1-4-2024

It was a cold and rainy day today. That will make for a long sleepy day. Ronnie worked late tonight, so I did the chores outside as quickly as possible because it was so cold and rainy. 

When I started doing the chores, Athena and Onyx were up in the hay staying dry and warm. You can say what you want about cats, but they are smart. Yeller is still staying in the crate. It is warm in there. Melody was still in the shop also. 

Lola the sassy chicken still looks sassy when she is not looking at you or if she is sideways looking at you. It is hilarious. 

The donkeys were waiting for some chicken feed. I mean standing by the fencing and not wanting to move out of the way so I could even get in there. They ate the chicken feed. They are something. 

When a chicken is cold, they puff up like a blowfish. It is an interesting thing to see. 

I sure did feel and look like winter today. It looks pretty, but it is cold, and I am not a fan. 

It started raining and the little goats. Porky and Buckwheat, got into the shelter quickly. They do not like getting wet. Waldo took advantage and ate the rest of the food while the other two were under cover. 

Mattie is spoiled. I had to feed him under his shelter. He was not about to get wet either. 

The cows are still stealing feed from the donkeys. It's like they are never full. 

Yeller came out to eat and stayed under the blanket while he did. That was funny to watch. 

It looks like the rooster who has been up in the tree with the hens has decided he is the leader in that little group. The hens are sticking close to him at this point. 

The sheep were cute peeking out of the fence to see what I was doing. They are sure something. 

The pigs are still doing fine in the rain. They waited until I got close to come out of the shelters though. They are not dumb. 

I had to go back into the donkey and goat pasture later during the chores and they all came running and then they followed me to see what I was doing. They are something to see. 

1-3-24

This morning sure looked like a winter morning. It was foggy and not too pretty. The horses did not seem to mind too much. They were all eating hay this morning, but you could barely see them because of the fog. 

When I came home, I noticed Porky and Buckwheat were all cuddled up together. It was cold outside. I now have proof they do love each other, at least in that moment. They came here together, so I know they do love each other. 

I came home earlier than the animals expected. The cows acted like I caught them doing something they were not supposed to or something. I mean, one was laying down in the sun and the other one was eating hay, but they looked shocked for some reason. 

As I pulled into the driveway, I saw Jeb laying down. I did my best not to panic. He does that, I know he does that. He likes to lay down. I tried to do some things in the house, but then I looked out the window and saw Chief standing near him. I decided I needed to go check or I was going to drive myself nuts. He only moved his ears as I got closer to the fence. I told Jeb he needed to get up and he acted like I was inconveniencing him by telling him to get up. He finally got to a sitting position and sat there. Chief came over and wanted me to pet on him and love on him. I was glad to. Chief does not come up for petting too often. Me giving Chief attention was the thing that finally got Jeb up and moving. He wanted attention also. 

As I was giving Chief attention, I started taking selfies. At one point, he turned and sniffed my face and then gave the Flehmen which makes him look like he is smiling. If you have never heard the Flehmen word, it is the word used to show the behavior in a horse, or donkey, where they extend their neck, raise their head, and inhales as the animal rolls its upper lip back while displaying the front teeth. You can thank Google for the definition. Anyway, the picture I took of that was the best selfie I have ever taken and it was by accident. 

As all this was going on, Willow came over for some attention. Takua immediately tried to run her away from the fence. Well, Jeb and then Chief decided to be kind to her. That was nice of them. She just wants to be a part of them, but they are not having it. 

Willow's wound is looking a little better. I wish I knew what had happened. It looks like it hurt for sure. I still do not understand how I missed it. I usually catch that stuff. 

I did get to see all the cats tonight. I do look for them to make sure they are still here. You never know around here. Luckily, they all seem content here, so they stay around. 

A rooster was trying to get Maggie's food. Maggie was not having it. The rooster did finally walk away.

There are so many chickens everywhere. It is chaos sometimes. They fight for food and for places to roost. It is just chaos with them most of the time. 

I did see my coop chickens, Rena and Annabeth, are not laying eggs in the laying boxes. I have not seen them do that before.

I noticed Melody is trying to stay in the shop now. I know at least one or more chickens find their way into the shop when the weather starts to get colder. I know it is warmer in there than it is outside.

