tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72464553095633718612024-03-05T13:01:10.340-05:00a single featherJennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-12339762516086395602016-08-15T17:26:00.002-04:002016-08-16T11:17:19.692-04:00remembering Huck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>our dear boy Huck</b></div>
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with us<br />
Feb. 1, 2014- July 26, 2016<br />
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Huck was so many things I admired.</div>
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He was spirited and wild,</div>
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soulful and deep,<br />
and he was sweet and playful and noble, too.</div>
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His heart was valiant in every way,<br />
the embodiment of perseverance and pluck. </div>
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And boy, was he HAPPY!!! </div>
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In the short period of time we were lucky enough to have him, Huck taught us so much.</div>
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Welcoming him into our family became a crash course in so many things.</div>
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I'm still learning from him.<br />
I suspect I'll be learning from him for quite awhile.<br />
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He taught Bootsy even more about letting go.<br />
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He taught me more about patience, and devotion,<br />
and how the heart always has more room.<br />
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We both have gotten to experience yet again</div>
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how the painful price of broken-heartedness<br />
is still absolutely worth the experience of deep love and connection.</div>
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We know very little about Huck's life before us, or even how old he really was. </div>
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He was found as a stray in Kentucky, very emaciated and worn. </div>
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He was attacked severely by another dog while in foster care prior to coming to us, </div>
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though fortunately he escaped with few physical wounds.</div>
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When we first brought Huck home, he liked to hide behind things for security. </div>
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Once he decided we were trustworthy, there was no more hiding.</div>
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I was impressed with how quickly his heart was able to trust us, </div>
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especially after whatever he had been through. </div>
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As he gained trust and confidence in us, his nose came out more and more.</div>
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Huck was a sniffer extraordinaire!</div>
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A few sniffs and it seemed he could tell where we had been,</div>
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who we had seen (and if they had any pets), </div>
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and what we had been up to since he had sniffed us last.</div>
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When he sniffed our faces, it seemed he could tell exactly what we had eaten for lunch.</div>
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If he decided it was interesting, then we'd get a kiss. </div>
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I loved Huck's gentle kisses, so I always hoped that my lunch was interesting!</div>
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Huck loved to hang out in the kitchen.</div>
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There are no sous-chefs more devoted than rescue dogs with a history of starvation. </div>
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Our sweet boy was extremely thin when he first came home. </div>
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You can see above how he was all legs with a gaunt face.</div>
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That was even after about 6 weeks in rescue foster care, </div>
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getting fed extra portions every day for weight gain.</div>
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I get shivers thinking of how thin he must have been </div>
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when he was trying to survive in the world on his own.</div>
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Oh, honey boy. </div>
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How hard and awful it must have been.</div>
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Huck quickly won the heart of our big girl, Clara.</div>
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He squeezed his skinny self next to her in as many ways as he could.<br />
I loved that about him.<br />
Probably because I'm a squeezer-inner, too.<br />
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To be able to squeeze in next to someone gentle and loving<br />
is one of life's greatest pleasures, and deepest comforts.</div>
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Huck fell asleep in that position a lot,</div>
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closing his eyes, with his head bobbing down.</div>
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It was always so sweet to see. </div>
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We often found Huck and Clara </div>
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back to back</div>
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or butt to butt</div>
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and sometimes </div>
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paw to paw.</div>
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Huck also loved to follow us around, <br />
He kept watch over us and liked to be near, <br />
and would squeeze in where he could. <br />
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He had an extra special connection with his Mamma Boo.</div>
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Even if it seemed like he was asleep,<br />
he knew when she left,</div>
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and would usually not be far behind, </div>
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quietly going wherever she went.</div>
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Before his health really declined, Huck was able to come up to bed with us. </div>
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Sometimes he went up there and waited for us to arrive.<br />
What a welcoming feeling it was, to have him waiting there. <br />
Bedtime routines are such a sacred rhythm.</div>
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He was the sweetest sleeper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRG3Qe_oZTfxPjd-CZmI_p5JEnQ8FA_DPNGukH9mq7Y1tgMiRxmuZ-PbDeE3zFq2C2CHdFnpyqT9MMEAS52lYFW9z5jcw4W-OZuNT-h_sMhVnp99LiZWiVXwdj6225s6z72eg6okptVG1j/s1600/DSC09616.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRG3Qe_oZTfxPjd-CZmI_p5JEnQ8FA_DPNGukH9mq7Y1tgMiRxmuZ-PbDeE3zFq2C2CHdFnpyqT9MMEAS52lYFW9z5jcw4W-OZuNT-h_sMhVnp99LiZWiVXwdj6225s6z72eg6okptVG1j/s640/DSC09616.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and human-sized pillow<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPT5P9Cxsr3Jl-bCS12b29hI8XjM52LptvtJOO1790Hrf8e7sHAFnYwkdCa_ULQ5SwTfeGnzRVTvIspWn4KzVgjhulfjNXDSPKr0D6SMkY8v5tK-dGRjweyFeU3oXSKnYeD5uCG9zrVgGX/s1600/DSC09679.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPT5P9Cxsr3Jl-bCS12b29hI8XjM52LptvtJOO1790Hrf8e7sHAFnYwkdCa_ULQ5SwTfeGnzRVTvIspWn4KzVgjhulfjNXDSPKr0D6SMkY8v5tK-dGRjweyFeU3oXSKnYeD5uCG9zrVgGX/s1600/DSC09679.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPT5P9Cxsr3Jl-bCS12b29hI8XjM52LptvtJOO1790Hrf8e7sHAFnYwkdCa_ULQ5SwTfeGnzRVTvIspWn4KzVgjhulfjNXDSPKr0D6SMkY8v5tK-dGRjweyFeU3oXSKnYeD5uCG9zrVgGX/s640/DSC09679.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
and snuggler extraordinaire <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm-pKAPAoy2iTKmC9nB4p4sH1vF7giUa67W0ib94aVHhFeQ8Kig7PqZRYO6YrLmVYcECmJUhqgFHHjVQHIvS7x2VlSd2fREXeabQ7V5yVEBgSPDCQBmA2W1tcoEe4rlz8VM2lFS8T7klP/s1600/DSC09732.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm-pKAPAoy2iTKmC9nB4p4sH1vF7giUa67W0ib94aVHhFeQ8Kig7PqZRYO6YrLmVYcECmJUhqgFHHjVQHIvS7x2VlSd2fREXeabQ7V5yVEBgSPDCQBmA2W1tcoEe4rlz8VM2lFS8T7klP/s640/DSC09732.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I loved how attuned he was to us. </div>
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</div>
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If he felt us looking at him while he was sleeping,<br />
he would open his eyes and check-in with us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5BjsdBO1tBA7-REgy_0HnOXMIwtKPNXlfgX-1gnF5oSbPqpmQGQoLtlxdtQbEsqe-Si1QLLHA1XdrUjan5sj3V8rQJwqIlD8db2Rf2YE4WdnR0sF5hPpJ1FALvfi5bMoJiRxN4-Cbd6P/s1600/DSC09612.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5BjsdBO1tBA7-REgy_0HnOXMIwtKPNXlfgX-1gnF5oSbPqpmQGQoLtlxdtQbEsqe-Si1QLLHA1XdrUjan5sj3V8rQJwqIlD8db2Rf2YE4WdnR0sF5hPpJ1FALvfi5bMoJiRxN4-Cbd6P/s640/DSC09612.JPG" width="640" /></a>I hope he could see and feel the way we looked at him </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
with love in our hearts, and all over our faces. </div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCKPcgD_stXI2vPCiqJ2OP2dqtXDNaDcSH9xKb1ajRHOC0VB-jn_nqs9KYUqZLPVAUZgosfoToeLqPhnRo6RN-5bAu9P6LyvSlFsSTqx7UmLMgtSU-teyKy5cUosv5zCCM6o7N0jfvFsh/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCKPcgD_stXI2vPCiqJ2OP2dqtXDNaDcSH9xKb1ajRHOC0VB-jn_nqs9KYUqZLPVAUZgosfoToeLqPhnRo6RN-5bAu9P6LyvSlFsSTqx7UmLMgtSU-teyKy5cUosv5zCCM6o7N0jfvFsh/s640/IMG_0661.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Big smooshy faces of love all around!</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3GQNysem4jnmX7RfVfMaxY0ki9avuvmXiUQjaEHCmCRwkd4eXskhUE5VQalcQrFM9mhn7DSP1FfsZciMMPqAf4E_ErxZy0Xhm-7mo42vYz7ctTPsRvr2BAdmVrs1vw3JBHYX0sy98KiZ/s1600/DSC09977.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3GQNysem4jnmX7RfVfMaxY0ki9avuvmXiUQjaEHCmCRwkd4eXskhUE5VQalcQrFM9mhn7DSP1FfsZciMMPqAf4E_ErxZy0Xhm-7mo42vYz7ctTPsRvr2BAdmVrs1vw3JBHYX0sy98KiZ/s640/DSC09977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
When Huck was well and wild,<br />
he loved to scan the property. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He adored patrolling the back woods.<br />
He barked at airplanes like they were the most offensive intruders of the sky<br />
(I tend to agree with him). <br />
He also loved to give squirrels and chipmunks a quick chase. <br />
Even as his body failed him, Huck never fully surrendered the chase.<br />
Even if he could only hop a few steps in their direction,<br />
and even if he could only bark a hoarse and craggy whisper of a bark,<br />
it was enough to make woodland critters run the other way,<br />
and that satisfied him.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxpIqK24OG4B0vHTBAXgtJolXJw5rPGSjgB-H1JYTuUA-Tb0MNTnKDPHAtnSVkmuMDY5-2NErOa6HNVRkkHZrWgCfOaWkGUbAQ9x3ndMjb9UEP8Eq8G01oCK59xcdQ6Ey0-lVKsR9ExkQ/s1600/DSC09493.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
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Back in his running days,</div>
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we dubbed him "Houdini" after he devised ingenious ways to escape </div>
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from our fully fenced property over and over again. </div>
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One day he escaped not once, but twice up into the quarry.</div>
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We quickly scrambled up treacherous slag piles after him - broken ankles waiting to happen.</div>
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Luckily, we all always made it home unscathed, but all breathless:</div>
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us breathless with rock-climbing fatigue, Huck breathless with adventure. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eGn0X4YLlkt4_Ko7w-xaSLsWIP3tVJZ4aMR3V_1bTMzqzMFD8MDKOtSi6hnn5D1iLrPcumNQGZQEsVIn2En9p7VjEwdYwKKC5gojYMlXJy2SGDpife4QMFduwQtUfCZLf3dRRlQQN8IX/s1600/DSC03329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eGn0X4YLlkt4_Ko7w-xaSLsWIP3tVJZ4aMR3V_1bTMzqzMFD8MDKOtSi6hnn5D1iLrPcumNQGZQEsVIn2En9p7VjEwdYwKKC5gojYMlXJy2SGDpife4QMFduwQtUfCZLf3dRRlQQN8IX/s640/DSC03329.JPG" width="640" /></a> Huck loved the snow.</div>
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It added another dimension to adventure. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTEHtiv9rhYF-OCrovTZZsAvZ3hlQ7ABUQGUMZsCK1vyJ4joEVxlX587osmCKPIzul9iiQTbPlPo-f0Qrn-0hWvZXA-oENtcY3pBL1CaDxDrZuLfyddtW5sN5OZdIHh1cYHdJ5J2VrW-R/s1600/DSC03209.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTEHtiv9rhYF-OCrovTZZsAvZ3hlQ7ABUQGUMZsCK1vyJ4joEVxlX587osmCKPIzul9iiQTbPlPo-f0Qrn-0hWvZXA-oENtcY3pBL1CaDxDrZuLfyddtW5sN5OZdIHh1cYHdJ5J2VrW-R/s640/DSC03209.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We quickly learned that unlike Clara,<br />
Huck was not to be trusted around the chickens.</div>
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</div>
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He clamored to get in with them: jumping up, trying to dig under, etc.</div>
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It was great fun for him.<br />
Luckily there were no ruffled feathers, and he just had a very good time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMillPslq-y449DC7OAjnHym1N9dj32fbYMIXlM9gWP925UFSbN6IhJ5tDg-sfMsxrKDhVtf4-THxyS2KtMToiBEB6VUM-YFd2M7EOD1a2TA5WkzpxlidNcZnf7MCDGEku22P3DJs6hG5C/s1600/DSC01832.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMillPslq-y449DC7OAjnHym1N9dj32fbYMIXlM9gWP925UFSbN6IhJ5tDg-sfMsxrKDhVtf4-THxyS2KtMToiBEB6VUM-YFd2M7EOD1a2TA5WkzpxlidNcZnf7MCDGEku22P3DJs6hG5C/s640/DSC01832.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Clara and Huck had a funny habit</div>
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of convening together in the smallest room of the house.</div>
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The mud room, with just a narrow runner of a rug for them to fit on.</div>
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It's like two adults trying to fit onto a camping cot. </div>
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It made me smile to see them in there together. </div>
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Sometimes it seemed like they were consulting about their plans for the day, </div>
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or to see how the other's day had been going, much like we humans do around here.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>Dogs Planning The Day</u></div>
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<br /></div>
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Huck: "What should we do today?"</div>
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Clara: "We could relax and sleep. And sleep and relax."</div>
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"Oh, I know! We could make cute faces to see if those ladies will give us a bone! </div>
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It almost always works! I love bones!"</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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Huck: "Whose turn is it today to guard the back yard?"</div>
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Clara: "What's guarding?" "Why is that more important than a bone?" </div>
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Huck: "Oh, nevermind." </div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>And the Human Version:</u> </div>
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<br /></div>
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Boo: "What should we do today?"</div>
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</div>
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Me: "Relax? Lounge at the pool? Have a read aloud in the hammock? </div>
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Oooh, we could take the kayak out!</div>
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Let's make homemade ice cream and dance in the kitchen!"</div>
<br />
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Boo: "Let's do projects ABCD & E. And there are about 38 cleaning jobs </div>
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and there are outdoor jobs to infinity. And Clara needs a bath."</div>
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</div>
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Me: "Didn't I just vacuum? Didn't Clara just have a bath 2 weeks ago?" </div>
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</div>
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</div>
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"Why is that more important than homemade ice cream?" </div>
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Boo: "Oh, nevermind!"</div>
<br />
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Yes, indeed. Huck and Clara mirrored us very well.</div>
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Funny how the dogs we gravitate towards end up being so much like we are. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8u8bhp5kBjbsdC9qrc2C9mc-jcmfUon4VQsdBxoGS0tWz_64Cxq1rTp3z5adTo4N1NFP-6TfkxIfgnChnlRx1E7vHBkAcpwR4KdevlD_x6KcEbNvd5kkQHEOrbCaclOJXS1TfF4Pb1rb/s1600/DSC09806.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8u8bhp5kBjbsdC9qrc2C9mc-jcmfUon4VQsdBxoGS0tWz_64Cxq1rTp3z5adTo4N1NFP-6TfkxIfgnChnlRx1E7vHBkAcpwR4KdevlD_x6KcEbNvd5kkQHEOrbCaclOJXS1TfF4Pb1rb/s640/DSC09806.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Huck's absolute favorite thing was getting to GO.<br />
He was happy patrolling and guarding the premises here,<br />
but always yearned to go BEYOND.<br />
Go explore.<br />
Go follow a trail.<br />
Go catch the wind.<br />
Or a face full of mud.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Fulx0H3fiSnSs1qkk4OZ3kI3P8YvThaecw7PtaM6A-2AXmXqNx00TIIV7lHfPyarlcTXNP7-GJTS0JqkzQzuP6Zb08B4cBMITN9VanZS-JhEUmGbzynYSb-6wBDd9xSPqioO07t-MCWC/s1600/DSC09854.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Fulx0H3fiSnSs1qkk4OZ3kI3P8YvThaecw7PtaM6A-2AXmXqNx00TIIV7lHfPyarlcTXNP7-GJTS0JqkzQzuP6Zb08B4cBMITN9VanZS-JhEUmGbzynYSb-6wBDd9xSPqioO07t-MCWC/s640/DSC09854.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Huck ran with great excitement on his way out of the boundaries here,</div>
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and he would go
at quite a clip the whole time headed away. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But the second (literally,
the second) of turning around to return home, </div>
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he started to move like
molasses. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Soooooo slow. </div>
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It wasn't that he didn't care about home. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was that he wanted to prolong the fun of the journey </div>
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as long
as he could!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_nOxXHqt3iwqL-aZUR0263lc41XZ_0rAwLee5qrh6CZALYjUMXhiZivWyx2GZCgzEA6FdHXFZoBBkjIGmIoI6I4Dt2dWC602Hs69VdXS8R603-xMDroQPxUF6wVPCXb1fDJyjHGU25Yk/s1600/DSC01346.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_nOxXHqt3iwqL-aZUR0263lc41XZ_0rAwLee5qrh6CZALYjUMXhiZivWyx2GZCgzEA6FdHXFZoBBkjIGmIoI6I4Dt2dWC602Hs69VdXS8R603-xMDroQPxUF6wVPCXb1fDJyjHGU25Yk/s640/DSC01346.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The only time he ever returned home at a non-sluggish pace was with a rabbit in his mouth,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
though he still walked slowly enough for anyone and everyone to adequately see his treasure. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDBLwOMmQXs60VnWEBxo70J5flH4rv0yVTqEHa4WOFfyRThFe__1sEcKIisNv1xfZcCllMwnIQXa5slKb-9vFteSX7NxmTOev6z3vWnqzt2D35_9BR4jFCNXHSEELZUaAX2qfaYJauTXC/s1600/DSC09600.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDBLwOMmQXs60VnWEBxo70J5flH4rv0yVTqEHa4WOFfyRThFe__1sEcKIisNv1xfZcCllMwnIQXa5slKb-9vFteSX7NxmTOev6z3vWnqzt2D35_9BR4jFCNXHSEELZUaAX2qfaYJauTXC/s640/DSC09600.JPG" width="640" /></a> A rare and special play-time when Huck was well enough!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Watching two great Pyrs play sometimes feels like watching an avalanche tumble off a mountain.</div>
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One of the saddest things for us was that they didn't get to play more. </div>
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Clara had never gotten to play much with our other dogs (they were all senior citizens),</div>
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so when she finally got a brother her size, she was thrilled! </div>
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Clara continued to try to play with him, even when he could barely stand. </div>
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When he couldn't reciprocate, she still seemed to feel like they were playing.</div>
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Maybe they were.</div>
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Or maybe his presence was all she needed to feel playful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShChyn6D5mzi71RwvcLm3Oiy-GzpJB92NFGOVr8k5cBiohhR8IreGWZV2nUVNcqyfaRk2W_B8Alacvc7TVpfzwuJN5FQMn1hXvoaMuQDr4T3Ihwz4vJdham3mUxAKPHyRN1kUSsU3YpFb/s1600/IMG_0460.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShChyn6D5mzi71RwvcLm3Oiy-GzpJB92NFGOVr8k5cBiohhR8IreGWZV2nUVNcqyfaRk2W_B8Alacvc7TVpfzwuJN5FQMn1hXvoaMuQDr4T3Ihwz4vJdham3mUxAKPHyRN1kUSsU3YpFb/s640/IMG_0460.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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His presence was delightful.</div>
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It was all we needed for our hearts to melt<br />
and our egos to fade into the backdrop.<br />
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By April 2015, the cancer in Huck's right front leg had become too painful.<br />
Huck was already living in the miracle zone.<br />
Bootsy fought it off as long as she could with all of her natural magic. <br />
Longer than anyone believed was possible.<br />
</div>
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We were left with only one option if he was to have a chance at living much longer.<br />
He had to say goodbye to that leg. </div>
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</div>
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It was one of the most brutal decisions we've ever had to make. </div>
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So we cried and cried.<br />
<br />
I prayed and prayed.<br />
Bootsy wished she believed in something so that she could pray.<br />
Then she prayed anyway. </div>
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<br />
To have the limb cut off of someone you love,<br />
when that limb is part of the rhythm of their every natural movement,<br />
and everything they love to do...<br />
Talk about heartache.<br />
We tried explaining it all to him.<br />
<br />
He was willing to trade his leg for more time.<br />
<br />
So unfair.<br />
But he was at peace about it.<br />
He accepted it with his usual stoic grace and poise.<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiYVtDCjKqaUCTZdF3c2wAT_erLKLOEnW0p4Up-op6_rUG6hitVLjq7kz-ckHXmKqp8C_vkpteNmE6rSjtxbivrrwmaRpsCkPGh87R1yZ_jmEaXs3HIBZ4n39FFxY9i52FZtZ1MfEb1tG/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiYVtDCjKqaUCTZdF3c2wAT_erLKLOEnW0p4Up-op6_rUG6hitVLjq7kz-ckHXmKqp8C_vkpteNmE6rSjtxbivrrwmaRpsCkPGh87R1yZ_jmEaXs3HIBZ4n39FFxY9i52FZtZ1MfEb1tG/s640/IMG_0301.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Good-bye leg.</div>
<br />
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As long as I shall live, </div>
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I will never forget the heartache of watching him limp away
from us, </div>
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down the long hallway at the vet hospital, </div>
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trusting the student who took his leash out of our hands, </div>
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looking up at her with his smile</div>
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as she took him to prep for the amputation. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I will also never forget the explosive joy I felt, </div>
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watching him emerge from that same hallway, still wondrously alive (!),</div>
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</div>
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and learning how to navigate on 3 legs with his big body. </div>
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It was like
watching him return from the dead.</div>
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Wobbling and hobbling and shaking on their ridiculously slippery floor.</div>
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But he did it, that brave boy. </div>
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He did it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSbrpirLAdjbiHVHSaKrhndbmTNzKsyJbRsIQN1u_84OpyPFXMPki6ZJw7knQzoU1XN4S8qzOXGCEUcpthxv04GIHE4altzkl7ZNdKemYexUbECBjfCu-9obVIJFxYLJ_JmCoIpZPDfK5/s1600/DSC03494.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSbrpirLAdjbiHVHSaKrhndbmTNzKsyJbRsIQN1u_84OpyPFXMPki6ZJw7knQzoU1XN4S8qzOXGCEUcpthxv04GIHE4altzkl7ZNdKemYexUbECBjfCu-9obVIJFxYLJ_JmCoIpZPDfK5/s640/DSC03494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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brave boy, recovering...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Huck never let anything get him down for long, or maybe even ever.<br />
He never seemed to feel sorry for himself. <br />
He just kept adapting. And re-adapting. <br />
And adapting some more.</div>
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He was so determined to enjoy every moment he was given,</div>
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every bit of life his body would allow him to have.</div>
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Another one of the many things I admired about him. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhaQF5UmQ7ppCctVwCzsM719dkbtsapEmnJKbTUtLPSiptKKDDF6Z_Tln9xjwy2vAGKch50_5Eg9i4WC4txo4RpjM8tIpL8Nj1dZr8IesMSYVRKQfYyyBPv0Ie89LUHL8S0dr6Swj-Qga/s1600/DSC03551.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhaQF5UmQ7ppCctVwCzsM719dkbtsapEmnJKbTUtLPSiptKKDDF6Z_Tln9xjwy2vAGKch50_5Eg9i4WC4txo4RpjM8tIpL8Nj1dZr8IesMSYVRKQfYyyBPv0Ie89LUHL8S0dr6Swj-Qga/s640/DSC03551.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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happiness again!</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYy8xuGzgEFeDoPxBCejdWNrigLJaZyqI0az47QTHWQ_c3pEwOzX5QJ6D_LlzY-ZkgpFdOmj5kbXVrHwdhfs9ojv7nyJEsQ_AkWz1Ea-_3Xs82Mlu9nE_h-WYTAfUPTI_5YebJ6oEtWgp/s640/DSC03600.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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still able to explore for awhile longer!</div>
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Running was no longer possible, </div>
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but Huck became a very happy hopper,</div>
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and on his strong days, he was able to get a good stride.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Watching Huck on his 3 legs made my heart do somersaults a lot.</div>
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When I let myself really experience the wonder of him,</div>
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I flooded with feelings: </div>
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amazed, honored, proud, humbled, aching,</div>
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all of it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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There is hardly anything on this Earth so poignant</div>
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as a 3 legged dog who loves life and just doesn't give up: </div>
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the true meaning of <i><b>dogged</b></i>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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That was Huck.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlUyeYGt0bwHux-MutjIpKU5kIyYirpMgQepL2kkbzDikOB_4GOgjIW_VkNXxYTidxxUNsFsGyxOdsPn5dsfSrrQmM3vyvjcJWPXLDYKR-yAFWCrcryQcrFHKt1Z0pZvzVsWjxHgOIeKx/s1600/DSC04546.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlUyeYGt0bwHux-MutjIpKU5kIyYirpMgQepL2kkbzDikOB_4GOgjIW_VkNXxYTidxxUNsFsGyxOdsPn5dsfSrrQmM3vyvjcJWPXLDYKR-yAFWCrcryQcrFHKt1Z0pZvzVsWjxHgOIeKx/s640/DSC04546.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div>
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Always a precious sight to behold.</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicl38sZEVGVe-DmSyPrkeYdNOwmYM3Ix__TyjejuGL8GCEto0V6nLjC3oXL22Ed3-esl8DfVzfKFwV8jR8Z0yq7KuZA2ThCGqkc41XbTeyayU5dkrMwIE-bE2ITRAxWpUct-b4vLQtWheS/s640/IMG_0216.JPG" width="640" /> </div>
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As the wear and tear on his remaining legs took its toll,</div>
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Huck's mobility on 3 legs started to fade.</div>
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</div>
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He even suffered an infection in one of his rear paws,</div>
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causing him to be more like a 2 legged dog for awhile.</div>
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</div>
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His health declines came in phases and waves. </div>
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Clara often stayed near him and watched over him during a downturn. </div>
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</div>
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<br />
Both self-contained and independent dogs, </div>
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they still shared an orbit of connection around each other. </div>
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It was so touching to see her tender ways of loving him.<br />
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After he had to say goodbye to his leg, </div>
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he became even easier to snuggle and nuzzle into... no leg in the way! </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNETKBQKMjyouRM7dOHswq-9I7DQXu_LIsVk2CwcUSOB_dQGcE3pYzsSJWvUdJxFML2PL__RiOOUni4tZzuBV9d4XOa7JODA9KrxV6exJFc0ZeSYQ1SHOlK6kXzqgRdgPY9ovoKmKPV4n/s1600/IMG_0265.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNETKBQKMjyouRM7dOHswq-9I7DQXu_LIsVk2CwcUSOB_dQGcE3pYzsSJWvUdJxFML2PL__RiOOUni4tZzuBV9d4XOa7JODA9KrxV6exJFc0ZeSYQ1SHOlK6kXzqgRdgPY9ovoKmKPV4n/s640/IMG_0265.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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We all loved him, snuggled him, </div>
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and watched over him.</div>
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<br /></div>
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxpIqK24OG4B0vHTBAXgtJolXJw5rPGSjgB-H1JYTuUA-Tb0MNTnKDPHAtnSVkmuMDY5-2NErOa6HNVRkkHZrWgCfOaWkGUbAQ9x3ndMjb9UEP8Eq8G01oCK59xcdQ6Ey0-lVKsR9ExkQ/s640/DSC09493.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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He used to put his arm around us, and hug us back.</div>
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What a sweet boy he was. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcKI5_6IIqLOcLpLsbPJfhj7iwc0QIKf19Na4TvFmOvc4ioej2tzlC-E1j2MQN_pIcNb7GV4UifdigMG6ZvtZZbIzIyD_Xdc_Q45RoS_6h6R-0SdBlpNzYnj9Woi2OSuZKHCd7AHkVacI/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcKI5_6IIqLOcLpLsbPJfhj7iwc0QIKf19Na4TvFmOvc4ioej2tzlC-E1j2MQN_pIcNb7GV4UifdigMG6ZvtZZbIzIyD_Xdc_Q45RoS_6h6R-0SdBlpNzYnj9Woi2OSuZKHCd7AHkVacI/s640/IMG_0063.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Huck discovered that when you have 3 legs, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
basically everything you do is considered cute. </div>
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Even just sitting. </div>
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And looking.</div>
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It was so sad for us when Huck couldn't come up to bed at night anymore.</div>
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He didn't seem to mind, though,<br />
because it was so much easier for his body to stay on the first floor. </div>
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He assumed a new role as protector of the lower realm of the house.</div>
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A critical role indeed, and he did an excellent job of it!</div>
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The moment we walked up the stairs to bed, he immediately commenced a round of barking,</div>
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a warning to let the whole world know he was there, listening and sniffing.</div>
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We were his flock.</div>
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Even when he wasn't that well,</div>
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Huck loved to be a little playful with us if he could.</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6wc6D7qSpYMvy_9WaAWIa3g6DxnJlIcwoToOFnSAyLRbhVQ1sYYktN78TtJ30IbcXYlbJJVKg1qxv1-QGKl-iqR6ffC7MFD25t4Ibd0w8oFzz1YLo95udA7F_k-gAbACqX9ChQ8CB-D7/s640/IMG_2240.JPG" width="640" /><br />
He delighted in the feeling of the grass!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA_dSBdC2oGNpP5pMCClQNUx0L2acPyB-_UTFSng-si11ClSI8BB3JNntw-rPfa-Umdv9wh-kYD8zJT-vEaEU2D_FH_gUGd0glq4AoUfPtFjFQoAOOrJwuikEDO_XAH81Cx4VMMCAB-ow/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA_dSBdC2oGNpP5pMCClQNUx0L2acPyB-_UTFSng-si11ClSI8BB3JNntw-rPfa-Umdv9wh-kYD8zJT-vEaEU2D_FH_gUGd0glq4AoUfPtFjFQoAOOrJwuikEDO_XAH81Cx4VMMCAB-ow/s640/IMG_0351.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicl38sZEVGVe-DmSyPrkeYdNOwmYM3Ix__TyjejuGL8GCEto0V6nLjC3oXL22Ed3-esl8DfVzfKFwV8jR8Z0yq7KuZA2ThCGqkc41XbTeyayU5dkrMwIE-bE2ITRAxWpUct-b4vLQtWheS/s1600/IMG_0216.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> Since getting out and having adventures was Huck's very favorite thing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bootsy really tried to make that happen for him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
First she got him his own set of wheels.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately, he didn't really have the strength in his rear legs to propel himself,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and getting in and out and turning was very tricky.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It never seemed to fit right. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was not impressed.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What ended up working much better,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and what we wish we had discovered sooner,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was this giant stroller cart.</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2l1XxH52iPtQlGKzu7ictFKF2HF1PO4-KsePxj_PJ_P5SJk3ilpfX8IEPNSwea1F10tnWIgqdsurAtZXMp4cN3oBCd7WgXKGMtDLL3ZPPi21ijBNvMusmQP6kkWr5fYk5IjxRSIheCVB/s640/IMG_0591.JPG" width="480" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's made by Cycle Tote; they convert bike trailers for special needs.<br />
Look at that smile!</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYMxAH8_PbjohI41SQpOfSUkLLBLKepK7uEuJ6U-nLdk9JS9IQ8SMmBNlN3r0pIDaOmBR7sN-TYWEHIyreNoQyfj3wyv4yKqilXY3TFz4LoM_B3CmQqZju23a1j24aGHJc64IDhj5qM9q/s640/IMG_0597.JPG" width="480" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It gave him a few more precious ventures out into the great beyond,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
meeting new people,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and catching scents on the wind.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoRfaiTKjBXuPTh7qPdGx95b_kKezbWIL_K-K48g7LMdyY2GaaYbqA-tZTuC4EL4tx7iGkgNIZK2MyUQI_s23uqMfN-cJxqfMnEy2jQvwcQ83IZdx7rXMhqb9Mk-MGpG_dKvZDPqXTSD4/s640/IMG_0690.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Huck especially loved it when we removed the sunshade on the top.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He wanted to see everything he could.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He loved his few ventures out in the dog-mobile,<br />
and we loved providing them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a gift for all of us.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngvzlt0lLKrZ0Q0IkfqlpN3X-2eSC0eSLQtYGAOwcm98SCbqyCMWtF-nK_1DpEi7EzkVmZDjnlPpxHXuNDS3HMpqGcy6OulKBl_LN08pu2or4ReL5WHg0XVgGN03FgjAhxuJUs_YY7_w8/s640/IMG_0746.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Huck loved visitors!<br />
