An unwelcome visitor

Saturday afternoon I went out to the chicken house to let the chickens and geese out.  Ringo, the puppy, started chasing the birds and was soon chased by the rooster and one of the hens.  He runs into the chicken house and I went in to get him.  I heard a hissing noise and looked up to see a raccoon on a shelf. It is the first raccoon I've seen around here.  We spent the next half hour trying to get it to leave. The kids were all yelling, throwing rocks.  All from a distance with a fence in between. Max was trying to get the raccoon.  The raccoon got into an old tire on the roof and Peter shot it a couple of times.  It crawled into the chicken house and died.  The chickens were pecking on it.  Is that karma, how many chickens has that raccoon killed?  Neighbors down the road had a raccoon break into their chicken house, literally tore the door apart, and killed all the chickens, didn't eat any.  Peter felt really bad about shooting the raccoon but I'd rather have my chickens, eggs and cats.  My only other experience with raccoon was years ago in Arkansas when I went fishing with my great-grandpa and we put our catch in his holding pond.  The next morning all the fish were gone. Grandpa said the raccoons got them.

Spoiled

When we first moved to the farm, we had a cat named Esmerelda. I had found her in the parking lot of the car dealership I was working at. I later took a picture of her curled up with Peter. Sadly, the coyotes or something got Esmerelda.
So now there is Smokey. He is supposed to be Alex's cat but has attached himself to Peter. Smokey's not the brightest cat. Maks, the giant puppy, carries Smokey around like a toy. Maks tried it with Tigger once. Just once.
And can we turn off the wind, they are reporting that the wind is blowing 60 miles an hour here, and they are probably right.

Farm Sounds

Tomorrow is the first day of spring. And nothing signifies spring on a farm like baby animals. So I went to the auction today. Came home with 8 hens, one rooster and 10 baby chicks. Sometime this week the goats will be arriving back at Green Gates Farm. And then we start building the new horse barn.

No we're not

Moving, that is. We had a house found but then the price went up five thousand dollars. Not going to deal with that type of behavior again. So we will stay country people. I did get a new dishwasher. And we are going to spend the new house earnest money on a carport. And a new barn for the horses. Monday the goats come home and maybe I will buy some chickens at the auction. Need to order some baby chicks to raise and sell. I'm thinking buff orpingtons, buff brahmas, amercaunas and two other breeds. Maybe austrolorps.
It was horribly windy here today. There was a fire a couple of miles away. It burned 80 acres and one unoccupied house. Because of the dust, we couldn't even see the smoke.

Early morning fright

This morning I let the dogs outside and checked to see if I need to defrost the windshiled on the truck.
Right away Mischka and DJ start barking and running after a coyote right by the fence. They chased him over onto the BLM land. The very scraggly coyote was about the size of M and could have made a snack out of DJ. Jack stayed on the front porch and barked.
Maks was in the house, having been outside earlier.
For a change, the truck didn't need defrosting which was good because after chasing down DJ, we would have been late for the bus if the truck did need defrosting.

It's a dog's world

When we first moved here we had Corey, the cocker spaniel, and Katie the Keeshond. We soon added Bear the Great Pyrenees/malamute. They are all gone now. Our current dogs are Mischka, Jack and DJ.

Jack is a Shih Tzu we adopted from a shelter. He's about 8 years old and likes nothing better than to lay in the recliner and sleep. And if it's on Peter's lap, so much the better. Jack also travels well, he went with us camping last summer. That's the back side of Ming the Siamese.




Mischka is a austrialian shepherd, pekenese, and german shepherd mix. She looks exactly like her dad, Nick, and her grandpa Tick Tock.




We just got DJ from Magie's family. Magie and her youngest daughter are allergic to DJ. They were allergic to Connie, his mom. DJ's dad, a chichuahua, belongs to another friend of ours. DJ is short for and reversed for Junior Dog. DJ and Mischka have the same mom, which makes them half-siblings. Despite the four year age difference, not to mention size, Mischka and DJ get along pretty well.




After Danny and Eliza died, Mischka didn't have anyone to play with, Jack being the lazy bones he is. DJ loves to run with his sister.

Not a Good Day

Sometime during the night, Eliza, the little white dog, started hemorrhaging. This morning we had to put her down.
So I took her picture off of the blog. I also removed the horses while I was at it. We seem to have "inherited" a horse. For the last week, the neighbor down the road's horse (I know bad grammar) has been hanging out with Sophie. The neighbor hasn't come to get Muffin. We've called several times. Sophie likes hanging out with Muffin. Sophie's mom, Gypsy, isn't entirely thrilled but is adjusting. Gypsy is doing much better about it with Muffin having jumped into the pasture (she jumps out of the neighbor's pasture) instead of hanging out by the fence.
Changed the name of the blog. Going to let this one sit for awhile, see if I like it or not.

What's in a Name?

