Rats and Birds, Ho Ho!

 Rats and Birds, Ho Ho!

 

Thompson and Sylvia have been sniffing and snorting and trying to dig a rat out from under the metal coop, and this morning they succeeded in scaring it out. It ran toward the fence but simply was not as fast as Thompson. He caught and killed the rotten rat! Sylvia got to “play” with the dead rat after Thompson let her have it, but she still has not managed to catch one on her own. Thankfully not too many rats reside on this hill. Of course, this might be one from Tony Zupkus’ field where he mowed the other day. Each time he mows, the field erupts in small creatures from the grasses. The hawks around here have a field day at least that one afternoon.

 

The doves wait until all the hens are out of the coops and then dive inside for breakfast. Think that is why the feeder is nearly always empty by noon! But have no idea how to prevent the doves from feeding in the coop. Wish someone who knew more than me about freeloaders could tell me what to do. But then, the black birds come to the water bowls and mess all around them and take baths until the water is nasty. That requires two changes of water each day. Deep sigh. Ah, being a chicken lady is not all fun and games.

 

Noticed on FB this morning that a really good photographer in the Gentry, Arkansas, area had died. Terry Stanfill took some of the most amazing pictures. Lately his pictures were much closer to home, and my guess is that his lungs were becoming increasingly congested. He had pulmonary fibrosis. It is sad to lose a good nature person who shared his love with others so effectively. Diann Dennis is the other Arkansas photographer that inspires my appreciation for nature and for that part of the country. Her family owns some land on a creek that runs through the area in the northeast of Arkansas. The pictures make me want to put my feet in that cold, cold water! But then, even Keith Mattson and his morning and evening shots of sunrises and sunsets has a good attitude toward God’s artistic works. Between the close ups provided by Ardie Jenkins and the roads and rivers of Arkansas provided by Terry and Diann, living in Texas can be enjoyed even more by simply remembering that we are provided with the best of nature no matter where we are.

 

Cindy Jones brought some turnips in a box of veggies the other day. Now my house smells a bit like turnip soup! Hoping that they turn out good. Love turnips raw or cooked!

 

Thompson came over to the bookcase and pawed at it this morning. The treat bucket is on a high shelf, but he knows that it is up there. Neither dog would leave me alone until they had had more than three treats. Finally had to say, “Gone, gone.” They didn’t believe me, but they went to lie down, at least. Not spoiled or anything!

 

This morning the thunder and lightning in the northwest looked very promising for someone—not us, but for someone. A cool breeze wafted around the yard, but it is much warmer now. Still, even a cool breeze can make life more interesting in the summertime.

 

Thinking that the tank on my deck could be put somewhere to catch rainwater, but need to think about a good place to catch it. If the tank is put on concrete blocks, it could be easily drained—maybe. Think it has a place to put a spigot, but not sure how exactly that can be done. May have to find a YouTube video.

 

More laundry is in the dryer now. It never ends around here. Two messy dogs and dirty shoes on an old woman. Oh well. At least we don’t live in the times when the floors were dirt and no one had more than a change of clothes! We are so very blessed in every way compared to those times.

 

A cloud cover and a good brisk wind have not let the temperature get very high so far. It is supposed to make it to 101 degrees. By this afternoon we may be roasting, but for the moment it is really nice out. The lake is ruffled all across the way and might be throwing a bit of moisture up the hill. We can do without pretty, glass-like surfaces for the moisture and the wind off the water. Can easily trade a lake mirror for a cool breeze almost any day!

 

If you have never seen a broody hen strutting around with her back arched and her wings dragging the ground, you simply have not lived! Two of the Cuckoo Marans are broody and in high dudgeon! The little black Maran is broody, but she is docile and doesn’t attack me. The other two are just looking for an excuse to peck! All three are currently in “jail” in the long coop until it gets too hot for them to be in there. Then they may each get a good dunking in the dog pool before they get to go back to a nest. The little black hen just sits there as if she thinks it is cool. The other two show their total lack of appreciation with big splashes and lots of squawking. Oh well.

 

Just in case you wonder how my exercise routine is going: Change water twice a day and clean out bowls; gather eggs two or three times a day and remove broody hens from nests; clean a chicken water bowl and put in VetRx for the general principle for the broody hens staying in jail; spray water under the deck to provide a cooler place for the rest of the hens; walk the east lots to look for trash and stuff that blows in or is tossed in by the weird neighbors; fill trash bin with broken down boxes; put trash out in bin; and finally, look longingly at the flower bed out front trying to decide if soaking the ground might be worth the effort of sitting down in there to pull crab grass. Deep sigh. The deep sighs take a lot of effort, ya know.

 

This is an early post today. Have two or three things to do that might keep me busy for the rest of the day—including, but not necessarily restricted to—watching movies. Praying as watching the sun come up this morning reminded me that our families and friends are God’s way of showing us how to love. May you appreciate and enjoy those opportunities.

 

Rest and be happy. You are loved.