He greeted everyone who came.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here he is above with Jackson and Carolina,<br />
who had just treated the dogs to one of their favorite things: bananas!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Days when he could not get up easily for a greeting,<br />
Bootsy would either lift him up, or he would bark his hoarse bark</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
until the visitors got the message to come over to say Hello to him! </div>
<br />
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrOtAHdzB9dtSbdXDgY9in_wz4jXt-dNZopBFTNus80zWlLtrl9QlI9jjV8p3LZrnMTHm0CYa1nCsaYvNHdqBCI5IPPvfEO2cvBKjC0eobBDWGfai6khoEzFTWYaQ8s7MJF_BEGS9B0Zj/s640/IMG_2153.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Huck loved the sunlight, too.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHudnDRy4p6rcqqM8IH91w34RurL2NxsYAxpnDG11SueuxZ-KW9QEGV0j0NTZprf8XkvoV95IfECxwIKYU8qmANFt5B3-AoA049O2dZSQXgUBFyU5RGR-nOxq0A_36wjXCpo-EA4Z2F33/s640/IMG_2202.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<br />
He was great at catching it. <br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lYSmlhH5N36A2xo7ZzagHsZjiEXkMZMY1QZwoJe_3Ry2_uJgbn9V8EAUZdnigXsq5e-RqSW0-Ab1ZwzMenbmQ2DQElpSuhrViP8eF9ZnffHU4vY-UT8rFYN90oPd1IlwjzBSllLUovnr/s640/IMG_2191.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIEGa3806O1Czzu5DoneCeQZ8Yrb5ZvPPGX4VuI-KU3sONXtExtD68mKBvT567uCzCX27JuSL9WAcIEdu8JFYoQto2fi2rYpJC_Eja5_aBAfZyaW4VlPmjfZ2M6FXQvRKDm1e6KAVNJhG/s640/IMG_2622.JPG" width="640" /> Clara continued to check in on him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Especially on the harder days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QrGc287E3shU1Vv-ZB6gtGx00JEAIQORVmy-kAnqeD7xVpkcMVweXYc11xj7lVjk5ciQSgMl8gTqbbd_VsPJF1o6TEfQTELw6z2L6Z-GkN_tmNjldVqNEZeYu40oGqMWgo00LiZJLr-C/s640/IMG_2462.JPG" width="640" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Huck was very wise about what his body needed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He found comfrey patches and ate from them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And if it seemed like he wanted to get over the comfrey, and he just couldn't make it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bootsy carried him over to it, or harvested some, and brought it to him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6WVfCljrHUJ0kih09V2t34Vl9VuSQdr2ZmpmkBO1zfVp_UqQoXaO4Lm93twt7JBSBtXXFkiwfwyBELutT58CVO0OwJfHPXpuJkTtayjgO9zOG2jV7XhY0i6G66m1WLni8xaK_1Kyg9y8/s1600/IMG_2479.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6WVfCljrHUJ0kih09V2t34Vl9VuSQdr2ZmpmkBO1zfVp_UqQoXaO4Lm93twt7JBSBtXXFkiwfwyBELutT58CVO0OwJfHPXpuJkTtayjgO9zOG2jV7XhY0i6G66m1WLni8xaK_1Kyg9y8/s640/IMG_2479.JPG" width="640" /></a> He would just fall back when he got too weak or too tired. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bootsy was ever-watchful of his needs, wherever he was,<br />
all hours of the day and night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Continually checking.<br />
Listening.<br />
Looking. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaP6nDMh3tVDn006ehawE3FHIninR6Dr9krjjpf7Iujej9cyXnIGPkosZbzaSY-eG6OIWREXJnCvQKzHwrynRrZt3fYnP-FaFHBfBpFjqTBsErCfpPY9d9gYgAGVmBSNTHCUivw9hfg1j/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaP6nDMh3tVDn006ehawE3FHIninR6Dr9krjjpf7Iujej9cyXnIGPkosZbzaSY-eG6OIWREXJnCvQKzHwrynRrZt3fYnP-FaFHBfBpFjqTBsErCfpPY9d9gYgAGVmBSNTHCUivw9hfg1j/s640/IMG_2486.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If he tired and couldn't ambulate, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she was at the ready, swooping in with his harness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I liked to think of it as his magic red cape.</div>
<br />
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda8VWyyRplLSLderqc3V4kFBUur2OidHzF8k_-w_cyZEHU4gJqTmakiayGi344UYFiCG758jlovLwCn0hC7L4i8yMQhBAcx1pKiynshIERucP7Rea8qA4KS0vqjv3MhTuZyAT4S0sE4a3/s640/IMG_2488.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some days he was so weak, his rear end just stopped completely,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so she carried him.</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG7POfANksj_WHIXMKTPuQP28XNOZET2Bm2Wsxz-mQ3DymPPUTT_TpRdWtI9xtrQXYFQXY43xfGL_HqbNBmTI4iDifWbxF3Dnts7wN1mU4MMtcE8FeySJ3mcBZ_y2KFZpYGTrL5LVDvrb/s1600/IMG_2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG7POfANksj_WHIXMKTPuQP28XNOZET2Bm2Wsxz-mQ3DymPPUTT_TpRdWtI9xtrQXYFQXY43xfGL_HqbNBmTI4iDifWbxF3Dnts7wN1mU4MMtcE8FeySJ3mcBZ_y2KFZpYGTrL5LVDvrb/s640/IMG_2535.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As his body failed him, I sometimes wondered if<br />
when he closed his eyes, and felt the wind on his face,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if he was imagining himself running like he used to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdk7C1y2mPEeNIX-ijzXBmtm9lF02yDR1bfSl7Q0Xt0FNWXgklkjvCHQNlAUEWpsMMYI5vbzilqy5l2l_RE1x6h5W465mZ9b7Ye7QBySQkHyJpfUpQ1WDnD-jQAA5ofe_0G34FEA8M34y/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdk7C1y2mPEeNIX-ijzXBmtm9lF02yDR1bfSl7Q0Xt0FNWXgklkjvCHQNlAUEWpsMMYI5vbzilqy5l2l_RE1x6h5W465mZ9b7Ye7QBySQkHyJpfUpQ1WDnD-jQAA5ofe_0G34FEA8M34y/s640/IMG_2572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZFehmzBF17kPJt9AKaHmrtusOnGSOhY1KQQngAieDsjpzfGxAxPlv1MWbo5XV63-7ZxWb61zSvXj6Ize13g2HL-2t8L0w5Mmk1V1IMwHaBo7AKYqQB7tVPQvI61mKn1SaDs7m1d_LxA1/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZFehmzBF17kPJt9AKaHmrtusOnGSOhY1KQQngAieDsjpzfGxAxPlv1MWbo5XV63-7ZxWb61zSvXj6Ize13g2HL-2t8L0w5Mmk1V1IMwHaBo7AKYqQB7tVPQvI61mKn1SaDs7m1d_LxA1/s640/IMG_2594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We didn't think he'd make it much longer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Good days and bad days mixed,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and the good days losing ground. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStJW8ED4W7nQZkPxbT4fVhNNW-IHANgXBKrpULky35Uksv7b9PhSKJzZGbCIj7u_e3KtSKboBg71e3NKgkseB_NJKmGID69T_b7rmBkLcN0AkEERpgf_7C3uR9GrHehjBp7f99MmQVS6Y/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStJW8ED4W7nQZkPxbT4fVhNNW-IHANgXBKrpULky35Uksv7b9PhSKJzZGbCIj7u_e3KtSKboBg71e3NKgkseB_NJKmGID69T_b7rmBkLcN0AkEERpgf_7C3uR9GrHehjBp7f99MmQVS6Y/s640/IMG_1897.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
We were very doubtful that he'd make it to our wedding night, but he did! <br />
<br />
He felt all the special energy gathering, and wanted to be a part of it. <br />
<br />
Never have I seen a sweeter or more noble effort. <br />
Huck struggled to his feet and hobbled on his shaky legs<br />
out to greet people and be with us. <br />
It was the most touching thing. <br />
<br />
He took a tumble coming down the stairs,<br />
but everyone scooped him right up with such love,<br />
and helped him to his feet again.<br />
<br />
Our wedding was the last time he was really able to rally.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think that maybe Huck was hanging on for that day.<br />
<br />
We're so deeply honored and grateful<br />
to have had him here,<br />
that it meant so much to him<br />
to hang on for our marriage.<br />
<br />
--------------- </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We knew Huck's time was winding down.<br />
Of course didn't want to face it.<br />
We kept thinking he might rally again, one more time.<br />
<br />
On the last day, it was staring us right in the face,<br />
and we couldn't pretend.<br />
The look in his eyes said unequivocally:<br />
this is <i>happening</i><br />
whether we are ready or not. <br />
<br />
It didn't matter <br />
that it was unfair and unjust. <br />
<br />
It didn't matter<br />
that our time together had been painfully short.<br />
<br />
This is it.<br />
<br />
No miracles left:<br />
no magic remedies or herbs,<br />
no cure made out of love and devotion.<br />
<br />
The miracle is that we were given all that we were.<br />
And let us be grateful for it. <br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjFKDwk7v7nBAEsEiFg0BatIpjVCZ1NaQG5f5UODU5l2H3WnyZPHqtzKG-lKOEFb2RPk7WGBnkyheKfZhPFaNTiQ1WuoNPB7askumYU4QNj_jOVSfhgDUHFAiRaMtYzBoLcC11B61UWe6/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjFKDwk7v7nBAEsEiFg0BatIpjVCZ1NaQG5f5UODU5l2H3WnyZPHqtzKG-lKOEFb2RPk7WGBnkyheKfZhPFaNTiQ1WuoNPB7askumYU4QNj_jOVSfhgDUHFAiRaMtYzBoLcC11B61UWe6/s640/IMG_0758.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The other side of loving is so painful. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's no way around it. <br />
The departure rips and hurts so deeply. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5f_ffEcdJ_M0pz5Mmo_YThFBa9QbZ9vUE1b03jvbsdodJ2F7fR1zUdM9peeCfh5e8aXLxSDW7ZKd-MfGZgKqSzHOltTT1NHhRfmXX0hZiieS-dUKyvOlel5CMw4thK7Agh9qDuEhMC_P/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5f_ffEcdJ_M0pz5Mmo_YThFBa9QbZ9vUE1b03jvbsdodJ2F7fR1zUdM9peeCfh5e8aXLxSDW7ZKd-MfGZgKqSzHOltTT1NHhRfmXX0hZiieS-dUKyvOlel5CMw4thK7Agh9qDuEhMC_P/s640/IMG_0799.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Huck always had a smile. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even on his last day, breathing hard and ragged through the pain... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even in his last hour, he had smiles for us.<br />
We had smiles through the tears, for him, too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSceaG94sVuMK5Da6JPtwrv_3nNcji_n8uGISGnpSVYOf86Hjfda6FIL1Rm7dcWgm2m_V9-01Q4DrGoE6Zu1Tz3t4UqD0wCyX8oTx3Jhq-A2QcMiIESJLRE23h5tWgovJOrrNxBFDn-mm/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSceaG94sVuMK5Da6JPtwrv_3nNcji_n8uGISGnpSVYOf86Hjfda6FIL1Rm7dcWgm2m_V9-01Q4DrGoE6Zu1Tz3t4UqD0wCyX8oTx3Jhq-A2QcMiIESJLRE23h5tWgovJOrrNxBFDn-mm/s640/IMG_0784.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the touching of paws. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFDdByAeOb_-UfYUlV-UIOrZ3ZYP63xgoO0JqpiEbsYGcaJj6Z8dGKoQnuSsfl8bbNAljJTDS2o-Qx89SKlXB56h0zwDFJLUdzxvU9if1eSYwNefr3d9Lbcn48c4nqxPJ0DLLFCevaBnG/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFDdByAeOb_-UfYUlV-UIOrZ3ZYP63xgoO0JqpiEbsYGcaJj6Z8dGKoQnuSsfl8bbNAljJTDS2o-Qx89SKlXB56h0zwDFJLUdzxvU9if1eSYwNefr3d9Lbcn48c4nqxPJ0DLLFCevaBnG/s640/IMG_3414.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As Huck was preparing to leave,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I noticed the way the sunlight felt special.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See the outline of a heart shape coming through the trees? </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXlvhXspiMIhGBA2ci1EAe6SzVDwQ7VvzzUNl98Md6VLNtpDrqVJs3eg8l_ohtd4ibDeoiNNw2PqZ3SGDAOSZeYttHldutBmQ8j8AaeTkmO5USJuHMIZIq9RK2lxmSXRREN4LJE5Rg0Ms/s1600/IMG_3425.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXlvhXspiMIhGBA2ci1EAe6SzVDwQ7VvzzUNl98Md6VLNtpDrqVJs3eg8l_ohtd4ibDeoiNNw2PqZ3SGDAOSZeYttHldutBmQ8j8AaeTkmO5USJuHMIZIq9RK2lxmSXRREN4LJE5Rg0Ms/s640/IMG_3425.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sure a skeptic would find a perfectly uninspiring scientific reason<br />
for optical phenomena like orbs of light.<br />
<br />
I think there can be more than one reason.<br />
More than one explanation.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Watch the blue orb emerge from the sun, and come down.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvezWd_kQODfVuq6QrWVJu-wK8geJ5qiPzTyuruKSOGB1y7ePONqbpPeWmrh6YuxZE_MMPk97oHM854VsNdkZbC3gogyZudYFosPc5l4qodmCKeByGRJYf_UchNwW9cwawMTt-P5aEhBE/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvezWd_kQODfVuq6QrWVJu-wK8geJ5qiPzTyuruKSOGB1y7ePONqbpPeWmrh6YuxZE_MMPk97oHM854VsNdkZbC3gogyZudYFosPc5l4qodmCKeByGRJYf_UchNwW9cwawMTt-P5aEhBE/s640/IMG_3412.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I felt spirits around us, coming in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-OGeoDfZKVPSU8ludSTTFCC_Nx9oqW2R9GlainWut2_Z1-n8pZaPWTFAEoHsSLFAg8ppfmV_gNEuIpmq6vi0GNv78M2kDN4omO0twn4_Ll_EOQvB2De0qzJBH05BnQJtlVnOuX5GRjqL/s1600/IMG_3427.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-OGeoDfZKVPSU8ludSTTFCC_Nx9oqW2R9GlainWut2_Z1-n8pZaPWTFAEoHsSLFAg8ppfmV_gNEuIpmq6vi0GNv78M2kDN4omO0twn4_Ll_EOQvB2De0qzJBH05BnQJtlVnOuX5GRjqL/s640/IMG_3427.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
!!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC93_ct1Z5kKVZehlf_k42XOapiKb_rAaYjOHJ78uPX0WPVWPpDEeuCthJSUP116X0cigtD-ILCUUAAkN1G5mR3E4QkURgwhAgPSNPSgmCD0FZ1KxdoTGfr7CZTWzFu4XF5LfqiSAqq-N/s1600/IMG_0826.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC93_ct1Z5kKVZehlf_k42XOapiKb_rAaYjOHJ78uPX0WPVWPpDEeuCthJSUP116X0cigtD-ILCUUAAkN1G5mR3E4QkURgwhAgPSNPSgmCD0FZ1KxdoTGfr7CZTWzFu4XF5LfqiSAqq-N/s640/IMG_0826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Other orbs, maybe other spirits.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The air felt laden with holiness. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think it's completely conceivable that if spirit has Light,<br />
and Light is energy, and energy never dies (even science says it just transforms!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe that also could mean that Spirit may travel easily<br />
with Light<br />
and through Light.<br />
(Maybe Light can be a vessel, just like the body.)<br />
<br />
I don't have any doubt that Huck's Spirit<br />
was made of Light. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
--------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgfmq9G6oOSv-U2LHvhkxEMxLrEz69ju9sE51U_9ObMqe1w9Jtm_pOVtomThgtqJAhRZeY-wf7XHnvmSTheHiLwaDQdBKgXowVFZEqM2T15gUkiiKq003CPR3RLkfT4k-gzAbUoQTVhih/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgfmq9G6oOSv-U2LHvhkxEMxLrEz69ju9sE51U_9ObMqe1w9Jtm_pOVtomThgtqJAhRZeY-wf7XHnvmSTheHiLwaDQdBKgXowVFZEqM2T15gUkiiKq003CPR3RLkfT4k-gzAbUoQTVhih/s640/IMG_3773.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Huck's big body was tucked gently into the earth that same night.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
His body is now growing a garden,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
including some of his beloved comfrey.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Such good medicine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTT_kl5NfCG0nwCqkUQxrvzNLFAFEeCZyAWv87AqFkJOo-VAvkaF_0XaWYGeiBKDsUhgtNcboLcHCIy3EqYDKC02MEsQk29AgDwVKmASZtZURZh6RBuWkdi8_KU_XmPRnw-Dm7bQdfHBZ/s1600/IMG_3772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTT_kl5NfCG0nwCqkUQxrvzNLFAFEeCZyAWv87AqFkJOo-VAvkaF_0XaWYGeiBKDsUhgtNcboLcHCIy3EqYDKC02MEsQk29AgDwVKmASZtZURZh6RBuWkdi8_KU_XmPRnw-Dm7bQdfHBZ/s640/IMG_3772.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I placed an inukshuk on his grave.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inukshuk means "likeness of a human."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inukshuk are stone monuments used by the Inuit and other Arctic peoples</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to symbolize that someone was here.<br />
<br />
Huck was someone special.<br />
And he was here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Inukshuk were also used as navigational devices, and as memorials.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope it ensures Huck always knows his way home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His home with us, and his eternal home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
May he travel between the worlds easily,<br />
so we can feel him often. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqViGjHBXBJ3BS25kme59Bew8IDRjOFzICRfRagKmu5LU7k6rQ3MlBTbK5naMPlj-XxbpZ0Qwl76Q6nmwfGmbK_G1Uv91X7QDR76Di7KnD0cGVhFXTBu5DPdFx8ydM-WN1iLM-BSS7_OdW/s640/IMG_3776.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is now in the long line of our beloveds by the back woods.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A line that no doubt will continue on,<br />
though we hope not for quite some time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Saying goodbye to 4 dogs in less than 4 years is rough on the heart, to say the least. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Somehow the grieving never gets any easier, really. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel the impulse to guard my heart a little closer to my chest, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I know once we get through this, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we'll keep our hearts and our home open to more animals.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We wouldn't have it any other way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8xz0w3kZzvqzgh60DDV-U0TUilkEFPlvzruHzAPJlfGeKwUkMkoqkoni7J36-OsEo2_WuyEalPviQgQXSdfzKFXPkZj7FjE14tcGPURUejuTgYDcuCNwzCpH6x0iayQPOqX82qLCq-ks/s1600/IMG_3787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8xz0w3kZzvqzgh60DDV-U0TUilkEFPlvzruHzAPJlfGeKwUkMkoqkoni7J36-OsEo2_WuyEalPviQgQXSdfzKFXPkZj7FjE14tcGPURUejuTgYDcuCNwzCpH6x0iayQPOqX82qLCq-ks/s640/IMG_3787.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our hearts, and his.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMHMY0c5J2S0rXZ0Kr2wbWV-SM4KAnlPT5vL-3jbyRjMht0TmuuLyyxNbjy2YrSpKXl-TWHuN3Q_m3X2tE7M0FZbFeOvIqwWyX6FE0ePrBJO3cpxurxis257akiucQiNvoaqAMaymTso7/s1600/IMG_3786.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMHMY0c5J2S0rXZ0Kr2wbWV-SM4KAnlPT5vL-3jbyRjMht0TmuuLyyxNbjy2YrSpKXl-TWHuN3Q_m3X2tE7M0FZbFeOvIqwWyX6FE0ePrBJO3cpxurxis257akiucQiNvoaqAMaymTso7/s640/IMG_3786.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Huck's life was indeed painfully and unjustly short.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it was also full to overflowing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we got to share love and life with him,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he got to share love and life with us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is a wonderful thing,<br />
no matter how much it hurts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
---------<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good-bye, Brave One.<br />
We shall miss you.<br />
<br />
We will love you and hold you in our hearts for all of our days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We will take comfort in your flowers,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the memory of your Mighty Spirit gracing this land.</div>
<br />
Thank you for everything, Sweet Boy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
May you run like the wind with the angels now, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
whole again at last!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-75288551343191196462016-07-01T11:43:00.001-04:002016-07-01T11:43:48.139-04:00poo boards / dropping trays for chicken coops (and a sneak peak at our "new" coop!)<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have chickens, you already know what wonderful gifts they give you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They give you love and laughter and great entertainment. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They give you eggs: one of nature's most complete and perfect foods.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When done strategically and carefully,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they can be wonderful garden tillers:<br />
chickens are mini tractors with wings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
But perhaps the most often overlooked gift from the girls is their droppings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, their poo. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's very rich manure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's veritable garden gold. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Collect all of it that you can, and use it wisely!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
---------------<br />
<br />
We started out using the deep litter method in our first coop,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but we weren't big fans of that. <br />
(Though in fairness, our coop wasn't big enough to do deep litter properly, so we can't really judge.)<br />
<br />
The way it's supposed to work is: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Droppings fall down into the litter at night, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the girls scratch them all around in the day<br />
causing the droppings to sift down through the layers, <br />
ultimately composting in place. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We decided we didn't want to wait that long for compost,<br />
so Bootsy started collecting it by hand.<br />
She quickly tired of bending over in our small coop,<br />
often banging her head on the way up,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
shouting expletives that just made the girls go: <i><b>bok?</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All in the name of collecting our garden gold,<br />
and keeping the coop a cleaner place for them and their lungs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
-----------------<br />
<br />
After one vicious head bang that may have cost her a few IQ points,<br />
we looked for other ways to keep the coop clean and collect the goods.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thankfully, we discovered the idea of poo boards online.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Some people use tarps. Some people install boards.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It doesn't matter how you do it: <br />
the idea is simply to have a catchment system</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with easy retrieval.<br />
<br />
We installed boards, with a lip on the outer edge, to keep litter in.<br />
<br />
<u>The litter serves a few purposes:</u><br />
- it provides a barrier between the poo and the board, protecting the longevity of the wood<br />
- it absorbs ammonia / smells, keeping the coop air healthier<br />
<br />
- it coats the poo, much like kitty litter, making it not quite as icky to pick up</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGTHQBhOh4X00yPWsoAY1KmfPJvI_apdiJ7MwnRI9_FLk8iOFRdkHFuUh9lM8R32yasrQ6oPiNlqwY3jwY-Gm2pn78XHJrFiuDzGnkBOx6_dcsGlbc3mlTvIbrQTVshDJZP7BOVM5aeEB/s1600/IMG_2666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGTHQBhOh4X00yPWsoAY1KmfPJvI_apdiJ7MwnRI9_FLk8iOFRdkHFuUh9lM8R32yasrQ6oPiNlqwY3jwY-Gm2pn78XHJrFiuDzGnkBOx6_dcsGlbc3mlTvIbrQTVshDJZP7BOVM5aeEB/s640/IMG_2666.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is our small corner board</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(where the old girls who don't like our randy rooster prefer to perch at night, their own mini-flock)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh9nsKeeV14lJdad8HTmYimfYY1xJNCdd6yaKyF8vTxGCfuA1QuvAqGl6pvFChztyMbpEYKJXlb37uS35NHbvFpQBiynbaSTGHszb898J0IqCxCweuJzrI5CeGcDWE_9NM3MDxR6WMLg2/s1600/IMG_2675.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh9nsKeeV14lJdad8HTmYimfYY1xJNCdd6yaKyF8vTxGCfuA1QuvAqGl6pvFChztyMbpEYKJXlb37uS35NHbvFpQBiynbaSTGHszb898J0IqCxCweuJzrI5CeGcDWE_9NM3MDxR6WMLg2/s640/IMG_2675.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is our main roosting area and the big poo board.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We made it high enough off the floor so that we could store stuff underneath. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The girls can hop onto the board, and then hop up to their perches.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSv5EHCGx9RmmX6qz8p-jEIRyL8UUVywWIYVqcKTIzJ6q8sQLeVo2iKLVS7GqE87JZMU4ISDqTua0emeSrDr_fC0HdOe8Je-e9V4ycfCUFl_Sh0ZhN488_htMvPyb_7tTJV-Ba2YOccvp/s1600/IMG_2674.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSv5EHCGx9RmmX6qz8p-jEIRyL8UUVywWIYVqcKTIzJ6q8sQLeVo2iKLVS7GqE87JZMU4ISDqTua0emeSrDr_fC0HdOe8Je-e9V4ycfCUFl_Sh0ZhN488_htMvPyb_7tTJV-Ba2YOccvp/s640/IMG_2674.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61GqgH7DKnTG0afu_2p1jw8maPpwIgj371GvbJHD_J60SMb8CwMeYTKzHZNHMpwJ51nwfCC1YstC1CNY90TgmqmdXJ8j9SuOd-tDtq4DJOXUMCiHUogh56jYchdeOFxl4x4-m5bQe2NDx/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bootsy had the great idea to try out natural kitty litter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for our poo board project.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It works like a charm!<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We get Blue Buffalo Naturally Fresh, unscented. <br />
It's available at Petsmart or online.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's made from crushed walnut hulls and it's fully biodegradable.<br />
Even if the chickens ate it, it would probably just act like grit in their crop,<br />
helping them grind and digest food.<br />
<br />
Since I took these photos, Bootsy also incorporated some bio-char litter into the mix,<br />
which will make for an even more potent gardening amendment. <br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiiDz46yyz91KE7lcTuLm5EUdUwS12fCCddXrGYlEadyRl9-XRBUc-RXDGGO2AvoGcc9w50SqN8XmfJgsrmqxGm6w8HJQeSL7EC2yWdNoEDF8ae8PxvPBMw7_DjVV7qF_yGMDHfMIp61C/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiiDz46yyz91KE7lcTuLm5EUdUwS12fCCddXrGYlEadyRl9-XRBUc-RXDGGO2AvoGcc9w50SqN8XmfJgsrmqxGm6w8HJQeSL7EC2yWdNoEDF8ae8PxvPBMw7_DjVV7qF_yGMDHfMIp61C/s640/IMG_2670.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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So now, when it's time for the morning chores, it's easier than ever:</div>
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grab the bucket (an old plant pot),</div>
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grab the litter scoop, </div>
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and sift away,</div>
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leaving excess litter on the board and putting the droppings in the bucket.</div>
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Then do whatever you do with your bucket. </div>
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We toss ours into a big compost tumbler. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqhbFUxNnaaNieRSDzh8UpdAmpPpEGbkLbpaATQ08Wj3YlxyS1FAAfzNbZw3C8FAoPvrMdJFvxtggaVI2kgif1AIO1JDuFgHeNv0np-ZLXP7c16wxq4-zBSs6z7B6zJyL_nTC5SKvw-Pp/s1600/IMG_2679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqhbFUxNnaaNieRSDzh8UpdAmpPpEGbkLbpaATQ08Wj3YlxyS1FAAfzNbZw3C8FAoPvrMdJFvxtggaVI2kgif1AIO1JDuFgHeNv0np-ZLXP7c16wxq4-zBSs6z7B6zJyL_nTC5SKvw-Pp/s640/IMG_2679.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As Mary Poppins would say:</div>
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<i><span class="st">"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="st">You find the fun </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="st">and 'snap,'</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="st">the job's a game.”</span></i></div>
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Once you're done collecting droppings,</div>
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all it takes to make this chore a fun game </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is a few rocks and a rake.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A children's rake works well,</div>
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or you can use your hands,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just try to remember to wash them afterwards!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ihr-aHvikqJxGIEcPOLZnnZ1NckFcNXb4VRfVFbji1lhKm3RYBjn2sw2D3Hj_Wt3v8TFToiTVwgMz9McZCv-uF5-oM5Y4lm1KYGDbC7spzOLOykl2SvPzWRRqwZffMKhs8hI6wKLvhYi/s1600/IMG_2686.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ihr-aHvikqJxGIEcPOLZnnZ1NckFcNXb4VRfVFbji1lhKm3RYBjn2sw2D3Hj_Wt3v8TFToiTVwgMz9McZCv-uF5-oM5Y4lm1KYGDbC7spzOLOykl2SvPzWRRqwZffMKhs8hI6wKLvhYi/s640/IMG_2686.JPG" width="640" /></a> It's so fun to rake patterns into the litter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's like a gritty zen garden,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a sort of sand box with a dual purpose. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I find it both soothing and playful. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The chickens interact with it, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we interact with it,</div>
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the air interacts with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It changes all the time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hyphenhyphenr6SPqg8wTkdG4NzR5cQqt-GExvIWCQYdMY43FUkAiRJAmZF9S_EOeAskHPntKDD99DVcq38XcG6Og8BQOErW9kp55CGq2nIIjHGN3PMsCLtD369N6mUE6zq_kIs_IEiPv1lwE-Rmne/s1600/IMG_2685.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hyphenhyphenr6SPqg8wTkdG4NzR5cQqt-GExvIWCQYdMY43FUkAiRJAmZF9S_EOeAskHPntKDD99DVcq38XcG6Og8BQOErW9kp55CGq2nIIjHGN3PMsCLtD369N6mUE6zq_kIs_IEiPv1lwE-Rmne/s640/IMG_2685.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can make beautiful swoops and lines and circles</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and build up mounds </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like little dunes.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXYD8-nb3I4BHbjCgZmwR9LPKGACq49QJq1lQLRAcLqTUN_n9PBqE74s6kUTbIOXbuApaZrzmhyphenhyphenyjC2mz-MO_pAo3qgAu6i6OsI8V7VISRc0rNDFSiJdHbiIeVhmN0GbTYy_mBVYODEWG/s1600/IMG_2714.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXYD8-nb3I4BHbjCgZmwR9LPKGACq49QJq1lQLRAcLqTUN_n9PBqE74s6kUTbIOXbuApaZrzmhyphenhyphenyjC2mz-MO_pAo3qgAu6i6OsI8V7VISRc0rNDFSiJdHbiIeVhmN0GbTYy_mBVYODEWG/s640/IMG_2714.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Place the rocks or stones</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
however the spirit moves you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn54MS1fjeAxkUZJ-HC5nfSTXJJNg7opEpRgnSKuaz-6-Oadf5zhHDuzhNr-lnbaZXqZ7TuXFGZjDpw12ermImGcI5vxYIjiPr7XizEf8Cut6Ipk3VhhdeDNdJrrxmQB5y7a3nJTWwt-J/s1600/IMG_2713.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn54MS1fjeAxkUZJ-HC5nfSTXJJNg7opEpRgnSKuaz-6-Oadf5zhHDuzhNr-lnbaZXqZ7TuXFGZjDpw12ermImGcI5vxYIjiPr7XizEf8Cut6Ipk3VhhdeDNdJrrxmQB5y7a3nJTWwt-J/s640/IMG_2713.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_osn9yvoyZ4FcwGds0JWzPwDVswyZpr-kW8-TgL-mRLmxD8TobsMhUx2feGsnCSwBxZzGkqdaxcp1luDiUK5UlNGLwcle5q80jxjOiLIyGpoy-zsuELhGlQba0F5LhyphenhyphenxQq9zyYFuuToR/s1600/IMG_2720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_osn9yvoyZ4FcwGds0JWzPwDVswyZpr-kW8-TgL-mRLmxD8TobsMhUx2feGsnCSwBxZzGkqdaxcp1luDiUK5UlNGLwcle5q80jxjOiLIyGpoy-zsuELhGlQba0F5LhyphenhyphenxQq9zyYFuuToR/s640/IMG_2720.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc2HIuJ6gW3z9yj2G0DcfXRuA8cA9TodJn1s_ZJfM0hmurUepBliaoV7o67RcSAaR3OVJbbPk2_GyPCqwEouxGi2XIi5ow7Za1qL4hD5cF7jFqZ8UTT5luh8xhmii4TDLJm6kLj6_KZLF/s1600/IMG_2715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc2HIuJ6gW3z9yj2G0DcfXRuA8cA9TodJn1s_ZJfM0hmurUepBliaoV7o67RcSAaR3OVJbbPk2_GyPCqwEouxGi2XIi5ow7Za1qL4hD5cF7jFqZ8UTT5luh8xhmii4TDLJm6kLj6_KZLF/s640/IMG_2715.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy raking!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-80210113877917357512016-05-22T08:14:00.001-04:002016-05-22T08:14:36.785-04:00one-eyed Willa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A little while ago, I noticed that Willa had one of her eyes closed.</div>
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This sometimes happens in the chicken world, if someone gets pecked near their eye,</div>
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it just needs some rest to heal up. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We've had hens keep an eye closed for a day or two, and then back to normal.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Willa's eye wasn't getting any better.</div>
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So, Bootsy decided it was time for another chicken rehab.</div>
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Into the house Willa went for her rehab adventure.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We never know what chicken rehab is going to look like.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We've gone from a steamy shower stall for Dommy's weak lungs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to a clear plastic tote bin for Brahmie on the kitchen counter so she can listen to NPR,</div>
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to the little rabbit hutch for Specky and her cough,</div>
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to now, Willa wandering around the family room. </div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, we know, we have definitely passed over into the </div>
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Crazy Chicken Lady territory.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTNIUrpxAdvYR7tykpJOP1m8kpAEKaUrKL0SPp9UWe-StiPsfPMjoUHfJoeVqGzT-u3JUrIzj5c_p9ocd0zAn_PPDDI1jr8Kj9kwgAEKz3gcTkY0Ld11B7k7hamtOkGHpUoTBmR1UD5Yj/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTNIUrpxAdvYR7tykpJOP1m8kpAEKaUrKL0SPp9UWe-StiPsfPMjoUHfJoeVqGzT-u3JUrIzj5c_p9ocd0zAn_PPDDI1jr8Kj9kwgAEKz3gcTkY0Ld11B7k7hamtOkGHpUoTBmR1UD5Yj/s640/IMG_1736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Willa was really checking out the couch, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which must have felt interesting under her feet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The whole time she was exploring I was thinking about poo: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(oh no, what if she poos on this or that... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
oh and ugh!) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But Willa was actually quite a polite house guest, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
are rarely made any messes on her explorations through the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bootsy ordered (yes, they actually make them!) chicken <i><b>diapers</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for any future home-based rehabs we might need to implement.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But they didn't come in time for Willa.</div>
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Willa stayed in the house for about 3 days.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBhxNukdvfepqmkkFxPu1ZVXrrwK5b2RDFp2AVVWXart50TA_puTOBY2szwYgO2Xyk7ECO-PZimb6f-eqohHUbKOyKrcDw-d-4ueClQORnG9cqGulgdx64226vFu14ShKIcLtJnkdxHX9/s1600/IMG_1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBhxNukdvfepqmkkFxPu1ZVXrrwK5b2RDFp2AVVWXart50TA_puTOBY2szwYgO2Xyk7ECO-PZimb6f-eqohHUbKOyKrcDw-d-4ueClQORnG9cqGulgdx64226vFu14ShKIcLtJnkdxHX9/s640/IMG_1741.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She was very, very quiet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And very curious.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZWJ93hBxLghP91nQDT-6r8MYN6wf8QW0sWSnGB11I55WVvzGHu5ZELb2N0mtExJjPrBfm5fvFkk6LtF0QFWHpUhBtR18_gFVsezJvcWSvJOnByDNUU_O5I3jFbPkrYSzc19hLyAhH3YJ/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZWJ93hBxLghP91nQDT-6r8MYN6wf8QW0sWSnGB11I55WVvzGHu5ZELb2N0mtExJjPrBfm5fvFkk6LtF0QFWHpUhBtR18_gFVsezJvcWSvJOnByDNUU_O5I3jFbPkrYSzc19hLyAhH3YJ/s640/IMG_1748.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We kept applying calendula washes and other things to her eye to try to help.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She didn't like them one bit, of course, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then spent lots of time trying to preen her neck,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where the washes would inevitably dribble,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even though I held a towel around her very carefully.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELp3TI5_GnWH4AacmFLaW95h0HZGEz0O-jjoagqefmUodWjpL0PPihYK9FuWDb-XGcVNg3uqSbwxSUy_UyWc9c2YPvwfiPc8CJ6aWvI3VzUkMk6AwhyCrVD7U8UlbzBJHWK7zLLbIv1oE/s1600/IMG_1753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELp3TI5_GnWH4AacmFLaW95h0HZGEz0O-jjoagqefmUodWjpL0PPihYK9FuWDb-XGcVNg3uqSbwxSUy_UyWc9c2YPvwfiPc8CJ6aWvI3VzUkMk6AwhyCrVD7U8UlbzBJHWK7zLLbIv1oE/s640/IMG_1753.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When she was a baby chick, Willa was the obvious weakling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Slower to mature, and there was a time we thought she might not make it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her legs were weaker and she couldn't keep up, but she tried!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now that she's full grown, Willa has established herself in the flock</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and she's just a little bit sassy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not so sassy that it gets her in trouble, like it did for Dommy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but just sassy enough to make her way as happily as she can in the world.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycynHQUhBhz8D-hcJnyQmnYyiYk__zTBOV6PtWNdHs-wEj391LahPG8EP18phrBTqZMmjp3WSihL4GB4wDqDcUuOaCXjBWvvNrtT_SjAfa5cUs5F-7nUqVXasNrFhiMWQ661MFvApyeuw/s1600/IMG_1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycynHQUhBhz8D-hcJnyQmnYyiYk__zTBOV6PtWNdHs-wEj391LahPG8EP18phrBTqZMmjp3WSihL4GB4wDqDcUuOaCXjBWvvNrtT_SjAfa5cUs5F-7nUqVXasNrFhiMWQ661MFvApyeuw/s640/IMG_1763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were hopeful that her eye would heal, but it hasn't.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She kept it closed for so long.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We kept researching what could be wrong...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(FYI, there's a thing called eye worms that I encourage you NOT to look at images of.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank goodness Willa did not have those!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We called our wonderful vet, who, upon checking,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thought her eyeball might have been gone. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yikes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And gross. </div>
