For those of you who requested a photo Mr. Lincoln–or for those of you too polite to ask–here he is, my borrowed stud goat.
At first I was a little worried. After meeting Ginger and Bebe, he wandered over to the manger and started eating alfalfa, without a sideways glance. He was really into the alfalfa. I mean, sure a few hours later he drank some of Ginger’s urine but then he went back to the manger for another snack. I told my farmer friend Abeni and she said in an old man voice, “Hmm, I know just the type! He’s like, ‘well now wait a minute, let me get some food here and then I’ll take a nap…'”. We cracked up laughing.
But I wanted action! I needed Mr. L to get going so my goats would be bred before I set off on my book tour. Luckily, just his majestic presence was enough to throw both my ladies into heat. I woke up this morning to Bebe howling and Ginger yelping. Mr. Lincoln did that crazy tongue thing and I knew that soon mounting would commence. I didn’t take photos, you’re going to have to use your imaginations!
Look for kids in the very odd month of November.
The Urban Orchardist 
Let’s hear it for stud service!!!
A friend recommended your book, then my wife read your book and now all our friends here in Sacramento are reading your book . Just love your stories and what you are doing keep it up!
Woohoo! Mr. Lincoln comes through, in a manner of speaking.
That Mr. Lincoln is quite the stud!
Yay for babies. 🙂
That is one handsome Nubian buck with such nice colouring. ~Beth~
Right now I am attempting to raise 40+ heritage turkeys and hoards of heritage chickens but one day goats will make the list. I want to try my hand in making goat cheese. You can milk a turkey though.. just not for cheese.
Too funny! Congrats on your paperback release — love the cover…
I love goats! At least, I’m being positive about the possibility that I WILL love goats. I’m going to work on a farm next month where he raises goats for meat and land-clearing. I’m very excited to milk some goats and make some yummy goat cheese!
Yay for stud goats and babies! 🙂
Novella,
I read your book recently and found it entertaining. It always feels good to support local artists that illustrate the diversity and potential of Oakland. Unfortunately, your account of “Ghost-town” is not exactly accurate and a bit embellished. I would not characterize this area of Oakland as ghetto (compared to east coast areas of poverty in Harlem, Philadelphia, Boston, New Jersey and the like). Moreover, having visited your neighborhood, the area is a bit colorful, but not exactly as poor and disenfranchised as deep east Oakland or parts of West Oakland. The last time I checked there was a coffee shop in close proximity and your place as in walking distance to the Uptown area of Oakland; and drug, prostitution were more noticeable on San Pablo and International. If you are going to seriously rep Oakland, describe your area with a different narrative than ghetto – e.g., socially, economically, racially, ethnically diverse. I would be a little more appreciative of the area that sprouted the fruit of opportunity that you are currently receiving.
hi jaime;
yes, the neighborhood has changed, and some say for the better. BZ’s is a new coffeeshop just across the street from my house, and there are lots of artists moving into the area. seven years ago, the place was much more rough–so-called “uptown” was just a developer’s dream, and many of my neighbors did call the place the ghetto. i just followed suit. these days not so much, and when interviewed i don’t use the word ghetto. i do think of the book as a love song to oakland and my diverse neighborhood.
it’s a little awkward, though, huh to respond to your comment. am i supposed to defend my account of my experiences in my neighborhood because you stopped by for a few hours last week and didn’t see what the place was like seven years ago? on the other hand, i don’t want to come off as an ass, trying to detail exactly how there are prostitutes that live on my street or kids that sell drugs around the corner to try to seem “down.” it’s complicated and ever-changing, and everyone has different experiences. i also wouldn’t say that i “rep” ghosttown–we are a glorious mix that can’t be boiled down into one person’s experience. and for me, i know it can’t go on much longer, and so i’m loving it while i can.