Meg Doesn't Deliver, She Sits

Once again, I apologize for not writing after last Saturday's visit. When I went out to the ranch on Saturday, September 13th, Rick had just returned from his cross country transport. He brought Lucy back from Virginia, where she had a date with Invinceable. While in Virgina, he attended an auction and bought a new female. She's really pretty and is glued to Lucy. Her name is Bellona. Every time I say her name, the Oscar Meyer song runs through my head. :(

Rick told us all about his trip and details of the auction in Virginia. It was rather warm, so we didn't do too much with the Alpacas except belly hose in the afternoon. Early in the day, Rick assessed which young girls would be "show material". Pati Cake, Norma Rae and Cher were selected and gathered up for halter training. That was an experience. Cher was the best of the 3 and she wasn't very good. We've got lots of work to do. While we played Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Pati did a practice set up of her booth for the Farmer's Market. She's going to have a booth on Wednesday and Sunday, selling Alpaca yarn, garments, stuffed animals, and various other knit and felted items. It looks really nice.

We watched an auction in Pennsylvania on the internet, while sipping on Rick's Famous Butt Kickin Margaritas, and eating chips and guacamole & salsa. Dang, Rick! I helped with treats before I left. Today, we are still wondering if Meg is pregnant.


Now, Saturday, September 20th. Gorgeous, gorgeous day. Sunny yet cool with a wonderful breeze. Great day for spit testing, breeding and halter training. First up for breeding.....Meg!
Clearly, she is not pregnant, so today she had a date with Fred. She only bred once last year, with Fred, and had to be calmed down with a pacavalium in order to sit. It was a good breeding, but obviously, didn't take. Today, she acted like an Alpaca. She ran around a few times, but then sat. She was very cooperative and kept turning around and giving Fred a loving look, while nibbling on his halter. That was Fred's only victory today. All the other girls spit at him. Mo had date with Erica, and got his share of spitting with others, as well.

Pati went shopping to get ready for our upcoming cruise. While she was gone, Rick and I attempted halter training Pati Cake and Norma Rae. The halter part wasn't too bad. The lead part....a different story. Pati Cake cushes and will not get up. If you try to lift her up, she keeps her legs folded close to her body. If you poke her sides, she squeeks. She has a long way to go before AlpacaFest West in November. Norma Rae didn't look like the exorcist Alpaca today. I never saw the whites of her eyes as I had the week before. She flopped around quite a bit, then would stand still with her head down. I cradled her head, raised it up and rubbed her top knot and she seemed to calm down. She took a few steps, but not many. These girls are going to be a real challenge.

Little Miss Aurora now has competition for your heart. Aurora loves to give kisses and lets you rub her all over. She is so sweet. Now, Macy Grey is doing the same thing! She runs up and gives you little kisses and hums. She is too darn cute! She's a dark silver gray with a white face and very dark eyeliner around her eyes. I'll get a good picture and post it next weekend. What fun to go out in the main field and be greeted by these two special little girls. Heaven.

Next weekend is Farm Days. The ranch will be open to the public from 10AM to 4PM, Saturday and Sunday. I'll be out there helping both days. Diane is going to help, too. I'm not sure whether she'll be going both Saturday and Sunday. It should be fun. Last year was great. Lots of people came out to see the Alpacas. I love telling people about them. I certainly don't know anywhere near what Pati and Rick know, but I know more than most visitors. :)

Princess and Vanilla have pretty big bellies. They are both due the end of November. Rockstarr is getting big and his fiber is wonderful. Very crimpy! In the morning, I had let the boys out in the playground for awhile. Then, in the afternoon, I took Felix and Alpha for a walk. Felix was being a real brat today. I really believe he gets jealous when he sees me getting the boys for breeding before he gets to come out. Or, maybe I just want to think that's the reason. I got a few air spits from him, but that's O.K.

It was a great day at the ranch....