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But the verdict was still out.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Willa adapted very quickly to only using her one good eye.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVqQiPokCv9geRewfa6mf2Yt8oAILCa-VpuhUd4C4oswh51y5FpDMTVJyULIc1ymddnsmtw2tfVR4wedtgJzFfVNjHTQjaTusjyei1vQMjOvbuBc16OwIChF8n1BkEeuzaKa2bDONlZ9i/s1600/IMG_1766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVqQiPokCv9geRewfa6mf2Yt8oAILCa-VpuhUd4C4oswh51y5FpDMTVJyULIc1ymddnsmtw2tfVR4wedtgJzFfVNjHTQjaTusjyei1vQMjOvbuBc16OwIChF8n1BkEeuzaKa2bDONlZ9i/s640/IMG_1766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She has to turn her head around a whole lot more,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so that she can take the scope of her surroundings,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but she does it like a champ.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFASkIG5Eg4vLUW_2fHWodf2LzLLIrsmlHRuZc3t1mZLJtXb8MGUd7RA2b9rmJlV_9q-o3XN1Vnu7haVt-8bQUuOeNEKpbDfCcNlUcdPB1K9BpK9zL0axA4T3gzKYVmA24NrGkV9TNLWPR/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFASkIG5Eg4vLUW_2fHWodf2LzLLIrsmlHRuZc3t1mZLJtXb8MGUd7RA2b9rmJlV_9q-o3XN1Vnu7haVt-8bQUuOeNEKpbDfCcNlUcdPB1K9BpK9zL0axA4T3gzKYVmA24NrGkV9TNLWPR/s640/IMG_1810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When she went back out to the coop, she kept her eye closed and just got on with life. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We tried antibiotic ointment, and in about a week's time, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she started keeping her eye open a little bit more, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but what was in there didn't look very good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now the swelling has gone down, and she's keeping it open most of the time </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
except for when she's tired, she's more likely to close her bad eye. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her eyeball is still there, and it doesn't look that bad anymore, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it doesn't look like it can see much of anything either. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like we told our dog who had to have a leg amputated --</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the other one was a spare, but now he has to be very careful with his remaining legs,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just like she has to be very careful with her remaining eye.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are no more spare parts...!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Within the first hour of returning to the coop, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she immediately had a stand-off and instigated a fight with Ernesta.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My theory is maybe Ernesta is the one who pecked her in the eye in the first place,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it was a retaliation. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bootsy thinks chickens don't think that much about revenge.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's probably right. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At any rate, Willa established rank over Ernesta.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little Ms. Sassypants is strutting her one-eyed stuff,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
foraging like a fiend </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and smartly, sticking close to Emmaline (our accidental rooster) for extra protection.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------ </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Update: Yesterday, Willa and Brahmie (our 5-year-old hen with partial paralysis) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
had a serious stand-off, and I mean the longest stare-down stand-off </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I have ever seen out there in the coop.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was one of those moments suspended in time, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where they were both staring each other down</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Willa with her one eye, head cocked, of course).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brahmie ultimately broke the long moment of staring silence </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with one ferocious peck, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and just like that, it was over, all sorted out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Willa might top Ernesta, but Brahmie tops Willa.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, these crazy chickens. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm glad our Special Needs girls don't let their disabilities keep their spirits down!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-26128463614520047662016-04-03T21:07:00.000-04:002016-04-03T21:07:25.224-04:00mystery woodland nest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
During a warm spell a couple of weekends ago,</div>
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we started to uncover our outdoor furniture.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Imagine my delight to have found this sweet little woodland nest</div>
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tucked inside the bottom edge</div>
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of the tarp covering one of our chairs. </div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQKqtVfzoS16tWRUFRSJsInUEB5ZLtuqAXWch6S26VJpDZkmmeWyGwuNGZvBzw232-e_OtxnEWsaM6U4o4wFLmaHUrmUPyverY1pPWgNqNfEQZZaCg37ovYlquTJ3F1yWrWSBDPwGZs96/s1600/IMG_1497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQKqtVfzoS16tWRUFRSJsInUEB5ZLtuqAXWch6S26VJpDZkmmeWyGwuNGZvBzw232-e_OtxnEWsaM6U4o4wFLmaHUrmUPyverY1pPWgNqNfEQZZaCg37ovYlquTJ3F1yWrWSBDPwGZs96/s1600/IMG_1497.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQKqtVfzoS16tWRUFRSJsInUEB5ZLtuqAXWch6S26VJpDZkmmeWyGwuNGZvBzw232-e_OtxnEWsaM6U4o4wFLmaHUrmUPyverY1pPWgNqNfEQZZaCg37ovYlquTJ3F1yWrWSBDPwGZs96/s640/IMG_1497.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pine needles</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
moss</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
dried leaves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tJl9I9dRPh5PzPk8zqcKE3Qu8sW8nPdfkNH3fvKIdCbn18inUjxZUQ-7Ov4uG8DcPU-SgzrRTXVdvacfW6GnRJmsCsbymu5yHz6gotFsoVsMibPIKiLNJMtcUuf-qdcd7xdWQz1W2Q-D/s1600/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tJl9I9dRPh5PzPk8zqcKE3Qu8sW8nPdfkNH3fvKIdCbn18inUjxZUQ-7Ov4uG8DcPU-SgzrRTXVdvacfW6GnRJmsCsbymu5yHz6gotFsoVsMibPIKiLNJMtcUuf-qdcd7xdWQz1W2Q-D/s640/IMG_1498.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnkDIrhcBnaBvv27GILH6PK4B-uxJcw0SgvZCSKjNf7GRR38JzKLwh4Ihq7JbafOpMzmgOSEBRW2HWDqIkKrJXl_VyTVryboZ_Uib5QWBwMERFpiw7IIDToJX98xCY-VeLx4L_GH8h4b0/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnkDIrhcBnaBvv27GILH6PK4B-uxJcw0SgvZCSKjNf7GRR38JzKLwh4Ihq7JbafOpMzmgOSEBRW2HWDqIkKrJXl_VyTVryboZ_Uib5QWBwMERFpiw7IIDToJX98xCY-VeLx4L_GH8h4b0/s640/IMG_1500.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
upon closer examination</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there's a little bit of plastic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and some hair.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
maybe it's ours...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who knows! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWRQhVHIsmf5C4Iz1-NpuVtfCXa-xf6AurRHhhNZkaMhfnUXZnr_oyI7bfXwhx-kax0saeB37W-2PRHIJZ9RPpP9ekW3l3NXB1aEp4rNySX3wuo3xDTatYg9iAxzM732lAaBURt6xqIho/s1600/IMG_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWRQhVHIsmf5C4Iz1-NpuVtfCXa-xf6AurRHhhNZkaMhfnUXZnr_oyI7bfXwhx-kax0saeB37W-2PRHIJZ9RPpP9ekW3l3NXB1aEp4rNySX3wuo3xDTatYg9iAxzM732lAaBURt6xqIho/s640/IMG_1501.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnOQdS5NonlQ-LW7l3gYU1523XBT8lv5VJptZM5sYuUAij1d5uElp3TLke39QGcgE5LpQfNjDo0AWNS0Re24ztYyMC667scrd7OjjCu5ARgSd_rHIYRM4Hb5rkrRcJDdnYREPBFkkWLkF/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnOQdS5NonlQ-LW7l3gYU1523XBT8lv5VJptZM5sYuUAij1d5uElp3TLke39QGcgE5LpQfNjDo0AWNS0Re24ztYyMC667scrd7OjjCu5ARgSd_rHIYRM4Hb5rkrRcJDdnYREPBFkkWLkF/s640/IMG_1503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MIjISAFtRHP6gUPmM_w5h8CSs3EZ0UZQFuvo-bMW-_6CNaEfkfziEeVOD1kxs4cXplIUyEpuf2RmR77XMntm1QHVV8_lYQhJjB6ixNksORDSLNsmJ6DP-7untPq24t6CMLvqoVhyphenhyphen9jKW/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MIjISAFtRHP6gUPmM_w5h8CSs3EZ0UZQFuvo-bMW-_6CNaEfkfziEeVOD1kxs4cXplIUyEpuf2RmR77XMntm1QHVV8_lYQhJjB6ixNksORDSLNsmJ6DP-7untPq24t6CMLvqoVhyphenhyphen9jKW/s640/IMG_1504.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Does anyone know </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what delightful little creature</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
called this nest it's home?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really have no clue,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but if you think you do,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
please post a comment! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm thinking a type of mouse,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I could be completely wrong. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM80OS6wNbEj5vUkydDArhspIQbmMO5sawxtxvp7Z-OnGhhwws_Q3LyQf8jHeqcKdBlOFqKZnQMLM_x2zQuB3qiwzCFr__er8nG4VHn458zgyDdiTmDlBqub-HUPyVUWybzGeFlWo54ngF/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM80OS6wNbEj5vUkydDArhspIQbmMO5sawxtxvp7Z-OnGhhwws_Q3LyQf8jHeqcKdBlOFqKZnQMLM_x2zQuB3qiwzCFr__er8nG4VHn458zgyDdiTmDlBqub-HUPyVUWybzGeFlWo54ngF/s640/IMG_1505.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
side-view </div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbBxGEpb-5CWqJ_UkDTAEO4yNB7Z-TvOXW16UNdbfvjY4Ys236fMAsdgGl6sPdgInA6z8U23hRA_KWjTQlDcQCKQ9gV_6wkA17BKMz61aivhQK0r25VkHiCN6JvDyEARvduvVHcjS6u23/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbBxGEpb-5CWqJ_UkDTAEO4yNB7Z-TvOXW16UNdbfvjY4Ys236fMAsdgGl6sPdgInA6z8U23hRA_KWjTQlDcQCKQ9gV_6wkA17BKMz61aivhQK0r25VkHiCN6JvDyEARvduvVHcjS6u23/s640/IMG_1506.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can see the flat edge of the nest in this photo.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't remember exactly how it was when I discovered it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it seems that the flat edge may have been against the ground, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so, in this photo, it could be upside down </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from the way it was actually inhabited.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-3242070094209010992016-03-14T21:04:00.003-04:002016-03-14T21:07:39.354-04:0037<div style="text-align: center;">
Here they are,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
belated highlights of the big 3-7: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaf2aAuSEEhzlGIPryMoHXZFNpO5vEFwXE57QI2OfPUpv3O2v3j11bToljGIWiHzz1TN7RhmH7dIAaRiV-GS709EaeUEQwG2pmtBjYQLgaRgeHQbf1Cf-NaJv13X46kiLjd3z5D70xPet/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaf2aAuSEEhzlGIPryMoHXZFNpO5vEFwXE57QI2OfPUpv3O2v3j11bToljGIWiHzz1TN7RhmH7dIAaRiV-GS709EaeUEQwG2pmtBjYQLgaRgeHQbf1Cf-NaJv13X46kiLjd3z5D70xPet/s640/IMG_1402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh breakfast crepes, oh breakfast crepes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thy taste is so delicious! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh breakfast crepes, oh breakfast crepes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I enjoy thee ev'ry year!<br />
<br />
----------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the afternoon, we went to the Lab of O.<br />
(aka the Lab of Ornithology.)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a lovely encounter through the observatory windows <br />
with a pair of geese, the male in particular.<br />
<br />
He had a watchful, soulful eye<br />
set on me and my camera.</div>
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Eventually he either tired or relaxed,<br />
closing his watchful eye,<br />
standing on one foot.<br />
Poor fellow's left wing feathers were a bit ragged.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh423scZZxmNmMcbDpvVUYx61bbYsD6ih3-1C25f-foYKom1D7P3UTgM_BM58gCHa-LLykpB_zwtIUp7CrJZJlXOqun3T-ZRMVekbqV0ol255WH0r6xQ-mPKUgol93AvlQz9pxjbNHGVjB3/s1600/IMG_1421.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh423scZZxmNmMcbDpvVUYx61bbYsD6ih3-1C25f-foYKom1D7P3UTgM_BM58gCHa-LLykpB_zwtIUp7CrJZJlXOqun3T-ZRMVekbqV0ol255WH0r6xQ-mPKUgol93AvlQz9pxjbNHGVjB3/s640/IMG_1421.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh423scZZxmNmMcbDpvVUYx61bbYsD6ih3-1C25f-foYKom1D7P3UTgM_BM58gCHa-LLykpB_zwtIUp7CrJZJlXOqun3T-ZRMVekbqV0ol255WH0r6xQ-mPKUgol93AvlQz9pxjbNHGVjB3/s1600/IMG_1421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
He looked like he was doing qigong,<br />
which I had done earlier in the morning.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
While the geese were on the shore, the ducks were out on the pond,<br />
having their ducky frivolities, i.e. a fabulous time.<br />
<br />
Interesting how two very different emotions can be evoked<br />
from practically right next to each other,<br />
from the sublime to the silly.<br />
You would think they'd be a world apart,<br />
but not at all.<br />
<br />
Another lesson from our winged friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hg_VvzrCIoXTOim8ZAWlTDS4veJ4ndeqKkeUR2KcWYvj_E1z85KSN0bow_rwuBw38MqQq6x8_yeThn6OUM7Ym9Qq3I15YxtWMh_PGoxXBNnrhGe6aow0QQH-FnBj_WEQDicWJ9jRdGkY/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hg_VvzrCIoXTOim8ZAWlTDS4veJ4ndeqKkeUR2KcWYvj_E1z85KSN0bow_rwuBw38MqQq6x8_yeThn6OUM7Ym9Qq3I15YxtWMh_PGoxXBNnrhGe6aow0QQH-FnBj_WEQDicWJ9jRdGkY/s640/IMG_1416.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you've never been to the Lab of O,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I highly recommend it.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I also recommend going into the sound room,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where you can listen and learn about the sounds of so many birds.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They even have some frogs, insects, and a few mammals.</div>
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They also have some gorgeous nests in display cases.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love this one that was probably made with part of an old blue tarp.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2gYQ2-kOk5Ky6MLzK8MkpugLTXH5XHphyphenhyphenmQy810AnItIAO6CxY-W1INZgN661OrOXJa_Iqcat5Hunx5CWE7-vAQ2beWQj3FrtY5FEHR6qrenaEyuvCBeYhKyYmMEAQyHFycNzE_UMV8Z/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2gYQ2-kOk5Ky6MLzK8MkpugLTXH5XHphyphenhyphenmQy810AnItIAO6CxY-W1INZgN661OrOXJa_Iqcat5Hunx5CWE7-vAQ2beWQj3FrtY5FEHR6qrenaEyuvCBeYhKyYmMEAQyHFycNzE_UMV8Z/s640/IMG_1452.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcUfdQRRE3YGNca0vsYVSZ5RLktMBYD7QQZtvIKivINT50mBMVRU89A3FTWg3AkYV6B0OGa0Tp_mJ-DEqEQm1DoprFoCGuZOyGVdTh5Lq8xHEcB4WCWuYxo2YTivuHL7CfW6UnKWxTb6Q/s1600/IMG_1445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcUfdQRRE3YGNca0vsYVSZ5RLktMBYD7QQZtvIKivINT50mBMVRU89A3FTWg3AkYV6B0OGa0Tp_mJ-DEqEQm1DoprFoCGuZOyGVdTh5Lq8xHEcB4WCWuYxo2YTivuHL7CfW6UnKWxTb6Q/s640/IMG_1445.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
There's a fantastic new mural that was impossible to capture with my camera.<br />
<br />
Everything is life-size, painted to scale.<br />
There is nothing like this.<br />
<br />
To say that the scope is grand would be an understatement.<br />
It spans hundreds of millions of years to the modern day.<br />
Every family of bird is represented. <br />
The magnificent frigatebird above is perched on top of a sprinkler.<br />
<br />
If you can't visit it in person (and even if you can!) <br />
Check out the interactive version of the mural online here:<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/wallofbirds/">https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/wallofbirds/</a><br />
<br />
The entire project is <u>beyond</u> spectacular,<br />
and absolutely breath-taking.<br />
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<br />
<br />
It was a birdy birthday,<br />
but my birthday dessert was most certainly for people,<br />
(though it did have some seed brittle that many a bird may enjoy):<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv26FnHdSxTp6kTB5QbGD8mLVGLuR208u1oFuSnFduK6PMgUJGTCatskPlJxRYJvvweKzFVv_7GXTT9OijdsgYAEaPuZ_RaJwJnxmKTKMEAoT7cBmqjHfrULhU1LaB2_4eo2gvY60I6II/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv26FnHdSxTp6kTB5QbGD8mLVGLuR208u1oFuSnFduK6PMgUJGTCatskPlJxRYJvvweKzFVv_7GXTT9OijdsgYAEaPuZ_RaJwJnxmKTKMEAoT7cBmqjHfrULhU1LaB2_4eo2gvY60I6II/s640/IMG_0377.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sasha made an exquisite cheesecake (with goat cheese!)<br />
with seed brittle (sesame seeds and poppy seeds!)<br />
served with a yummmmmmmy blood orange sauce.<br />
<br />
Grateful, grateful.<br />
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<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-78469978131535490302016-03-14T07:12:00.002-04:002016-03-14T07:19:11.459-04:00bird cams to be watching now!There are some wonderful bird cams up and running right now.<br />
If you're waiting for the daffodils to come up and the peepers to start peeping,<br />
and the soil to be ready to plant peas... <br />
Well, these bird cams will help usher your spirits into spring.<br />
<br />
Check out these Great Horned Owlets down in Savannah, Georgia!:<br />
http://allaboutbirds.org/greathornedowls<br />
(sorry, there's no embedding code, so you'll have to leave the blog to go to their website) <br />
<br />
Check out this gorgeous little Bella Hummingbird nest in California:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="270" scrolling="no" src="http://www.ustream.tv/embed/13340773?html5ui=1" style="border: 0px none transparent;" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="480"> </iframe>
<a href="http://www.ustream.tv/" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream</a>
<br />
<br />
A Barred Owl nest in Indiana!:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6itUD_HUsDM" width="696"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Big Red and Ezra are back, baby!:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="392" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GieBY8OtoSY" width="696"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
An albatross nest in Kauai!:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="424" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KMdKKpXSMVU" width="696"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
An osprey nest on Hog Island in Maine:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="530" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rmhLmvcKvjE" width="942"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
And bald eagles in Santa Cruz:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="530" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v2N-wC3j-Bw" width="942"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Happy peeking!<br />
<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-75674899354010350582016-02-25T19:25:00.002-05:002016-02-25T19:26:01.504-05:00June Hunter's blogHey there Readers,<br />
<br />
My apologies for the lapse between posts. It's been busy-busy-busy here.<br />
I'm aiming to do a belated birthday blog this weekend, but I also have some other writing assignments I really have to tackle, so if I don't get around to it, suffice to say, the big 3-7 was quite lovely. Thank you to my wonderful family, and to my fantastic niece Kaylee, who "quacked" the birthday song for me. (I love being her Aunt Ducky!) <br />
<br />
For now, though, I wanted to tell you about a fabulous blog, definitely worth a browse when you have the time. June Hunter is in Vancouver, BC, and she takes AMAZING photos, makes beautiful nature and bird-inspired jewelry, and my favorite of all -- she's a great observer of crows.<br />
<br />
http://www.junehunter.com/blogs/june-hunter-images-1<br />
<br />
Grab a cup of something warm and hang out with June.<br />
And Hank. And his mate Vera.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-13960999544965945812016-02-07T19:11:00.001-05:002016-02-07T19:11:29.917-05:00bees alive!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zx_epSjTi38/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zx_epSjTi38?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Talk about a bee-autiful site...!<br />
I was absolutely ecstatic to see<br />
so many of our honeybees<br />
on a warm day last weekend,<br />
buzzing out of the hive to take cleansing flights.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These bees are from our "wild" top bar hives,<br />
bees that I did not interfere / intervene with,<br />
I simply provided them a home<br />
and let them do what they know how to do.<br />
My only intervention was to wrap the hive and surround it with hay bales<br />
for the winter...<br />
<br />
As messed up as climate change is,<br />
maybe this unusually mild winter<br />
will work out favorably for the bees.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They're alive and hanging in there...!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's hope that if they've made it through February,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they can make it through the rest of the winter...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-67552975950145182962016-01-31T16:14:00.001-05:002016-06-05T19:29:06.979-04:00oh, seeeeeeds<div style="text-align: center;">
Sorry folks -<br />
for the long lapse between blog posts.<br />
As you gardeners know, January is a seedy month.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I had well-intentioned plans for moderation and even seed catalog celibacy this year...<br />
(What a novel idea - to just use what seeds I have saved from our garden,<br />
and catalog seeds left from last year and the year before,<br />
since many if not all of them would still be viable.)<br />
<br />
But alas and alack,<br />
I could not resist the allure<br />
of new varieties I hadn't heard of,<br />
and things I have dreamed of growing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
My epitaph will never praise me for<br />
dreaming small, being ever-practical,<br />
or having a balanced and tidy checkbook. <br />
And I am quite fine with that.<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
So I had a foot-tall stack of seed catalogs to go through.<br />
And go through them I did.<br />
And oh, the temptations. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My seed sobriety sponsor is not happy,<br />
(though I did get a lot of flower seeds for her,<br />
so that softened the blow a bit.)<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D2rw8Pt0aWFO5hZeJVIDaBK33Xy6tie_C1DByCMJMygG001YHeHPClaKQHb9qJB7tUjM-_JO9uF7Qx9madZ8c4Vi7-n8xSqQCIFk6B6TsaNlS91H9o7yCIqiX4OAxKFqEctdbELYqzZJ/s1600/DSC04965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D2rw8Pt0aWFO5hZeJVIDaBK33Xy6tie_C1DByCMJMygG001YHeHPClaKQHb9qJB7tUjM-_JO9uF7Qx9madZ8c4Vi7-n8xSqQCIFk6B6TsaNlS91H9o7yCIqiX4OAxKFqEctdbELYqzZJ/s640/DSC04965.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
She's planning an extensive cut flower garden this year.<br />
If all goes well, we'll have an array of<br />
dahlias and zinnias<br />
and sunflowers and poppies <br />
and cosmos and calendulas<br />
among many other things..! <br />
<br />
------------<br />
<br />
When my seed orders were accumulating in my online shopping carts,<br />
after whittling it down somewhat,<br />
I came up with several excellent reasons for allowing myself<br />
the seeds I had become smitten with.<br />
<br />
And at least I have a rationale for my splurge.<br />
In fact, I have several: <br />
<br />
a) I like supporting seed companies that are committed to good practices<br />
(safe seed pledge, no-GMOs, t<a href="http://osseeds.org/">he Open Source Seed Initiative</a>, etc.)<br />
b) I can always share my seedy bounty with my school garden and with friends<br />
c) It's a security thing. What if Big Brother starts restricting access to good seeds?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So there you have it.<br />
Reasons a plenty. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Several separate catalog orders later, I am done.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until next year comes around, of course.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
-------------<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I
want to tell those of you who live in the Finger Lakes region<br />
that there is an
awesome new seed company that I hope you'll consider supporting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fruitionseeds.com/">Fruition Seeds</a> in Canandaigua, NY.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love what they're doing.<br />
They're super ethical.<br />
Beyond organic. <br />
And they're growing out and improving varieties for OUR micro-region,<br />
and things good overall for the whole Northeast. <br />
<br />
This is my first year with them, but I think they're going to be my new first-stop shop,<br />
the foundation of my seed supply.<br />
Read a little bit about their philosophy and what makes them special <a href="http://www.fruitionseeds.com/category-s/1859.htm">here</a>.<br />
<br />
They also have a helpful resource online,<br />
tips about what you can grow / do garden-wise for every month of the year.<br />
Check it out <a href="http://www.fruitionseeds.com/seeds-to-plant-now-s/1979.htm">here</a>. <br />
<br />
-------------- <br />
<br />
There's also <a href="http://www.seedlibrary.org/">Hudson Valley Seed Co</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Besides making some of the most beautiful seed packs out there,<br />
they also grow out many of their own seeds,<br />
and are also adapting them to our climate and growing conditions. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TIGYqoLK_5_rB7xVzw3MfTFIiJ68wKZiTvjIMSABKpaC6RjEdIsZGMPY-o0U5QtgGa2ELs4dKKg3a5t2OrtiFbnet_tpSqIU2o9MiAGu9EQ_HdObO1g8nskuqxz-I9IL7ZVx7fhEbIK6/s1600/tender_green_komatsuna_done_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TIGYqoLK_5_rB7xVzw3MfTFIiJ68wKZiTvjIMSABKpaC6RjEdIsZGMPY-o0U5QtgGa2ELs4dKKg3a5t2OrtiFbnet_tpSqIU2o9MiAGu9EQ_HdObO1g8nskuqxz-I9IL7ZVx7fhEbIK6/s640/tender_green_komatsuna_done_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I'm still a super fan of <a href="http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/">Fedco Seeds</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bi8FjmbZPglvyIEUHzyU2qVfUdALS55Tk9B8aUCkDjoZFn-iqGlTb-iUIFXdaZj_PuSg9H8dtjlYXF9RAxX9X3GKjXDGmcOWemTkgNoYIPNCyMg47nBQxFoppqmQQEKm5vtvDCLFzbM5/s1600/sdscover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bi8FjmbZPglvyIEUHzyU2qVfUdALS55Tk9B8aUCkDjoZFn-iqGlTb-iUIFXdaZj_PuSg9H8dtjlYXF9RAxX9X3GKjXDGmcOWemTkgNoYIPNCyMg47nBQxFoppqmQQEKm5vtvDCLFzbM5/s320/sdscover.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
You can view their whole catalog <a href="https://www.fedcoseeds.com/forms/fedco_seeds_catalog_2016.pdf">here</a>.<br />
This year's cover particularly captivated me.<br />
What a gorgeous depiction of how alive good soil is... <br />
And frankly, Fedco rocks.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--------------------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Besides growing a lot of flowers from seed<br />
and trying our hand at new vegetable varieties...<br />
<br />
Our main experiments this year will be: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
- creating a medicine wheel garden <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipXL5dxBjgagcdOTZOiqei6ChLPkKMsyxg8_CSPsTPHXGDyQ7zJhPwZ-67iJ88YDP-Cvb6OHvTUyo7_gr48XLQ_0xaABhClpmhUdAG2aGNW-Y6KxUIrFjrJN9KXQwZ6aZn2FwrMscN4J1/s1600/DSC04770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipXL5dxBjgagcdOTZOiqei6ChLPkKMsyxg8_CSPsTPHXGDyQ7zJhPwZ-67iJ88YDP-Cvb6OHvTUyo7_gr48XLQ_0xaABhClpmhUdAG2aGNW-Y6KxUIrFjrJN9KXQwZ6aZn2FwrMscN4J1/s320/DSC04770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> (we're using an old pool cover to kill the grass) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- attempting to grow some basket willow and living willow<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- grafting tomatoes for greater disease resistance and vigor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
- trying to grow a "pancake patch" of heirloom grains<br />
<br />
- going a teensy bit nutty with northern hardy peanuts!<br />
(check out this video from the folks at Fruition!): <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
All of this is probably way more than we can actually accomplish in one growing season,<br />
but we sure as heck are going to give it a try.</div>
----------- <br />
<br />
Winter is a good time to think about your overall landscape<br />
and the bigger-picture plan for your property or growing site.<br />
<br />
<br />
Overall, besides our dabbling with annual crops and flower gardens,<br />
we'll be moving more and more into establishing permaculture plants around here.<br />
<br />
I've become slightly obsessed with many lesser-known fruits.<br />
<br />
Of all of the "new" (new to me) fruits I have tried this year,<br />
I am absolutely smitten with<br />
hardy kiwis,<br />
honeyberries,<br />
<br />
nanking cherries <br />
serviceberries,<br />
<br />
and American persimmon.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfIyI4wm5c7D4VH4tntgrHCyHHY_dvBibVmOp_bli71bqchK5Vb0EoBp7SB0Tfb3Wwp9hPyCDy0qbBfUUFi8fcmw5hZ5awmj_0Y7RKOU-78i4sZHdNq4C9WsS9OpsHjdJ7au2jYaGNudq/s1600/DSC04875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfIyI4wm5c7D4VH4tntgrHCyHHY_dvBibVmOp_bli71bqchK5Vb0EoBp7SB0Tfb3Wwp9hPyCDy0qbBfUUFi8fcmw5hZ5awmj_0Y7RKOU-78i4sZHdNq4C9WsS9OpsHjdJ7au2jYaGNudq/s640/DSC04875.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
American persimmons are definitely not going to win any beauty contest<br />
but oh-my-lordy they are so incredibly sweet tasting<br />
and have such a unique and complex flavor.<br />
<br />
I can wax on and on about any of these fruits,<br />
but you simply have to try them yourself.<br />
<br />
Lucky you, if you live in the Finger Lakes region,<br />
Sean Dembrosky is cultivating all of these out at <a href="http://www.edibleacres.org/">Edible Acres</a> in Trumansburg.<br />
<br />
You can even purchase the most beautiful gift certificates -- <br />
hand-made by our very own Sasha...!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqblebh2BTzIHNJBuR9fc87froF1mL3sN0sxzH5CUSFpftwUV5HyJ11oDlt-waGhevSXKTbPfqTkkthKs03KeF2OEPe8m2DcpNEq8MbnJftbkqmvkAAN6TNVsd4OZl4FrOz79K6PS5n6p3/s1600/Beautiful%252C%252Bhand%252Bmade%252Bgift%252Bcards%252Bby%252BSasha%2521.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqblebh2BTzIHNJBuR9fc87froF1mL3sN0sxzH5CUSFpftwUV5HyJ11oDlt-waGhevSXKTbPfqTkkthKs03KeF2OEPe8m2DcpNEq8MbnJftbkqmvkAAN6TNVsd4OZl4FrOz79K6PS5n6p3/s640/Beautiful%252C%252Bhand%252Bmade%252Bgift%252Bcards%252Bby%252BSasha%2521.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
Aren't they stunning?<br />
They remind me of Matisse and Calder.<br />
<br />
(and here's a shameless plug for Sasha's latest artistic and entrepreneurial ventures!)<br />
<br />
Check out: <a href="http://www.sistersister.us/">Sister Sister </a>and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ENERGYFIELD?ref=shopinfo_shophome_leftnav">Energy Field</a>. <br />
<br />
We are always in awe of what she comes up with.<br />
<br />
--------------<br />
<br />
Happy dreaming,<br />
happy seeding!<br />
<br />
p.s. check out this children's book -- <i><b>A Seed is Sleepy</b></i><br />
written by Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long:<br />
<br />
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While it tends to cover seeds of a warmer climate than ours,<br />
it's still really beautifully done and a great book to read with<br />
young gardeners! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-84374033452263743442015-12-29T18:56:00.001-05:002015-12-29T18:58:06.684-05:00mittens for reading in bed<div style="text-align: center;">
I love to read in bed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heck, I just love to BE in bed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I'm a Goldilocks kind of gal. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I like things to be just right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pillow just right under my neck.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sheets and blankets tucked just right under my chin.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But above all else, it's about regulating temperature.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maintaining homeostasis.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Right?)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think so, anyway. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, this time of year, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm super out of luck in the ambient-reading-temperature department. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From May-September, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't need any special reading accoutrements or accommodations.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But October-April is another story, since our bedroom can be on the chilly side. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(We're conservative with the heat, both for the planet and our purses...)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We typically have a bunch of layers over ourselves: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(flannel sheets, fleece blankets, goosedown comforter...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
all topped with a heavy sheepskin pelt.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's nice for the bulk of the body that can be underneath, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it doesn't help the poor little hands that are trying to hold a book out in the chilly air!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brrrrrrrrrrr! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For awhile I would try to hold the book with my left hand </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and keep my right hand tucked inside </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
except for a quick dash out of the covers when I had to turn the page, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but as you can imagine -- that wasn't that much fun. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Luckily, Boo took pity on me and decided to make me some open-fingered reading mittens.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
