Someone who needs a bath!

Today has been just a downright beautiful day. Brilliant blue sky. Perfect temps. Just a nice enjoyable day. Went to town this morning. Got home and cleaned the chicken house . Turned three of the donkeys loose in the yard to continue trimming and mowing the grass. Filled up the water tub in the yard for the donkeys. Gave the chickens some leftover vegies. After scrubbing the back pasture water trough, putting the hose in to fill it up with nice cool clean water I was watching the chickens.

There they were doing their thing. Scratching and pecking and eating and chit chatting with one another. Gosh I love those chickens. Never thought chickens would bring such enjoyment, but they really are full of personality. And the hen aprons/saddles are working superbly! The hens backs are growing fluff feathers and they don't seem so scared when Stew Pot wants a quickie.

After filling the back pasture water trough on to the front pasture one. I mentioned to Pewter here that she really is in need of a bath. A serious deep cleaning bath. She tolerates getting bathed, but isn't her favorite thing to do. As you can see she is sticking her tongue out letting me know that the bath idea is not a good idea.

She looks clean enough here doesn't she?

However the other side of her is downright filthy! She rolled in who knows what! Ugh!!! Well, she is off the hook getting a bath until the temps warm up just a bit more.

Time to get back outside to get more chores done.

Until next time.........................

Kindness, Generosity, Mystery

These past few days have been quite busy. Some very dear friends sent over a surprise the other day. It was 100 bales of hay! They paid for it and had it delivered. The hay barn was darn near empty so they decided to help with the bare spots. It is very much greatly appreciated. When you have this many animals that eat hay, well, you can just imagine the cost to feed them all.

Last night when I locked up my chickens I noticed one of my Mottled Houdans was missing. I recounted everyone, and yup, she was missing. I went on a hunt and search, but couldn't find her. First thing this morning still in my pajamas I was out looking for her. Nope, not to be found. I have no idea what happened to her. No stray dogs on the property, so the only thing I can think of is she is a hawks meal.

Both Egyptian Geese have now decided that hanging around here is pretty good. There is all kinds of things to eat. Although the male is limping so hope he heals soon.

Arnold (grey) and Miles (white) have been playing over the fences for awhile now. I still don't trust them enough to turn them loose together. So in the meantime they can continue to play just the way they they are.

A few weeks ago I decided I was going to sell my horse. Financial reasons, I haven't ridden him in quite awhile, he has an attitude with Pewter one of our mares, etc.... Yup, my mind was made up. One less mouth to feed, no more worries about him being a butt towards Pewter, etc....

Okay, so I changed my mind the other day. As you may or may not recall I am against horse slaughter. If I sold him, I would not know 100% positive that he would never end up at a kill lot. Also, if I sold him, I would be contributing to the problem. So, as my dear friend Cindy calls him, the Pasture Prince will be staying.

Have I mentioned that there is a new stray cat hanging around? He/she is orange, hanging out inside the barn, and I catch glimpses here and there. Where or where did this one come from! Well, there is always food here so no worries about ever going hungry. In time when and if I can catch the new stray, off to the vet to get fixed. No baby makers here!

And speaking of food. I must go to the grocery store and buy food for us humans. So, wishing you all a most wonderful day. Smile and share it.

Until next time.............................

Really?

Yesterday afternoon I put my horse into the big yard in front of the house so he could start eating down the grass. The way I figure it is, why not let an animal eat down the grass rather than use the mower and pay for gas. He was so happy to be in the yard and started munching right away. Not giving a second thought about anything than that yummy grass. Figured I'd just leave him in there the entire weekend. This morning there he was eating grass. All was fine until I turned the other horses and donkeys out for the day. That's when it all started.

As soon as he couldn't see anyone, that's when the pacing and running started. And of course the hollering!

Down the fence.

Sorry this is a repeat of the above pic.

I came back into the house and watched him go up and down. Pace. Pace. Pace.

Still going strong.

Then it was running.

Back down the fence at a trot.

Still at it.

More running.

He hasn't moved this much in months! His favorite speed is walk. In fact, he worked himself into a sweat! All because he wasn't out in the pastures with the others. But remember, yesterday he was loving it! All that lucious green grass all to himself. Last night he was still enjoying it. This morning he was savoring every mouthful.

Until....... everyone else was turned loose. So, he has spent a good part of the day ignoring the grass under his big feet and worrying about everyone else.

Just a few moments ago the horses came up from the back pasture and now that the big Goofball can see them just across the driveway, he is fine now.

The only word that keeps coming to mind is "Really?". Here it is you have a big area filled with green grass, fresh water, no one to bother you, etc..... and you are worried because you can't see anyone else, but yet yesterday you could have cared less about being in the big yard. Really?

Until next time..............................

Have You Ever.............

Have you ever just caught yourself looking at one of your 'animal' family members and caught yourself grinning and remembering how they came into your life? I did just that a little while ago and thought I would share with you.

The horse in these pictures is my buddy. When I was working outside the home five years ago there was a customer who would always tell me about one of her horses. She knew I was looking for a horse of my own. You know, my own personal horse.

I went over to her place one day and there he was standing in the pasture along with her other two horses.

He walked up to me, sniffed me and walked off.

I fell head over heels in love with this horse. It was so bad that I thought about him all the time. Sad thing was, he wasn't for sale!

Everytime the customer would come into the store I would ask if the horse was for sale. This went on for a year.

Then one day she came in and asked me if I was serious about the horse. Um, yeah! She then told me that she would sell him, but only to me!

So, I bought him! He is the second horse I have ever bought. All the others have been rescues.

Now here's the thing. I was looking for a big, stout, registered, Quarter Horse mare with old bloodlines.

And here I was, the proud owner of a short, Paint gelding! Um, way off from what I wanted. Wanted a Quarter Horse, got a Paint. Wanted a mare, got a gelding. Wanted a big, tall horse, got a short one! Although he sure is a stout bugger.

Something else. He isn't much fun to ride! It takes a lot of work to ride him. By the time our ride is over, I am exhausted. And I am the only one who can ride him!

Even though he is a lot of work to ride. Even though he isn't the Quarter Horse mare I wanted. Even though he is short. Even though he has a big head. Even though he has a short back. Even though he is a big, big baby. When I say he is a big baby, I mean, he is a BIG baby!

Well, I just love him! There was just something special about him. He makes me smile everyday. I enjoy watching and looking at him.

And to this day I still shake my head as to why I had to have him in my life!

Until next time....................................