The char on the Back Forty, and the Upper End are starting to turn green.
You are looking a the beginning of Russian Knapp Weed and the tiny sprouts of Canada Thistle. The Prickly Pear Cactus is toast.
While this stuff is little I can at least be glad it’s green.
I told Terry what we need is a herd of goats and a goat herder. At this stage in the game goats will eat all the knapp weed they can get and even the tender little shoot of thistle.
Alas we do not have a goat herd, nor a fence to keep them in and I don’t want to spend my time, and Fuzzy’s (Boomer would NOT know what to do) sitting out there with about 20 or so goats. Although, I enjoy goats.
So it is just going to be what it is for a time.
I’m sure you are all (every last one of you) getting sick of me bemoaning this disaster. I promise I will move on. There really isn’t anything to do but wait for the insurance to come through and get on with life.
So more or less this will be the last post on this mess.
(I hope)
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
Hi Linda, How about one goat? Maybe you could borrow one from someone and keep it in one area to eat all the weeds. I know that fire can be good for the land, sometimes, but I’m sorry that you are waiting on your insurance company. At least today is cold, to help the fire down south.
Have a peaceful day!
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It is good to see the green! 🙂 Life does prevail, I guess! I wish I had some goats for goat milk… Alas .. maybe someday!
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Go ahead and talk about your disaster…. It could happen to any of us –and I’m sure we’d be talking about it also if it were us… It’s your blog—write what is in your heart…..
Can you borrow just one goat or two from someone for awhile???? You’d have to find a way to confine them in small areas for awhile… Maybe some temporary fencing that can be moved around –after they eat those weeds. Just a thought –but probably not practical.
You will get through it, Linda… Life does go on… Glad you are seeing some green now though..
Hugs,
Betsy
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NOPE not sick of you talking about your terrible disaster and clawing your way back up.. keep talking about it, we want to see the green coming back inch by inch! We want to see the good after the bad.. c
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I think you have a perfectly good reason to be moaning! It was a total disaster that should not of happened!
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You do not need to stop talking about this on my account. This was a life changing event and it was YOUR life that was changed… and not in a good way. And it is actually very interesting to me to read and see what is happening after your fire. Is anything happening on your irrigation gates?
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I for one, am very interested in how the native plans come back in the burned over area. I see your prediction of invasives is right on because the thistles are the first thing to come up.
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Hopefully the insurance comes through soon so you can keep a handle on the invasive weeds.
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Oh moan all you want Linda — you deserve to and what else is a blog for? I’ve heard of places where you can rent herds of goats. (I guess the goatherd comes with maybe?)
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It is something we thought about, but the acreage is way too big for one goat. It’s way too big for two goats, think acres and acres and acres. We need to get all the weeds at this stage or the goats won’t eat them.
Misty has two goats but two can only eat so much….and no fences. One of us would have to be with them at all times. Goats are very social and will only stay with each other or in a herd so one goat would get depressed and only eat a little then want to head back to their home.
It’s just going to have to be what it is.
But Thank you all for your concern, you make my heart full.
Linda
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Don’t you worry one little bit…just talk about it all you want. In fact, with your pictures maybe you can get across first hand how devastating fire can be. I would also like to see pictures of what happens to the land as it tries to recover. I know it still is a heartache for you and Terry.
Take care.
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Good for the green. Too bad it’s the mean spiky nasty stuff that cows won’t like. Too bad goats aren’t as mellow as cows about staying where they’re put. Hoping the insurance comes down big on your side.
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Wow, at least you are getting some green ,but not of course the kind you would like to see. Maybe some rain will come your way soon. I don’t mind hearing about your fire you had vent away!
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I agree with Jane, it is good to see green!! I am interested in how things come back, so talk about it all you want. I did not know about the goats, that you have to have 2 or more. I knew they were herd animals, guess I just didn’t think!! Hope things are better soon.
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Please moan, it keeps my mind off my own problems with government idiots. I’ve been told twice today (by people who love me) that I need to not be so belligerent. People just don’t understand how one seemingly small problem can cause so much pain if you’re the one who has to deal with the effects. I’m going to try to get your asparagus mailed on Wednesday morning, that will be some green to look forward to!
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I agree, don’t worry about moaning. It was a diaster for you and interesting for us to watch what is now happening.
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You can bitch and moan about that as much as you want – it doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
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That Knap weed and Thistle is terrible. I always wanted to have a herd of goats that would eat weeds..it would be a perfect job for me and I have a dog. Just no way to over winter goats that would deserve a great barn and a safe place away from wolves and coyotes. I do like goats..I have always had a soft spot in my heart for them. I don’
t think you are whining..you are just telling it like it is..that is important!:)
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