Things I Have Learned This Week

4/27/2020

Not really- I knew these from before. Ummmmmmmmm, maybe the one about a flushing toilet, but I know it Now!

News Flash :

I have 6 teeny little chicks- YAY!!!  Just thought to myself- if the husband doesn't like them, tough. Turned out he was glad I'd gotten some more!  I have missed having chickens around- as those who come to read this blog often already know. Chickens are good company at a barn when I'm the only one there. Along with my sweet little barn kitty, a chicken or two would usually come walking the pastures with me. Yes- a chicken and a cat.  <grins here> Simone` is like a small, odd-looking dog, and the chickens?  They look like chickens.

So- I have peeps again and love every single one of them. There are two light Brahmas, two dark Brahmas, and two Blue Laced Wyandottes. (think that's their correct name.)  Right now, the light Brahmas are white with lovely little feathers on their legs, and as their wing feathers grow in, I can see how beautiful they'll be. The dark Brahmas are a color I have never had before... I can't wait to see how they look. From the photos, I think I'll be happy. Of course, whatever their color is, they'll still be loved.
Below are a few photos I took today:
                                              Today was their first day out of a container.

These two were really brave and walking about. One of the

Light Brahmas will be named 'Emmie' after a hen I owned

long ago. The little grey/ smokey one is 

one of the Blue Laced Wyandottes

This is the other Blue Laced Wyandotte.

She now has a name:  "Sally"

There we go- all fresh n' clean with yummy chick food,

clean water whenever they want some.

The two tan/ dark brown are the two

Dark Brahmas. 

They will both need a good name- any ideas???

I just noticed I chose "Christmas Colors" for their holders.

                                                                        Oh wow...

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Alright, so onto the 'Things I Learned.'

The toilet thing happened the first night they had been here. Of course- living in my garden tub as it is cold out for babies so young. Like some folks, I woke up having to use the bathroom, so being half awake, I wandered into it, and when I walked in, I whispered to the little chickens that I was there. Then came the FLUSH.  

Oh MY Gawd!!!  Peeps bouncing off the sides of their house, one fell in the water dish, and one hid behind its feeder.  Terror reigned supreme! Luckily the toilet is one of those that flushes very fast and it was over before anyone with fuzz could faint from the fright.

Since then, I flush the toilet even when it isn't needed and they're getting used to the scary sound it makes. The things one learns... ;) 

*****************************************************

This afternoon was the second thing I was forced to remember. 

(didn't really have to re-learn it but it is a good reminder by now)

It was dinner time for my pony, Briana.  I was walking up the hill lane to the barn.  I called her as I was - she lifted her head to see me. As usual, Simone`, my barn kitty walked over to greet me, so she got a rub on the head. By that time, Briana was walking her way up to the gate. I got there first and she dug in to hit a gallop in a few strides. Up the hill, sliding to a screeching halt in front of me.

I haltered her and we began our way to the barn and her dinner.  As we were walking, I wondered how she'd do being allowed to go to her stall by herself. After all, a couple of summers ago, I could do that and she'd do it perfectly.

Hmmmmm.........

I told her that when I slipped her halter off- she had to remember where her stall was and to head there. Off came the halter, and off she cantered. Well, she missed the front of the stall, down the aisle and ended up tearing about like some idiot. Simone (remember her?) was fascinated at a speedy black pony with the Zoomies. She ran around the corner of the barn just as Briana was coming to the same place. Both spooked sideways- cat to the left, pony to the right. 

Briana didn't slow down much and Simone gained warp speed into the equipment building. 

And around she went again- and then 'Oh heck- let's keep going as this is FUN.'

Three times around both barns and she was 'high blowing', little tail up in the air, head up as high as she could have it. My pony was a sight to behold. 

By now I was losing patience with it all. It's one thing to enjoy watching a pony

ripping around like one possessed, and then it's another to have to watch it for what was beginning to seem like much longer than a few minutes. 