I've been giving some thought to changing the name of the blog. Something with "family" in it; or maybe something about the view of Pikes Peak. I still need to give this some thought. Although the way the wind has been blowing I was considering "As the Wind Blows".
Other changes we are making around here- selling the rest of the poultry. I just really don't want to take care of the birds this winter. After the birds are gone and two of the llamas go to their new homes, we will be down to three horses, two llamas, one calf, three dogs, one hamster and a fluctuating number of cats. Keiko is missing so not sure how many I have.
Andy has been wanting a tarantula. I priced the horrid things. $149.99. No thank you.
And the wind can just stop blowing.
We are having spirit week. We started with green and white day, followed by PJ or Ninja day, today was neon day and tomorrow is Dr. Seuss Day. Fall homecoming is on Saturday. I'll be working the concession stand again for the booster club.
Tomorrow morning Alex's class is doing a short play. He is the wind. Hopefully I will remember the camera to get some pictures. It starts at 8:30 if some grandparents wanted to come. And then it's off to find some hay (which is in short supply, especially in the small bales) and then pantry.

Saturday Date

Peter and I went out on a date today. The boys were with Magie. We went to a consignment auction. It was HUGE. There was farm equipment, furniture, cars, jewelry, guns, just about anything you could want.
Some of the things I was interested in went for more that I wanted to pay. We did come home with a new post hole digger with metal handles (our old one kept giving us splinters- gloves are hot to wear in the summer), two camping cots (I hate sleeping on the ground) a pair of car ramps, a small loom, a metal stick thing to break up hard dirt (Peter wanted it) and an almost new Lazyboy sleeper sofa.
It was nice to sit there and eat lunch and see the snow on Pike's Peak.

Catch As Catch Can

It's been a busy month or so. School started. Andy's in 4th grade, his best friend since Kindergarten has moved away. Alex is in 3rd grade and doing well. I'm volunteering at the school again this year.
We've had houseguests, two different sets, since July 17. For awhile there was some overlapping. The second set, still here, are some longtime friends who moved their trailer home onto some land not far from us. Getting the water well, electrical, septic, INSPECTIONS takes some time but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I sold all the chickens, every last one. I don't have any egg customers anymore and since we live on a private road it doesn't make sense to put up a sign. I kept the geese and the muscovy ducks, in fact, Lucky Duck hatched 7 babies today. Jenny Duck is sitting on 10 eggs. Mr. Duck is quite pleased with himself.
We have the goats and horses. Someone is buying the two llama sisters, a friend is taking Ariel and we will keep Jafar. Maybe.
Our old beagle, Danny, died a couple of weeks ago. He had cancer for awhile and it got to the point where he was better off. One lung had quit functioning.
I won't be on the school board much longer. Not enough valid signatures. Some people either lie about being registered voters or they think they are and they arent. Registered voters that is.
My camera is at Magie's house so no pictures. The boys are watching a Looney Tunes DVD I picked up today. Do you realize these were out when my father was a kid and I watched them. Why can't they make shows this good anymore?
When I get my camera back I'll have to introduce Chester.
Tomorrow is one of our school's two home football games. Since we don't have a regulation football field we have to have our "home" games elsewhere. Tomorrow I'm helping at the concession stand. Peter will be home with the boys. Not to worry, I bought lunchables for them.
Sunday is Back to Church Sunday. We might go to church, or maybe fishing. After the rain we had the other day, fishing might be the thing especially since it will be about 80 degrees on Sunday.

County Fair

I told everyone we weren't going to the county fair this year. We did. We went for fun this year. Next year Andy and Alex will be in 4H so they will have projects. Andy wants to do rabbits, geese and chickens. Alex wants to do a steer. I think we will wait for awhile on a steer. Maybe dairy goats. It raines a little last night.
Back to the fair. Andy and Alex really liked the superslide. Alex went on a few high rides with Melissa but Andy wasn't a fan. And we didn't get a funnel cake or candy apple or even cotton candy.

When it Rains...

...it pours. Last night the rain started right after supper and quit about 11 p.m. We received, ready for this...almost 4 inches of water. According to the rain gauge.
I wore the flip flops to feed the horses because their feed buckets would be full of water and usually I get my shoes wet. The ducks and geese were still wet this morning. Most of the mulch dust is washed out of the bed of the truck. Course now I have to deal with muddy roads and water across the road. Try to get some pictures as we journey to the book mobile.

Can you believe It?

For the second time this summer it happened again. Our second Jeep Cherokee bit the dust. Peter was driving to work when the engine fell out. Actually one side fell.
He calls me to come rescue him (bringing the boys) and we go to town to find new bolts. From one side of the Springs to another looking for three bolts. Finally find the bolts, drive back out to the Jeep and discover that the bolts didn't fall off, they sheared off. Which means, apparently, some major work.
Came home and Peter took MY truck to work. I really hate not having a vehicle out here.
After supper tonight we went to a small dealership out here in the country and bought a 1993 Ford Escort Station Wagon. Peter can drive this to work. I have my truck. Kind of a reversal of traditional car roles. It's a really nice car. But I have my truck.

