Guard dogs at work

Actually, they are recovering from a night of work in this picture, taken yesterday morning, through the back screen door. (They are on the garage porch.) Holly and Hannah are up all night, most nights, protecting the farm animals from coyotes and other dogs (and deer, raccoons, possums and whatever else happens to be lurking around here after dark). And they do a wonderful job----just by barking. They have a pretty impressive bark. It's big and loud and sounds ferocious. Believe me when I say, there is nothing ferocious about these two girls most of the time. I have never seen them actually have to do battle with a coyote, don't even know for sure if they have ever had to. They accomplish their mission by barking, patrolling and chasing. They are sweet to the sheep and the grandchildren (very important in my book-I don't want any animal who is aggressive). The rest of the time.............

they look like this.

Struttin' his stuff

Mr. Dandy was really working it this morning.....and, as usual, no one was paying him any mind. Funny story about Mr. Dandy: for years we had a blind chicken (we are the only people I know who would keep a blind chicken around for years). She was perfectly happy staying inside the chicken pen, although, occasionally she would get out the little door and then at bedtime we would have to go looking for her because she couldn't find her way back to the door. Anyway, when Mr. Dandy got to be 3 years old and had his first full compliment of tail feathers, he spent an enormous amount of time showing them off. Mrs. Dandy was not impressed and the chickens just ignored him.....except the blind chicken. Mr. Dandy thought he had found the one creature here on the farm who was so impressed with his looks that she was willing to just sit and "look" at him all day. So, the blind chicken became his favorite audience. Everyday he gave her his very best effort....for years! We thought it was a mutually satisfying relationship and were happy for them. The blind chicken finally died of old age last year and Mr. Dandy has been searching for someone to take her place all this time.

Holding that bunch of feathers up is quite a physical accomplishment, especially if the wind is blowing! I don't know how he does it. I do love to see him showing off like this and hear him shaking the feathers in back of the showy part. Have you ever heard the sound it makes? It sounds like shaking rice in a box. Every time I see him displaying like this, I wish I could duplicate those colors in the dye pot.

Graham and Keebler

Boy-oh. Not so good at blogging, and even worse at twittering. This last little bit of time has been such a rush. Last week I was away from the farm 4 days in a row. I don't know about anyone else, but once I leave the farm, the whole day is done for. It takes me 35-45 minutes to get most places and by the time I get there, do what I intended (and often some things I didn't intend), and drive back home, I've used up hours and hours. Then it's time to go back to the barn, or start supper or finish laundry or whatever, and before I know it the day is over. I know that I am not very efficient in using my time. I'm easily distracted by the multitude of things needing or wanting my attention around here. I start out to work in the garden and the next thing I know, I'm cleaning out the closet!
Anyway....where was I going with all that?

Yesterday was a fun day away from the farm. One of my little boy lambs has gone to live with the "famous" Keebler at Equinox Farm. (That's my boy and Sara in the picture. I think he likes her!) Sara thought that Keebler might like to have a playmate....someone his own age to pal around with until he is a big boy and then they can both join the rest of the flock out in the field. The last set of triplets born here have been in pretty heavy competition for their mom's limited supply of milk and I have been supplementing them with a few bottles a day, hoping the ewe would start producing more. Alas, that didn't happen, so the smallest ram lamb was selected to be Keebler's companion. (He's been christened "Graham" since he joined Keebler.) Graham loves the bottle, so going on the bottle full time was not a hardship for him. Keebler was less than thrilled to be sharing all the attention, but we're hoping the two of them will bond and be great buddies.

I love the look on Keebler's face. Clearly, he's saying, "You're not leaving without him.....are you?"

Flora and fauna

Seen on the way to the barn this morning. (I had never seen a poppy emerging like this. It sort of looks as if it is being eaten by something!)


This Luna Moth was waiting for me on the barn door.


Then this on the way back to the house, not long afterwards. Exact same poppy.