The Big Dog Dilemma

You've met my dog many times in these posts. I felt so very blessed to find her. She's been a wonderful pooch. From the time the chickie girls go to roost at night, until we are home the following day, Arwen lives in the big pen in the back. It's a huge space where she can run and dig, rest and play. We have never seen evidence of even a tiny mouse in or around the coop. Her first summer, I would put her on a leash and walk the property line. I had hoped she'd get the idea of where she was supposed to be. Sadly, a time or two, she travelled across the street to a neighbor. Said neighbor apparently has a thing for my pooch and takes her for walks around the pond and feeds her constantly. Consequently and sadly, my now chubby girl thinks the busy road, his house and property are also under her domain. I am not too much for conflict. If it weren't for the road, I'd share my sweet dog for the sake of harmony. Alas, there is a road. One folks walk on and drive on. Needless to say, my fierce watchdog gives walkers the business. This is not usually a problem because most walkers know her and know she's just warning them. They stop, smile, let her sniff, another friend made. Recently, someone was not amused by her barking and kind of lunged at her and she lunged back, so I'm told. She did not bite, but it is frightening. Recently, if Handy Man or I are not in the yard, she goes on the chain, in the shade with treats and water, but still. It hurts my feelings. I'm back to walking property with her on the leash, but she's no fool. If someone were waiting across the road to love on you and give you lots of treats, what would you do?

The way the creek runs, there's no way to fence her in. Anyway, I wanted her rolling and peeing all over so the deer and other critters keep their distance. So, the dilemma.

I have been slow to introduce Merry and Pippin to all the creatures great and small around here. Over the weekend, we introduced them to Arwen. She was fascinated, and as usual, well-behaved.

Pippin decided it worked both ways and wanted to check her out as well.

Sweet girl.

Saved by the Dog

So, yesterday was the last day of school. I love to teach. I love the kids. I start the year full of ideas and excitement for what the year holds in store. Like a new fluffy dish cloth, I research and read and plan and soak up new ideas that I squeeze back out to my eager students. We do a ton of work, art and fun. By yesterday at 3:15, I felt like one of those dish rags that come out of the washing machine in pieces. That's it folks, no more, all done, tired, weary, finished!

Then, because some folks have to be out for a PD on our last teacher day, we had to have our "End of Year," meeting after school. Yes, you heard correctly. After every last bit of patience, ideas and goodwill had been put through the wringer and had come out on the other side in pieces, I had to talk about themes, and schedules and on and on and on, for four hours. I came home in a foul mood to say the least.

Good news! I slept well and returned to the scene of the crime this morning to retrieve my new chickie babies and bring them home. First, I stopped and introduced them to Arwen. She stuck her head in the bucket, as if to count them, then was no longer interested. Much earlier in the spring I planted the chicken tractor with wheat and chickweed, so I let them play in the sunshine and tasty treats most of the day.

I played in the yard, planting, planting and planting. Before my last bit of energy was spent, I decided I'd best return the wee babes to the coop. Now if you've ever raised chickie babies you know they run from you. I was catching them fairly easily in the small tractor and putting them, three at a time in a bucket, and transferring them to Cluckingham Palace. Of course, I'm trying to be calm, singing Amazing Grace. They are not impressed by my peaceful demeanor and hymn chanting and squawk their tiny heads off. When I put Holly, so named by my class, in the bucket, she climbs right on another chick's back and flies out of my bucket and the tractor into the VERY BIG chicken yard. Time for Keystone Cops!

Thankfully, as she is running full force along the fence line, Arwen the Wondergirl is running right along side her on the outside of the pen. I'm trying one trick after another, but am not catching Miss Holly. Finally, I get her cornered and pray I can grab her when she sticks her head through the fence. By now my heart is pounding, I'm dripping sweat and envisioning a lost Ameracauna. Oh, I'm also yelling, "Arwen, don't let her out! Don't eat her either!" God love that dog, she sticks her face right up the chicken, who is half through the fence, as if to say, "I double dog dare you to go another step." This terrifies the poor chick into submission and she plops her feathered hiney down in the dirt, and I pick her up.

Disaster averted, thanks to one faithful, smart dog!