We've entered the 21st Century

Our local phone company tells us that because some box is too far away, we can't get high speed internet. Such is country living. What to do...what to do?
Here's an idea...satellite internet.
For the last few days, since Tuesday, we've been adjusting to having faster downloads, ability to play games on Facebook (I missed Happy Pets), watching utube, and having people (hi mom) being able to call while we are (gasp) on line.
Really if the phone company wanted our business, maybe they could have, oh I don't know, MOVED THE BOX CLOSER.
Am I bitter, You betcha. The ironic thing? The satellite costs the same as the phone companies high speed.

Wet fun in the Sun

Andy and Alex both had the same Kindergarten teacher. At the end of the year, Mrs. MacDonald has a splash party for her kids. One of the activities is a slip and slide. This year I bought one although our ground is bumpy. The boys are still having fun just playing in the water.
The slide goes down between the rows of our skimpy tomato plants. The winds have been beating the plants pretty bad.
Right after these pictures were taken, Andy jumped on the water tube and it split. Maybe we'll try that big ball that sprays out water.

Gosling Guardians

On June 1, Juliet hatched out three baby goslings. They are doing well, surrounded by their four guardians. Juliet left four eggs in the nest, which I tossed. The ducklings which Giselle had adopted disappeared. Lucky the muscovy is still sitting on seven eggs. Mrs. G, the African goose, is sitting on eggs as well.
Andy and Alex are enjoying their summer vacations. They are required to read for at least half an hour, a real book- not one of the Calvin and Hobbs collections. Andy is reading "The Lost World" (dinosaur story) and Alex is reading different things. Both were spending too much time on-line so they were limited to one hour apiece.

Real geese

Three days ago, Juliet the embden goose, hatched out three babies. This time we have actual geese raising actual goslings. (please see previous post) She is still sitting on a few eggs, while dad Romeo and aunts Garnet and Grizzelda all take care of the kids. It's rather funny to watch these large geese all surround three little babies. Mrs. G, the African goose, is also sitting on a nest. Lucky the Muscovy duck hen is sitting on six eggs. Mr. D is finally paying better attention to her. Probably because the other geese won't let him near Juliet sitting on her nest.

A Mother's Love

We have a goose named Giselle, we also have Garnet, Mrs. G, and Grizzelda (all G names cause they are Gray Geese. Get it? We also have a pair of Embdens named Romeo and Juliet.
Anyway Giselle sat on her nest for several weeks and sadly, none of her eggs hatched. When I brought home some ducklings and put them in the next room in the brooder house, Giselle climbed or flew over the three foot divider and was determined that these ducklings were her babies. Very determined. I'm not brave enough to try to seperate them again. And the babies think that she is their mother.
Mrs. G also raised a duck who has followed Mrs. G until Mrs. G decided to sit on a nest. And Lucky Duck (muscovey hen) is now sitting on a nest of three eggs. I'll be surprised if the eggs are fertile since Mr. D has spent his time mooning over Juliet the goose sitting on her nest.

Moths...phone lines and rain

The moths (or millers) have invaded. They aren't as bad as some years but bad enough. This morning I counted 21 just in the bathroom.
The phone lines aren't working so well today. I don't know if it is the RAIN or the cows messing with the boxes again.
That's right I said Rain.
It started raining yesterday about 3:45 (about time for the end of school) and it pretty much rained for hours. We are supposed to get more this afternoon and the sky over the mountains looks rainy. As much as I gripe about needing rain for the pasture, I really wish it wouldn't rain on the dirt roads.
And I picked up 5 Austrolorp pullet chicks and 5 Sicilian Buttercup straight run chicks yesterday morning.
And tomorrow I'm going to town to buy a new washer. The motor gave out on ours the other day. I think it is the hard water which wears out the machines so fast.
Hopefully tomorrow I can get some pictures of the irises which have started to bloom.

Spring Clean Up

Every year our Senior class at our little country school raises money to go on a Senior Trip and for a Senior Gift. Last year the Seniors went on an Alaskan cruise, stopping in Canadian ports along the way. The kids start earning the money as freshman. The freshman class this year has decided to earn their money by collecting and selling scrap metal. They have been to a number of homes collecting old wire fencing, t-posts, and other metals. They came to our place this last weekend and they worked hard gathering a trailer full of metal things that we don't want or don't need. It looks a little different here without the old lawn tractor, rolls of fencing and so on.
(Now if I can find someone to haul off the junked plywood. It makes good kindling for fires.) BTW, the school itself does not contribute financially to the senior trips, the money is all raised by the students. Once I put up the new pasture fence, I'll have another load of wire for the kids.