Animals
- Here A Flake, There A Flake, Everywhere A Snowflake!
Winter has arrived...a little early. It's been bitter cold...cold enough to freeze the edge of the pond and the autumn leaves that floated there. Yesterday morning, as I headed to the barn for chores,the scene was this: Out in the pasture the horses...
- Evening
We've been gifted with a few absolutely perfect days in a row.After weeks and weeks of intense heat and humidity,we are currently enjoying sunny days in the 70's with nights in the 50's to 60's.Perfect weather.Perfect! Finally I can spend...
- A Few Updates
Over the past few weeks I have told you a few stories...stories that need proper endings! First Moll Flanders.... Moll has decided that she is a free spirit and prefers to not "live" anywhere.So, every three days or so, Moll returns to the barn,eats...
- Frosty Days
It seems that Autumn has packed his bags and moved onward...a bit premature for my liking! Ole Man Winter was only too happy to move himself right into Autumn's place.And he's warned us that he is setting up camp for an extended period of time...unlike...
- Moonbeam
He is in need of a bath and some general grooming....but with the weather as it has been for the last several days (rainy), it will have to wait. Still....he is quite lovely, don't you think? Though a bit on the chubby side, (he really loves to graze)...
Animals
Animals First
You have probably figured out that taking care of our animals is my top priority.
Ok, second.
Family comes first.
However some days they might say that the animals come first!
I spend a great deal of time considering the needs of all of our animals,
and actually plan my days around what the animals will need.
Weather plays a dramatic role in this.
Right now we are in the midst of grey, dreary, rainy, snowy weather.
Because of the snow on the ground, many of our animals
have preferred to remain indoors these past few days.
And so, not only do I make the necessary trips out to the barnyard for several feedings a day,
but I also feel the need to visit the pigs in between in order to offer them some
mental stimulation.
It is said that pigs are as smart as dogs.
If this is true, I know that a great deal of their happiness is derived from
interpersonal interactions.
Ordinarily the pigs spend a portion of each day out in a pasture,
and so they have an opportunity to visit with goats, and turkeys and chickens.
But when the weather is so gloomy, they prefer to remain in the barn.
So......I do what I can to relieve their boredom.
I leave their stall door open so that they have free run of the barn; and
I open one of the stall doors so that the horses can visit them over the door.
This way they can visit with the cats, the horses, chickens and guineas
who are hanging out in the barn.
Tell me....am I crazy being concerned with the mental health of my animals?
Just so that you understand....
this is what happens when a person
who has spent her life caring for others ends up on a farm
surrounded by animals.
All kidding aside, I do feel a tremendous responsibility for the lives
of the animals on our farm.
They depend upon us for so much...
and give even more in return!
- Here A Flake, There A Flake, Everywhere A Snowflake!
Winter has arrived...a little early. It's been bitter cold...cold enough to freeze the edge of the pond and the autumn leaves that floated there. Yesterday morning, as I headed to the barn for chores,the scene was this: Out in the pasture the horses...
- Evening
We've been gifted with a few absolutely perfect days in a row.After weeks and weeks of intense heat and humidity,we are currently enjoying sunny days in the 70's with nights in the 50's to 60's.Perfect weather.Perfect! Finally I can spend...
- A Few Updates
Over the past few weeks I have told you a few stories...stories that need proper endings! First Moll Flanders.... Moll has decided that she is a free spirit and prefers to not "live" anywhere.So, every three days or so, Moll returns to the barn,eats...
- Frosty Days
It seems that Autumn has packed his bags and moved onward...a bit premature for my liking! Ole Man Winter was only too happy to move himself right into Autumn's place.And he's warned us that he is setting up camp for an extended period of time...unlike...
- Moonbeam
He is in need of a bath and some general grooming....but with the weather as it has been for the last several days (rainy), it will have to wait. Still....he is quite lovely, don't you think? Though a bit on the chubby side, (he really loves to graze)...