret for many weeks now while my dear friend Amanda worked to create something brand new.  If you remember a few weeks back, I sent out an energetic seed of inspiration in the hopes that it would create some magic.  Not only did magic happen, and in a few beautiful ways, but also in one incredible and exciting way.  I have the amazing honour and pleasure to introduce you all to Caprine Vibes.  This incredible new partnership brings Amanda Kindrat, facilitator and Intuitive Reiki Master together with the Sky River Meadows goats to bring Goat Yoga and Goat Assisted Reiki to the Muskoka community.  I have first hand experienced the healing in this powerful partnership and know that Caprine Vibes will bring a lot of great energy and healing to the community.  This coming Wednesday August the 5th, Amanda will run her first Goat Yoga class, and I hear it is already sold out!  Upcoming classes and information can be found on the Caprine Vibes site, or Facebook page. 

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Although I have only known Amanda for about a year now, in that short time she and her beautiful family have had a profound impact in my life.  Her family has also become close with a few of my family due to an amazing weekend experience they all shared last fall, here on the Woodfield True Nature Campus.   I think that weekend bonded everyone who shared it for life, not just my close circle.   This connection with my family and now also with my herd has me deeply curious about where else this relationship and connection can go.  I find myself drawn to Amanda.  There is something about her energy that just exudes kindness, and love on a "felt" level.  As with so much in my world in the last two years since beginning the FEEL programs, there are some things you can't ever put into words.  I know Amanda feels some deep unexplained connection here as well, so I am just grateful that she is just as willing as me to blindly jump into this new partnership in order to explore where it will take us.  Perhaps what the world needs now more than ever before is animal assisted therapy programs like the ones we are running here.  There is no doubt that goats bring a lot of life and playfulness to every learning activity at the farm, and I think that in some ways makes them more effective and approachable.  Either way, I am thrilled to see where this partnership will go. 
​Also, seriously?  My herd can put Goat Assisted Reiki on their resumes.  I love that!

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I had been excitedly waiting since the filming of episode 3 of GOAT: Talent Search for it to be released.  It finally is available and it so much fun to watch!  The cuteness overload is almost too much.  3 young human siblings with 3 young goat siblings + 1 amazingly patience and talented mother = great viewing!  To me this video is raw motherhood.  Beautiful, gifted and blessed with three of the most gorgeous children, it was an absolute pleasure to host Leah Zantingh and her children.  They managed to capture enough GOAT points to take the lead!  Here is the episode below.  Who will be next?

Rare shot with all 6 in one frame. These guys never hang out together!

Our herd numbers recently expanded a few weeks back with the addition of 6 goats from a family I have supported with their herd management.  These 6 after a few weeks of ups and downs and shifts within the herd are finally settling into the routines around here.  When it comes to being social, these 6 are often involved in daily Cuddle Puddles with visitors.  I think they are all well adjusted to the amount of grooming that is available if they socialize.  They are still being taught the rules and have a lot to learn about manners still, but so far there haven't been many issues.  They are still unwilling to follow the herd on a walk, so for the time being they have to be put in while the rest of us go out.  In time I really hope they learn to follow, as I find when given the chance to browse, goats are really good at regulating their own nutritional needs.  Besides, the regular exercise does everyone good!  Chances are if you've been to the farm since we've reopened, you've met and mingled with Daisy, Cocoa, Julia, Vanilla, Stella and Simon.   If not, you should consider booking a visit with your bubble to come meet them! :)

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Sky River Meadows was very recently gifted the addition of some new (to us) farm machinery!  This generous offer comes from the same source as most of our blessings, Mike Bradley, the owner and founder of the Woodfield True Nature Campus where the farm is situated, and where we have called home for the past two years.  Through the continued generosity, support and belief in my programs, Mike continues to push and inspire me every single day, and has since I met him.  I have now been given a huge responsibility of overseeing not just the 40 acre farm that I lease here, but also of the other 280+ acres of farmland which will soon come to be known as the Woodfield Sky River Farm, a collaborative partnership between our two companies.  Covid has done some major damage to a lot of businesses, dreams and overall lives.  I love that many are coming together, being willing to adapt, push new boundaries, and find better ways to work together.  With the use of this heavy equipment, my life of running this farm just began 50X easier.  We now have at our disposal a Boomer 8N tractor (an automatic which is odd, but I will learn) haybine, rake, round baler, hoe, bucket, hay fork, snow blower, post hole digger, post pounder and a few other attachments I haven't figured out yet.  Mike also helped us purchase a small square baler which I found for a steal of a deal from a local family.  Being able to make small squares will also save a lot of hours of heavy lifting for everyone who helps here.   Now to get everything serviced and operational so I can start cutting these fields!  It's been a long time since I've made my own hay and I am actually surprised to say I am looking forward to doing this job again.  If you've ever worked bringing in hay, you'll know anyone who enjoys it is crazy.  If you have the capability of sending us good vibes, luck and anything else that helps get machinery up and running quickly, please send it our way!  If by chance someone reading this knows something about Boomer tractors, and particularly the rear hydraulic system.  Or if you happen to have a manual for one we could reference, give me a shout!  For now I am going to leave this weeks update here.  This week will be the first week testing the new reservation system and I am so hopeful that this makes all the difference not only for me, but for everyone who wants to come to the farm.  Until next week friends, please be kind.   With love ~ Angee