Coffee anyone ?

[River Buffaloes]

Buffaloes were again domesticated around four thousand years ago in East Asia as a dual purpose livestock with emphasis on working abilities of the animal. They developed into what we call swamp buffaloes. They are more stocky and comparatively smaller than river buffaloes. Their horns are stronger, thicker and longer than that of River Buffaloes and they together from the shape of a bow or Cresent. They are more commonly found in gray, brown, golden and slate colors. They have a distinct white marking under their neck. Albinism is more common in swamp buffaloes. They resemble their wild ancestors more than the river buffaloes. They are genetically distinct from River Buffaloes. Swamp Buffaloes have 58 chromosomes whereas River Buffaloes have 60 chromosomes. Swamp Buffaloes are common in countries like China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.

A Swamp Buffalo

Breed diversity and milk production is less in buffaloes than in cattle because the first buffaloes were domesticated 3000 years after the first cattle. However they are generally more calm and docile than cattle because they have historically lived in close proximity of people. It's common to see little children riding on buffalo's back or leading them to the fields.

It is important to note that water buffaloes are completely different from African Cape Buffaloes (Syncerus Caffer) and American Bison (Bison Bison), they are not only different species, but they are from different Genus. Water Buffaloes are calm, docile and domesticated animals unlike Cape Buffaloes and Bisons. In some countries like India and Pakistan they contribute more in the national milk production than cattle. Feral populations of water buffaloes is established in parts of South America and Australia because of the malpractice of releasing animals once they are not needed.

 

[Niele da Kine]

I think there were some water buffaloes of some type on this island in Waipio valley when they were using them to train folks for working in 3rd world countries among the rural poor. They took the water buffalo away, though, once the training was finished. Which is a pity, it seemed like a good spot for water buffalo.

We have a whole lot more cows around here but they weren't brought here until 1793. And we had cows for quite some time before we had horses (1803) and cowboys (1823). The cows became feral and were eating people's houses but the King of Hawaii said folks couldn't eat the cows so they were a problem. Although, it would probably have been just as big of a problem had they been buffalo, most likely.

 

[River Buffaloes]

I think there were some water buffaloes of some type on this island in Waipio valley when they were using them to train folks for working in 3rd world countries among the rural poor. They took the water buffalo away, though, once the training was finished. Which is a pity, it seemed like a good spot for water buffalo.

We have a whole lot more cows around here but they weren't brought here until 1793. And we had cows for quite some time before we had horses (1803) and cowboys (1823). The cows became feral and were eating people's houses but the King of Hawaii said folks couldn't eat the cows so they were a problem. Although, it would probably have been just as big of a problem had they been buffalo, most likely.

Buffaloes are more suitable for plains and valleys, they are not as quick on their toes as cows, yaks or goats, that makes them less suitable for rugged mountainous regions. Though there are certain breeds of River Buffaloes like Nepalese Mountain Buffaloes, Nepalese Hill Buffaloes, Azi Kheli, Gaddi etc who are indigenous to mountain regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal. I think there's also a Swamp Buffalo Cambodian Mountain Buffalo that lives in mountain regions, but buffaloes generally prefer lowlands, valleys, Deltas, flood plains and Swamp. It's all gross generalisations because people are successfully keeping buffaloes in places like New Hampshire, North Carolina, Maine, British Columbia and Ontario, these places are no tropical paradise.

Sorry for rambling on what I wished to say that if left to their own device most breeds of Water Buffaloes tend to avoid rocky places. So much of the flora of the islands would have been spared.

 

[promiseacres]

Coffee is on.
Interesting this information on the water buffaloes.
We weren't able to start the chimney project yesterday due to wind. So we put up ladder racks and took racks in the tool shed. Today it's church then head to the farm, might get rain soon so probably work on the plaster.

 

[Mini Horses]

Interesting about the water buffaloes....you have a lot of knowledge there. Promise -- there's a whole "class" there for your little ones. Saw a lot of these in Italy. Hey, mozzarella cheese!

Yesterday was delightful -- nice breeze all day, temps 80 ish, humidity was down! Mowed another field. NEED a rake CL had only 1 that might be a good one, yet it was too big.

