Pigs

It is mud hole time for the pigs. We are working on keeping them cool since it is already hot for this time of year. While I was out working on things, I went in and gave Gus some belly rubs and some love. He is such a big ole baby. He sure is loved, but they all are. If you have never been around a pot belly pig, you should find one and give it some belly rubs, they will love you forever. 

Bill and the Goats

Bill and the goats seem to be getting along. I think they are getting along. Tinkerbelle will put Bill on the run. I do not know for sure if they are playing or if they are not and Bill is scared of her. Bill is twice her size, so I would think that he would not be scared of her, but I just do not know. I think for the most part they are doing fine. They sure are entertaining to watch. They sure needed each other whether they think they do or not. 

Cats

I did get to see all the cats. They are all doing fine. They were all getting along and eating in the shop together. I know that does not happen often these days, but it did on that day. I am glad they are all doing okay. I wish they would get along better some days. 

Ummmm…..

I was out checking for eggs. I went over into the donkey barn to check that spot. I go over there daily and have no difficulty. We have been here for years and I have never been nervous about anything. On this day, I stepped out of the barn and almost on the head of a rattlesnake, or did I? As I stepped down, I looked out of the corner of my eye and I swear I saw a rattlesnake right by my foot. I did not take a second to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing, I got out of there as fast as I could. I wanted no part of that. I got back out of the way and looked over toward the spot I thought I saw the snake and there was nothing there. Ronnie got home and got the gun and we went out there and never did see anything, so then I started wondering if I did really see one. I do not think I would have had the reaction I had if I had not really seen one, but my mind is playing tricks on me or something. I am pretty sure it was there. It was pretty big and I was terrified. Ronnie and I looked again the next day, but nothing. Ronnie did find what could have been a snake hole and plugged it up with a T-post which the donkeys are not using as a scratching post. Goodness, I tell you, it is never a dull moment around here. 

Roadrunner

We have had a road runner at work. He is acting like he wants to come into the building. He always has something in his mouth. He is up against the glass in the windows. It is amazing to see him up so close. He is such a pretty bird. The residents and the staff are starting to notice the bird up by the windows. It is just an interesting thing. I have not seen anything like it. 

Missed

I know when we get back we have been missed by the way the animals act toward us. Yeller was so happy to see me and Ginger was flying up to the top of the chicken house to get to my attention. The dogs were super excited to see us. The inside cats were happy about us coming home, too. It is nice to be missed by these animals. We work hard to give them all they need. They are sure loved. 

Egg Haul

I never ask our girl to pick up the eggs while we are gone because it is such a chore to hunt for them all. There are so many places to look for them. Once my hunt was completed, I found 8 dozen eggs. That is a crazy amount of eggs. That is 2 dozen per day those hens laid. They were spread out in lots of different areas. I did find a couple which were broken, so the hens got to eat those. I also know that Daisy and Bella ate some of the eggs while we were gone since my friend did tell me that. It was quite the egg haul. I was shocked. I was not expecting that. The other thing I was not expecting was now we have about 4 broody hens instead of just 1, so that was fun with gathering up the eggs. I am pretty sure I got them all. 

Trip

Ronnie and I went on a trip to California to see a friend get married. I was a beautiful wedding and we had such a fun time. We got to see the Pacific Ocean, the redwoods, the Charlie Brown museum, the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Alcatraz, and the sea lions. It was so much fun and a much needed break. We needed it. Our animals did fine and we did check in on them daily. 

Oh Jeb

I walked out and saw Jeb lying down. That did not bother me too bad. I hollered his name and he did not move. Well, that was not normal. So I hollered again and nothing. I went closer to the fence and hollered again, and nothing. I was not liking this. I finally got all the way to the fence and yelled his name and he finally sat up like saying what do you want, I was trying to relax. I left him along after that. 

Help

I have a good friend who helps us when we are gone. She came by to see if there was anything new and to interact with the animals. She is so good with them and they really seem to like her. I feel blessed to have people who are willing to help us out so we can charge our own batteries. We deal with needing a break sometimes just like everyone else. 

Takua

Sometimes these animals just make me crazy and make me feel like I am having a heart attack. I sprayed the horses down and then Takua went over and laid down and started rolling around in the grass. I was sure hoping it was because he was drying off and not something more serious. I watched him for a long time. I even fed the horses and he was still rolling around on the ground. I was starting to feel the panic rising because we were fixing to leave for a trip. Things usually happen that way. Finally, as I started to unchain the gate to go check on the horse, Takua realized I had poured the food and he jumped up to come eat. The relief I felt was instant.