She's been a little knitting elf</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with her double-pointed needles... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbxOwHWPw0aAuX_Wcs0G_XxjZIHKQ2i27l0h8ClnYuu-lPO1rOt06V8DTifAw_jU8sHtO9HDCLqGQORdT7ZxN1lRatf89XDMbwB4laVDVZtdur87eKPR8SJJntVQBwb5F0CtcCmpMSWmv/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbxOwHWPw0aAuX_Wcs0G_XxjZIHKQ2i27l0h8ClnYuu-lPO1rOt06V8DTifAw_jU8sHtO9HDCLqGQORdT7ZxN1lRatf89XDMbwB4laVDVZtdur87eKPR8SJJntVQBwb5F0CtcCmpMSWmv/s640/IMG_1321.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Voila! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here they are, the striped beauties...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They're sooo soft and definitely help retain the heat! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just enough of my fingertips and thumbs exposed to handle the pages.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tell you...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reading mittens have changed my life! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRcpEbq3iELcgNjf_T1MaTcxMeSO691cgStEGWbSJ8RY146L-9e0CTUWFUsWf3bp7B-ZZYAPfEfN35saI6Yt58-sxsLTmnY7DvtqxpiEMbRr3vZn_qCWFGJxsE9U9_Opa6UXrDnYeSb4H/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRcpEbq3iELcgNjf_T1MaTcxMeSO691cgStEGWbSJ8RY146L-9e0CTUWFUsWf3bp7B-ZZYAPfEfN35saI6Yt58-sxsLTmnY7DvtqxpiEMbRr3vZn_qCWFGJxsE9U9_Opa6UXrDnYeSb4H/s640/IMG_1323.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boo got the "recipe"from KnitPicks: <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Line_by_Line_Mittens__D41213220.html">Line by Line Mittens to Gloves</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of course, Boo ad-libs and knit-libs and improvises a little in everything she does.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So these are not exact to the pattern.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She got the yarn from KnitPicks, too. They have great stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She said she got the pattern for free for buying yarn. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So there you have it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB32rR8jAo5JBgR7p6B9P7ZWG3UK54bMeYLBtnOw7RNQ-blekHX6ETDkTT_r6lw9P9Z-p2hC9o0Uxqe4b2OZwmSHfOcD2Ppm1FqaviyBgrCgK4VmUChvJLWB6HwJp9sq4h90eL-NJd5NNk/s1600/IMG_1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB32rR8jAo5JBgR7p6B9P7ZWG3UK54bMeYLBtnOw7RNQ-blekHX6ETDkTT_r6lw9P9Z-p2hC9o0Uxqe4b2OZwmSHfOcD2Ppm1FqaviyBgrCgK4VmUChvJLWB6HwJp9sq4h90eL-NJd5NNk/s640/IMG_1325.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I can get back to dreaming about the coast of Maine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(well, the <i><b>summertime </b></i>coast of Maine, to be specific...) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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------------------ </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now if only I could stay awake long enough to read more than a few pages...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-28719357787607132902015-12-26T16:18:00.003-05:002015-12-26T16:20:04.457-05:00chicken boots!<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every chicken loving lady needs a pair of chicken boot<span style="color: #0000ee;">s.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out the Sloggers I got for Christmas!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K260oxSjcEs4TxkvRgOP7IG-mzELPiBrj3ZVczVhnWb4hwxScTg_GcGaYk8CxqJ7yhRQTpaSyBJBC1I1a_n0EAuXBSqzncy6MozCTEcNryzoECA5U3YVt4phNS3GrwTMZL8XC5hBOoME/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K260oxSjcEs4TxkvRgOP7IG-mzELPiBrj3ZVczVhnWb4hwxScTg_GcGaYk8CxqJ7yhRQTpaSyBJBC1I1a_n0EAuXBSqzncy6MozCTEcNryzoECA5U3YVt4phNS3GrwTMZL8XC5hBOoME/s640/IMG_1331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5gZ_nppOy38l7pmev8m-Aoq3wqstLa5nWSh3OIOPq3BOXcQzx6YnuYO5g9hcWLgncAbXMCWEQww5sLYbZAR68BGZQ6Ps4UPROHY65vZ0zpKIilRq6m_6HkphCBv3aqmL6s7lmfshwqZ2/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5gZ_nppOy38l7pmev8m-Aoq3wqstLa5nWSh3OIOPq3BOXcQzx6YnuYO5g9hcWLgncAbXMCWEQww5sLYbZAR68BGZQ6Ps4UPROHY65vZ0zpKIilRq6m_6HkphCBv3aqmL6s7lmfshwqZ2/s640/IMG_1328.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZa3BQx6wp-41iQulKdoIsydgO0cWu3pFH55g6MsfafISzm8m8-VxL8lHSClligsUFbdVBsQvld3qJVOfep6QcjroP6zY0BbdgwwFh5fAOyGi9itWAymBouXFmLXL42PLxQ6FZ3BfpVoC/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZa3BQx6wp-41iQulKdoIsydgO0cWu3pFH55g6MsfafISzm8m8-VxL8lHSClligsUFbdVBsQvld3qJVOfep6QcjroP6zY0BbdgwwFh5fAOyGi9itWAymBouXFmLXL42PLxQ6FZ3BfpVoC/s640/IMG_1330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
They are super comfy, and made in the USA.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And they seem very durable, with really good tread. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can rinse them right off if they get icky!<br />
They even come with a half-size change insert so you can customize the fit. <br />
<br />
Perfect for gardening, chicken chores,<br />
or adding a smile to drudgery and errands.<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOVdXmhTq11WTW1EzFWlnPh2H0lLbu-CIkJAkZvCj5S-81oCf1PQxbrEDzE-HyPE3Zi-BLcfkGiZC-HoPr_C5u0hzrjS-F2aebfcjog3JO61z40mvkCNTglv9d5QI_HxbNG8G7o0K96gO/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOVdXmhTq11WTW1EzFWlnPh2H0lLbu-CIkJAkZvCj5S-81oCf1PQxbrEDzE-HyPE3Zi-BLcfkGiZC-HoPr_C5u0hzrjS-F2aebfcjog3JO61z40mvkCNTglv9d5QI_HxbNG8G7o0K96gO/s640/IMG_1334.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can hardly wait to show them to the chickens!<br />
(They won't be able to peck holes in these like the do the neoprene on my Bog boots!) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you want to treat yourself to a pair,<br />
you can find them <a href="http://www.sloggers.com/Chicken-Print-Womens-Rain-Garden-Boot-p/5016cdy.htm">here. </a></div>
<br />
<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-19847186476189244942015-12-25T15:06:00.000-05:002015-12-25T15:09:06.271-05:00Merry Christmas 2015!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Merry Christmas!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
We're very grateful this Christmas to have our boy Huck still with us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is nearly 10 months post-surgery, and going strong...!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Full of spirit... he amazes me every day.<br />
</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuB4TPNIQd3lu2dsbT-5mwdri6NZjU1mKWr9FIhimi34Zlpoh1BCDTPm_0_g8uGLnSmQY_2jTBxlmDMzbnj7ealPVQc7jVDisNaE7X0oV6f2vq2B27djY4h72wzmd4H2Ua3kswJ07im3c/s640/IMG_0117.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
He has taught me so much...<br />
about life,<br />
about gratitude<br />
and fortitude<br />
and <br />
about making the best of things.<br />
<br />
He has never shown self-pity.<br />
Not even once. <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-------------------------<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a scare a couple of weeks ago, when we thought we were going to lose him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We feared the cancer had returned,<br />
but it turned out to be an awful abscess in his right rear foot,<br />
making it extremely difficult for him to walk. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
It was a serious infection, and he could have died.<br />
Dogs can live with 3 legs, but not 2...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfXj1S61aKLqqXGpuqnxZmK2VyEPfE3w-WLUfXXPr2Y5rBAWPNvxp7khC6aZ-uWryXdBg4qORFQXCwlpIMYxP34ytDUEoGcKwJJFHJ1srnlNO-tlgHSyMgVrqUOHU9U6N8Huus4HuaZ8B/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfXj1S61aKLqqXGpuqnxZmK2VyEPfE3w-WLUfXXPr2Y5rBAWPNvxp7khC6aZ-uWryXdBg4qORFQXCwlpIMYxP34ytDUEoGcKwJJFHJ1srnlNO-tlgHSyMgVrqUOHU9U6N8Huus4HuaZ8B/s640/IMG_0185.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX5dr-r7oNUjYZ_-8oV8jZhYGtnfTyk9cXtZmDHYhG1D_MO4c1H6GD7Uhzn6XUpZbAM-9pMzhmnAFNT3IHDAnGVECdaCWiclqBHg2q7KADhp6WSWyjAJqvbq8qnwmmqdINgMYB5QiE-Ml/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX5dr-r7oNUjYZ_-8oV8jZhYGtnfTyk9cXtZmDHYhG1D_MO4c1H6GD7Uhzn6XUpZbAM-9pMzhmnAFNT3IHDAnGVECdaCWiclqBHg2q7KADhp6WSWyjAJqvbq8qnwmmqdINgMYB5QiE-Ml/s640/IMG_0203.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Luckily he's getting better every day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're so incredibly relieved...! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's such a dear, dear boy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And his sister Clara has been such a sweet angel,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
waiting patiently in the background while his needs took precedence. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
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Oh, Clara... assuming her usual position <br />
(snug as a big giant bug on a rug, snoring away).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aB-sYZJkyZ2jBU6kpJ9I25nPOBnd27I48GbiwR4Grr3Q85oQU8xZShlLfI80AbTbTGIoyvEnpS4qO6WPV_NTCpFQL2OydE6Y1eeaLxu1o-ha0UZq5XdLXtPTh38z3f7-NzSESVwmXxvE/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aB-sYZJkyZ2jBU6kpJ9I25nPOBnd27I48GbiwR4Grr3Q85oQU8xZShlLfI80AbTbTGIoyvEnpS4qO6WPV_NTCpFQL2OydE6Y1eeaLxu1o-ha0UZq5XdLXtPTh38z3f7-NzSESVwmXxvE/s640/IMG_0114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We might not have snow around here,</div>
but thanks to our wonderful Great Pyrenees, we still had a "white" Christmas!<br />
This is "snow" left behind from a brushing session...!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzjZv_Ovr4kVqaE5p7gmriILtBe4hiTXnv6HK1aMhbBqkx7VckUW9xEepTMYhLTpy9iYqB9fr8u0NidZZxfy-Th5PRbfqFJO9Jt0IEgYCx2gnIAv4QWB-cD9kHOPmO4cDBM-PIY8ObhOi/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzjZv_Ovr4kVqaE5p7gmriILtBe4hiTXnv6HK1aMhbBqkx7VckUW9xEepTMYhLTpy9iYqB9fr8u0NidZZxfy-Th5PRbfqFJO9Jt0IEgYCx2gnIAv4QWB-cD9kHOPmO4cDBM-PIY8ObhOi/s640/IMG_0116.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Some people spin it into yarn, so we might check that out.<br />
I could spin the fur into yarn and Boo could get busy with her knitting needles.<br />
We'd have enough for a sweater in no time flat!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfuWBdZbNROblOQv8iW5SxzlAR3pjW_t5OtKitzgaNhZmbN9p32lg7_WPZcpTGDTNzbzFvfCUd5IrtTQacRdWUAFsSnomxIDFk8MC1TMlZmtCpqSZI-tyiPEXKKhAIhpVcprSmMsKYcQL/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfuWBdZbNROblOQv8iW5SxzlAR3pjW_t5OtKitzgaNhZmbN9p32lg7_WPZcpTGDTNzbzFvfCUd5IrtTQacRdWUAFsSnomxIDFk8MC1TMlZmtCpqSZI-tyiPEXKKhAIhpVcprSmMsKYcQL/s640/IMG_1278.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfuWBdZbNROblOQv8iW5SxzlAR3pjW_t5OtKitzgaNhZmbN9p32lg7_WPZcpTGDTNzbzFvfCUd5IrtTQacRdWUAFsSnomxIDFk8MC1TMlZmtCpqSZI-tyiPEXKKhAIhpVcprSmMsKYcQL/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Merry Christmas to all!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtM9h36Hx8_AZ2fFGGijTtXIAjsn5fS5uJVpQ5TBGErxS47t9EH84PKchTfRYkvFU75l2km0a5k8s9-CyUQH0lBjfuOhn-sWGgsvLdAhZFv4Aggcgna1p_olA3KLiPtrAe0LGmtpZYUqo/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtM9h36Hx8_AZ2fFGGijTtXIAjsn5fS5uJVpQ5TBGErxS47t9EH84PKchTfRYkvFU75l2km0a5k8s9-CyUQH0lBjfuOhn-sWGgsvLdAhZFv4Aggcgna1p_olA3KLiPtrAe0LGmtpZYUqo/s640/IMG_0194.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And to all a Good Night.</div>
Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-60656951398354105662015-11-22T19:55:00.003-05:002015-12-26T16:23:55.170-05:00egg celebrations<div style="text-align: center;">
We've been having an egg-celebration around here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(In the last week, two of our young hens started to lay their eggs!!!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was at work, but Boo messaged me to tell me that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
our dear little Connie was frantically looking everywhere to find a spot to do her business </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(even though she had no clue what her "business" was, at least not that very first time...) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She didn't have to know what it was to know that it felt urgent. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her henny instincts told her to find a spot that was <i><b>just right</b></i>...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-_EKpXd0xpx3mitNbWlorIBdU_VN7I39TMCFL_cTHzh-IvFpqWRDVjC0rh32hoBfX-bMP_7w8wJD7MJERp8Wdm-MoDySHTiAzEOdoWELGCt9nvW7S8Tffr4mrNuT-2etCqiwG1zzwtOY/s1600/DSC04774.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-_EKpXd0xpx3mitNbWlorIBdU_VN7I39TMCFL_cTHzh-IvFpqWRDVjC0rh32hoBfX-bMP_7w8wJD7MJERp8Wdm-MoDySHTiAzEOdoWELGCt9nvW7S8Tffr4mrNuT-2etCqiwG1zzwtOY/s640/DSC04774.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Connie was on a mission.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She looked everywhere.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inside things.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Under things.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Behind things.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In every little nook and cranny she could find.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing would do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5y8W9LOsc3ebXNky_YAiZDbY9ZSfYjzi9uTfzENA8_TGlm5J0ETG-05LhUJeWCwJp2lZRrj8WskWxJ_D6JmXjU8GPt965TbQEH7mLeSOoJU7-IFh3zb4qj9yjbbWqHdW1rFkq4J2Ff81W/s1600/DSC04778.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5y8W9LOsc3ebXNky_YAiZDbY9ZSfYjzi9uTfzENA8_TGlm5J0ETG-05LhUJeWCwJp2lZRrj8WskWxJ_D6JmXjU8GPt965TbQEH7mLeSOoJU7-IFh3zb4qj9yjbbWqHdW1rFkq4J2Ff81W/s640/DSC04778.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where-oh-where</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is the just right spot?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgGujomJcAZtlZn30rArqHpgKsYvDxqoJ_6FqeK7xZCu6bq3CHcoqaSNvi0CZICJTEXhXFdwlPOPrIIKM-ePy21BJcwNWkMk8bRcJCWgHIf1VHxXOtcgGV-SN7vFpAnHB-k2apM7FtnXx/s1600/DSC04826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgGujomJcAZtlZn30rArqHpgKsYvDxqoJ_6FqeK7xZCu6bq3CHcoqaSNvi0CZICJTEXhXFdwlPOPrIIKM-ePy21BJcwNWkMk8bRcJCWgHIf1VHxXOtcgGV-SN7vFpAnHB-k2apM7FtnXx/s640/DSC04826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She looked in the corner of the coop addition </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where some of the older girls used to like to lay...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not right. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB3U1yLjn3jD7jutT2NelR1DhfFwMKsWiV42XIBw2jQxmUBiJZIQqodrKZLNFaYfmYagxpx5LYP5RcaFEjjivCk6jC_60iNKl6YLsphuw06YLgVimFYbB8IJZaN_olWIVVXIFSMzM0ZSf/s1600/DSC04822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB3U1yLjn3jD7jutT2NelR1DhfFwMKsWiV42XIBw2jQxmUBiJZIQqodrKZLNFaYfmYagxpx5LYP5RcaFEjjivCk6jC_60iNKl6YLsphuw06YLgVimFYbB8IJZaN_olWIVVXIFSMzM0ZSf/s640/DSC04822.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She looked in the old hutch,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the one where the little field mice have made a permanent home in the drawer...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEBJzDfut3VQ5y1RK1DlMa35A7d-LiQx3QwpBM8NrCRtUzQxRQBiVo-lq1IU8Tm4uvXkM1EfMD6M-UOoR1fNzo73rSPwHBklqg07M2i7Fe7qHxdEIIcua9MzbEwCATiTu3STMUAWDja3z/s1600/DSC04838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEBJzDfut3VQ5y1RK1DlMa35A7d-LiQx3QwpBM8NrCRtUzQxRQBiVo-lq1IU8Tm4uvXkM1EfMD6M-UOoR1fNzo73rSPwHBklqg07M2i7Fe7qHxdEIIcua9MzbEwCATiTu3STMUAWDja3z/s640/DSC04838.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She looked in the old dog house (we filled it with comfy bedding).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not right.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKZKr_HGzUiTkPIT3w8QLz4pM6CDNeIdXW-8JPmxgmYLSO0J1ifYxoXL91TST9YQx56h3AYcfWFQ32-33PQ8VrWZIeKBL4_wtE-3sZWuMUOZJGvbBIdAYQqZuFH_ZN-LirKgi4KVXQhZu/s1600/DSC04819.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKZKr_HGzUiTkPIT3w8QLz4pM6CDNeIdXW-8JPmxgmYLSO0J1ifYxoXL91TST9YQx56h3AYcfWFQ32-33PQ8VrWZIeKBL4_wtE-3sZWuMUOZJGvbBIdAYQqZuFH_ZN-LirKgi4KVXQhZu/s640/DSC04819.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ramshackle nesting boxes that Kalinda used to love...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nope.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not right.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NOGvR2t4A6Li0YluI83OOC1o2ybUY65_MT5I3NaBnL14ZN0SOXMWqqaAHuuVFsSv-dFwaUvqxEE0LAtz6AKNMOuq36nKqg4QCzbs1F_mFkvyDpL5KBJoRgYcB1MWo-9G6Dvs5hZiGLRL/s1600/DSC04824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NOGvR2t4A6Li0YluI83OOC1o2ybUY65_MT5I3NaBnL14ZN0SOXMWqqaAHuuVFsSv-dFwaUvqxEE0LAtz6AKNMOuq36nKqg4QCzbs1F_mFkvyDpL5KBJoRgYcB1MWo-9G6Dvs5hZiGLRL/s640/DSC04824.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She looked in the nesting boxes I built</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(we stapled some fabric curtains to make it cozier and darker inside...)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0cmXMGbNnalTQcexH2eYb3Yy4yTOD-BIQYiMRTpdDV-3VlDanKL38Y8qhy9Becd3IaxVj3ZY8c0ua9aDD-UYMBIoO5UnfrVQWJxdzIPwTRFTwBkrX3pY6u_UCSlkWCH8ct4Sn_rR7F2e/s1600/DSC04825.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0cmXMGbNnalTQcexH2eYb3Yy4yTOD-BIQYiMRTpdDV-3VlDanKL38Y8qhy9Becd3IaxVj3ZY8c0ua9aDD-UYMBIoO5UnfrVQWJxdzIPwTRFTwBkrX3pY6u_UCSlkWCH8ct4Sn_rR7F2e/s640/DSC04825.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still not right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her sisters were really beginning to wonder what all the frantic searching was about... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbVK78w77QD0ETvwC0iwIrWIFn3BUlMBUYpwfhMZsskJmvCjn8JlaPJWDHO8YfGp82mtT8ZWB9SXhyuU8mxXUSItu_3awwoLWzugwo9kfy4hC3u-z6dwEkFbTcZ-i-X1ZOfL-9xnP-FmK/s1600/DSC04793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbVK78w77QD0ETvwC0iwIrWIFn3BUlMBUYpwfhMZsskJmvCjn8JlaPJWDHO8YfGp82mtT8ZWB9SXhyuU8mxXUSItu_3awwoLWzugwo9kfy4hC3u-z6dwEkFbTcZ-i-X1ZOfL-9xnP-FmK/s640/DSC04793.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She looked in the old duck house...<i><b> </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>la maison des canards</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still not<i><b> quite </b></i>right... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<pre class="tw-data-text vk_txt tw-ta tw-text-medium" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Translation" id="tw-target-text" style="height: 72px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b><span lang="fr">pas tout à fait à droite...</span></b></i></span>! </pre>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyIncOJ4r2ld8843wew8jfgzVXQiCE10b_ozvFcfPZ9gY0aIeu3yg-lznQiEUKSXgchdkFP4rwJVajmSMbGyHOk4MlxNhAfvaPk-XmUpABEdtj1Krx1CDcSvF_QIiYDJNzABhTJtKv-hB/s1600/DSC04815.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyIncOJ4r2ld8843wew8jfgzVXQiCE10b_ozvFcfPZ9gY0aIeu3yg-lznQiEUKSXgchdkFP4rwJVajmSMbGyHOk4MlxNhAfvaPk-XmUpABEdtj1Krx1CDcSvF_QIiYDJNzABhTJtKv-hB/s640/DSC04815.JPG" width="640" /></a>Then, finally...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She found Brahmie's old chicken tractor in the shed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And she found a way...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to go under the front edge, hop up, and then into the back where it's dark and cozy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a girl! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7-hPDQJxEBeFTd76cIftI4hrLhrtKq6lCj8Bepj6ISzZ-Axe5bETY3NByDXNQto9juh-KnxUWmzlI4dsCoIMyozjaIixJ_pn7Poj2EnT45mC1bjllsU8f0sKrq9gp-D365CIKZ1mI8CL/s1600/DSC04803.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7-hPDQJxEBeFTd76cIftI4hrLhrtKq6lCj8Bepj6ISzZ-Axe5bETY3NByDXNQto9juh-KnxUWmzlI4dsCoIMyozjaIixJ_pn7Poj2EnT45mC1bjllsU8f0sKrq9gp-D365CIKZ1mI8CL/s640/DSC04803.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Buttercup started the same frantic search</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a few days later.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And guess what?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She wants the same spot Connie wants.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess<i><b> </b></i>everything about it is...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b> just right.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Or she just wants it because Connie wants it...!)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So now they squawk over who gets dibs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today it was like musical nesting boxes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Up and down.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One in, one out...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>(Move it, sister!)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Squawk! Squawk! Squawk! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over and over again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-----------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So there you have it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two of our little "mediums" are no longer mediums.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They are officially big girls now...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They've marched their way into hen-hood. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WWj-BUItp2RAkq_gEunJP5ibzp0bIz2LEwDUdX2skU1nahyphenhyphenPRVeY4wZBPeHeE7ComuvtevAsYaXIe05KhIrVyRsOhCasv1BR84ysOzmV2ZGQqrPgUDdhq07Q92HRl23EaWSm1lT2unnm/s1600/DSC04850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WWj-BUItp2RAkq_gEunJP5ibzp0bIz2LEwDUdX2skU1nahyphenhyphenPRVeY4wZBPeHeE7ComuvtevAsYaXIe05KhIrVyRsOhCasv1BR84ysOzmV2ZGQqrPgUDdhq07Q92HRl23EaWSm1lT2unnm/s640/DSC04850.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Connie's first little eggs are kind of round-ish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg84Yjo1VV2RsOOCUGzoIRSypIvGjrOEF539zj6lqjMEU_SjSwbvgGyIFldarxTys0dkxgvPjAuvVrDrxFC6erp1gzgNGQqjb-4XRIlxVvtcD7H-CrcUclDDy7lf44GVsDGwfUDrFAAiy2/s1600/DSC04851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg84Yjo1VV2RsOOCUGzoIRSypIvGjrOEF539zj6lqjMEU_SjSwbvgGyIFldarxTys0dkxgvPjAuvVrDrxFC6erp1gzgNGQqjb-4XRIlxVvtcD7H-CrcUclDDy7lf44GVsDGwfUDrFAAiy2/s640/DSC04851.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Buttercup's are pointy and spotted.</div>
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Boo even made an egg-selent celebratory cake,</div>
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with one of the new eggs as the centerpiece.</div>
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But alas, before I got to take a picture of it,</div>
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even though Boo thought she had put it safe and sound </div>
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out of reach of our counter-surfing dogs...</div>
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Yep, you guessed it...</div>
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Clara jumped up and used either her teeth or her furry paws </div>
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to pull the platter with cake and all </div>
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off the back of the top of the toaster oven</div>
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down onto the counter, and she ate what was left.</div>
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(apparently Boo forgot that the top of the toaster oven is NOT safe). </div>
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Well, Little Miss Naughty </div>
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didn't get dinner or breakfast</div>
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after that fiasco.</div>
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So you'll just have to imagine the beautiful 4-layer yellow cake</div>
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with a layer of strawberry jam, </div>
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covered in dreamy buttercream frosting</div>
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with one of Buttercup's eggs nestled on top.</div>
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Sigh.</div>
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We should have known better about Ms. Clara.</div>
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She's a real appreciator of the finer things in life.</div>
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Her philosophy is like Mae West's:</div>
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"too much of a good thing can be wonderful." </div>
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Oh, Clara. </div>
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<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-23787911822846809462015-11-09T22:05:00.000-05:002015-11-09T22:05:04.696-05:00a prayer for the butterflies and the bees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes gardening feels like praying.</div>
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A prayer of sorts, anyway.</div>
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Befriending the butterflies and the bees</div>
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is an extension of gardening,</div>
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and being a guardian of those small winged creatures</div>
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definitely feels like a kind of prayer to me. </div>
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Prayer isn't just wishing and hoping</div>
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and calling upon higher powers.</div>
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Prayer is also action.</div>
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Prayer is doing everything you can. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwVeu6T8SIBc370z4bnxMDXc5GU9E9JnysJ6EAKKROZgn0ThrIC5hHQ4IvfKGnKSCAn7TAvPDEIoR5ekYJOCPMLEw5cBRRrRyQ4k0OYHue5USdnLSzCIUozsvN2drULXOokocrb92TC6I/s1600/DSC04710.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwVeu6T8SIBc370z4bnxMDXc5GU9E9JnysJ6EAKKROZgn0ThrIC5hHQ4IvfKGnKSCAn7TAvPDEIoR5ekYJOCPMLEw5cBRRrRyQ4k0OYHue5USdnLSzCIUozsvN2drULXOokocrb92TC6I/s640/DSC04710.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And we are praying for the honeybees,</div>
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doing everything we can think of to help them survive the winter.</div>
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Winter is a really rough time for them.</div>
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I tried to make their hive as insulated and draft-free as possible: </div>
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I closed off the screened bottom board.</div>
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I closed the other entrances (i.e. bee holes) to keep drafts down.</div>
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(I left only one small reduced entrance </div>
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for them to take cleansing flights as they are able to on warmer days.)</div>
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I stuffed insulation up inside the roof.</div>
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I wrapped the hive body itself with hive-wrap.</div>
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Then we stacked hay bales all around the hives</div>
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to try to provide a wind break, </div>
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and some more insulation around the outside of the hive.</div>
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(The heart of the hive, in the center, is where the bees are now.)</div>
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As long as they made enough honey for themselves, </div>
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they have a decent chance of surviving.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4MJKk0P8sfk9oIojshR0LGo7LeUvptV7QJ5IVeyNjZAfxueXllh_D6teScRNv9HrvSEmPNIpYKyM-pfFoauvUEpX-FXu3zYl-klSf8tTNuhAmOTRVkwTS83aPYilqDSFFrqmGKKLjhg0/s1600/DSC04709.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4MJKk0P8sfk9oIojshR0LGo7LeUvptV7QJ5IVeyNjZAfxueXllh_D6teScRNv9HrvSEmPNIpYKyM-pfFoauvUEpX-FXu3zYl-klSf8tTNuhAmOTRVkwTS83aPYilqDSFFrqmGKKLjhg0/s640/DSC04709.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the spring, we'll break down the hay bales</div>
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and use them for mulch or to keep weeds down in our garden paths.</div>
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We've been praying for the monarch butterflies, too.</div>
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They depend on native milkweed for their habitat and their food source. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFRcXwtbReuSWbNi9T4keimlk7BwGNgH74w2tXLfXYHecMd5Do-ALmd0Cp4kSQN7GAIHno2-dmi_EMUOqEtwjIS-Ne6q0MjroJeND-mImDmJCOJSEN0GEKASxZg09LT7t2rg6ULL6cl1K/s1600/DSC04702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFRcXwtbReuSWbNi9T4keimlk7BwGNgH74w2tXLfXYHecMd5Do-ALmd0Cp4kSQN7GAIHno2-dmi_EMUOqEtwjIS-Ne6q0MjroJeND-mImDmJCOJSEN0GEKASxZg09LT7t2rg6ULL6cl1K/s640/DSC04702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here they are, our prayers in a bowl.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9smh2q54QegzpL01XXyTc-YnWUe6E5zUIvISjahxNIUOlgZ6sC6fKZ-SgNOdQqy0UQ2BNviBrrhEROWiCIv5t96QdqP2MheDc7i7gABtPfOwhil7P7aGN0fO8qQwIfOLFE2q33dUcqz0h/s1600/DSC04726.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9smh2q54QegzpL01XXyTc-YnWUe6E5zUIvISjahxNIUOlgZ6sC6fKZ-SgNOdQqy0UQ2BNviBrrhEROWiCIv5t96QdqP2MheDc7i7gABtPfOwhil7P7aGN0fO8qQwIfOLFE2q33dUcqz0h/s320/DSC04726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We saved native milkweed pods,</div>
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and we spread the seeds all around. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl5Hg92IpPVd658jfiUs_8pTmqTEtTWJxwn_1aKbhfVDkDRd1VBwmChq6urnxCyeVES-ygrRJXUBgVi6PJnQDSw77PhpkePrnXceeuSPvFOGj-jUfk8dAmjPW7v29FMhsg0-1mPkzoOj2/s1600/DSC04704.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl5Hg92IpPVd658jfiUs_8pTmqTEtTWJxwn_1aKbhfVDkDRd1VBwmChq6urnxCyeVES-ygrRJXUBgVi6PJnQDSw77PhpkePrnXceeuSPvFOGj-jUfk8dAmjPW7v29FMhsg0-1mPkzoOj2/s320/DSC04704.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVVIBo_vRyfd5bsEtzMZISAZQHMybgxMdacV_Oanbek5z25G_tTnb4qb9b38xtlRiKYcv0wV0AgGYu_OjAglwK1mY7aQ-yzqrL_RlPwzpizYEovKMsMWSpTTctzDBUnzRYLtCbIYVjjmT/s1600/DSC04706.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVVIBo_vRyfd5bsEtzMZISAZQHMybgxMdacV_Oanbek5z25G_tTnb4qb9b38xtlRiKYcv0wV0AgGYu_OjAglwK1mY7aQ-yzqrL_RlPwzpizYEovKMsMWSpTTctzDBUnzRYLtCbIYVjjmT/s640/DSC04706.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL9wKgliO4tqvzTPIYlTHHNhp_Y6Azl33vDy3izLwPMX0jjxvSOdmfIOqgx4zuBUxuEUVkMfIxTxsq2_90F778zygvr5q9oeysogTG9mca80rhzKc08UTLHx7Z_kSwu6BjoZEN7cbDKOg/s1600/DSC04735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL9wKgliO4tqvzTPIYlTHHNhp_Y6Azl33vDy3izLwPMX0jjxvSOdmfIOqgx4zuBUxuEUVkMfIxTxsq2_90F778zygvr5q9oeysogTG9mca80rhzKc08UTLHx7Z_kSwu6BjoZEN7cbDKOg/s320/DSC04735.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We scattered them in the wind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPUtyS57pSNa9wcLODQGR0oLLAXeGrDA102NsTAwEf5v15dgAxOipfrheucwapBRKQZYw3_o6BZacXUBbAjJhHNWY4m0RjworcYIcOP9VBGeIVZOSzcD2DPP1-JZ701usjhLKg4KJm746/s1600/DSC04718.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPUtyS57pSNa9wcLODQGR0oLLAXeGrDA102NsTAwEf5v15dgAxOipfrheucwapBRKQZYw3_o6BZacXUBbAjJhHNWY4m0RjworcYIcOP9VBGeIVZOSzcD2DPP1-JZ701usjhLKg4KJm746/s320/DSC04718.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8y85pXbYyGGHdTimVc81O5N_T8dhzK2m2qv_3AOoMQO0r8RhHEwcTSjjULnZOgftL3_THZojXTx9fYm-WblB6Go76syqlvhsMQtjf58aBZOlFP_icO46gRT6NUHasM4enUfieBYRmRm8/s1600/DSC04742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8y85pXbYyGGHdTimVc81O5N_T8dhzK2m2qv_3AOoMQO0r8RhHEwcTSjjULnZOgftL3_THZojXTx9fYm-WblB6Go76syqlvhsMQtjf58aBZOlFP_icO46gRT6NUHasM4enUfieBYRmRm8/s320/DSC04742.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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With hindsight, it may have been smarter to actually plant the seeds in the ground.</div>
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But I trust that nature will take it's course.</div>
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The wind blew the tufts of seeds all around. </div>
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Some of the seeds clumped or got caught in grasses or wildflowers, </div>
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but rains and snow will help them make their way down to the ground.</div>
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Leaves will continue to fall and provide natural mulch.</div>
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Many of these seeds should take root.</div>
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Life, after all, </div>
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wants to live.</div>
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Just like the monarch butterflies.</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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The past 20
years have shown </div>
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approximately a 90% decline in the monarch population. </div>
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(from 1 billion down to 30 million...!)</div>
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The good news is that with increased awareness and efforts, </div>
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the numbers increased slightly last winter.</div>
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Let's keep that momentum going in the right direction!</div>
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Visit <a href="http://www.plantmilkweed.org/">www.plantmilkweed.org</a> for more tips on what you can do to help the monarchs.</div>
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<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-14858431634606372242015-10-25T20:15:00.000-04:002015-10-25T20:15:07.477-04:00beautiful creepy crawly things<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes creepy crawly things just seem... </div>
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creepy crawly.</div>
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But sometimes creepy crawly things can really take your breath away,</div>
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especially if happen to stumble upon them</div>
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at the right moment.</div>
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Here's an assortment of a few different beautiful things I've seen </div>
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in and around the gardens lately.</div>
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Each "discovery" has been from uncovering something. </div>
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Under a tarp. </div>
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Under a mat.</div>
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Under some greenhouse plastic.</div>
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You get the idea.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHunRIgbMQpciHC-bdQBaHcaimyLQgjeu2usKnrLVM6jVZMXAWOzGJZ4bNq42A3UaT8lfUfHMav5_VgKjfQpXsfqZJZnYgerF2qNLrHRWbGmZ3ku96FeSkMigo3bfMxnE7lqmTZtZZw0t/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHunRIgbMQpciHC-bdQBaHcaimyLQgjeu2usKnrLVM6jVZMXAWOzGJZ4bNq42A3UaT8lfUfHMav5_VgKjfQpXsfqZJZnYgerF2qNLrHRWbGmZ3ku96FeSkMigo3bfMxnE7lqmTZtZZw0t/s640/IMG_1005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><b> limax maximus, </b></i>i.e. giant garden slug</div>
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next to a freshly laid cluster of eggs </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXU-P5WkwEpHE9u4iN3l607QuiBbpq_xCoW0X-i_c6YiVcWo9LUyjmszKIJ_X2tgnt69yh3bvIaRm7RZ8QHLi99bvfxFWPDZY8ynNVOsobIkDPdgo8oDScZbrL1aGGcaFXbrgl6OlUFPb/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXU-P5WkwEpHE9u4iN3l607QuiBbpq_xCoW0X-i_c6YiVcWo9LUyjmszKIJ_X2tgnt69yh3bvIaRm7RZ8QHLi99bvfxFWPDZY8ynNVOsobIkDPdgo8oDScZbrL1aGGcaFXbrgl6OlUFPb/s640/IMG_1007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAg9ySUNDBiQB-6rCa8sWMauZfkgwy5GC3FDWVi_6IP_c9TvOOgMS4Tn2P-dMPGMnHk0tUPof51ZQtomZBM8khe4gi-7r4uG3QI7bMjC-e5CzpnGB3Cu-7TMAQpmBpqa60kNdFuFPtRXU5/s640/IMG_1014.JPG" width="640" />Even my very best camera lens could not do these justice...</div>
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They were absolutely luminous and ethereal,</div>
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so beautiful I nearly cried. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrck1_zVQpbmprKXWNDmTWUwHxdJilNyBIsjcQdfsY8hsE_iaezyP4mUJgew4g0hkMoFBaA4_suF4FJ0v_pNUyfhdGAzkm76dEGQSO26mBQxzkv5kJbms1eBeVHdmmfi7kgMclNoho-qSd/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrck1_zVQpbmprKXWNDmTWUwHxdJilNyBIsjcQdfsY8hsE_iaezyP4mUJgew4g0hkMoFBaA4_suF4FJ0v_pNUyfhdGAzkm76dEGQSO26mBQxzkv5kJbms1eBeVHdmmfi7kgMclNoho-qSd/s640/IMG_1154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure what kind of pupa this is... maybe a moth of some sort... </div>
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but I love the weaving and the hair-like quality around the outside... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQl4AaJfLXYK2ba-nhsX_6h4oVoaQR5rcsG94F68LH5yjLzmLAcxbCBlpHbcN48Foi7ELA5dAquI8YF7kY5Kys7-dgjLve8AKLcCQkC0Efr1qUj1sUFL12b8CYyP3Gz5HLp936OXy_ObHY/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQl4AaJfLXYK2ba-nhsX_6h4oVoaQR5rcsG94F68LH5yjLzmLAcxbCBlpHbcN48Foi7ELA5dAquI8YF7kY5Kys7-dgjLve8AKLcCQkC0Efr1qUj1sUFL12b8CYyP3Gz5HLp936OXy_ObHY/s640/IMG_1163.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today I stumbled upon this bright orange beauty, </div>
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while getting ready to plant our garlic crop.</div>
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The brightness of it startled me. </div>
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I think it's a <i><b>marbled orb-weaver spider.</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHUa90TjVIdaUzRI15eGzL5l0K0jpLFSM-7tl0LZAbgHzNBCATle90dBZEi99UAGaOuSQoM96YeEkciXvEHKp7dMg3Ja70sE8hssTim3nSqA9PPcbNHbkEKhYyCnIGJqtP2sjsmLuoXYZ/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHUa90TjVIdaUzRI15eGzL5l0K0jpLFSM-7tl0LZAbgHzNBCATle90dBZEi99UAGaOuSQoM96YeEkciXvEHKp7dMg3Ja70sE8hssTim3nSqA9PPcbNHbkEKhYyCnIGJqtP2sjsmLuoXYZ/s640/IMG_1168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look at those amazing silks...! </div>
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The ways they're pinned in so many layers and directions...</div>
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and the Rorschach-like pattern on the spider itself...!!! </div>
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Take a gander through your garden this fall,</div>
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you might find some beautiful treasures hiding in those nooks and crannies!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrck1_zVQpbmprKXWNDmTWUwHxdJilNyBIsjcQdfsY8hsE_iaezyP4mUJgew4g0hkMoFBaA4_suF4FJ0v_pNUyfhdGAzkm76dEGQSO26mBQxzkv5kJbms1eBeVHdmmfi7kgMclNoho-qSd/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-88828615317057744992015-10-18T16:01:00.003-04:002015-10-18T16:01:41.723-04:00the blueberry patch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Normally, I would not be thinking (or blogging) about blueberries in mid-October.</div>
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And certainly not this weekend, after some really chilly temperatures and hail / light snow.</div>
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Typically I'd be thinking about...</div>
