WOW!

A year and a half of news - how could I go so long without sharing my thoughts.  Says a lot about my state of mind.  Much loss, too much heart break, in my life in that year and a half.  How do people worm their way into your life and then just pull out - no goodbyes, no hugs, nothing - just gone.  

In August of last year my brother-in-law did just that!  He was my friend and he died without even a good bye. In October a dear friend of many years lay dead at her computer while we waited on her at the Tea House.  Just gone - no goodbyes, no "Love you", nothing.  November brought the deadly stroke that started the illnesses that took my Father in January.  Then another friend in June.  In July Mother had two major blockages repaired and I am convinced they were from a broken heart.  It is so hard when nothing brings joy to the broken hearted - the ones you love.

Some days my heart hurts with the missing of these family and friends and some days I laugh with joy at my memories.  That is the way I want to be remembered - with joy and laughter!

Then a miracle was born in June and my heart starting melting and came out of shock.  God knows our needs better than we do and he knows what we are going through every day.  My fourth granddaughter was born bringing much joy and happiness.  The birth of this child reminded me that life will go on - we have no control over God's plans for each and every one of us.  

Now on to the present and the future with joy in our hearts!

About my little farm - out of 34 yard birds, I have 10 left (9 hens and 1 rooster).  I am on the verge of transferring them to my daughter's farm as they have become very demanding and hard to handle.  The coyotes and hawks have killed off most of my feathered friends and the snakes (removed two in one day from the laying box) and opossums (we trapped 6 in one week) are getting more eggs than I am getting.  I think next Spring I will start over with a new batch and see how I manage.  With no food here, maybe the varmints will move on to greener pastures.  I have acquired a beautiful Land Shun that will be hard to part with. 

It has been a hot summer here in central Georgia.  One of the wettest springs that I can remember, but when the rain left it left for weeks.  Even my rosemary dried on its own. The hibiscus is droopy and woody and the blooms have fallen off without opening.  What the weather hasn't killed, the chickens have and they have enjoyed a wonderful crop of tomatoes while I had none!  

Thanks for visiting and remember to Keep Smiling!

Belle

My Feathered Friends

 

The newest of the brood!

This hen shared the laying rights with another hen.  There were twenty eggs in the nest when she started brooding and she hatched 17 of the 20.  Half are Sextons and half are Round heads.  At three weeks, she has managed to keep them all alive except one.  Now the Sexton is setting on another batch of eggs, so we will see what her rate of hatch is going to be.  Wonderful watching these little ones learn the survival techniques they will need to survive.  I  can't believe how still they can be when the hawk flies over.

Unwanted Visitors

The shrill cry of a young hawk had me scrambling for 4 week old biddies and my precious chihuahuas early this morning.  Prayers were interrupted as I watched and waited for the deathly dipping swoop of this bird in search of prey.   So beautiful to watch as they glide swiftly and gracefully through the sky, these keen eyed predators are deadly to my small animals.

The hens ran for cover and Miss Betty and her chicks froze where they stood.  How this feisty hen conveyed to her chicks the danger of moving is a wonder.  They held the frozen position for 3 minutes before resuming their foraging.  The hens are still staying close to the porch or under the shrubbery - both favorite havens.  The roosters are on patrol, one in the front yard and one in the back. 

Last week my beautiful rooster tangled with this beautiful creature and lost a cone and most of his neck feathers.  He survived the attack and his valiant efforts to protect his flock of hens paid off.  Matilda fell prey to a hawk last fall. An aging Rhode Island Red hen that could no longer flee as quickly as she once could, Matilda was caught in the deadly talons of a large hawk hunting in the area. 

Snakes, hawks, owls, weasels, coyotes and cats are deadly to my menagerie and it appears we have them all.  That's one way to keep me on my toes.  Until next time . .

Happy reading!
Belle