I kept pointing to the barn, trying to have her realize that is where her dinner is, but heck, nope. She had discovered that delicious Spring grass. All of a sudden, I wasn't important, her dinner wasn't important and by then Simone` hadn't returned. Nothing but grrrrraaaaasssssss to eat; life was good for Briana

Finally, she realized that maybe, just maybe, I wanted her to head into the barn. She did, at a canter. All the way down the aisle, checking out the stalls, the tractor, and her cart. Snorting and blowing at everything she had seen forever. Whenever an equine is excited over anything, her human needs to be almost as calm as pond water on a warm summer day. I  did just that and she did too. Big sigh and she followed me into her stall without any problem.

Lesson learned.... in fact, TWO of them this week. 

One thing for sure, I'm never too old to learn or be reminded of things!

Oh, meet Spring! She is my friend's beautiful new Percheron Filly.

I love her and haven't even met her yet.
If this stupid COVID19 virus ever calms down, I want to meet her.  Looks like Spring will be black like her mama is.

Gotta do better!

4/18/2020

Holy moly- It has been a LONG time since I last posted here. Happily for me, the winter was gentle on this farm. Very little snow, not a ton of mud, and some sunshine. All appreciated by me as my back no longer allows much heavy work like snow shoveling my way to the barn. Yeah- and it really IS all uphill!   < laughing>  Since my big ol' Ford tractor was sold in that " auction"😡 , I no longer had any way to move snow other than ME.  So I was pleased to have an easy winter.

Spring arrived here as usual and it's so green and pretty this time of the year. Daffodils up and blooming, the little purple wild Violets, and of course, the ever-popular Dandelions.  The big crap apple tree alongside the barn is almost in bloom while the white Dogwoods aren't quite ready yet.
I hope everyone had a peaceful Easter weekend. Ours was so quiet, thanks to this virus that has taken over the world. ( just a reminder:   wash those hands for at least 20 seconds and stay far away from others as much as possible as you are cared about)

Other than staying here on the farm, life for us hasn't really changed that much concerning the COVID19 mess. Farm folks usually lead a life that doesn't take them out in public a whole lot - so it's not been so bad. I sure do miss being able to go out to dinner though!  Sheeeesh.. a nicely cooked meal made by someone other than us sure would be nice.

Briana, my American Draft Pony, is fine as is my barn kitty, Simone`. They have become close friends by now. I have become a herd mate with Briana and Simone` sees me as a hand that will rub her head and a voice that tells her she is lovely. Briana wants to romp and play with me as another horse, but I put an end to taking being a horse pal that far. Hahahaaa- I can't pin my ears back real well.

Bri has been shedding like crazy and is so anxious to go out in the mornings, I'm thinking it might be wiser to groom her in the evenings. She's lost some of the summer/ fall chubbies she gained over last year and is looking right spiffy now. Well- other than being mud-covered daily and hair flying all over the place.  Onto me, the grass, the mud, and other delightful places; my eyes, mouth, and clothing. Ugh.  On the other hand, I sure am glad to not have to deal with the Percherons shedding. Whew- that was awful but so satisfying to see that a short summer coat show up.

I did have a week of trouble with my Sadie... she's my dog. She began being "off"- and a little while later, it was time to go see a veterinarian. He didn't see anything wrong but for MAYBE a urinary tract infection. Sadie n' I returned home with antibiotics for a week. Still afterward, she wasn't right. Back to a different vet's office as I'd lost faith in the first group. This vet diagnosed her as having a majorly infected uterus!  A little more than a mild UTI. So, my girl stayed there overnight and had a complete spay. The vet told me that her uterus was so infected that it weighed THREE pounds!!  Sadie came home a little out of it, but slowly and surely she got better. Now? She's back to being Sadie again and I am so thankful that her problems were fixed.  I am much poorer now, but it was money well spent for her happiness and good health.

Below is Briana from this past January- we had a little snow but not enough to be a problem. She has been getting boring ol' grass hay and even though she prefers the high-powered alfalfa mix, grass hay is better for her.

I saw these little cat tracks and snapped a photo of them 

May Simone have made them?

Briana in all her 'fatness', mud, and is very pleased with herself.

                                    

See the heart left for me?

Oh so pretty Springtime

Even the Forsythia was gorgeous

Until next time!  I promise to not be so long in between posts, too. :)