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snuggling up,</div>
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a warm fire,</div>
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or having a hot bowl or mug of something...</div>
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like soup or chili or</div>
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<a href="http://www.asinglefeather.net/2014/12/hickory-nut-tea.html"> hickory nut tea. </a></div>
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or using one of <a href="http://www.asinglefeather.net/2013/10/hollenbecks-cider-mill.html">Hollenbeck's</a> hot, fresh donuts </div>
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as an edible handwarmer.</div>
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Mmmmn!</div>
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So why in the world am I thinking and blogging about blueberries? </div>
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Well, besides the fact that I enjoy mentally living in a state of perpetual summer whenever possible,</div>
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the<i><b> real reason</b></i> is that we just finished weeding and mulching our blueberry patch.</div>
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It had gotten very overgrown.</div>
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And it was a very big task.</div>
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We knew we had to do it. Like in July we knew we had to do it.</div>
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And we just kept doing other things.</div>
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</div>
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But we finally did it.</div>
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So we're standing back and looking at the fruits (or potential fruits) of our labor.</div>
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It's exciting to imagine what will happen next year </div>
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and the next</div>
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and the next </div>
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and on and on after that.</div>
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Going into the fall and winter, it feels really amazing</div>
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to know that we should have berries </div>
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just waiting for us </div>
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when we tilt back towards the sun. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjto3I9F3bPo0aR_8bqvT4fB8GMexURe5qhIMW5b1ljBlBkhzazk1zTZNZtpW18_LC9kLFLqakpqDdF_m110lxuFM1Y4d1e-ifNGQiNU4qIBYMw5MCgUBsYHIaAW9EZO87_KMToNk-H15Af/s1600/DSC03923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjto3I9F3bPo0aR_8bqvT4fB8GMexURe5qhIMW5b1ljBlBkhzazk1zTZNZtpW18_LC9kLFLqakpqDdF_m110lxuFM1Y4d1e-ifNGQiNU4qIBYMw5MCgUBsYHIaAW9EZO87_KMToNk-H15Af/s1600/DSC03923.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjto3I9F3bPo0aR_8bqvT4fB8GMexURe5qhIMW5b1ljBlBkhzazk1zTZNZtpW18_LC9kLFLqakpqDdF_m110lxuFM1Y4d1e-ifNGQiNU4qIBYMw5MCgUBsYHIaAW9EZO87_KMToNk-H15Af/s640/DSC03923.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Crop berries, early summer 2015.</td></tr>
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I have dreamed of having a blueberry patch for quite awhile now.</div>
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Probably since we started picking blueberries out in Richford,</div>
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and since I got more interested in homesteading and sustainability.</div>
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I love blueberries.</div>
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I really do.</div>
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Did you know that if you plant an assortment of different varieties </div>
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that bloom throughout the season,</div>
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you can actually be<i><b> flush</b></i> with berries</div>
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from June until mid-September?! </div>
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Right on!!!</div>
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In the spring of 2014, we planted 4 blueberry plants.</div>
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They were three-year-old plants, to give us a head start.<br />
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And then I went a little crazy this spring...</div>
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And we planted 16 more plants (one-year-olds).</div>
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And then we planted 2 more (2-year-olds)</div>
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because I found two that I couldn't resist at a local sale.<br />
Typical me. </div>
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And now we're <b>done</b>.</div>
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:)</div>
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We're feeling mighty happy with our 22 little bushes,</div>
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and all the promise that they hold.</div>
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It's a fantastic feeling to look at a patch of land</div>
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and know that it will potentially help feed you for most of the rest of your life!</div>
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(blueberry plants can live 40-50 years!) </div>
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This year was the first year we got some berries.<br />
We ate everything while out in the field,<br />
except these two slightly heart-shaped berries<br />
which I brought inside to show my sweetie. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7bncM_QJlO-cAD8bfbDKIBb7pzUK6ZdjsMU5HtNRzhAq1L8VNyOrj23iv9Mx8723vLSnZhsqCrRxcUb_Hb7fRKzS7kcPQZ5-Fn9q0d6S3PjhPn-lhzJIXjiW3VuKCg0ptS9s6220Pkgh/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7bncM_QJlO-cAD8bfbDKIBb7pzUK6ZdjsMU5HtNRzhAq1L8VNyOrj23iv9Mx8723vLSnZhsqCrRxcUb_Hb7fRKzS7kcPQZ5-Fn9q0d6S3PjhPn-lhzJIXjiW3VuKCg0ptS9s6220Pkgh/s640/IMG_0901.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Altogether, maybe we got a quart out of our older plants.<br />
Not much, but still exciting!<br />
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In my blueberry daydreams,<br />
I imagine going down to our patch </div>
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to pick fresh bloobs for breakfast...<br />
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I would either just pop them straight into my mouth<br />
or take a bowl of yogurt or cottage cheese with a spoon down to the field,<br />
add some blueberries to the top,<br />
sit in one of our rickety old Adirondack chairs,<br />
and enjoy it all.<br />
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The taste...<br />
The view...<br />
And the satisfaction of this little gentlewoman's farm. <br />
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In my imagination, sometimes I carry a fresh picked quart<br />
back up to the house to share,<br />
and just add a handful to the side of my breakfast plate</div>
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alongside fresh eggs from our girls...</div>
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Talk about satisfaction.<br />
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Besides just eating them fresh,<br />
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there are muffins and pancakes</div>
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and all sorts of other delectables...</div>
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The desserts!</div>
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From pies and cobblers and strudels and streusels</div>
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to fools and slumps and grunts.</div>
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(Yes, those last three are all real dessert names.)</div>
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Here's a great recipe from Saveur for <a href="http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Blueberry-Slump">blueberry slump</a>.</div>
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You make it right in a cast iron skillet!</div>
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Planting blueberries isn't that hard, but it does involve a little more site preparation.</div>
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Blueberries produce best in well-draining acid soil,</div>
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which we did not have. </div>
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We initially followed soil-less planting instructions at <a href="http://www.backyardberryplants.com/plantingguides/index.htm">Backyard Berry Plants</a>.</div>
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It worked great, no complaints. </div>
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But then we discovered that a great local soil producer makes a "blueberry mix" soil blend.<br />
Check them out: <a href="http://www.greentreegardensupply.com/">Green Tree Garden Supply</a><br />
So far, so good with their blueberry mix, too. <br />
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One of the benefits of their blueberry mix is that it does not use peat moss.<br />
Here's a link to <a href="http://www.greentreegardensupply.com/blogs/pages/7641163-whats-wrong-with-peat">What's Wrong With Peat? </a><br />
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We got some of our plants locally, from<a href="http://www.twisted-tree.net/home/blueberries/"> Twisted Tree Farm</a>.<br />
Twisted Tree is a really special permaculture nursery out in Spencer, NY.<br />
<br />
I also got some plants from <a href="http://bakersacres.net/">Baker's Acres</a> in Lansing, NY. <br />
<br />
The original four plants we got of 3-year old bushes were from <a href="https://www.truevineranch.com/blueberry-plants.html">True Vine Ranch.</a><br />
They're an organic blueberry nursery in Kansas.<br />
<br />
And I got a bunch from <a href="http://www.starkbros.com/">Stark Brothers</a>. <br />
Not organic, but we'll grow them using only organic methods,<br />
and I feel fine about that. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
-----------------<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>We're growing these varieties:</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blue Crop </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blue Gold </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blue Ray </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chandler </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Darrow </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Duke</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Earliblue </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Elliott </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Herbert </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jersey </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jubilee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Liberty </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Misty</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
North Blue</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
North Country</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
O'Neal </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Patriot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sweetheart</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most of these are high-chill / high-bush types that are supposed to thrive in the Northeast,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but a few of them are low-chill types that are generally better in warmer places,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but are *supposed* to be hardy to zone 5/6. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If they do well, they would ripen on the early side, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which would extend our harvest season even more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'll see how they do!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you want to plan the longest harvest window possible for your growing zone,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
here's a helpful visual ripening chart of many of the most popular varieties from <a href="http://www.fallcreeknursery.com/assets/uploads/documents/Ripening_Chart_poster.pdf">Fall Creek nursery.</a><a href="http://www.fallcreeknursery.com/assets/uploads/documents/Ripening_Chart_poster.pdf"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We probably won't get up into a full swing production for a few more years yet,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but we should do well with so many different varieties and cross-pollination</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thanks to our honeybee friends who live right next to our blueberry patch. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At their peak, most of these varieties produce anywhere from 10-20 pounds per bush,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and some in the 5-10 pound range... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plenty to share with the songbirds.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the chickens.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And our family and friends.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And strangers on the street.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Random acts of blueberries. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blueberries are so good for you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They're a plant of oh-so-many-virtues,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which maybe I'll go into another time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Back from the perpetual summer of my mind,<br />
to the present reality of mid-October: <br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This time of year we're really appreciating </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the beautiful foliage of the blueberry plants.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They put on a stunning display!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhOH3VjwJg19f_ByyILDCODjs2iA4jAatb0N5exittozC_0vo8Ke9W3OIfzcIghgWNCupeDIQLz5wBEfoxznnbeaVTV6-K673WQAOLLgGFGx-c3hsrCY6k9DBy6PpEL2WWuIkJjWuyxVG/s1600/DSC04659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhOH3VjwJg19f_ByyILDCODjs2iA4jAatb0N5exittozC_0vo8Ke9W3OIfzcIghgWNCupeDIQLz5wBEfoxznnbeaVTV6-K673WQAOLLgGFGx-c3hsrCY6k9DBy6PpEL2WWuIkJjWuyxVG/s640/DSC04659.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeARaC338PKAPi_5pU2Utch54MjzXc69ab8ozVkdYLKAttanDJKioPRUDOnJxaCvSKIl2n8G8jOkMzztTOpLpoZqRB0oSm1LYsQCE4IDbz49Ymts7yf-9qtRrnhDOBtowElEiBs7RBYr2N/s1600/DSC04663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeARaC338PKAPi_5pU2Utch54MjzXc69ab8ozVkdYLKAttanDJKioPRUDOnJxaCvSKIl2n8G8jOkMzztTOpLpoZqRB0oSm1LYsQCE4IDbz49Ymts7yf-9qtRrnhDOBtowElEiBs7RBYr2N/s640/DSC04663.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxY8ePyllq2hQPvuE1wqihGHth2sFooGqorrSrVz2HgA3bzMk9DaojonULynCNcWKZ0lTfxcso3CQIRWgV2kfUCUhAcjlIliYOwdMYg5q5GJgFZq5tHKvG3yUAA_D5Amr_JxwGehbIMl4f/s1600/DSC04665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxY8ePyllq2hQPvuE1wqihGHth2sFooGqorrSrVz2HgA3bzMk9DaojonULynCNcWKZ0lTfxcso3CQIRWgV2kfUCUhAcjlIliYOwdMYg5q5GJgFZq5tHKvG3yUAA_D5Amr_JxwGehbIMl4f/s640/DSC04665.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Every day, the blushing of colors is just a little bit different...<br />
The red seems to slowly creep in from the outside,<br />
spreading to the center and last, the stem. <br />
</div>
<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-44159417203685647042015-10-04T21:10:00.000-04:002015-10-04T21:16:17.615-04:00laundry on the line<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v_ab-5Zp7J26Bl0OTfBeUongasFxo8Ni7lYrqLQeU0Zi0XtUggJGtwUWDVb6aTub9_iofUQFO2A30i7NzTkW9h1NZpkLIUlIQaZn_p6qYLDrjP5IGKOQHYyepPjFj0C5qe4-8EcP6JDz/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v_ab-5Zp7J26Bl0OTfBeUongasFxo8Ni7lYrqLQeU0Zi0XtUggJGtwUWDVb6aTub9_iofUQFO2A30i7NzTkW9h1NZpkLIUlIQaZn_p6qYLDrjP5IGKOQHYyepPjFj0C5qe4-8EcP6JDz/s640/IMG_1111.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's something about laundry on the line that I just love.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love the colors.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love watching everything move in the breeze. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love seeing the fabrics that we use in our day-to-day lives </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in a different context.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laundry has an intimacy to it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--------- </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I look at the line and think</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it looks like</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a temporary art installation</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of wacky prayer flags.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum7MXoUqJj2gCn_oHuZ-3krVuxWUpt_lcXAck3G6MgGtxPqWVDt0HCGGacvGP8oIEbyG7KNdrmxoXsgIUJ5yJhs5IzZDtWbk7oET9g8IwZZLhZxw1wT8kfV-JwgJgIUHFhXEOtwdMp05c/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum7MXoUqJj2gCn_oHuZ-3krVuxWUpt_lcXAck3G6MgGtxPqWVDt0HCGGacvGP8oIEbyG7KNdrmxoXsgIUJ5yJhs5IzZDtWbk7oET9g8IwZZLhZxw1wT8kfV-JwgJgIUHFhXEOtwdMp05c/s640/IMG_1125.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And sometimes if you look at <i>just the right angle</i> (see above!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the spring-style clothespins look like</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a bunch of birds with very big beaks,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
perching on top of the line. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
:)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I was a girl, one of my <i><b>favorite </b></i>things to do </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was run between the sheets on sheet day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I would stand inside the sheets</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and wait for a breeze to ruffle through.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or I would dance inside the sheets,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
flapping my arms </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and moving the sheets like big wings</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
all the while with that wonderful smell of fresh air and sunlight</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wafting all around me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE-cQ4vejRt8qvsICbPN9QB-jZ6yaoWP219k_q0gYI8yUe0pnKmJUummD4RbMGDmdt3FD_NF-MYog1Yi-9Baxb70iqZMpvFO45NQ00euZCjV9LTi-_WEwl4vE2GkA3R9DR1FgTpTYQ88v/s1600/DSC04640.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE-cQ4vejRt8qvsICbPN9QB-jZ6yaoWP219k_q0gYI8yUe0pnKmJUummD4RbMGDmdt3FD_NF-MYog1Yi-9Baxb70iqZMpvFO45NQ00euZCjV9LTi-_WEwl4vE2GkA3R9DR1FgTpTYQ88v/s640/DSC04640.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
The laundry line we've been using for a bunch of years</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is right off of our back deck --</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
next to the woods, which isn't ideal,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it's convenient, with easy access. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It gets decent sunlight, and it won't bother any of the neighbors.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Still, the more I think about it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really have a hankering to run between sheets again...!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once we move on from our latest chicken coop project, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we might just have to rig up another laundry line...)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It'd be great to have one somewhere that it's easier to run barefoot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
without getting all scratched up by the comfrey patch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A girl can dream, right? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDvTSdEJSQC4CkiR0Vd0EQOQfJindCoZfnnRHPkSMS0mohNScWxEO5YRZWGt8azeKPR1nOAtR0DewE62HZQockZEAswkDBNA2IL5Jo3yK-k4mkGGF49fPojCrWjAm58QgGjDe4ecAXKkI/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDvTSdEJSQC4CkiR0Vd0EQOQfJindCoZfnnRHPkSMS0mohNScWxEO5YRZWGt8azeKPR1nOAtR0DewE62HZQockZEAswkDBNA2IL5Jo3yK-k4mkGGF49fPojCrWjAm58QgGjDe4ecAXKkI/s640/IMG_1104.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until we install another line, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sometimes we just drape wet laundry </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
especially heavier things like big towels </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on the deck or picnic table or chairs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a different configuration each time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No laundry day is ever exactly the same...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A good basket is really worth it,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and lasts for decades.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBysuW7bCiHlRDhICAxqAhDnuEQuX-Sp9tS15LPa2UxVQosfC7_WALwHPnTr0VquEsT0X6NHJfx8fpQpqQBgo50a0j2ttZCnn0Y11EunWUbHZ3Bzo03NWe7so_I4vdQCJD8NwinksaK8x5/s1600/DSC04658.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBysuW7bCiHlRDhICAxqAhDnuEQuX-Sp9tS15LPa2UxVQosfC7_WALwHPnTr0VquEsT0X6NHJfx8fpQpqQBgo50a0j2ttZCnn0Y11EunWUbHZ3Bzo03NWe7so_I4vdQCJD8NwinksaK8x5/s640/DSC04658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I got these handmade baskets for my sweetie </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as a thank-you for all of the laundry she does</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(which is like 99% of it.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can find them on Etsy at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BasketsByEmily">Baskets By Emily.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(though her shop is currently closed until the New Year...) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv5_E2ZZc7sJvXaGd_mSwnI1RPz6t5ujDg8lqFkxdgSUg7Mv2VNr5rVnOoTFLufpGaG8yFPKabLL0tzE-Ty4x6sSIm4173rT96hZmvxyV4YX1kK8gckGCqMmevN9I9ves-0eNvb-u5Lt-/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv5_E2ZZc7sJvXaGd_mSwnI1RPz6t5ujDg8lqFkxdgSUg7Mv2VNr5rVnOoTFLufpGaG8yFPKabLL0tzE-Ty4x6sSIm4173rT96hZmvxyV4YX1kK8gckGCqMmevN9I9ves-0eNvb-u5Lt-/s640/IMG_1121.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one was stained with a dye the weaver made from pecan shells.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The basket is so sturdy, yet flexes really nicely,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the handles are built-in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHs055esy_hA3MQp3hNDaOvwZ1j1WTNg2vqBLnx8hYefqGx8Yw7gepoE3tqVOAA2xAhk5EuolSYZ44XTN4Zx0SYfInXh5bnFTPezU0UtO0o90lxK8Z7ol8N2LERimXUM1Z5wzwnftwnxd/s1600/DSC04654.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHs055esy_hA3MQp3hNDaOvwZ1j1WTNg2vqBLnx8hYefqGx8Yw7gepoE3tqVOAA2xAhk5EuolSYZ44XTN4Zx0SYfInXh5bnFTPezU0UtO0o90lxK8Z7ol8N2LERimXUM1Z5wzwnftwnxd/s640/DSC04654.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We keep our clothespins in a little bag.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They're easy to grab.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Currently the 3 Laundry Muses are watching over them,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
assuring that our laundry dries nicely and smells divine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If the laundry is too stiff, it helps to toss it in the dryer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for just a couple of minutes and that softens it right up. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_XIT4dqKmO7t95oqydABPXXapOF-6kzBNtEQHlSTf-yF-CHkK-T3IuaIvz7SwYfEL691telNzJXgcLTZH87ZOmH5tvflnSP7YVzNvkASHIRLASU7pL21pv28hQAXNK4RVjaS0fMIg-OE/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_XIT4dqKmO7t95oqydABPXXapOF-6kzBNtEQHlSTf-yF-CHkK-T3IuaIvz7SwYfEL691telNzJXgcLTZH87ZOmH5tvflnSP7YVzNvkASHIRLASU7pL21pv28hQAXNK4RVjaS0fMIg-OE/s640/IMG_1120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can put a laundry line just about anywhere. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It hardly costs anything.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's good for the environment </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because machine dryers use electricity and/or gas.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plus the fresh smell...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know I keep going on about the smell, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but there's just nothing like it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I started doing a little research online,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I discovered that you actually can't put a laundry line just anywhere.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are states that have BANNED laundry lines.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is so messed up!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are some links you can check out if you're interested in learning more</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
about the right-to-dry movement</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and about how great it is to dry on the line</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(and how bad it is to use dryers all the time!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://laundrylist.org/">http://laundrylist.org/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dryingforfreedom.com/"> http://www.dryingforfreedom.com/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have fun drying!</div>
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</div>
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<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-55174567576593820282015-09-27T20:43:00.006-04:002015-09-27T20:43:54.695-04:00more chicken security<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lately we've been seeing areas around the chicken run that concerned us...</div>
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</div>
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We had seen some holes of burrowing creatures...</div>
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(probably chipmunks or voles, but who knows what else could burrow under...!)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had seen areas that had been scratched at, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and while the most likely culprits were the chickens themselves, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just in case it was<i> anything else</i>, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we wanted to feel confident about their safety when they're in their run.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Given our predator problems this year, we definitely didn't want to take any chances.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this weekend, we got to work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've wanted to do this for quite some time, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and thankfully we didn't wait for something awful to happen.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Having been on the other end of the predator cycle,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it feels infinitely better to be proactive </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
than to have to increase security after the fact!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are predators that can dig and predators that can burrow,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so the latest project was covering the entire floor of their run </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in 1/2" welded wire mesh, aka "hardware cloth."</div>
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</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpXdgIIfbCpbV-pnfHy5kAlZpDWFcKy8ZGnA_kKhrueh3C6kRN71eeMxSdHuORRKFD4GTz0qU1O71jDGqIAJmPkXNUrLB-NNqng27I4uDq9q9hd6kAoDQCD71XWPSIamTTt5EOdRntoEC/s1600/DSC04577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpXdgIIfbCpbV-pnfHy5kAlZpDWFcKy8ZGnA_kKhrueh3C6kRN71eeMxSdHuORRKFD4GTz0qU1O71jDGqIAJmPkXNUrLB-NNqng27I4uDq9q9hd6kAoDQCD71XWPSIamTTt5EOdRntoEC/s640/DSC04577.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a big under-taking, but we managed to do it in a day!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boo got out the shovel, and shoveled out the whole 9' x 16' run.</div>
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It was tricky because we had to work around several things, </div>
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like the girls dirt bath "spa"</div>
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and several perching posts, a super heavy nesting box, etc.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We did everything in sections. </div>
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When we finished an area, Boo would spread mulch back on it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so the girls would have something to scratch at,</div>
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and mulch looks a whole lot better than a bunch of wire anyway. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FYI: this would have been way easier if we had done it when we had built the run!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gloTDBRwlLY2lFMoKPeVi5Gn_IRf2lTI2bFZPDHGUlx4NEF-ynIEJGi2nFK9DmCyJpdCioJQhg6OX5MpSgZ9FhyphenhyphenbJzX6lv-q-57bPcg48b2xpu6wlnzPhcbulpbfV-dEVH4j2ZfLSZfW/s1600/DSC04578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gloTDBRwlLY2lFMoKPeVi5Gn_IRf2lTI2bFZPDHGUlx4NEF-ynIEJGi2nFK9DmCyJpdCioJQhg6OX5MpSgZ9FhyphenhyphenbJzX6lv-q-57bPcg48b2xpu6wlnzPhcbulpbfV-dEVH4j2ZfLSZfW/s640/DSC04578.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This area, the dirt spa, was the trickiest, </div>
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but we just wrapped wire around the lower logs and stapled it well,</div>
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same on the other side, as well. </div>
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<br /></div>
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--------------</div>
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<br /></div>
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It didn't take many tools to do this project. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some wire cutters.</div>
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A mallet.</div>
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A hammer.</div>
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A staple gun.</div>
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A whole bunch of staples.</div>
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And some 6" ground staples to overlap the wire rolls</div>
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and to pin them down securely in the ground.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were super cautious with the wire and the poky bits </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because we didn't want the girls to hurt their feet on the wire.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(They can get a nasty infection called <i>bumblefoot</i> if their feet get cut).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--------------- </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The girls and Emmaline loved having us in their area all day!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They kept us company and watched us with their typical chicken curiosity.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ra4tof0DoMR752yKf22_CJ4SCSeY01MiA-d5A30Q1N3Fhi3zklz6h6nqldrmyKC6THy9AE4gnhIkw4mKNNqg2yDEfHvjFrE-kKbsSt6_B0YyIXw4B3hyphenhyphen0vaxMsoeyvS7No-Tm3quF8u_/s1600/DSC04592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ra4tof0DoMR752yKf22_CJ4SCSeY01MiA-d5A30Q1N3Fhi3zklz6h6nqldrmyKC6THy9AE4gnhIkw4mKNNqg2yDEfHvjFrE-kKbsSt6_B0YyIXw4B3hyphenhyphen0vaxMsoeyvS7No-Tm3quF8u_/s640/DSC04592.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emmaline 2.0 has turned out to be a great rooster so far,</div>
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and he's a beautiful guy.</div>
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</div>
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We're really happy with him.</div>
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He doesn't bother the big girls (because they chase him off!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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And get this -- he doesn't even crow! </div>
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He tried crowing a few mornings over a month ago, </div>
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but I think the big girls didn't like it... and they shushed him right up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Since then, no more crows. Not even any attempts.</div>
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Knock on some wood, because right now we have a <i><b>gentle, quiet </b></i>rooster!</div>
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We hope it stays that way! </div>
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--------------</div>
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<br /></div>
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By the end of the day,</div>
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we put everything back together in the run,</div>
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and the girls were happy as could be.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And so are we! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Now we have another layer of protection,</div>
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and another level of peace of mind.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The cooler months are going to be upon us before we know it, </div>
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and predators will be more hungry.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHOK1uDw2MrY5kypH0G2e8nWW03linm0IxTvfhKtJPIwcY5IqJmxcPBXac-wQxntB1ADC8KaDAUpO6FLDlN3PKMpK5SteSOqbE-ZtegZXth2cqLilfF6EAiY8eHO0oQgLR_LbdxfQgtsR/s1600/DSC04618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHOK1uDw2MrY5kypH0G2e8nWW03linm0IxTvfhKtJPIwcY5IqJmxcPBXac-wQxntB1ADC8KaDAUpO6FLDlN3PKMpK5SteSOqbE-ZtegZXth2cqLilfF6EAiY8eHO0oQgLR_LbdxfQgtsR/s640/DSC04618.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The run looks the same as it did this morning on the outside,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it's so much safer. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the winter, the girls will mostly stay in their coop and venture out into the run now and then,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so it's every bit as important to have the run be as safe as the outside perimeter fence.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Commie thanked us for the heightened security,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because she can't bear to lose any more of her babies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She continues to be such a great Mamma...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She loves those wacky girls of hers!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNlwYWUS_JbmqPgkeV0WrjuX3E8bfKSou0OHjq-quz07LqTbRJI8snvPiL72x0eGhDJQGa7CurlUTwK2_WLkdS8ghqWgL0UUcSJjzAcWY_4-32MZM_w5aqeDdeHermO5I8M6howoVPOQ7/s1600/DSC04620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNlwYWUS_JbmqPgkeV0WrjuX3E8bfKSou0OHjq-quz07LqTbRJI8snvPiL72x0eGhDJQGa7CurlUTwK2_WLkdS8ghqWgL0UUcSJjzAcWY_4-32MZM_w5aqeDdeHermO5I8M6howoVPOQ7/s640/DSC04620.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
left to right: Xena, and Louise "Weezy" and Thelma.</div>
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--------------- </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We definitely have the highest security of any chicken keeper we know,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and while some people think it's over the top and crazy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
well, I guess we're just crazy over-the-top ladies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that's fine by me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- very serious double-fencing around the perimeter, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
