Front Yard Deer Park

While making the turkey tractor, we looked up and spotted some trespassers in our front yard:

THE END

Turkey Tractor QC

Moonshadow, the wild turkey, has been living in a large dog kennel for 2 1/2 weeks. She has grown from a one-day old fluffy chick to a mature young turklet (short for turkey cutlet, I think) and even has a full set of little brown feathers. Her head is still very cute and fluffy with brindle fuzz on it (if you don't know what "brindle" is, see photos in previous posts of Lily). However, Mooner has grown two very scary feet: they are huge with pointy talons and a spur thing that juts backward. Scary! And our baby can even fly now too; once we put her in her new condo--called a turkey tractor, but no wheels yet--she tried to get airborn in there. Before she did that, Mr. H suggested that I do a little quality control (QC) inside the coop to make sure it would be just right for Mooner.

Yup, I thought that sounded a little fishy myself so thought it would be best to make it publicly known that my husband just built a cage big enough for me to fit in. Please check on me regularly, ok?

Yes, I do believe the door works.

Kids--it's just like at the zoo: do NOT put fingers near this cage!

Ok, Mr. H, there's only so many photos that can be taken of this...before it gets creepy.

I'm ready to come out now!



After Mr. H finally helped me out of our wheel-less turkey tractor, we excitedly brought Mooner in to her new pad: she was not as impressed as we are with it.

Mr. H tormenting another one of his ladies in a cage.

Mooner T. Turkey, age 2 1/2 weeks

Let me out! These people are crazy!

Nice job little bird! Mooner is actually in flight!

Tripling the Herd

We've been looking for a goat friend for Bea just in case the horses aren't enough entertainment for her. I have been searching for little Nigerian Dwarf goats, as my fascination with miniature animals runs deep. Full-sized goats, dogs, horses and cattle are cute, but shrink 'em down and you've got the makings for your very own personal petting zoo! Our neighbors have two great goats and wanted them to have a little more sunshine and socialization, so they walked the goats over yesterday--no leashes--down the road two houses and that is how Peaches and Chewy arrived. (I didn't name them).

These two goats are as friendly with humans as Beatrice is, which is very lucky. We lucked out with them and are grateful that our neighbors trust us to take care of their pets. Peaches and Beatrice will be bred in the fall so we will have babies at the same time from both ladies. I'm so excited!

Bea is head butting Chewy

Beatrice and Peaches (a black French Alpine) love to play.
I think they have been head butting and chasing each other
since the two goats arrived.

Chewy (James) and Beatrice. Chewy is a Nubian goat; you can tell
because of those big floppy ears. Bea is flirting pretty hard!

This is Bea's classic move. Look at this girl: totally airborn!



Peaches and Bea taking a break

Redneck Chariot

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FARMER RON! I can't believe this guy is my dad. He doesn't age as quickly as I do.

My dad's farmer smarts allowed him to engineer this redneck rickshaw that he made to start cart breaking his miniature horse, Jelly Bean. (Farmer Ron has grandkids and Amish friends that will both benefit from Jelly Bean. Don't think he would buy an animal that would just lounge around and eat his food. Kids: please take note. You will start earning your dog treats! Yeah, right.

Do you notice what this contraption is made out of? A plastic lawn chair, life-vest cushion and a log cart that my husband gave Farmer Ron--it had a wobbly wheel so it probably works better like this. Though reminiscent of my time spent in a real rickshaw in San Francisco, I was somehow not convinced that it wouldn't break and cause a massive head injury. Apparently, Farmer Ron wasn't phased by that notion and took his daughter out for a spin down the driveway to celebrate his birthday.

What else did he do to celebrate number 62? He took his ladies to an Amish Haystick Dinner: it's a fundraiser for the Amish. You donate whatever money you want to in a big plastic bucket, start at one end of a very long table, and around a dozen Amish girls pile ladle after ladle of food on the same plate: hence, the "haystack." Let me illustrate. I will now describe--in order, first down to last on top--the numerous layers of this easily two-pound plate: cracker crumbs, shredded potatoes, rice, hamburger, baked beans, diced tomatoes, diced green peppers, diced onions, cheese sauce, black olives, and finally crumbled nacho cheese flavored tortilla chips. Did anyone else get heartburn reading that? Ouch. What am I leaving out? I can't remember right now, but let me say that I didn't finish it all. I also had to try to eat black raspberry pie, homemade ice cream and some coffee.

That haystack was surprisingly delicious and it just reiterated the fact that most any combination is delicious together--and, it all ends up in the same place anyway.

I not only got all of that food for $10, but I got to observe dozens of Amish people--some Farmer Ron knows--and they are amazing. Their children are impeccably behaved so I didn't have to drug a single one. It is just interesting watching them interact with us --"Englishers" as we are called by them--and with each other. It was fascinating--a night of anthropology if you will. I am grateful for the experience. I'll have to elaborate on that later, but for now, cheers to you Farmer Ron. You'd better have 62 more birthdays as far as I'm concerned. I sure love you.

Greenish Thumbs

The garden actually looks a bit like a garden thanks to Grandma Debbie and Mr. H. I can't really take much credit. However, I'm extremely proud of my tomato plants (my favorite) and can't wait to see what will actually bear fruit.

Mr. H gets excited at the thought of growing his own food but I remind him that it is a vegetable garden. He doesn't really eat vegetables and I also told him that Hot Pockets don't grow in a garden either so he's really up a creek.

These are black cherry tomatoes. I can't wait to see what they look like!

Mr. H's Melon Patch- a little water logged but we hope it will pull through

Onion proliferation

The rains have hit us so hard lately that had it not been for our straw and horse poop
compost, we might have had all of these plants wash out



Not Quite National Geographic

We have a rare, amazing glimpse at an insidious creature found napping in its natural habitat:

The Great North American Pygmy Red Wolf asleep in its own fleece blanket nest, which they and their packmates instinctually create. They take turns slumbering in these nests, but are known to share. Interestingly, a structure is not laid down in until one of these cute-- but dangerous-- animals has incessantly pawed at the nest and turned approximately 25 circles in it, to prepare the area. 

There are only around 100 miniature wolves of this species left, as they are completely recessive and the ears weigh their heads down, causing them to fall over which lends to being not only easy prey but clumsy, proving to be dangerous for numerous reasons.

Luau Loki

Someone dig a pit:

Loki won't let go of this ball. He doesn't like sharing
with his brothers.