Oh The Work There Is To Do

It's 70 degrees here and I was happy to have a normal kind of day.

This last week had too much sad. Uncle Berry, Bran's Granny, Sallie's Daddy, a local eighteen year old boy, Sammie's mother-in-law, c'mon-enough! Lord bless us all in this grieving time.

Today I cleaned the coop. The Easter Eggers have started laying again and it is still a delight to find a blue/green egg in a nest box.

Rae-rae and Michael stopped by and we shortened the elastic on Gideon's Fuzzibunz and talked all things baby. We then went to a new farm store that recently opened close-by. They have a different chicken feed with probiotics included. I give my chickie-girls yogurt from time to time, but thought I might give this feed a whirl. I enjoyed spending some putzing time with them and the Handy Man.

We returned home with the intent to plant lettuce. Handy Man is about to croak waiting for the gardens to dry so he can live out there with his new tiller. He tried just a corner for me and it looks good. Gale force winds however discouraged me from trying to keep teeny weeny seed where it is supposed to go. So, instead I clipped lots of stuff back.

I told Handy Man that after all the money and labor I've poured into plants, the biggest thing in the yard just blew in on a breeze and settled in my garden, yes, right in it, and called it home. It's somewhat of a misnomer to say Butterfly Bush, though that is it's common name. It should say Butterfly Tree. It is the hugest thing I've ever seen. Someone said,"Why don't you cut it back," and I laughed. Today, I whacked off at least half of that girl. If past years are any indication, she smiles and sends out six more shoots for everyone I cut. Now you know I love her when she's in full bloom and those interesting moth creatures that at first make me think of a humming bird are flying around. And the butterflies of all makes and models are a joy on a hot afternoon. The honey smell is so delicious. I remained amazed. She is big though, and in the garden. Who am I to argue when you've found your niche.

After tackling the garden monstrosity, I went after the black raspberry canes. The old ones have to go and some new ones too, if there are too many, and you know there were. Two wheelbarrow loads of old canes and vines were moved out.

Arwen, if you recall, is a Great Pyrenees. Great Hair Ball would be a more accurate name. Handy Man has already started brushing her. It's so cute. He calls her name and holds up the brush, and she comes running, plops her self down for spell. When Handy Man stops to clean the brush, she paws him and tries to kiss him, for she fears he has stopped. She looks completely lovesick. I sort of feel that way when he scratches or rubs my back, so I get it. Every bird in this area could line their nest with Arwen fur. She is the sweetest dog.

So, back to work tomorrow. Let's hear it for a calm, uneventful week. Well, unless that sweet new grandboy of mine wants to turn himself and head for the nearest exit, that would be alright by me.

On a Happier Note

I was at the hospital with Kaye on Friday evening and Saturday. Then we were invited to a friend's for a lovely evening of yummy food and enjoyable friendship. Today was Bible Study and Bean's party, so I have had no time with the girls. Handy Man said I really needed to take a look at Princess Cheeky as her cheek feathers had really sprouted. I laughed right out loud. Isn't she so cute?

When I ordered the chickie girls, I purposely ordered all girls, but they only guarantee them to be 90 percent hens. Apparently, telling the girls from the boys is not an easy job. For a poor untrained soul like me, you have to wait until they crow-or not. Other info says the combs and wattles are usually larger on roosters. Below is a pic of one of our Andalusians. Most of the chicks are like her, just starting to show a comb. Below are two, Callie Lou and Princess Sheila, that have much larger combs and much bossier behavior. For fun, I included a baby pic first (only 8 weeks ago).
Between Cheeky with no comb and Snow Queen with only a little, you can see a big difference.

Oh, you were so cute Callie Lou.




You were cute too, Princess Sheila.

Then today, they had a face off. Craned their necks and strutted at each other. Then Sheila bowed her head to Callie Lou as if to say, "I give."

So, what say you- roosters or hens?

We can't include barnyard babes without a picture of Arwen, who here still resembles a puppy.

Ummm, then she stands up. It doesn't change the fact that she's a puppy, but she is one big girl.

Ceece and 1st Lt. had a great party for Bean. They invited the Bubble Bus. The weather was perfect and all the kids had room to roam with stuff to do. Even Baby Boy and Great Grandma and everyone in between had a good time making bubbles.