overlapping the ground and anchored down securely</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- aerial netting over the 90'x90' yard</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- the now "should-be-dig-proof" fully caged run</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- multiple safety latches on every access point of the yard, run, and coop...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of this work (and expense!) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for our 15 assorted size hens</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and our one quiet little rooster...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yep. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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------------ </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The <i><b>only thing </b></i>we <i><b>haven't </b></i>done yet </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is electrify the exterior perimeter to deter climbing and digging from the outside...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And yep, you guessed it... that's next on our dockett!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not long after we installed the aerial netting,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we saw a fox get into the yard,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and found where it had climbed the fence </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then ate or clawed through the edge of the aerial netting...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Granted, this was before we patched some slightly iffy areas in our perimeter fence, too...) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(At any rate, that day the fox came, the girls were all secure inside their run </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because we're now in the habit of not letting them out until at least 9am).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We spotted the fox because the girls started to make a ruckus,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the fox didn't have time to try to dig his/her way into the run).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By the time I got my .22, the fox was gone. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But that fox break-in certainly didn't make us feel very good,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So it's high time for us to get some serious voltage going around the perimeter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to let the fox family know we mean business.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because we totally do. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't mess with these ladies, Foxy Loxy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't even think about it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------ </div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-24377263405757107552015-09-19T13:05:00.002-04:002015-09-19T13:06:52.853-04:00COOP DREAMS! ... and chicken whirligigs!<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>WEEKEND FLASH-O-FUN ALERT!</b>:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Folks, if you want a crash course in backyard chicken keeping, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or if you just enjoy chickens and chicken people, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this weekend you can watch <u>all</u> of season 1 of Coop Dreams (10 episodes!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for FREE online by clicking <a href="http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/watch-coop-dreams-season-1/?utm_source=New+Country+Organics+News&utm_campaign=b2d9282759-Coop_Dreams_Marathon_Weekend9_18_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_be31ef3382-b2d9282759-66071705">here</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks <a href="http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/">Backyard Poultry magazine</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We watched two episodes last night and hope to get through the rest by the end of the weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The series was sponsored by the mill where we get our chicken feed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.newcountryorganics.com/">New Country Organics</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(best damn chicken feed ever!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And some of my favorite chicken bloggers are featured on the series,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like T<a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">he Chicken Chick</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and <a href="http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/p/home.html">Fresh Eggs Daily</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just from the first two episodes we're full of ideas like</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how much <b>FUN </b>it would be to start up a local chicken coop tour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ala<b><i> Tour de Coops</i></b>!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People have art trail tours, wine tours, cheese tours, garden tours...<br />
So why not chicken coop tours???</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It'd be a hoot and a half to see the way different people house their hens,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and even experienced chicken keepers would still be bound to learn something new.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If we could have had a tour de coops before we built our first coop,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we might have done things a whooooole lot differently.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And FYI, if you think we're over the top </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
some of the chicken ladies have truly outdone us in the decorating department...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had better get on the ball and make some upgrades. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(one chicken keeper even has a little chandelier for her girls! - LOL!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Four and a half years into chicken keeping,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we can still say that the girls give us SO MUCH JOY.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They're fun and funny (yes, sometimes a little bitchy) but still totally endearing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Not to mention that they give us the most <b><i>amazing</i></b> eggs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and garden <b>fertilizer</b>... !<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And they're little feathered roto-tillers if you use them to your advantage!)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just this morning I was emptying an old compost bin, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
topping off some of our raised garden beds with the good stuff,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and they were great little helpers...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They spread it all around for me,<br />
and mixed it in with the soil!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks girls!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69QNizwuLi_BgBzBfK1UCOTnLF_LKEFbRNsAleCOqHJ8Xckf1mNFyCTpQKsZkPLGvru5eemXWmvJt-RPqkXU7M8a2KW6qEPNKTuApKTex5NraXdGCHqdBURIo3kDsM10vHDeTZ13QROnC/s1600/DSC04560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69QNizwuLi_BgBzBfK1UCOTnLF_LKEFbRNsAleCOqHJ8Xckf1mNFyCTpQKsZkPLGvru5eemXWmvJt-RPqkXU7M8a2KW6qEPNKTuApKTex5NraXdGCHqdBURIo3kDsM10vHDeTZ13QROnC/s640/DSC04560.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our latest fun addition to the chicken coop </div>
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was this whirligig chicken-flying-a-helicopter.</div>
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Here it is with the wind blowing:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwehYBUuweQMdRWqQXBL3ifeP8yKg6luBaLObMtrL_Dwpmxnk4r1WMSlYcw7ka9eVh_FjR8ceaipWPD55PQPA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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If you can't resist getting one of your own,</div>
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you can find them at <a href="http://www.plowhearth.com/chicken-and-helicopter-recycled-metal-whirligig.htm">Plow and Hearth</a>.</div>
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Enjoy your weekends, folks!</div>
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Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-90395928769713987322015-09-13T21:54:00.000-04:002015-09-13T21:54:07.513-04:00weekend pleasures in early autumn<br />
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Ahhhhhhhhhhh, the weekend.</div>
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Wonderful, wonderful weekend!</div>
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In summer, the weekends blur together,</div>
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but once the school year starts, </div>
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they take on a whole new dimension. </div>
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We did a whole bunch of stuff this weekend... </div>
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I soaked up every minute of it.</div>
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I'll share some highlights:</div>
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This weekend Boo warmed up the chilly house </div>
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with late-season tomatoes cooking on the stove...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQPCnoVpatazBHXNFi2NtSd2A8o7ZF9pduRq2Fsaq01FcKanlz52qurEoYWo0tR5I13OCl41FgZUJe6zwZXazbfUIrJxH_1IDRTkvcOAM_Ks-zIZly9FvQz3zPoUdwluiDpD0ZZH7oNwB/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQPCnoVpatazBHXNFi2NtSd2A8o7ZF9pduRq2Fsaq01FcKanlz52qurEoYWo0tR5I13OCl41FgZUJe6zwZXazbfUIrJxH_1IDRTkvcOAM_Ks-zIZly9FvQz3zPoUdwluiDpD0ZZH7oNwB/s640/IMG_1051.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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(You can often get a box of utility canning tomatoes at the Farmer's Market...)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCYLOO_dTqqSoRHmE47OUuNCnF2JYq_Ki0KIQLWFJCL7Lv4_ucS6WuHBY1nlmQ54UOV_pWRkkCLXCbeSqsdDrGVdA3povzunsekLueeGcBZ3vJ1fk3kt3SqDfdImGFLtC73gmC85X9VvA/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCYLOO_dTqqSoRHmE47OUuNCnF2JYq_Ki0KIQLWFJCL7Lv4_ucS6WuHBY1nlmQ54UOV_pWRkkCLXCbeSqsdDrGVdA3povzunsekLueeGcBZ3vJ1fk3kt3SqDfdImGFLtC73gmC85X9VvA/s640/IMG_1054.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7ue6CNTgj4tCNqXbxcq01OdLZT0SUAPfq7oi34YRUZVr3XZLIsSPz5OaHJl6xw-jSqraAWR6_FgCsPaCHMnFjIWHz_nrG3arhvg0LA1qA18Jk7Z2miuAfXA1tBe5euDQ7QvQjrzTS4ky/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7ue6CNTgj4tCNqXbxcq01OdLZT0SUAPfq7oi34YRUZVr3XZLIsSPz5OaHJl6xw-jSqraAWR6_FgCsPaCHMnFjIWHz_nrG3arhvg0LA1qA18Jk7Z2miuAfXA1tBe5euDQ7QvQjrzTS4ky/s640/IMG_1062.JPG" width="640" /></a>I love watching (and smelling!) the pots full of sauce concentrate their flavors.</div>
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I think the sides of the pot are like the rock layers along the highway</div>
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where you can look at all of the layers going back through time...</div>
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I like to walk into the kitchen </div>
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and look at </div>
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all the layers of tomato, boiling</div>
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down</div>
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down</div>
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down</div>
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into sweet </div>
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and savory bliss. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwls-3EUlFfTso4fUwx1O_bbjnsewUcHEXFZrCNwQhmrFwYuxS7FH9AtkXZFXwJ4aKrBXB-fzqEcFo4epHJwQzXVkQsiZsflqgakIua4s15OLXqTfpgb0Y15qzSC5PZxHwmESJnwYjIFU/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwls-3EUlFfTso4fUwx1O_bbjnsewUcHEXFZrCNwQhmrFwYuxS7FH9AtkXZFXwJ4aKrBXB-fzqEcFo4epHJwQzXVkQsiZsflqgakIua4s15OLXqTfpgb0Y15qzSC5PZxHwmESJnwYjIFU/s640/IMG_1049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />I'm trying to cook a little more,</div>
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and during the weekend it's nice to have a leisurely time of it.</div>
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I tried a recipe from the NY Times my friend Sarah recommended to me.</div>
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<a href="http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017637-chard-and-sweet-corn-gratin">Chard and sweet corn gratin</a> with gruyere and parmesan.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8800HKdoh_u0j0vTLo8TcIu_1GgyeF7wl_m60rZVkLyi8Z0eVVFsK7xDd1pbpVVrjWs-bU239hopHHhTOSNWQlfDAzpgv-Fo-ftLDHnWEVK0vShqr1R81c5IUap4295H0VCA0vQNp6Jqx/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8800HKdoh_u0j0vTLo8TcIu_1GgyeF7wl_m60rZVkLyi8Z0eVVFsK7xDd1pbpVVrjWs-bU239hopHHhTOSNWQlfDAzpgv-Fo-ftLDHnWEVK0vShqr1R81c5IUap4295H0VCA0vQNp6Jqx/s640/IMG_1064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_WuFlBhlzDab-P4j0DEMW7hXdfWA5qSnbSbW8fJb1vSAghql_y0jBJ8DTtZTHdHHa80OHAksiVKmsoSDSJ_t-SeZdnyJwzKmfGPGrTm19DdtFeMC6E4oXtLiEL5mRitil6gqepL3DFEc/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_WuFlBhlzDab-P4j0DEMW7hXdfWA5qSnbSbW8fJb1vSAghql_y0jBJ8DTtZTHdHHa80OHAksiVKmsoSDSJ_t-SeZdnyJwzKmfGPGrTm19DdtFeMC6E4oXtLiEL5mRitil6gqepL3DFEc/s640/IMG_1065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was wonderful!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXVhok9eG6De_g_8Z6QKAxncc9cMjIkEUlpSI7VzBH-TZetODFdqbDw9hrw-3ktjx3kN_Z9j0WnTsDXLG0Wd2VoUf5CeelvprDs6OefwBBODWOX6CnfIvJfogs-RNzpfAw6hgnmO0fvod/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXVhok9eG6De_g_8Z6QKAxncc9cMjIkEUlpSI7VzBH-TZetODFdqbDw9hrw-3ktjx3kN_Z9j0WnTsDXLG0Wd2VoUf5CeelvprDs6OefwBBODWOX6CnfIvJfogs-RNzpfAw6hgnmO0fvod/s640/IMG_1070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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especially with some roasted cauliflower...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqEiWYolq7sU4SjYSulMnaIUauR2dXlO5Zdb_Kin9yWmiz2iw3VfXeK0duAFntUMzRyypJeM2MBtb5TpclLuMv3-LTvgd4enJYU4xvb1CZt3pSl6s_RwC2vkGSTIfMwlvCnPYoo55Ue1E/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqEiWYolq7sU4SjYSulMnaIUauR2dXlO5Zdb_Kin9yWmiz2iw3VfXeK0duAFntUMzRyypJeM2MBtb5TpclLuMv3-LTvgd4enJYU4xvb1CZt3pSl6s_RwC2vkGSTIfMwlvCnPYoo55Ue1E/s640/IMG_1068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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all those crunchy browned bits</div>
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yummmmmmmmm</div>
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I had fun harvesting the chard and rosemary from our garden</div>
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in one of our gathering baskets. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFRZ1jupUlSuN6paZhn3cBCyGNEj1BrPPwwSJYKrtl8iUdBznDLC4oa0EN5KcfcHrLQS_wz051v08bHBRuSY9eBlfX2LAvrrT6ND2-4OfRSAGtTTyoozrH4eoEpVelmogyj80qBeamxE5/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFRZ1jupUlSuN6paZhn3cBCyGNEj1BrPPwwSJYKrtl8iUdBznDLC4oa0EN5KcfcHrLQS_wz051v08bHBRuSY9eBlfX2LAvrrT6ND2-4OfRSAGtTTyoozrH4eoEpVelmogyj80qBeamxE5/s640/IMG_1078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And getting to use eggs from our girls,</div>
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(thank you Goldie and Kalinda!)</div>
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and milk from Barb and Steve's jersey cows...</div>
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No matter who is doing the cooking,</div>
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it always feels so good </div>
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and so right</div>
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to have such fresh and wholesome ingredients,</div>
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to know where everything came from. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z8M3st8VlSlbFkdQVVEkgRblNLClftjAcgwB2VRJm0GBI5yPOBgKIvv4UmNl4durt6KuTQGCpH5Ddz5xTNG3DZY7a-wZkIVj2NwjPA4Y2Kd4ZiYv5YtBrMH2kxqLOUi_2H2_0xLJQHOg/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z8M3st8VlSlbFkdQVVEkgRblNLClftjAcgwB2VRJm0GBI5yPOBgKIvv4UmNl4durt6KuTQGCpH5Ddz5xTNG3DZY7a-wZkIVj2NwjPA4Y2Kd4ZiYv5YtBrMH2kxqLOUi_2H2_0xLJQHOg/s640/IMG_1091.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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My hard-working little honey finished stacking the wood we got delivered!</div>
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Me oh my, what a worker bee, worker Boo!</div>
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We put last year's leftover wood, the most seasoned stuff, off to the side to use up first.</div>
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I love the way stacked wood looks.</div>
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All those wedges and odd shapes,</div>
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it's great abstract art. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYnldtBtJbjn9hwdOYmoVsG17V0kVkcvv_gZRlTM7fvt14qKXp444oVaMUeaXzEOhMiXCynTNYjKyzV5nUHlOZpUPvGTJtWfUaVhiEvHJP_yqwgB6T0VOlKpXFMnWGfzSbfPOnS3fkcxv/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYnldtBtJbjn9hwdOYmoVsG17V0kVkcvv_gZRlTM7fvt14qKXp444oVaMUeaXzEOhMiXCynTNYjKyzV5nUHlOZpUPvGTJtWfUaVhiEvHJP_yqwgB6T0VOlKpXFMnWGfzSbfPOnS3fkcxv/s640/IMG_1087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm super proud of myself for gathering up my courage </div>
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to finally try out the small chainsaw we bought in the summer...</div>
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I had to cut up some logs from the property that were too long for our fireplace,</div>
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and I did it! </div>
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Sawdust sprays EVERYWHERE! </div>
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Once I got into the groove of feeling like I could be safe with a very scary tool,</div>
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it was actually kind of fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxuikbWtok-QUOwwfiUHThM4ZYyf4H3R63b8IGf1FoEHcLv7y_K8thJ5McB97n4OQyszTMXdxuYvpUbvgg67WYAz7-kVJ0hM46RrFnrdPvDZyRf6hb0UDpSE749cTqDrvF4K47oocgFHg/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxuikbWtok-QUOwwfiUHThM4ZYyf4H3R63b8IGf1FoEHcLv7y_K8thJ5McB97n4OQyszTMXdxuYvpUbvgg67WYAz7-kVJ0hM46RrFnrdPvDZyRf6hb0UDpSE749cTqDrvF4K47oocgFHg/s640/IMG_1096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We have a pile of scrap wood next to our firewood shed</div>
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where despite being relatively crushed and boxed in, </div>
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this rose continues to bloom.</div>
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Resilience is a beautiful thing, eh?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO_EIMktWeZPmnzDu9ppPLsoueElg-0r_mVBHTU-DMKy_i26kI1RRj0Q_FqoFABpm_Qy6D68N_Vvk8RANaZSID_VTfs75y6KLi2cQW66HuXw49TnhDGlh21Nim39KP_q3E6yTkmu6kNED/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO_EIMktWeZPmnzDu9ppPLsoueElg-0r_mVBHTU-DMKy_i26kI1RRj0Q_FqoFABpm_Qy6D68N_Vvk8RANaZSID_VTfs75y6KLi2cQW66HuXw49TnhDGlh21Nim39KP_q3E6yTkmu6kNED/s640/IMG_1101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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At the end of each day,</div>
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after our nightly chores of feeding the koi in the pond</div>
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and tucking the chickens into the coop,</div>
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I walk by the Arcosanti bell in the oak tree by the house.</div>
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More often than not,</div>
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I see my sweet little chickadee friend roosting in there for the night,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
his little tail peeking out from underneath the bell. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was there last summer,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and off and on throughout the winter,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he's still with us now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, I love that little fellow. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuSKY_AM1Gr7F_cLf_9oSPf1V1p6AsgpHyVblAxM9Es7L_GHV97AU9L98GLTVbfNYUQKfcEod-LAP_kp0mkuCeo5bmMKI_ObjYXrChrFHury9cxarwHflabkHlJvr-h3AGk372VADHJni/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuSKY_AM1Gr7F_cLf_9oSPf1V1p6AsgpHyVblAxM9Es7L_GHV97AU9L98GLTVbfNYUQKfcEod-LAP_kp0mkuCeo5bmMKI_ObjYXrChrFHury9cxarwHflabkHlJvr-h3AGk372VADHJni/s640/IMG_1102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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It's so important </div>
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to have the weekend </div>
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</div>
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to reconnect in a deeper way with </div>
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Home...</div>
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<br /></div>
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with the place </div>
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and the people </div>
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and the things </div>
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that sustain us.</div>
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---------------</div>
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<br /></div>
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p.s. Isn't it wonderful that the weekend </div>
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is only ever a handful of days away!</div>
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<br /></div>
Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-8113341515582665762015-09-06T09:30:00.001-04:002015-09-06T09:35:09.983-04:00swingin' chickens<div style="text-align: center;">
Back during the days of full-time predator lockdown, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we did everything we could think of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to make life in the locked run more fun for the girls. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Cuz, you know, girls just wanna have fun.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In one of our backyard flock catalogs </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we had seen a chicken swing advertised before.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the time I poo-poooed the idea. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A swing? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why would they want to swing? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And more importantly, why would someone pay good money </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for a plastic chicken swing </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when all you need is a branch and some rope??? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So with the help of our friend D, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Bootsy's knot-tying ingenuity, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we hobbled together two scrappy swings, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of different heights for the different size girls. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoBv-rIUklGieJqJcqmK9QJOV-rY8FxLzeT-R2hIaWQNCBkskYXD0wXoMCe3qKcb_cDM6-vUr3D3RVT_JUAZjXvMLWYlr9DgVyBTk5TrxtSLJu0LoUhruj_5P29Y_LGa_wM7B7kFSACJu/s1600/DSC04503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoBv-rIUklGieJqJcqmK9QJOV-rY8FxLzeT-R2hIaWQNCBkskYXD0wXoMCe3qKcb_cDM6-vUr3D3RVT_JUAZjXvMLWYlr9DgVyBTk5TrxtSLJu0LoUhruj_5P29Y_LGa_wM7B7kFSACJu/s640/DSC04503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Voila!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our older hens don't seem especially interested in them,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but those young girls, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the littles and mediums, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with their youthful agility,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
some of them really dig it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
By gosh, by golly... chickens really do like to swing!<br />
<br />
----------<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So during their lockdown, they had some entertainment<br />
and even now we keep them inside until around 9am.<br />
So while they're waiting for their freedom, <br />
they're secure in their run and they can have a swingin' good time.<br />
<br />
Plus they have free access to their swings throughout the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
------------<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Xena, befitting her name, is our most adventurous little girl, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and she is the most frequent visitor of the swings. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her Mamma is usually nearby, watching.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a short video clip.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can see how she moves her neck to balance herself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(since she can't hold onto the ropes!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qRWWl7ffsQM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qRWWl7ffsQM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Xena's a good turn taker.</div>
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She doesn't hog the swing all recess like some of the kids on the playground.</div>
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<br /></div>
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She has her fun and then hops off,</div>
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gets a drink at the water fountain,</div>
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and gets back to her learning-how-to-be-a-big-chicken schedule,</div>
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following Mamma around.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Xena likes to keep moving onto the next thing,</div>
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always looking around the next corner to see what adventure awaits,</div>
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what thing she can hop up on or climb or new patch of soil </div>
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hasn't been scratched.</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE9JQ8SduaXDeYbo91Aa7N23GqONZvTMqVHfdI6puhF7ZyucznkA0OiPFMmvGAgUf_yRXWz_QwCM-XcbdBdYnldEuZq6TnnGPbQYHv_eIPBzkC_2abMkW8wdc673h8_ZjTmVIeouWF3AD/s1600/DSC04539.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE9JQ8SduaXDeYbo91Aa7N23GqONZvTMqVHfdI6puhF7ZyucznkA0OiPFMmvGAgUf_yRXWz_QwCM-XcbdBdYnldEuZq6TnnGPbQYHv_eIPBzkC_2abMkW8wdc673h8_ZjTmVIeouWF3AD/s640/DSC04539.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her more cautious sisters sometimes look at Xena with envy.<br />
Xena is such a free spirit.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thelma and Louise are planning an upcoming adventure though.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just know it.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Hopefully Louise doesn't have a '66 Thunderbird hiding somewhere.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As long as they don't get in trouble with the law and drive off a cliff,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they can hatch up any adventures their sweet little hearts desire!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-58383228772551535812015-09-01T16:53:00.003-04:002015-09-01T16:57:00.738-04:002015 garlic harvest <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfcley6eXO3cTDK3yBdskZVQ4wnvueftRTp3I2Kf4OQ2PpMaKarv8zuaYElfOybNuH30zYmGUP0jDycGy2u1cp5xzdHX1BgrJ3S2ury6odkKC1ZHc_QwtT-OgljG2_FA8cuqzOfjUFL9-/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfcley6eXO3cTDK3yBdskZVQ4wnvueftRTp3I2Kf4OQ2PpMaKarv8zuaYElfOybNuH30zYmGUP0jDycGy2u1cp5xzdHX1BgrJ3S2ury6odkKC1ZHc_QwtT-OgljG2_FA8cuqzOfjUFL9-/s640/IMG_1043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We harvested our garlic crop a few weeks ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately, many of the new varieties I planted didn't do as well as I had hoped.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't water during some dry periods when I should have, and that may have impacted yields.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plus, most of the "new" varieties I trialed were adapted to Oregon climate and soil.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh well, c'est la vie! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was worth a shot, and it's not a total loss...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I might try to grow a few of these types again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But more than anything, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this year's harvest certainly renewed my appreciation </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for our tried and true variety,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
passed to us from our friend Wendy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(The sumptuous picture above is of her garlic.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She doesn't remember what variety or varieties she gave to us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We should just call it <i><b>Wendy's Wonder.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It never disappoints.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EZhm87xWmDo235rEDCL8NT-j2AnaXe45SdbHwANGfEBZ48rp5684wf-PfkuExZqnHxdJLJtTgm_BRr9hUNXyCZ0nJ4AlenYtHLWfAbjiAyfvcWRJVphi27x_YyfHoXlOPV-eIYKujntz/s1600/DSC04222.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EZhm87xWmDo235rEDCL8NT-j2AnaXe45SdbHwANGfEBZ48rp5684wf-PfkuExZqnHxdJLJtTgm_BRr9hUNXyCZ0nJ4AlenYtHLWfAbjiAyfvcWRJVphi27x_YyfHoXlOPV-eIYKujntz/s640/DSC04222.JPG" width="640" /></a> Wendy's Wonder drying over an old chicken nesting box in the shed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlSCqJ47TApA2rFZJTbUVza4HiEoa4Pe4l1Hcjn7PDwgD5bR_ZnMAqKO4TyoqPRAxKG_jm-lL4CkmXwy8GxQRU1558xDnQHmKFd6kOpl1Z2ZAYvToOGJRz8Yv2u5ezBYNaQDIin6IkSLQ/s1600/DSC04259.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlSCqJ47TApA2rFZJTbUVza4HiEoa4Pe4l1Hcjn7PDwgD5bR_ZnMAqKO4TyoqPRAxKG_jm-lL4CkmXwy8GxQRU1558xDnQHmKFd6kOpl1Z2ZAYvToOGJRz8Yv2u5ezBYNaQDIin6IkSLQ/s640/DSC04259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Other varieties, bundled, strung up with twine, hanging to dry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidS7bWP6HEbhwvhP57XJfkydm6no8dkHstjyNuuvLJD9I8x1sa_r_r4t7x2CbXrX-LNMWcVtUeOn26Xfc2hL5ic0RNM5YaxLCKWtjOwU0FtN3Drfl_NhT-fhN5snTMkGEeS_QuuCTIvdfp/s1600/DSC04223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidS7bWP6HEbhwvhP57XJfkydm6no8dkHstjyNuuvLJD9I8x1sa_r_r4t7x2CbXrX-LNMWcVtUeOn26Xfc2hL5ic0RNM5YaxLCKWtjOwU0FtN3Drfl_NhT-fhN5snTMkGEeS_QuuCTIvdfp/s640/DSC04223.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Growing so many different varieties of one thing, it's important to keep track. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I kept the row markers in with the bundles so I knew what was what.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-----------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now if you're ready for some garlic geekery,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll take you on a virtual stroll through the varieties we trialed. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>ARTICHOKE types (soft-neck, generally milder):</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We trialed <i><b>Ail de Pays Parne, Beekeeper's Sicilian, Inchelium Red</b>,</i> and <b><i>Polish White</i></b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Of the four, Beekeeper's Sicilian did the best, and I might consider trying it another season.)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGG5X0Yt84gALDVbm6W7-CKAN3n0Cr3Hvg7aYKiusPrRrKI4HostnSFaaGSuAfx1K8RJ4KG_sqm8A3fLl9VrLB3gtbsMzQU1b3xEZbWsjcB_cVKf1Y1VL6C0Fv8iB3mgIQt38eI7oEnqM/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGG5X0Yt84gALDVbm6W7-CKAN3n0Cr3Hvg7aYKiusPrRrKI4HostnSFaaGSuAfx1K8RJ4KG_sqm8A3fLl9VrLB3gtbsMzQU1b3xEZbWsjcB_cVKf1Y1VL6C0Fv8iB3mgIQt38eI7oEnqM/s640/IMG_1015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ails de Pays Parne was a definite disappointment. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I planted 1/4 lb and harvested 1/4 lb. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(That's actually the entire harvest right there in the photo! - geez!) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
'Nuff said.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Despite it's lovely French provenance, we won't be growing this one again anytime soon.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvf8lH7t2vZcoheTPO3vesHkZfRDqCyVy46cmhwuiX1uh4a1GRuDcpj8d7wYbMJU_2MALEqWEoDro94dP_uvm-GK09DhWSRaR6C3yEuOzT0ZCvif9itVfMexr_f4UeWO4mc8ky9UM5pKBu/s1600/DSC04440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvf8lH7t2vZcoheTPO3vesHkZfRDqCyVy46cmhwuiX1uh4a1GRuDcpj8d7wYbMJU_2MALEqWEoDro94dP_uvm-GK09DhWSRaR6C3yEuOzT0ZCvif9itVfMexr_f4UeWO4mc8ky9UM5pKBu/s640/DSC04440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Beekeeper's
Sicilian, was
the best yield of the 4. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To the right
you'll see some bulbils -- they grew on the lower portion of the stalks. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some people plant them, but we'll probably just cook with them or pickle
them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Honestly, if it weren't for the name or the provenance, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I probably wouldn't bother with this one again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
An abyssmal yield of Inchelium Red, even though it was from local farm stock.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bummer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Polish White</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Polish white was rather lackluster. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I planted 8 oz and harvested 12 oz. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So much for artichoke types!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>ASIATIC types:</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We trialed <i><b>Sakura</b></i> and <i><b>Singing Falls</b></i>.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Sakura was more like Sad-kura for us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Abyssmal yield, and very small<b> </b>cloves.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Singing Falls performed better, but yield was still very low, with relatively small cloves.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I planted 1/2 lb and harvested just over 3/4 of a lb...!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(A good yield would be 4-5x of the weight planted!, so 2+ lbs would have been nice!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, Singing Falls doesn't make much sense for us to grow, either...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's too bad because I love the name and I love the story behind it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's no great surprise that Asiatic strains would not thrive here in the Northeast, though.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I should let this one go, too. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>CREOLE</b> types</u> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>(</u>originated in the Basque region...they're supposed to store very well and have superb flavor!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We trialed just one this year, <i><b>Rose du Lautrec</b></i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We haven't tasted it yet, but it is a knock-out gorgeous garlic. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The bulbs we grew out ended up being rather unusual - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
many of them cleaved and had a clove or two piggy-backing on one or both sides. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe that had more to do with our soil than the garlic -- who knows.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'll definitely try this one again next year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did a little research and there's a whole big deal about this pink garlic in France. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're a true garlic geek, check out the link <a href="http://www.travelfranceonline.com/pink-garlic-of-lautrec-festival-tarn/">here</a> to learn more. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's even a for-real Brotherhood of the Pink Garlic,<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i>the</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <b>Confrérie de l’Ail Rose de Lautrec</b>!</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Basically, a bunch of dudes in colorful robes and hats extolling the amazingness of this garlic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and protecting it's place in their cultural and culinary history) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now that I've researched it more, next year</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll try to follow all of the preparations that the French traditionally do,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