Then late day, I tackled that closet project....OMG--there's a week of sorting in there. Haven't used it, been in it for a couple years. Yes, closed the door and left it! After 6 loads of wash -- found I no longer needed to buy jeans! Plus a lot of blouses and some of my shorts I've been needing -- a few pair of pants stacked for cutting & hemming for work shorts. Lot of excellent work blouses. Few things still had tags......never worn Never got into the suits, dresses, etc. Cleared the shelves first and put a lot of my big pots, canning stuff, vac sealers, stashes of TP, cleaners, etc. Now those are in there and the other is stacked neat & clean to go thru all my other and sort, use, give away. I should be ashamed of what I've amassed! Also, delighted to find 2 pair of denim coveralls.

Another set of shelving ready to move in there and hold jars of canned goods. It's a little overwhelming -- stuff is everywhere.
Talk a bout "Labor Day".... that's what my weekend is about.

 

[Mini Horses]

Last evening went out to close coops, count noses, etc. From the house I hear a LOT of continual "alarm sounds" from two OLD roos penned together. Seems everyone is where they should be, so I'm thinking maybe a snake in their pen -- take machete -- check first coop & all is quiet, everyone there. 2nd same. Theirs -- see them raising whatfor and keep looking. There it is! A skunk, enjoying some corn left on the ground. Carefully, bang on an adjacent wall and it then decides to calmly leave. Thankfully! Today, after work, I scout around and find the dig, fill with a couple big rocks & hope that's that.

Home tomorrow and hope good weather continues! Washing more things right now. since I didn't get to bed until 3 last night, I feel an early check out is needed. And I'm not making cheese tonight, along with "closet duty", as I did last night.

 

[rachels.haven]

You didn't machete the skunk? Super fast before he could spray?

 

[farmerjan]

You didn't machete the skunk? Super fast before he could spray?

HaHa
I know @Mini Horses isn't stupid.... and I have faith in her abilities, but I don't think she is even that fast....

 

[Niele da Kine]

We don't have skunks on the island, so I guess we will miss such exciting events as Mini Horses gets to have.

Today I was going to put some stair railings on the lanai since it needs them, but instead I ended up clearing under the avocado tree. This is the fixer upper we got last year, it's got a lot of odd things on it. Most of the yard was carpeted at one time but there's been so much leaf litter on it since then that it's several inches down. I've counted the remains of at least thirty five small refrigerators, there was some sort of industrial coffee pulper I think it may have been, the remains of a sliding glass door, just all kinds of stuff hiding in the weeds. Since avocado season is just starting, it seemed a good idea to clear under the tree so we will be able to find the avocados. The picture is sort of a 'before' picture. I'd started clearing up next to the work shop and then figured some pictures might be good. Then it got dark and I didn't take any pictures of it when it was cleared more. Still got a day or two of work

There's the remains of one of those big satellite dishes, I think that will make a nice pavilian or perhaps a trellis. All those white cubes are the remains of small refrigerators. It's gonna need a few more days of clearing out rubbish but it should be a nice area eventually.

There was a strange rainbow tonight, too. We didn't get any rain, this was just an offshore rainboe

 

[Mini Horses]

OK -- I've never thought I'd machete a skunk! Nope -- just happy it wandered on off so the roos would shut up! It was paying NO attention to them and their shrieking. They shut up when it left. They're cute, except for their nasty tail shooting habits!

This morning it's 55 outside! We had 2 back to back days of 96-98, with feel likes of 105-110 mid last week.-- today, someone set the AC tooooo high. It feels very crisp! But, ok if you check ahead & wear sleeves and NOT just a tank top as you walk out. How do I know? Going to upper 70s so a good day. Just a surprise.

I hope to mow another field or two.....power wash one porch set of posts/rails, then work on the "looming over my head" closet rework (that has overflowed to become many rooms larger) this evening and tomorrow....maybe another tomorrow since once it's "out" the stuff has to leave, refind a home. Glad I'm off all week! This has become monumental and all happening at once. But, painting can drift into next week or two. Weather adjustments. It'll work out.

I hope everyone out there has problems NO larger than mine, good weather and a happy day