Yeller has been staying in the crate in the shop also because of the cold. Again, I do not blame them at all. 

Onyx found a new hiding spot. It is not a good one. Ronnie left part of the grill opened and she was standing in the grill.

The sheep were rowdy tonight for their food. One of them even jumped up and tried to knock me over tonight. They are silly for sure.

The drama with the horse feed continues. Jeb tries to eat with the other horses, and they do not like it. I got Jeb to follow me back to his bowl. It took some coaxing though.

When I look out into the pasture and see one of the cats going across the pasture with all the animals, I always wonder what they are thinking. Do they think they are out in the middle of the safari or something? Obviously they are not, but it is a thought I have when I see a cat next to a donkey or a cow. 

Willow is still nursing. That is so crazy to me. It looks like we may have to put Noma in the pen when Mattie comes out to stop that. 

The pigs are as happy as can be. They normally are, especially at feeding time. 

I slipped the goats some hay I picked up on the ground tonight. They fought over it the whole time. 

I watched Bubba and Maggie tonight. They have been sticking together more lately. Neither of them are doing well at all, so I think they are having compassion to each other. It is sweet to see. 

I went outside to get something in the building out there and I was afraid I had locked Jelly in there when I left since I could not find him. Ronnie went to look for him. He did find him, but he also found Ann the chicken in the doghouse with probably 3 dozen eggs in there. I will have to clean those out and throw them away. Never a dull minute around here. 

1-2-24

When Ronnie went to let the dogs in this morning, Maggie could not get up, so as he tells the story, Daisy went back for her and stayed with her until he came back to get Maggie. How sweet is that?

The donkeys were all waiting when we both got home, for what who knows, but there they were. I got to spend some time with them and love on them. I sure do love having them here. 

Maggie had difficulty with getting down the steps this evening. When she sat down to rest, Onyx came over to check on her. It’s like the animals know she is not okay. 

I had to throw the chicken feed in the barn in the donkey pasture so the actual chickens would get some. That’s ridiculous, but I will do it if that’s what I need to do. 

We now have a rooster roosting in the tree with the hens. I still find that funny. When you look up in a tree, you don’t suspect you will see chickens and a rooster. Well, around here you will.

 

Oh the horses would not go to their own feeding spot today, so the three big horses were eating out of one bowl. Takua finally went on down to where he was supposed to be, even if Jeb was down there and was not supposed to be. 

Ronnie went down to watch Jeb and Takua so Jeb wasn’t being such a jerk. I still cannot get over how much bigger Takua is than Jeb. 

Mattie is spoiled as ever. It’s about time to get him out of the pen. That will be interesting. 

The cows were play fighting and I could not stop laughing. They are so funny to watch. 

1-1-24

It’s a new day and a new year!! I have goals for myself this year. I hope you all do as well. Let’s make this a great year. I also have some specific prayers I am praying for through the year. If you would like to pray with me on some things. God knows what the need is. And if it’s in God’s will and his timing, I will let you know what’s happening. 

It was super cold outside this morning. I do know that. It’s January though, so what did I expect? 

Ronnie was off today so he did a lot of the stuff that needed to be done. I am grateful for that. I did not feel well over the weekend, so none of it got accomplished. It has now, he took care of it all. 

When I got home, 4 pm rolled around and I heard Mattie out there braying away because it’s time to eat. Cracker Jack taught him well. Ronnie and I were laughing about it. Ronnie also pointed out how spoiled he is, just like Cracker Jack. 

I went out to feed while Ronnie cooked dinner. 

The donkeys were waiting for me. Apparently they were waiting for chicken feed. I may have slipped them a little other feed, but just a little. They were not too happy about that. They got over it though. 

Poor Maggie is struggling something awful. I know it’s time. She did not eat much today. 

Ronnie laughs at me for putting water in the shop for the cats, but as soon as I filled up the bowl tonight, Jelly went right for it. 

All the animals seem to be doing well even though it is colder out. I do believe it is going to be colder for the next few days. 

Willow’s injury does look like it is continuing to heal. She is not limping or having any difficulty, so that’s a good sign. 

Saverine came over for my attention tonight. I loved on her as long as she would let me. 

As I went in the house, I caught Jelly with a bird. He had just killed that bird. I know that’s what they do, but I do not have to like it.