Snowflake

Snowflake is broody. I guess it is that time of year. We are down to one rooster and honestly, I am pretty sure non of the eggs being laid these days are being fertilized, so I am pretty sure the eggs are not going to hatch. I hate for her to sit on eggs that will not hatch. Well, I am taking the eggs from her and she is beating me up every day. I have bruises all up and down my arm. She is a mess. Once I take the eggs from one spot, she goes to another spot and then back again. I do not know how long that is going to last. 

Ursula

It was a hot day, 101 in March. That is ridiculous. Ursula ran outside like she does most days when I get home from work. I just let her run around and do her thing. I was going to get to her when I finished unloading groceries or whatever I was doing. I was not watching her closely. I always have to go get Ursula, she will not come back on her own. This day however, I opened the front door and there sat Ursula waiting to be let in. I guess she got hot and decided it was time to come back in. 

Ursula and Athena

I am starting to wonder if when Ursula was missing for a month after she got here if Athena kept up with her. I know she was not ever really off our property when she was missing, but I did not see her. Now every time Ursula gets outside, Athena is waiting for her and seems to be excited to see her. That seems odd because Athena does not seem to care for much, but she likes Ursula and Ursula likes her, too. It is a good thing. I am glad they like each other. Onyx and Yeller do not care for Ursula. 

Woodpecker

I am not sure when I got old, but apparently I am. I am stopping to watch birds and stuff these days. I was excited to see a woodpecker in the tree the other day. I know they annoy some people, but I find them pretty and interesting. Like, what are they really doing with all that noise? I watched him for quite a while. I can see why people have a bird watching hobby. I do not really want to make bird watching into a hobby, but I can see why people like it. 

Savvy Update

Saverine seems to be doing well in the pen. She is getting more to eat and she is able to relax. She is even interacting more with the cows and the donkeys, and not being hateful with them like she has been in the past. I am glad she is starting to feel better. She is actually being loving to me and is allowing me to love on her in her pen. She is being playful, too. I am so glad she is doing better. Saverine is happy and is safe in the pen for now. We will see how she does when she is well. 

Cactus

Since it is March, the flowers are blooming, the leaves are starting to be on the trees, etc. I have a favorite cactus and I watch for it to bloom. I know it is close to blooming because there are signs. My mom is sending me pics of her cactus she got here is starting to bloom. That is a fun little thing we do with sending pics back and forth.  I do enjoy that. Anyway, I know the cactus is about to bloom. I have several little ones, too, I am wondering if they will bloom this time or if they are still too little. 

Weather Change

The Weather may affect us humans with our joints aching or headaches or whatever. The weather affects these animals, too. They all get kind of frisky. They run around more, they make faces, they irritate each other, but they have more energy. It is fun to watch them, at least for me. I watch them often when the weather is changing. We had a small cold front come through in March and the animals had lots of fun with it. I enjoyed it, too. 

Hot Days

During the hot days, the horses wait by the water hose for me to spray them. I know it cools them down and they love it. They look forward to that. Those horses will paw at the water, too, just to be able to play in it. The horses just want to play in that water. Saverine even took away the hose from me to play with it. They sure do have some personality. Each one of them is different with their personalities. 

Willow

Oh that Willow. She is such a mess. She learned well from Mattie. The pretty yellow headed blackbird was on the ground walking around and Willow was chasing him. For some reason, the donkeys do like to chase birds, all kinds of birds. I do not think it matters what kind of birds, if it is on the ground, the donkeys will chase it. Willow is just like Mattie. I should have known that would happen. 

Yellow headed Blackbirds

Every spring I look for the yellow headed blackbirds. They are so pretty and they are only around here for a couple of months. I guess I turned old since I watch for them. I saw my first one this year this month. This male was just hanging out for a long time around the pasture. He was walking around for a bit and then he was up in the trees with some ladies. I watched them for quite a while. I sure do like to watch those birds. I hope to see more of them soon. 

Pen

Saverine is in a pen and she actually seems to be liking it. She is getting all she can to eat. She is still getting sprayed with the water hose when it is hot. She has her own water trough. I go in the pen and love on her every day while I feed her. She is doing well. I am glad she is in the pen. The other horses can still see her and she can still see them, so they are going to be okay. I just feel it, they are going to be okay.