including the drying and cleaning processes and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
their method of scraping the skin back to the last layer to highlight the pink color.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will baby <i>ma petite rose</i> a little bit more, and see if that helps.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe someday they'll expand the Brotherhood of Pink Garlic </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to include a <i>Sisterhood </i>of Pink Garlic,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but then again, one has to grow it in the Lautrec region, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because it's protected by an IGP (Protected Geographical Indication - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like true champagne has to come from the Champagne region, etc.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So unless we up and move to the medieval region of Lautrec, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess I'd be disqualified from the Sisterhood no matter what.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Humph.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Onto another type of garlic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u> <b>GLAZED types </b>(hard-neck) </u><br />
<i>(fyi: glazed, marbled, and purple striped varieties </i><br />
<i>are supposed to be <b>the most amazing for ROASTING</b>....yum!)</i><u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We trialed just one glazed type, <b>Purple Glazer</b>.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I found Purple Glazer to be really lovely.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The cloves were a decent size and the yield was fair.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We might give this one another go.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Marbled</b> (a hard-neck type) </u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of the marbled types, we trialed<b> Russian Giant.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay yield. Decent cloves, but certainly <u>not</u> giant. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Overall, nothing that made me go WOW.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Other people get a true giant out of it, but maybe my neglect stunted it.</div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Porcelains</b> (a hard-neck type)</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FYI, porcelains reportedly have the highest concentration of allicin,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the sulfuric / therapeutic component of garlic, so they're worth growing for that alone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We trialed <b>Music</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Woah baby! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Music's amazing cloves really hit a high note! (har har!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the yield was really great (about 1.5 lbs!) considering I only planted two bulbs worth,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that isn't too shabby at all!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Purple-Striped ( a hard-neck type)</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We trialed <b>Chesnok Red, </b>which also had a similar yield to Music.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b>I didn't break any of these apart, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it looks like the cloves are a good size and they should store well.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Rocamboles</u> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b>(a hard-neck type, often prized for their robust flavor)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We trialed <b>Carpathian</b> and <b>Russian Red</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC0nGnULsqbB8CmbFlw39N2_VK0AKxnG5p8ztv_I-6UZohr75e8VoiLWWrFXrC_Ql2BPx-wAn4W678XOmV_iGZJhR6pupDKjtzqYI3FrnJ1dz-Hxt9O-xrSJJgfXPERhiyMrW7u7YnWR6/s1600/DSC04445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC0nGnULsqbB8CmbFlw39N2_VK0AKxnG5p8ztv_I-6UZohr75e8VoiLWWrFXrC_Ql2BPx-wAn4W678XOmV_iGZJhR6pupDKjtzqYI3FrnJ1dz-Hxt9O-xrSJJgfXPERhiyMrW7u7YnWR6/s640/DSC04445.JPG" width="640" /></a> Carpathian was so-so. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I planted half a pound, and got about a pound in yield.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Russian Red </b>was almost identical in yield.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV_6VIKlKEKHeP26_8Uo53pK-u1ydEiWca_0B-LSC2ODkrYnafs4WHTw3AMe1-B-_uNPqhXIHwsA4OuWvCAmo2GHqa-OcEiO1BOw1kuGRdtewoOz9ZOReTqBIww1W2dUwdvjpgXHGwYn-/s1600/DSC04478.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV_6VIKlKEKHeP26_8Uo53pK-u1ydEiWca_0B-LSC2ODkrYnafs4WHTw3AMe1-B-_uNPqhXIHwsA4OuWvCAmo2GHqa-OcEiO1BOw1kuGRdtewoOz9ZOReTqBIww1W2dUwdvjpgXHGwYn-/s640/DSC04478.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But the larger heads split, so they probably won't keep as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The smaller heads stayed encapsulated better.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Decent clove sizes, though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShAsdotncSzZB_MgbI5np54Ga9rGa5nydGuePFiO_3v_ivdwG6tcJLcJqM_rAd8BqFnlzWAxNTYsrWzuQcrPxMNI1RXpOQoA3kLaBOqFlCHwbyXLOq93S9BJaJj_WoF6Hm1tZdgkp_lQS/s1600/DSC04485.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShAsdotncSzZB_MgbI5np54Ga9rGa5nydGuePFiO_3v_ivdwG6tcJLcJqM_rAd8BqFnlzWAxNTYsrWzuQcrPxMNI1RXpOQoA3kLaBOqFlCHwbyXLOq93S9BJaJj_WoF6Hm1tZdgkp_lQS/s640/DSC04485.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Silver-skins </b></u> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(a soft-neck type, widely grown for size / mild flavor / storage ability)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We trialed <b>Nootka Rose.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Compared to pictures I've seen of Nootka Rose, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ours ended up being <u>very</u> sorry representations of the type.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Normally they're stark white and nearly fist-sized. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ours were yellowed and puny. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT8y68dirbL7Sw6qMhJCNdE1GRG6Ij1_X0_z0aizPP3HUpnfId0_cYEQZ314KteSR3KqQKO9NRuvG2wMQE6p7xUHljo1gv6oVaHcnLueiD4sOphN8HuItlzubQsVxSkRWIO8mb2DToN5k/s1600/DSC04459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT8y68dirbL7Sw6qMhJCNdE1GRG6Ij1_X0_z0aizPP3HUpnfId0_cYEQZ314KteSR3KqQKO9NRuvG2wMQE6p7xUHljo1gv6oVaHcnLueiD4sOphN8HuItlzubQsVxSkRWIO8mb2DToN5k/s640/DSC04459.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oy vell... Bye-Bye Little Nootka. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-----------------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We also trialed an unclassified garlic, called <b>Ver Veist</b> (e.g. Yiddish for "Who Knows?") </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We started with small cloves and they definitely didn't grow out any better.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-----------------------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But last of all,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was best of all,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Behold...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Wendy's Wonder!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAnPoaNbEoAlCy0sK-VXr8IThqyxFCaHKKFMjC7oQP5z2LBI4UqkXFD0vYXpyjnpWM9pn_Q2KcwHTrD7Et2stYvHe_kGZ-pajmI5XB_EJcGWdRm9Wvzy8gGj863CVbJp0teqFpuXQno2s/s1600/DSC04498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAnPoaNbEoAlCy0sK-VXr8IThqyxFCaHKKFMjC7oQP5z2LBI4UqkXFD0vYXpyjnpWM9pn_Q2KcwHTrD7Et2stYvHe_kGZ-pajmI5XB_EJcGWdRm9Wvzy8gGj863CVbJp0teqFpuXQno2s/s640/DSC04498.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNWhyphenhyphendg3oMOPmScDZnGNvD_ogHeXKC2XiqZPcdlp4FWZUBbG2xEqkJdo4OCyjXcLKDlnnzMcNFR-t6UxoiMjCTqIpdsrJyi9vvnA7DrHGXiE0ePB6AK46xcQBuYQepYN23kO7tdUZAv7X/s1600/DSC04495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNWhyphenhyphendg3oMOPmScDZnGNvD_ogHeXKC2XiqZPcdlp4FWZUBbG2xEqkJdo4OCyjXcLKDlnnzMcNFR-t6UxoiMjCTqIpdsrJyi9vvnA7DrHGXiE0ePB6AK46xcQBuYQepYN23kO7tdUZAv7X/s640/DSC04495.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLp6rmx5fWMeN-KE9P4CdcR_IMnwtKr3PyAgqO4pdw7QMcZi8t1wgcWF1drqZ3_LDpzk8rqWrWHIqow-1LHHbejZsy5jA_n8tl27iUJzuk_mQgvk1bxnLB24sjJnjF4l9EGGNNgRRfM15V/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLp6rmx5fWMeN-KE9P4CdcR_IMnwtKr3PyAgqO4pdw7QMcZi8t1wgcWF1drqZ3_LDpzk8rqWrWHIqow-1LHHbejZsy5jA_n8tl27iUJzuk_mQgvk1bxnLB24sjJnjF4l9EGGNNgRRfM15V/s640/IMG_1046.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The cloves on Wendy's garlic are almost unreal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bigger than Music overall, but some are comparable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It makes me wonder actually if Wendy's garlic is related to or derived from Music...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They have a lot in common, making me suspect that Wendy's is a porcelain type. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVAiXKQJxdFjHSo6UWzBb1ROcjmmMNeSIpp0K2pT7akbk0804AEQPyIEO9zOlfOjsL1knzq2PMeBpRfzmWNXvtav7ZRFOENQ6j2jkpNipqz-UZ1NDk4nchkJs2PY_NCZdmmKpSEpMli78/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVAiXKQJxdFjHSo6UWzBb1ROcjmmMNeSIpp0K2pT7akbk0804AEQPyIEO9zOlfOjsL1knzq2PMeBpRfzmWNXvtav7ZRFOENQ6j2jkpNipqz-UZ1NDk4nchkJs2PY_NCZdmmKpSEpMli78/s640/IMG_1045.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
So, at the end of the day, this is what I'm taking away from our latest adventure with garlic:<br />
<br />
- plant as much <i><b>Wendy's Wonder</b></i> as possible! <br />
- give <i><b>Music, Chesnok Red</b></i>, and <i><b>Purple Glazer </b></i>another fair shot. <br />
- keep trying with <i><b>Rose du Lautrec</b></i>, but tend to it better <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately, our shallot harvest was a complete and total bust.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As in, crop failure. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have no idea why. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They were doing well and then, nothing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dead as a door nail.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's always next year to try again!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--------------</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-12677462461289965852015-08-26T11:50:00.006-04:002015-08-26T11:50:58.186-04:00Emily Bear / Northern Lights<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pSy3hx7Edts/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pSy3hx7Edts?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you like piano and you've never heard of Emily Bear, I suggest you give her a listen. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
This is Northern Lights, one of my current favorites. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(She wrote it when she was 6 years old!!!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
You can also hear an NPR interview with her by clicking <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/10/01/227220351/dont-call-this-12-year-old-concert-pianist-a-prodigy">here</a>.<br />
And you can see what she's up to now (she's 13 now!) on her <a href="http://www.emilybear.com/">website.</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-1879162655516514532015-08-12T12:10:00.004-04:002015-08-12T12:47:45.353-04:00more adventures and mishaps with chickens<div style="text-align: center;">
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So much has been happening with our flock since I last wrote about them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's definitely gotten crazier and crazier around here.</div>
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<br /></div>
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(The things we do for these chickens... I tell ya!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC29ECARKupCBUL0jmGog9zwsq06gcGXsFZYaielMHbEhbfeFduLOVG7ivMdy89zKEU1dkPDQnTR2aKhG-sfDdgpiOpSsSIHaqwyk42-pHnCNEjWqIApoh1G0S0AZSOr6WXfEtRAu_yHx/s1600/DSC03933.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC29ECARKupCBUL0jmGog9zwsq06gcGXsFZYaielMHbEhbfeFduLOVG7ivMdy89zKEU1dkPDQnTR2aKhG-sfDdgpiOpSsSIHaqwyk42-pHnCNEjWqIApoh1G0S0AZSOr6WXfEtRAu_yHx/s640/DSC03933.JPG" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC29ECARKupCBUL0jmGog9zwsq06gcGXsFZYaielMHbEhbfeFduLOVG7ivMdy89zKEU1dkPDQnTR2aKhG-sfDdgpiOpSsSIHaqwyk42-pHnCNEjWqIApoh1G0S0AZSOr6WXfEtRAu_yHx/s1600/DSC03933.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
Brahmie, our special needs hen -- is still with us...!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrLwFs-f5lqqI0xMDVxnHC-LzqUjUaH3JtCRstyFGQ-a__TxIS3rIHKww8EYZ-f80Hjy4PAn350_Nxf6mDMAZXIhhPl298nB220Af0WZsUWRxK4Re1hbxPvP5deQiZNozjGEnuQrpumts/s1600/DSC04211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrLwFs-f5lqqI0xMDVxnHC-LzqUjUaH3JtCRstyFGQ-a__TxIS3rIHKww8EYZ-f80Hjy4PAn350_Nxf6mDMAZXIhhPl298nB220Af0WZsUWRxK4Re1hbxPvP5deQiZNozjGEnuQrpumts/s640/DSC04211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
She can ambulate a little by flapping her wings and taking a few steps.<br />
She loves being fed comfrey leaves, sunflower seeds, worms, and any kind of treat.<br />
She continues to lay eggs and has totally surprised us by being able<br />
to walk / flap herself 20' into her spot in the coop at night all by herself!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqySONA8bBu90iJ2tfPqS7md43ZS7dC0oLHbFeW5J4A_W-EN3NpDDUhjfXyHtMW6t7AoM54ip-59Yfa_QdGzwHEIyU7vo-jTb0jk3XO2PZv-BB1mXn6gs24umUIvRswdrjoYFVOpLRKKXN/s1600/DSC04089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqySONA8bBu90iJ2tfPqS7md43ZS7dC0oLHbFeW5J4A_W-EN3NpDDUhjfXyHtMW6t7AoM54ip-59Yfa_QdGzwHEIyU7vo-jTb0jk3XO2PZv-BB1mXn6gs24umUIvRswdrjoYFVOpLRKKXN/s640/DSC04089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's Kalinda, our cuckoo maran.<br />
She's only a little over a year old, and she's had a rough and tumble time of it lately.<br />
She lost her sibling Buttercup to a hawk last fall.<br />
She lost her remaining sister Wynonna to the fox late this spring,<br />
not to mention that Kalinda narrowly escaped the fox attack herself. <br />
<br />
If you look closely at Kalinda, you can see that on her left side and up around her back<br />
there are some patches where her feathers are a darker color --<br />
that's where she was injured and has since healed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fox basically had her in his/her clutches, but luckily she lived to tell the tale.<br />
<br />
The day of the fox attack we heard all of the commotion and ran outside.<br />
We must have gotten there just in time for her get away, <br />
startling the fox from its killing frenzy.<br />
<br />
That was a horrible, horrible day. <br />
<br />
---------- <br />
<br />
You might be wondering how Brahmie, our special needs hen, managed to survive the fox attack.<br />
We think the fox never made it into the coop that morning. <br />
<br />
Most of the flock was foraging all over their fenced yard --<br />
they have an automatic door that lets them out at sunrise,<br />
and they're eager to get going. <br />
<br />
(Now we keep them locked up securely in their attached run until much later in the morning,<br />
more on that below, too...!).<br />
<br />
So, Brahmie's limited ability to get out of the coop is actually what saved her.<br />
She definitely knew what was going on, though, her adrenaline clearly kicked in.<br />
When we found her, she had managed to FLY herself up onto a high perch,<br />
to get as safe as she possibly could. <br />
A stroke survivor and a fox survivor.<br />
Now that is some serious resilience...!<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<br />
Our other survivors were Goldie and Commie.<br />
Commie survived because her vision isn't what it used to be<br />
and she's one of the last ones out of the coop in the morning.<br />
She was still in the coop when the fox came,<br />
and she was smart enough to stay in the coop.<br />
<br />
Goldie, when I found her, was waaaaaaaaaaaaaay down in our fenced woods,<br />
quietly hiding in fright. I can only imagine what she witnessed.<br />
<br />
If chickens are capable of having PTSD,<br />
I imagine both Kalinda and Goldie would benefit from some therapy.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKDKYQPYAM0r3714JOvw-uOYPR0L8y6uLQWMatmzS7fKmH9s8x9zzhyphenhyphen6RZXv0BphyphenhyphenilMSGCnpoQ5ODCCvT4VydKL7kWiSLeHKMx3jQB4YENpSJLHtMGzXl2axGYJgy4tgAoZpORCYvdEV/s1600/DSC04075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKDKYQPYAM0r3714JOvw-uOYPR0L8y6uLQWMatmzS7fKmH9s8x9zzhyphenhyphen6RZXv0BphyphenhyphenilMSGCnpoQ5ODCCvT4VydKL7kWiSLeHKMx3jQB4YENpSJLHtMGzXl2axGYJgy4tgAoZpORCYvdEV/s640/DSC04075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately we didn't get out there in time to save our other girls.<br />
Our 4 year old hens from our original flock<br />
Jersey, Lorpie, Specky<br />
and our two one-year-old hens, Betty and Wynonna. <br />
Rest in Peace, sweet girlies.<br />
We're so sorry we couldn't protect you from that damn fox.<br />
<br />
--------<br />
<br />
We beat ourselves up for awhile about it.<br />
We had been trying to sleep in for the first time in what felt like forever... <br />
We were exhausted from dealing with Calvin's cancer, his health demands, and his restless nights.<br />
<br />
We heard a ruckus from the crows mixed in with chicken ruckus, which is not all that unusual --<br />
chickens make a ruckus when they lay an egg, and crows are very vocal birds.<br />
We thought they were just having a territory dispute or something.<br />
<br />
We still wonder if we could have saved them.<br />
But we could have just as easily been in the shower<br />
or in the kitchen with the morning radio on,<br />
and not even heard the attack at all,<br />
and potentially have lost the whole flock. <br />
<br />
What-ifs are futile.<br />
<br />
I try to feel grateful and good about the life we were able to provide them,<br />
for as long as they were able to live it.<br />
<br />
------------ </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
We buried the girls by covering them with comfrey and self-heal flowers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boo planted some wonderful plants there to remember them by.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We love you, girlies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you for everything.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After the fox attack, we felt really defeated. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not only were we so sad about the loss of our girls,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the awful deaths they had,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we were also frustrated by how difficult it is to keep them safe. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have so many protections in place, and still this happened.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Briefly we thought about getting out of chicken keeping altogether.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The emotional impact of losing creatures you love,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
especially in such a tragic way...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it really takes a toll. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--------------<br />
<br />
So we thought about letting the remaining girls live out their days,<br />
and taking our chances with the foxes and hawks and the whatevers.<br />
<br />
But it was too quiet. Too empty. Too sad.<br />
It didn't take long before we both nodded our heads and said, Let's Do It.<br />
Time for some new life...<br />
Time for more chicks!<br />
<br />
-------------<br />
<br />
So we waited a little bit to see if Commie would go broody. Like she always does.<br />
Well, she didn't. So we ordered 9 chicks. (and they sent 11!)<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wF0smbgOvLJBbCDPQu8wNmqxqabTACYqJ1OF7S98rHt5FlCx6osKCZhfYEcC7nnAOVoG1AMg5g1_C14jxz1oShMpM6FBa_TmCO8j2yts3KWdnGAXTQsgnRtW1p1JaUEL_o7egz7AM_7V/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wF0smbgOvLJBbCDPQu8wNmqxqabTACYqJ1OF7S98rHt5FlCx6osKCZhfYEcC7nnAOVoG1AMg5g1_C14jxz1oShMpM6FBa_TmCO8j2yts3KWdnGAXTQsgnRtW1p1JaUEL_o7egz7AM_7V/s640/IMG_0494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RCcVBCpEPFK40wnHgaiMr5cHQ1U9oWnpjL8yyq7KosXMrVtfwc26_yNL8WlnoQmhsk_OeU43H2jSVwSrtuoKnzrmbbiV6Mboyh_eTiLVPo7vfJgLHAYBbDp3FQrMpVyiWeyPKeQfBYnL/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RCcVBCpEPFK40wnHgaiMr5cHQ1U9oWnpjL8yyq7KosXMrVtfwc26_yNL8WlnoQmhsk_OeU43H2jSVwSrtuoKnzrmbbiV6Mboyh_eTiLVPo7vfJgLHAYBbDp3FQrMpVyiWeyPKeQfBYnL/s640/IMG_0497.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then, guess who went broody the very same day the baby chicks arrived at the post office?<br />
Yep. Good old Commie. <br />
She got the broody bug again, just 2 weeks too late. <br />
<br />
She then sat and sat so devotedly while we were raising up the Littles in the indoor brooder.<br />
We shook our heads at her and said, "Too Bad, Girlfriend. You waited too long."<br />
Day after day we saw her sitting, barely eating, barelymoving,<br />
just being earnest about her motherhood. <br />
<br />
So we caved. Like we tend to do.<br />
We decided to order her some baby girls, 3 mystery rare breed chicks, to be exact.<br />
Two weeks later, we popped those babies under her in the cloak of darkness<br />
and the next morning, like magic once again,<br />
she was mothering them at sunrise<br />
after keeping them warm underneath her fluff all night.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxSg8p9i4CwN9GNqZ4Y25vJsACYrwEBsUgdIU-BaXjjVndl_zLfYMDADXjmWZfJ_uBQEtP3MWphvelP8X86MSWA_oaU2HFVA-YBs1HVYVypLBDCPExpPv7s4OX2PG0voGFThbFdbuJGdB/s1600/DSC03981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxSg8p9i4CwN9GNqZ4Y25vJsACYrwEBsUgdIU-BaXjjVndl_zLfYMDADXjmWZfJ_uBQEtP3MWphvelP8X86MSWA_oaU2HFVA-YBs1HVYVypLBDCPExpPv7s4OX2PG0voGFThbFdbuJGdB/s640/DSC03981.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Within a day or so, she ventured outside with them<br />
to teach them all about the world. <br />
<br />
--------------<br />
<br />
So now we have The Littles and The Very Littles.<br />
<br />
(Though now that it's almost 11 weeks later,<br />
we're calling them "The Mediums" and "Commie's Babes.")<br />
<br />
<br />
Commie has been an excellent mother, as usual.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NSS2unjmocz0ACNZYXvOPh9qGU8s-8fcGwxwllKPfzNiu_p2XxzVfU5EVg7GXBuIqi3nedRGd_P1nUyIMcWczk96EEB7szMVrhVhoWT_34Kcho4nXQIXSZAhJRLi3SKAQzV7Y05PgcvI/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NSS2unjmocz0ACNZYXvOPh9qGU8s-8fcGwxwllKPfzNiu_p2XxzVfU5EVg7GXBuIqi3nedRGd_P1nUyIMcWczk96EEB7szMVrhVhoWT_34Kcho4nXQIXSZAhJRLi3SKAQzV7Y05PgcvI/s640/IMG_0751.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
One
day we heard a ruckus<br />
and it was because a young hawk had swooped down<br />
in an attempt to get them. <br />
She was calling in distress for her babies.<br />
We
searched and searched for them, and couldn't find a single one.<br />
We thought they were all goners.<br />
<br />
Boo gave up, but I kept looking.<br />
After what seemed like forever, and just when I was about to give up, too,<br />
I thought I heard some little peeps mixed in with the ongoing bird songs.<br />
I strained and listened carefully... It was a peep!<br />
Several peeps!<br />
<br />
(They must have been quiet while they were scared,<br />
until they thought it was safe to make a sound again.)<br />
<br />
I pulled back the brush and there they were...<br />
It was the most joyful reunion and the biggest relief!!!<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<br />
Commie proved herself a wonderful mother in even more ways.<br />
One day Boo heard a ruckus and came out to find her wrestling with a water snake<br />
that she must have felt was a threat to her or her babies.<br />
<br />
What a mamma!!!<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZcDK55gHqrTweBndxfFwTQdrE1snyU-JN7xNti7e6bZSh75RRRKoCTR5KMYUmzrN444ped41PLk3RgdOsCrJRCWa73qhRDz_PxgIxmuZQNt9IgTjCx3Fm2uMhqY4TISgvAq8nIDlriTM/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZcDK55gHqrTweBndxfFwTQdrE1snyU-JN7xNti7e6bZSh75RRRKoCTR5KMYUmzrN444ped41PLk3RgdOsCrJRCWa73qhRDz_PxgIxmuZQNt9IgTjCx3Fm2uMhqY4TISgvAq8nIDlriTM/s640/IMG_0844.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Thelma and Louise.<br />
Thelma, on the left, is a buff brahma.<br />
Louise, on the right, is a speckled sussex -- and was a bit of a runt.<br />
She wasn't sickly in any way, just very slow-developing. <br />
Her nickname is Weezy.<br />
Thelma and Weezy really love hanging out together.<br />
<br />
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And this is a very dirt-covered Xena.<br />
Her name ended up being very fitting - she is curious, bold, and independent. <br />
She strays the furthest from her mother to see what's going on, much to her mother's chagrin.<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<br />
So, between the 11 we got, and then the 3 that Commie "hatched"<br />
it's really been chick city around here.<br />
<br />
Chicks are tons and tons and tons of fun to watch!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBkOH03yUN1yO-Tjb0bHcI9R8cJ4sDjZfoy9tuSWTCKoBRyED_gFpZImKK7VeMT989HxM5Cp8HiTiV8g0vBOhCrWGqgeBKnXeA5tQCforSXj44RGsKLkhuIPbIfgHRh7y8hbjVw0dxN5q/s1600/DSC03935.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="(FYI, if you like these funky art posts, you can find more info by clicking here.)" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBkOH03yUN1yO-Tjb0bHcI9R8cJ4sDjZfoy9tuSWTCKoBRyED_gFpZImKK7VeMT989HxM5Cp8HiTiV8g0vBOhCrWGqgeBKnXeA5tQCforSXj44RGsKLkhuIPbIfgHRh7y8hbjVw0dxN5q/s640/DSC03935.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(FYI if you like these funky art posts, you can find more by clicking <a href="http://www.paintedpeace.com/">here</a>.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone is all integrated into our main coop at this point. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Mediums</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Above, on the left side of the feeder: </u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Connie</b> - buff orpington, just like Commie. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Wellie </b>2.0 - a welsummer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Buttercup </b>2.0 - a barred plymouth rock</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Joni</b> - a Jersey Giant </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ernesta </b>- an Easter Egger w/ smoky gray and black tones</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>On the right side of the feeder:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Jewel:</b> a Jersey Giant</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Willa</b>: a silver-laced wyandotte</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Emmaline</b> 2.0 - yep, another Easter Egger rooster -- i.e. another sexing failure at the hatchery!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Daisy</b>: a dominique!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So if you counted that line-up, that's 9, not the 11 that we started with.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Unfortunately, the hawks found the Mediums.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Within one week, a hawk got two.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Both times I intercepted, chased the hawk off and interrupted the kill, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but neither time did I get there quickly enough to prevent their death. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Betty #2 died in Boo's arms, and Ruby was gone when I got her. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
After Betty died, we spent the entire day trying to hawk-proof their area:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jcORYIgYQySJGu0bB0hL3bgKN7WhgaQkuHLJLGF4zxkdILJyi_enhDGjmipz6Eq2njaDs_i-HqwCcOsUnejHcqrgA5Zwdhu4_clnK-uKbyrbYXpy05KB-t-gHFjOVNMihxqd3SMWP5uS/s1600/DSC04236.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jcORYIgYQySJGu0bB0hL3bgKN7WhgaQkuHLJLGF4zxkdILJyi_enhDGjmipz6Eq2njaDs_i-HqwCcOsUnejHcqrgA5Zwdhu4_clnK-uKbyrbYXpy05KB-t-gHFjOVNMihxqd3SMWP5uS/s640/DSC04236.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We ran probably 1000' feet of fishing line from post to post</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in a wild zig zag, it felt like weaving a dream catcher,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a spell of protection over the girls...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It took an entire day -- it was a beast of a project, but we did it and we were proud of it...!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We thought it worked, and it seemed to...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I even noticed the hawk overhead take a prolonged pause</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
checking out all of the shimmering lines meant to dissuade it from descending.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought it decided it wasn't worth the trouble.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Only a matter of days later, the hawk decided to test the lines.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I intercepted it, it seemed it had discovered that the fishing line is flexible,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and breaking a couple of lines wasn't a big deal. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It used our garage roof to get in and out.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's when the hawk got Ruby,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after all of that effort to keep the Mediums safe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that's when I declared a <b>lockdown</b>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This ain't no drill, girls!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We rounded them up and got their fluffy fannies in the coop.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShRCQ-LL_vCzzfd8_zSTp7MASOB9XkIWUgc37bHAhEXQkeiOGd5Lbf49c8vdDSRrmq0hZmmB_qM37J_HLg9InbryzSeQjsRFeSWrg30-KDjHHrfuf8Ni7XfLB9YPQCvi6L2_UblyN3SZl/s1600/DSC04284.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShRCQ-LL_vCzzfd8_zSTp7MASOB9XkIWUgc37bHAhEXQkeiOGd5Lbf49c8vdDSRrmq0hZmmB_qM37J_HLg9InbryzSeQjsRFeSWrg30-KDjHHrfuf8Ni7XfLB9YPQCvi6L2_UblyN3SZl/s640/DSC04284.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS0T4INdxKkXPGMXdNqn3aEoS63CzotGPrZ7IfNP7aCzv_OonsXtWXhBFHc88sNn_Y8vPPvOQ0y-YHD7Lidg0y3FYcvFjgxPCy2aDhnv37iYt5NpJl2ard31oPJRu5s3Hk9Hdq5EPyHvd/s1600/DSC04255.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS0T4INdxKkXPGMXdNqn3aEoS63CzotGPrZ7IfNP7aCzv_OonsXtWXhBFHc88sNn_Y8vPPvOQ0y-YHD7Lidg0y3FYcvFjgxPCy2aDhnv37iYt5NpJl2ard31oPJRu5s3Hk9Hdq5EPyHvd/s640/DSC04255.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sidenote: our fishing line project was not entirely a waste.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a) we learned it doesn't work, which is helpful to know what NOT to bother doing and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
b) the pole beans have totally loved spreading out more on those lines...!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, we've been in lockdown mode for much of the summer, unfortunately,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but they're slowly getting more freedom, albeit with supervision or new safety implements in place. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The girls hate being on lockdown.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So do we.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it's better than them being dead. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And us being sad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------ </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've heard so many stories from our neighborhood.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of the surrounding chicken keepers, they've all had recent losses to the foxes, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and a friend down the road lost his ENTIRE FLOCK (of twenty four hens!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
one afternoon when he was gone for a couple of hours. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(probably the nasty work of a weasel...)!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's all so upsetting!!! </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-----------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even though it sucks, while the girls have been in lockdown,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we've reminded them that it's temporary and for their own good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've been working diligently, taking more precautions for flock safety...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And trying to balance safety with quality of life (theirs and ours!).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most people would say our balance is pretty wacky... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
given that our free time is devoted to chicken security. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not to mention that we probably take the cake in terms of going to the nth degree.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So what steps have we taken recently to increase chicken security?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll see if I can remember...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- secured <b>hardware cloth </b>along the floor of the run to prevent digging predators</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- added <b>safety latches</b> and bolts for latch-smart animals like raccoons</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- combined the mediums with the main flock </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(more manageable instead of having multiple chicken zones to watch / secure)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- decreased the size of our chicken yard by <b>gating off</b> the lower area</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- dropped lots of <b>brush for safety / cover</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- improved our chicken run with hardware cloth (and fun distractions for the girls)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- added <b>improved fencing to weak areas </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- installed an <b>aerial net </b>like they use at game farms to keep raptors from landing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The only things we haven't done yet are:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-electrifying the fence</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-killing the fox </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Both of those things are still totally on the table, though killing the fox is our absolute last resort. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our electric fence supplies are ready to go and we may do that anyway,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
our only reluctance is that we don't want to shock / hurt our dogs or any harmless critters.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, we'll see if we do that or not.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But... I know if any predators got in and killed our girls,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we'd regret not having electrified, so I think we should probably just do it...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------- </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, doing the net was a massive project. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I mean<b> </b>massive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As in, <b>totally overwhelming</b>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As in, I was actually kind of freaking out,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
looking at the 90'x90' area,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
full of trees and brush and structures... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and wondering<i><b> how in the world</b></i> we could do it...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hawks were coming ALL THE TIME, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it felt like it absolutely had to be done,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or else the girls were never going to be able to be out of lockdown.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