1st Lt. commented on all the parties I did for them as a child and how he realizes now the time and energy I put into it. That was sweet to hear.

It was a happy day.

Blueberries for Bugg

Wow, what a beautiful morning. Handy Man and I headed out at 7 to Bryant's Bluberries for our yearly stash of delectable blue jewels. The weather was perfect and the Bluerays were abundant. In two hours, we picked twenty-five pounds, which should be enough to hold Bugg and I over for a few weeks. She's the only person I know who loves them as much as I do. I did hold back a few for the freezer and I'll share some with Rae and Mom. I can't wait to see Missy Bugg dig in.
I love to listen to little ones when they talk and play. Bean, Bugg and I were having lunch recently and had two chip choices, Pringles and another kind. Bean tried the "another kind" and said, "I like those, but I like wrinkles better." Then Bugg bit down on something and cried. Bean exclaimed, "Don't worry, she does that all the time. Either she's faking or she's getting in a new boulder." Wrinkles, boulders, Pappy Cakes, I love it.
We hurried home from picking this morning to let the chickie girls out. They are getting so big and change from morning to night and night to morning with new feathers and new colors. I'm amazed at how they clear out all the vegetation in the chicken tractor by the afternoon. They love my homemade bread and still devour the Japanese Beetles. I'm hearing new chickie noises that sound like a little soft cluck instead of just peeping.
Arwen made the move from in the house puppy to Chicken Protector with relative ease. Me, not so much. God love that Handy Man of mine, he sat up half the night reading in the pen watching Arwen and checking on the chickie girls the first night. Last night he checked them three times before he came to bed. I put a couple of tree limbs in the brooder and he says they look so cute all lined up, roosting for the night.
I think he's more worried about me worrying about them. He said Arwen took her patrol role very seriously and woofed and watched after every noise she heard. Now if we can convince her that chickie girls aren't puppy toys, we'll be doing good.
The chickie girls will be out for playdate on Wednesday, so come on over and check them out.

Opening Ceremonies

Chicken with pasty butt

Arwen, our Great Pyrenees puppy, decided to join me for Opening Ceremonies ( de-pasting) at the brooder this morning. She set there calmly and looked sad at the chickie and me each time I pulled out some little downy tufts ( makes me sad too Arwen and it sho don't make the chickie none too happy). Then she would lick my face with each distressed peep from the chickie.
I said, "Look Arwen, these are all your chickens." It was so funny. She looked right in the brooder and then at me with her head cocked and an expression that said, "Um, all of them." She is interested in them now, but makes no attempt to mouth or play with them- thank the Lord!
Less girls were plugged today than yesterday, so I hope we're progressing.



I'm thinking that tiny one who's name will now be Little Red Hen, instead of Miss Pasty Butt, was an extra. I received three of each kind, but four of the Red Star. She is so small and her wings are so tiny. All the black ones are more aggressive than the red and yellow chicks. There is a big one that is either a rooster, or plans to head up the pecking order. I think I will call her the Trunchbull after the principal in the book Matilda. If all the girls are clustered around my hand when it's time for their probiotic organic yogurt, she will just fly up and land square in the middle of them- just brazen. Little Red Hen can just about walk unnoticed right underneath most of the black ones.
I spent a lot of today shopping. I promised Bean a Scavenger Hunt this week for our Playdate. I needed some old tins, which I found for 29 cents at the Salvation Army Store. Inside the tins will go some exciting treasures- a few coins, sea shells, beads, etc. When everyone is here, I'll lead them to a discovery of an old letter from Bean's hero, Davy Crockett. They're will be a map of course, directing them to a treasure in the Deep Dark Woods, which Davy left before heading out to Texas. I can't wait.

I made a delicious country supper tonight. We haven't had Mexican Cornbread in years. Handy Man loves it and I'm going to be gone every evening this week, so he'll enjoy the leftovers. It was very tasty. Cauliflower has been so expensive for so long that I've sort of forgotten it as a dinner choice. The last few weeks, the price has fallen considerably. Last week, we had it steamed with cheese and tonight I made a salad with apples, pecans and dried cherries-yummy!
What are you having for supper?