:(</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lots of folks didn't even think it was possible.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But now<b> </b>it's there, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I'll tell you how we ultimately managed to get it there. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But the net took a long time to finally get up, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and much trial and error and improvisation along the way.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the mean time, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we felt like we could only let the girls out of their locked run</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the evening after our dinner --</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and we'd stay with them until it got dark. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Basically, we became chicken security guards. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scanning the skies, working in shifts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Family members teased me </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and said I
looked more like a chicken gym teacher than a security guard,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because I was constantly wearing
a crow call whistle around my neck.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What's the crow call for?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, for calling in the crows...! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The crows and blue jays have been
great allies to us in terms of alerting us to predators... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But not every time, so when I have
seen hawks circling nearby, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have called the crows in, and typically,
they chase the hawks off. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's an interesting dynamic to see one or two
much smaller birds in the air, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
chasing off a hawk several times their
size. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's like a David and Goliath of the skies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are grateful to them for their alerts, and their help escorting the hawks away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
---------------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's how to put overhead netting in your chicken yard that will</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a) hopefully keep aerial predators like hawks out and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
b) doesn't feel claustrophobic</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqT3_OoUQJ3TMeWb3RkSS5tNoG6JTivsN4wmwAaGdOXzl1H5h3SvElXpvFxEDBoeMq10LPDjP2_3uO52SD7FXvb58QjB0nDKpSPB-SN3PpUlzBva8rbqEfc8Mm_SODVII4-flDgTFjIlJ/s1600/DSC04230.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqT3_OoUQJ3TMeWb3RkSS5tNoG6JTivsN4wmwAaGdOXzl1H5h3SvElXpvFxEDBoeMq10LPDjP2_3uO52SD7FXvb58QjB0nDKpSPB-SN3PpUlzBva8rbqEfc8Mm_SODVII4-flDgTFjIlJ/s640/DSC04230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From some angles, you can hardly see our netting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm2AwVC8EazEw0nStGPWF3mSkWb6HuteAUJLyArwePfmqHkO_eT3WogFQosbo0gcCW-Z-Q7WGUSsZEngL5e7XBIEO3RZw2WG2mDk4UfcFfPcmd08HEHU4bw0CErl97iMDKRUB6UXCCdMi/s1600/DSC04235.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm2AwVC8EazEw0nStGPWF3mSkWb6HuteAUJLyArwePfmqHkO_eT3WogFQosbo0gcCW-Z-Q7WGUSsZEngL5e7XBIEO3RZw2WG2mDk4UfcFfPcmd08HEHU4bw0CErl97iMDKRUB6UXCCdMi/s640/DSC04235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Other angles, it's more visible. We had to let go of any desire for aesthetics.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Safety is way more important!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>what you need:</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- an existing perimeter fence </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- plenty of 100# strength laundry line. Comes in 100' lengths in most hardware stores.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(green blends in fairly well, so it gets our vote over white.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- enough 2"x2"x8' pressure treated stakes for support roughly every 10'. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- plenty of zip ties. probably about 300 or so. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 1 5/8 (or 2" is fine) outdoor screws</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- 2"x2" knotted nylon netting, enough for your area. We needed (4) 50'x50' pieces.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- two people, but three or four is even better.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b> Here's what we did first:</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>- </b>site prep was critical... we cleared the area of any trees that were going to get in the way of the
net spreading easily. (some big trees that were near the edge we kept
and simply cut a slit in the net and went around them, being careful not
to wrap the trees too tightly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-
we cleared the area of any brush that was going to make running the netting
treacherous in terms of our foot traffic or likely get caught on the
netting</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- we had to kill a nest of yellow jackets in the ground that were making the project even less fun. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>then we: </u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-
secured laundry line from one end of the fence to the other, about
every 10', simply by wrapping and twisting the ends. We left a few feet of extra on either end, and left it hanging low instead of highly taut -- some slack in it helped with getting
the bulky long pieces of net over it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- unrolled /
untangled the netting, one piece at a time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- secured the netting to the
perimeter fence with zip ties. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- lifted the netting over each laundry line to spread
it over the quadrant / area. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We took it as far as it would go. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- then we worked in some of the wooden stakes to lift the lines covered in net up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(we first put two screws in
the tops of the stakes, one slightly taller than the other, with
enough of a gap to get the laundry line in -- but not too much that it
wouldn't stay put.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- we used existing structures to provide more lift / support, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like our coop / run / garden shed, and some raised garden beds. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- then we stitched on another square of netting with zip ties and repeated the process until it was all up and connected.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- at the end, went through and added more zip ties along the whole perimeter of the fence,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and tried to wrap around the edge trees without girdling them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Voila!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Definitely cause for a celebratory dinner...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At last, I got to take off my crow call necklace!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
-----------<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Knock on wood, but we really can't see how a hawk could get in through all of the netting. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it has the added benefit of deterring any predators that might try to climb the fence </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because they could get all tangled up in the netting if they reach the top of the fence.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Squirrels and small songbirds have managed to get through,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but they're welcome visitors in the chicken yard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg529-eSkXO2jcEhMN9LJLYY4aX1n7ffe3lBm_ky227y3E__-WzPUR4Zx2reG5UX-3RfJkdmn-a3sietWdGPN7akhGko-DMOZv_Hy1Pih_WxxNbV2KMKVXIbYy1XTxijGM0a8XKRIGX32OP/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg529-eSkXO2jcEhMN9LJLYY4aX1n7ffe3lBm_ky227y3E__-WzPUR4Zx2reG5UX-3RfJkdmn-a3sietWdGPN7akhGko-DMOZv_Hy1Pih_WxxNbV2KMKVXIbYy1XTxijGM0a8XKRIGX32OP/s640/IMG_0872.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Buttercup is happy! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmt9-E5WogIjDHH6xP6T_VY_bKdW4U6OkgArA9aVc1f378-hyEiFUemQgGOCx2EuJ1-OCPnKWDHHhhOX0qzYRAmyWduOOLbgpxHPm5B-y8G-GKSSdZDT3N4VeO1rIMwjf9-98lqzUbA5vF/s1600/DSC04148.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmt9-E5WogIjDHH6xP6T_VY_bKdW4U6OkgArA9aVc1f378-hyEiFUemQgGOCx2EuJ1-OCPnKWDHHhhOX0qzYRAmyWduOOLbgpxHPm5B-y8G-GKSSdZDT3N4VeO1rIMwjf9-98lqzUbA5vF/s640/DSC04148.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We still keep the girls in their secure run until mid-morning, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but then we let them out, tell them to have fun and be safe... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then they're happy as can be, and so are we!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In fact, we're finally able to relax a little and start to tend to other things besides chickens...!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
--------------- </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
At night, the girls take themselves in, and we do the final securing of their little inner sanctum. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many of them manage to get up on top of their door to try to roost there for the night...!<br />
It might also be to stay away from mean Aunt Goldie,<br />
who comes over and tries to bully them off of their perch. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbHyPXZ91MjRXgz3R-GTClDOWgHVs6eFYXfaCwgn4T6P7S2w-Lrrhyb4h0zCanmO_YEsTmzfsbvvdD6APJLGC0HIS5Cf9YWuIS38pt3O8YD_YhHq_CwvcraEUjX4CF6LUMXc0xdjGbxvL/s1600/DSC04225.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbHyPXZ91MjRXgz3R-GTClDOWgHVs6eFYXfaCwgn4T6P7S2w-Lrrhyb4h0zCanmO_YEsTmzfsbvvdD6APJLGC0HIS5Cf9YWuIS38pt3O8YD_YhHq_CwvcraEUjX4CF6LUMXc0xdjGbxvL/s640/DSC04225.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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They sure are cute...</div>
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I love going in at dusk and transferring them all onto my arm,</div>
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and then gently placing them on their perch,</div>
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so I can close the door and say</div>
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"Good Night, Girls!.. and Boy!"</div>
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and </div>
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"Sweet Dreams all through the night!"</div>
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"See you in the morning light!"</div>
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Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246455309563371861.post-35065190048663030502015-07-23T12:59:00.002-04:002015-07-23T13:11:05.836-04:00remembering Calvin<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEjUDo9YHaJBd01bjuFpYiS-ozIO6UZmkDdf5KL2KdB9AinfX1gwmyreUWOmP18lcgvDIfxV59De7SRm7q1C6nhOekyQLkJhff81BS92JUyg3XMDZi7PwuEPVV3muJC6DjCY6n7vbdqUN/s1600/calvin+in+garden+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEjUDo9YHaJBd01bjuFpYiS-ozIO6UZmkDdf5KL2KdB9AinfX1gwmyreUWOmP18lcgvDIfxV59De7SRm7q1C6nhOekyQLkJhff81BS92JUyg3XMDZi7PwuEPVV3muJC6DjCY6n7vbdqUN/s640/calvin+in+garden+2.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Calvin</div>
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1999 - July 20, 2015</div>
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It's hard to know where to begin with Calvin.</div>
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He was, in a nutshell, </div>
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the little dude who ran our house </div>
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for as long as I've been part of it, and for a few years before that.</div>
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In fact, we jokingly called him the Speaker of the House</div>
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because he was often barking as if he was in charge, much to my chagrin. </div>
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With Calvin you could always be sure</div>
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that he would let you know what he wanted and when.</div>
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If he wanted to come in or go out </div>
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or if he just wanted you to make his dinner a little faster,</div>
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or if he just wanted to hear himself bark, </div>
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that was Calvin.</div>
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So, over the years we nicknamed him Nancy (Pelosi)</div>
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and that stuck with him, among his many other nicknames.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5r7HH9gUePgbQc-gqcOKFNf_YUTmtpciQ4_AaPBDojIqFOhZMrLEahCHjVBmpE1p9qgxSlH2yiwhbtZOEGiSBCDLVNVIe8Rl1qnUbm2sYdaiq-9-rdVxAU-W4gDkt8F02B2PIjvCyvDY/s1600/calvin+face.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5r7HH9gUePgbQc-gqcOKFNf_YUTmtpciQ4_AaPBDojIqFOhZMrLEahCHjVBmpE1p9qgxSlH2yiwhbtZOEGiSBCDLVNVIe8Rl1qnUbm2sYdaiq-9-rdVxAU-W4gDkt8F02B2PIjvCyvDY/s640/calvin+face.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Calvin was a paradox to me for a long time.</div>
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He was overall pretty high-strung and uptight, and even his body was stiff,</div>
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except for sometimes you'd see him in this position,</div>
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like he'd had too many margaritas </div>
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or was just such a chill guy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqaTD6TlUGh3inhLJVTKVmLCSFWZEfpaxjNfYDKMu4TR4NwGVz6Iph-H9tDLpkAuKED1E6ztG3I3yU9BwEJke988xNQKus63vteAbTlry-L7FcDIOmlUEbCeIlnaHSGRppPCzSAubhK6L/s1600/DSC07474.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqaTD6TlUGh3inhLJVTKVmLCSFWZEfpaxjNfYDKMu4TR4NwGVz6Iph-H9tDLpkAuKED1E6ztG3I3yU9BwEJke988xNQKus63vteAbTlry-L7FcDIOmlUEbCeIlnaHSGRppPCzSAubhK6L/s640/DSC07474.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the record: he was definitely NOT a chill guy.</div>
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Not even remotely. </div>
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But he did soften with time, and so did I,</div>
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and he had many sides to himself that unfolded over the years.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wjKpaD4CH37pvbLeplKllp9EszWtNF-_v1-h5iH_2Wu0G_7vhyphenhyphenotYZxmKKhp-X0HbCh6lO26yJ-E4-RsMID1wjAGhLcujQFZGYxsrGs97P16jSpUhnt5Y1fQEtXnAsJ92G-UhKCy_kDf/s1600/DSC05268.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wjKpaD4CH37pvbLeplKllp9EszWtNF-_v1-h5iH_2Wu0G_7vhyphenhyphenotYZxmKKhp-X0HbCh6lO26yJ-E4-RsMID1wjAGhLcujQFZGYxsrGs97P16jSpUhnt5Y1fQEtXnAsJ92G-UhKCy_kDf/s640/DSC05268.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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He was deeply neurotic, and while I didn't like his domineering ways, </div>
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they did help keep the order around here,</div>
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and made the hierarchy very clear.</div>
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In the end, I couldn't help but respect how </div>
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his 20 pound bark and bite was somehow sufficient to </div>
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intimidate even our massive Great Pyrenees, </div>
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who could have swallowed him whole if they had wanted to!</div>
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After my boy Tucker died, </div>
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Calvin and I slowly but surely made our peace with each other.</div>
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I came to respect him and his role. </div>
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And I always, always appreciated </div>
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how much he loved his Mamma Boo.</div>
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He was so loyal and so utterly devoted to her.</div>
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I thank him for giving that kind of love,</div>
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and I assured him before he died that I would keep carrying the torch</div>
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and take good care of his most beloved Mamma. </div>
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Even at our most disagreeable times, </div>
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one thing Calvin and I had in common </div>
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was our unwavering adoration of her.</div>
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He'd wait for her faithfully,</div>
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and he'd follow her anywhere that his little crooked legs could carry him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9oe9HMW4Uqkn8OAgE_dhO9XtBNP6nt0Zmc81JmYUxIu7mjx-EUNCcKOGSDmC1tR0sAA6_sEJ7gcZjLNDIQQnf9orfVaVOdtq0MMXfmAe5ithKLGCBXgLvW2hrWm0YZhj2xF6rpKxKFu9/s1600/DSC04624.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9oe9HMW4Uqkn8OAgE_dhO9XtBNP6nt0Zmc81JmYUxIu7mjx-EUNCcKOGSDmC1tR0sAA6_sEJ7gcZjLNDIQQnf9orfVaVOdtq0MMXfmAe5ithKLGCBXgLvW2hrWm0YZhj2xF6rpKxKFu9/s640/DSC04624.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41tZAvj7UcoR4ebZw4HzQn9mxlGuDwkKxDoEtx-KaTpGHTzNQumR2bthuEEQ0oBI1afBzgw0JmUAEBuvGo8IxY64jVBOGrS1NFPt_XuwtA340qWcC34-I5IHcmxeVoQ5PgQDYDqvMIOsi/s1600/DSC02753.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41tZAvj7UcoR4ebZw4HzQn9mxlGuDwkKxDoEtx-KaTpGHTzNQumR2bthuEEQ0oBI1afBzgw0JmUAEBuvGo8IxY64jVBOGrS1NFPt_XuwtA340qWcC34-I5IHcmxeVoQ5PgQDYDqvMIOsi/s640/DSC02753.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJcgP71o4ynNpx6e12yVJJpqAnW2FBaDLyl69xWDoZkceigm-tsfkWxT4dx0fE7uVL6hqn6cQdQE-KIk5BzvK6hZdLtrbNTNMrUMkyOsfa9RnjLPQ80yusPv3pM_sIWSjbbyn3AEiwUal/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJcgP71o4ynNpx6e12yVJJpqAnW2FBaDLyl69xWDoZkceigm-tsfkWxT4dx0fE7uVL6hqn6cQdQE-KIk5BzvK6hZdLtrbNTNMrUMkyOsfa9RnjLPQ80yusPv3pM_sIWSjbbyn3AEiwUal/s640/IMG_0416.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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It's impossible to remember Calvin without also remembering Bella.</div>
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Bella was his main squeeze and the only dog whose authority he deferred to.</div>
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They were like Mutt and Jeff, a motley duo.</div>
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Wherever Bella went, Calvin went, too.</div>
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Bella used to get little sticky boogers in her eyes</div>
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and every night he would lick them off for her.</div>
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It was a tender little ritual that usually occurred every night</div>
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before Bella's own personal nightly ritual,</div>
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which was 45 minutes of butt-licking and flatulence.</div>
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Calvin and Bella both had the frightening tendency to walk on our pond </div>
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when it was only partially frozen, so during that time of the year,</div>
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they had to suit up with life jackets when they went outside unsupervised.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrQp7ppWhFSFMLop7hEg9HZ18umzirJ5FRe1BJqSV5nI4sw4otaqjI4DcbsUh_XmkX1inOL6W59DT1xSUPaz0St2tbKJOkUKVqqR9tDyiGn03wz5LIXGAuYiYWctcksoo4KFS4GYzRVox/s1600/doggie+life+jackets+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrQp7ppWhFSFMLop7hEg9HZ18umzirJ5FRe1BJqSV5nI4sw4otaqjI4DcbsUh_XmkX1inOL6W59DT1xSUPaz0St2tbKJOkUKVqqR9tDyiGn03wz5LIXGAuYiYWctcksoo4KFS4GYzRVox/s640/doggie+life+jackets+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Life without Bella was never the same.</div>
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But Calvin cozied up with Clara, and us.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkNC-m-aHhv3ruIpxmj7-qUODcUI9GRuvIIfctnhyphenhyphenhoAyws6ZLtZoGDlP13cWHqdXHLOMBeVDxLrGQumTaucI-LPj5wvMnU0puh77bYqi0HD09UJMInw3ultMa1wkwA9RHBpzBAXInDDp/s1600/DSC09210.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkNC-m-aHhv3ruIpxmj7-qUODcUI9GRuvIIfctnhyphenhyphenhoAyws6ZLtZoGDlP13cWHqdXHLOMBeVDxLrGQumTaucI-LPj5wvMnU0puh77bYqi0HD09UJMInw3ultMa1wkwA9RHBpzBAXInDDp/s640/DSC09210.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Clara is the link between our past and present dog packs.</div>
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She knew Tucker, Bella, and Calvin. </div>
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She's said good-bye to all of them in the last 2 1/2 years,</div>
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and we can only hope she doesn't also have to say good-bye </div>
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to her new brother Huck anytime soon.</div>
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(Luckily Clara seems to be very in touch with the Spirit world.</div>
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I think she's as wise as she is big and fluffy...!)</div>
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Calvin was a really tenacious little dude.</div>
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A real trooper, and my hat goes off to him for that.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He didn't give up... he just kept-on-keeping-on against all odds.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Four months ago, </div>
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the traditional vets thought he'd be dead any day </div>
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and they recommended euthanasia. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But Boo said No.</div>
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He ain't no youth.</div>
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And he ain't in Asia.</div>
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He's not ready for Asia yet, so forget it!</div>
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<br /></div>
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She did so much research </div>
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and bought every alternative remedy known on the face of the earth,</div>
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all for her little boy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He became more and more high maintenance, </div>
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and life around here became an ongoing Hospice, </div>
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but she didn't mind one bit,</div>
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and she would do it all again. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Calvin was actually more like a cat </div>
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in that he must have had at least 9 lives.</div>
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<br /></div>
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He had at least that many death vigils,</div>
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times when we thought he was going to die and then</div>
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he'd surprise us and perk up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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(I think he must have been a little drama king - </div>
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even soap opera stars don't have that many near-death experiences!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Plus, years ago, our friend accidentally ran over him in the driveway,</div>
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and then backed over him again when she panicked.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We figured he could recover from just about anything</div>
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if he could get run over twice by an SUV and live to tell the tale...!</div>
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------------- </div>
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Nothing got Calvin's spirits down. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Not the weather,</div>
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not even when the snow was deeper than he was tall. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcwCzxhRQh2H4eracxh2DoEGEzbTTk8tbcA4hHyZBi3DnvUbSt9PRLNo_aaNBhG1C5FjqGwohs2epvYamyd8HDOmj7qERs03L5VBAwwRfd7RWqS6j1aqfZW0mW8ocG_BGQcVLInGSqmKt/s1600/DSC03424.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcwCzxhRQh2H4eracxh2DoEGEzbTTk8tbcA4hHyZBi3DnvUbSt9PRLNo_aaNBhG1C5FjqGwohs2epvYamyd8HDOmj7qERs03L5VBAwwRfd7RWqS6j1aqfZW0mW8ocG_BGQcVLInGSqmKt/s640/DSC03424.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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No matter how blind or bulging his eye was, </div>
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he didn't care, </div>
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as long as he could see his Mamma. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboY7mVjPzBnT4mPdOH_BH1uZiag8TY_fND3VKQX_O1VtQ2zBi_aFEJ-5j2-l4UtVKh-MoGUlmM-5FTH6UDhAtZzOzli-KHvRjcUPHHZvXD45Y5_c_pWVywfExTcbUUUo9cBwjCeGfiHLU/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboY7mVjPzBnT4mPdOH_BH1uZiag8TY_fND3VKQX_O1VtQ2zBi_aFEJ-5j2-l4UtVKh-MoGUlmM-5FTH6UDhAtZzOzli-KHvRjcUPHHZvXD45Y5_c_pWVywfExTcbUUUo9cBwjCeGfiHLU/s640/IMG_0020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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No matter how deaf he was, he didn't care,</div>
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as long as he could still hear the vibrations</div>
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of his Mamma playing piano </div>
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or whispering her love for him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DP6hyphenhyphenk9QqyRFDIOK1zthGxLbZFcDBo8rEhCQ9kiUyY4H1kdNys3tNWW_YefGSNyKIZxLIyUoVV-nDvMaQP8ysa46e3zhRMukkUDR5J_qT4DnAufkPh59CRTlioTwDr5XfsrbR-oTrJ7q/s1600/DSC03861.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_KaRQSlDYynPJ16CTh7htZ-ezol2B_NAJC8ObYlHeBv0bUZVokA7w0_BJPp9-FqwWlD5TF3dd_UeTsbeWO3LSoh8n6uMkg73YmOICllIkdwKFgIY82UfGaKMmIzrRE1cKYbWiKmsvffE/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_KaRQSlDYynPJ16CTh7htZ-ezol2B_NAJC8ObYlHeBv0bUZVokA7w0_BJPp9-FqwWlD5TF3dd_UeTsbeWO3LSoh8n6uMkg73YmOICllIkdwKFgIY82UfGaKMmIzrRE1cKYbWiKmsvffE/s640/IMG_0407.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No matter how big that awful tumor got, </div>
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he just kept lugging it around like a suitcase. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DP6hyphenhyphenk9QqyRFDIOK1zthGxLbZFcDBo8rEhCQ9kiUyY4H1kdNys3tNWW_YefGSNyKIZxLIyUoVV-nDvMaQP8ysa46e3zhRMukkUDR5J_qT4DnAufkPh59CRTlioTwDr5XfsrbR-oTrJ7q/s1600/DSC03861.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DP6hyphenhyphenk9QqyRFDIOK1zthGxLbZFcDBo8rEhCQ9kiUyY4H1kdNys3tNWW_YefGSNyKIZxLIyUoVV-nDvMaQP8ysa46e3zhRMukkUDR5J_qT4DnAufkPh59CRTlioTwDr5XfsrbR-oTrJ7q/s640/DSC03861.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<br /></div>
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No matter how many times he banged into things wearing his cone, </div>
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he just kept on going until he could swing his neck far enough </div>
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to do what he wanted to do.</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXoGeW43aUYD5WTpcO27HL2TyZVOre7vksrohbNRlafXtUyJXaAUcIKUEjSdFBo47tBeT_2yMm6PJB1mCG0dPzY5ENiYIr_Qa9Yl7UCqnaMonuVYdIHpbm6_Xd10xkjytf-wegNST0GJE/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXoGeW43aUYD5WTpcO27HL2TyZVOre7vksrohbNRlafXtUyJXaAUcIKUEjSdFBo47tBeT_2yMm6PJB1mCG0dPzY5ENiYIr_Qa9Yl7UCqnaMonuVYdIHpbm6_Xd10xkjytf-wegNST0GJE/s640/IMG_0243.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
He tolerated a litany of bandages and treatments,</div>
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some downright humiliating -- from baby pants</div>
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to handmade suspenders and harnesses, </div>
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and various adaptions to "the cone" </div>
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which he continually evaded or outwitted. </div>
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<br /></div>
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None of it lessened his dignity or his role</div>
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as the man-in-charge around here. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcG-3iPZV-vUbegKt50Qp0v1zrx5GI4hFo4EQVThubEXhr0y-9qilTR42BRwGge3tyd-4JpT4Z3rRz0ventPRWzNdfciSHwnbcelIAqGvz-bAQXnq9xrGAwt5DV5mHt-TQRh-adRAbAsT/s1600/DSC03076.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcG-3iPZV-vUbegKt50Qp0v1zrx5GI4hFo4EQVThubEXhr0y-9qilTR42BRwGge3tyd-4JpT4Z3rRz0ventPRWzNdfciSHwnbcelIAqGvz-bAQXnq9xrGAwt5DV5mHt-TQRh-adRAbAsT/s640/DSC03076.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf15-xGdtbEqeoc3B7q5F_tLaydkrslfk_XzXq048I6gtI1ty0zHHw0CmSbFYsQasg602tgaffdLf06UxFk_QYvNLGXkP77hpx7wSK5QVvO3FVgxy2Q6ghTXhyOkHI30EminHyVwVjstB/s1600/DSC03061.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf15-xGdtbEqeoc3B7q5F_tLaydkrslfk_XzXq048I6gtI1ty0zHHw0CmSbFYsQasg602tgaffdLf06UxFk_QYvNLGXkP77hpx7wSK5QVvO3FVgxy2Q6ghTXhyOkHI30EminHyVwVjstB/s640/DSC03061.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxmJxddK4R6TYLt-RtRLsetLVGqHCMVNDiWx53hlBjV-LPmfyBYxZf11SJ3tVLOoG4qJnIb8DPnVZAftD17Y5yLd1z_UwweH3aGTY2OhH6aKLXP3E_M-YJ6o1neot94tB5ZLO4NUQ-99Z/s1600/DSC02893.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxmJxddK4R6TYLt-RtRLsetLVGqHCMVNDiWx53hlBjV-LPmfyBYxZf11SJ3tVLOoG4qJnIb8DPnVZAftD17Y5yLd1z_UwweH3aGTY2OhH6aKLXP3E_M-YJ6o1neot94tB5ZLO4NUQ-99Z/s640/DSC02893.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcG-3iPZV-vUbegKt50Qp0v1zrx5GI4hFo4EQVThubEXhr0y-9qilTR42BRwGge3tyd-4JpT4Z3rRz0ventPRWzNdfciSHwnbcelIAqGvz-bAQXnq9xrGAwt5DV5mHt-TQRh-adRAbAsT/s1600/DSC03076.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL613dZD-7sml3ROmplTTWEos4hLoGUPd9sAdieFep5x76AXqAhfW1zMe78lflQskRdJwN7uyGcCo2mYCS8FYExsrxjvkBRTvaKHZpBC98JXYZxaL7T6ZHCDIh6AtU1VuqdZ_qNXQRTBnI/s1600/DSC03086.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL613dZD-7sml3ROmplTTWEos4hLoGUPd9sAdieFep5x76AXqAhfW1zMe78lflQskRdJwN7uyGcCo2mYCS8FYExsrxjvkBRTvaKHZpBC98JXYZxaL7T6ZHCDIh6AtU1VuqdZ_qNXQRTBnI/s640/DSC03086.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTfni1NLIEofAS7zLl168m-RyW8Fqudw_6-kjWrnvMrLSKYa3ZSykVuDLPkrJr6yBcRMwy657wApAvJjQF2_dC78Ck6wNWYyRn1UY_2S9dAFXhyphenhyphenl721Kg0bS0lfcRWNBBwUrb5_jXZnaL/s1600/DSC03391.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTfni1NLIEofAS7zLl168m-RyW8Fqudw_6-kjWrnvMrLSKYa3ZSykVuDLPkrJr6yBcRMwy657wApAvJjQF2_dC78Ck6wNWYyRn1UY_2S9dAFXhyphenhyphenl721Kg0bS0lfcRWNBBwUrb5_jXZnaL/s640/DSC03391.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When he was ready to go, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he went on his own terms, without euthanasia, and he went fast.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He got down to the business of letting that old ailing body die. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We felt Bella and Tucker's presence with him and us as he transitioned. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And with his mother's permission and encouragement, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he left to go play with his friends</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wherever doggie heaven is. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
------</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He had a beautiful life,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and a beautiful death.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While I watched him die, I was in awe of him</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and all that he's been through and all that he's done</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with his little 20 pound self. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I had my druthers and could choose the way I would die,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would also die outside in the sunlight,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with my people all gently around me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqZ09fTZlsJVBNEBg1KjP6IzL6wmroUDUR4wgw9S_yccrddMxmMnmCy36HgL8Ke86wchXCndnsaKXW84tFCw9fhcXpB2k8FbqYzgLL5jooPP-ME6yO6Y0leYhbhy1cehq2HS_uoWPP266/s1600/DSC09381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqZ09fTZlsJVBNEBg1KjP6IzL6wmroUDUR4wgw9S_yccrddMxmMnmCy36HgL8Ke86wchXCndnsaKXW84tFCw9fhcXpB2k8FbqYzgLL5jooPP-ME6yO6Y0leYhbhy1cehq2HS_uoWPP266/s640/DSC09381.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtgznq4ObPgq7QLjxLWzuckonKqwpLtqkN3bazVBH7FOhBluicf5zDB9NGOAN_SlvnnCuUcTyoEsYvuRcoHxR6psOBl8XqgMy8H9gXFqOumtMFSPlnpqwsBjS8_n82AlIq14L-1Q2qAQK/s1600/DSC09383.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtgznq4ObPgq7QLjxLWzuckonKqwpLtqkN3bazVBH7FOhBluicf5zDB9NGOAN_SlvnnCuUcTyoEsYvuRcoHxR6psOBl8XqgMy8H9gXFqOumtMFSPlnpqwsBjS8_n82AlIq14L-1Q2qAQK/s640/DSC09383.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Live into the Light, little dude.</div>
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We'll remember you,</div>
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and love you, and miss you, always. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CXm6Hei7tug7BDxyf3KvffZvZUWGmimNSZnt8K3qqhuNPjjK9nJLWoqQFnIfuZxoYbsQBwYBKeyon2sPVq39_wRpj55TrdXw9glPMVhxfCKDomvKGxpr0cdcZbP8YLHsJcy9gx6n40uj/s1600/DSC00667.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CXm6Hei7tug7BDxyf3KvffZvZUWGmimNSZnt8K3qqhuNPjjK9nJLWoqQFnIfuZxoYbsQBwYBKeyon2sPVq39_wRpj55TrdXw9glPMVhxfCKDomvKGxpr0cdcZbP8YLHsJcy9gx6n40uj/s640/DSC00667.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's hard to believe, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but now our original pack is together again in the spirit world.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What a joyous tail-wagging reunion that must be for them! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaIuWGmvRBcbGnzeHEL0WTaOCWd4HFhGF5VONKtaWMeotRVWm-ALEO5lZDTbDU2I0R90SCx6zt081tWtNr8J7PGff7aYT6drTpG-cykAYi9-fIi2_zi6AfvawEd0SE4DY904wBSxC4O9h/s1600/DSC01947+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaIuWGmvRBcbGnzeHEL0WTaOCWd4HFhGF5VONKtaWMeotRVWm-ALEO5lZDTbDU2I0R90SCx6zt081tWtNr8J7PGff7aYT6drTpG-cykAYi9-fIi2_zi6AfvawEd0SE4DY904wBSxC4O9h/s640/DSC01947+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpodBgwVOzxxJXbDnbtnnvldGANBAsJB8cjLQOZhotV-eV9a8yfWx6vBQU3v2l_7xfKhaLLO_M_Zx-PnP4x5tNjd_2SqGDHFiYIAuU2WYZ_Vz5U-pz6NpcklwluvAAIkhncqqtPjSzZ9_/s1600/DSC01949.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpodBgwVOzxxJXbDnbtnnvldGANBAsJB8cjLQOZhotV-eV9a8yfWx6vBQU3v2l_7xfKhaLLO_M_Zx-PnP4x5tNjd_2SqGDHFiYIAuU2WYZ_Vz5U-pz6NpcklwluvAAIkhncqqtPjSzZ9_/s640/DSC01949.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1lzui8HAl1edPH1fVTAXNjHlwY-jMNlntX2iHFgr3qQiOkuFp24-Cxq5y9ho2Jr3CKDa7vcP2tMGB09Y7W8dTw3ZwqyGPj0r9m7hQR4fNKSM9TXvX4uV_pNO6yziHfKgcQF_zNgqE6Bz/s1600/DSC00593.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1lzui8HAl1edPH1fVTAXNjHlwY-jMNlntX2iHFgr3qQiOkuFp24-Cxq5y9ho2Jr3CKDa7vcP2tMGB09Y7W8dTw3ZwqyGPj0r9m7hQR4fNKSM9TXvX4uV_pNO6yziHfKgcQF_zNgqE6Bz/s640/DSC00593.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1lzui8HAl1edPH1fVTAXNjHlwY-jMNlntX2iHFgr3qQiOkuFp24-Cxq5y9ho2Jr3CKDa7vcP2tMGB09Y7W8dTw3ZwqyGPj0r9m7hQR4fNKSM9TXvX4uV_pNO6yziHfKgcQF_zNgqE6Bz/s1600/DSC00593.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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Thank you for sharing the journey with us, sweet old friends...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Happy trails through the heavens,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
until we meet again.</div>
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<br /></div>
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love fur-ever,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
your Mammas </div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
Jennifer Heatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04477084594313968940noreply@blogger.com0