Strays, The Pond and Chick Palooza

A stray of sunshine

Living "in the country" brings many blessings and surprises, one especially repeat surprise is the amount of strays in the area. We look up, and there's a "new" cat coming and going, running and hiding, just trying to stay alive. Some cats stick around for a few months, eat the cat food in the barn and then disappear. Others come to stay. Sometimes we even name them, some are feral, others are house cats people no longer want who are now very scared. Whatever their situation might be, there's always cat food available to any cat, from anywhere. We have a cat food feeder in the barn, and somehow cats always know where to find it. Rarely do they let us get too close, so we talk sweetly to them and try to comfort the lost soul in them.
In the last year, we've had 3 cat strays who have been around, which we named Boots, Short Haired Blackie and Long Haired Blackie. Very original, huh. Boots isn't around anymore, and you just never know what happens to them. He lived the the garage for several months, and had food and water there. Do they find their way home? Did a predator get them? Short haired Blackie shows up now and again, but not a main stay here. Now Long hair Blackie is the exception. ** For whatever reason we call them all "he's" like they are all males, yet we really have no idea which sex they are. Long hair Blackie started dropping in, slinking in from the neighboring pasture of cows. I could see him on the Barn Cam at night coming in for food, and I could hear the guard dogs barking at him, as the dogs have a different bark for that sort of thing. Blackie is a silky, long hair beautiful cat who likely was an indoor cat. Granted he showed up matted, dirty, scared and with a nice size wound on his forehead, that takes up his whole forehead. As usual, we couldn't get too close to him, but we started making baby steps. We talked to him, made kissy kitty sounds to coax him over, and gave him a cat bed in the tack room, hoping he'd settle in. And settle in he did. He started living in the tack room in the barn, sleeping in his bed up on a high shelf. At first we were never close enough to see his wound. Then, as we started walking through the tack room into the barn, he got to where he would not run away. He hid, but we knew he was there. Over a couple of months, we were able to get somewhat close to him without him running away. Then, we saw it. What had happened to him? He did try to clean himself up, but the wound was too much for him to fight. It got infected and stinky. During this process, we knew we had to get him to the vet. David did the deed of getting him in a crate that we could transport him to the vet in. Thanks, David!
After being at the vet for two days, they were trying to decide his destiny. They gassed him down, cleaned, debrided and shaved the wound area. He got an antibiotic and steroid shot. I went to pick him up, and they gave me a couple of options of how best to "keep him" while he heals. Or tried to heal. He's not out of the woods yet, as only time will tell how this plays out. I'll tell you that we made a critical decision to allow him to live in the guest room (door shut, of course) with a litter box, food, water, clean environment - and safe. We felt the need to give him the best chance possible to see this through. Would he use a litter box, what about the things in the room, would it still be so stinky? Answers: Yes....... I removed many things from the room.....and no. He's using the litter box like a champ. I took so much out of the room to accommodate him. His wound is no longer smelly. It's hard to tell if it's healing, as it's only been 3 days, and it still looks the same. It will probably take some time. It's not worse, though. We will take him back to the vet next week, for a re-evaluation. If the wound is being persistent, they will culture it for things. Bad things. I'm crossing my fingers for progress.



He's found his way into the closet, and likes the shelves there. He's actually wanting us to pet him now, and is just the loving-est cat. He purrs, and leans in when being petted. He's come a long way from the scared, frightened run-way kitty he once was. Maybe he used to be an indoor cat? He's soft, silky and sweet - now that he's gotten cleaned up. But, the thing is......



His forehead has likely been like this for several months, and is not budging and is dodging the healing process. Oh! The vet did tell us 1) he is a boy, 2) he's been fixed, 3) he's negative for kitty leukemia and 4) they found find to be very sweet to them, and completely non aggressive at the vet office. And since we've brought him inside to get well, he's skittish, but does allow us to pet and touch him now. We will see what this next week brings. If it's still not showing signs of healing, cultures will be taken to verify what's really going on. I'll keep you posted.

How's the peeps? 

There's good new all around on 355. The 24 little chicks are doing wonderfully! The donkeys are to be congratulated for making sure these yummy tasty treats are safe. So far, so good. While these sweet things grow and are getting their feathers, we decided to grow their living environment, too. So, they went from a 100 sq feet area, along with their with their coop, to 300 sq feet, including more grassy area for them.



Granted, they love picking the grass for bugs, yet they are such a close knit group of chicks. This is all 24 of the them showing their sisterly love:



They are supposably Rhode Island Reds and Orpingtons. The are supposably all hens. And for us, time will tell this as well. They are getting their feathers - and tail feathers - right now. It's so fun to watch them grow. Just as we are watching our little kids Dotty and Petunia grow. The baby farm animal sounds warm the heart.



David made the chicks a feeder that hangs, like a swing. Well, technically, it is a swing. The purpose was so their food stays off the ground, therefore not attracting ants. The chicks absolutely love it. I actually thought they would eat out of it while on the ground, as he hung it low. But nope, they jump up on it and eat away. They seem to like the little sway of it. We can raise the feeder as they grow, but just having a chicken swing AND a feeder is a dream come true for me. Chicken ladys love things like that.



So while the chicks eat, grow, sleep and repeat, there's happenings across the pond.

Literally, the pond?

It used to look like this, because it's a smaller pond, and loses its water at times (like this) without rain:




It's pretty green right now! The pond can grow to almost twice that size in the fall and spring, when rain comes. But while it was low this year, we decided to have it dug out even wider, and have the dirt dug placed as its berm around it. We are hoping when the rain comes, our pond can grow and become bigger, and hold more water. We plan on putting an aerator/fountain in it to assist with the freshness and clarity of the water. It does house snakes, frogs, turtles and some fish. And maybe some day.......ducks. Who doesn't love duck eggs?!



The digging has begun and the berm is starting to take shape. There's so much more to dig, and more dirt to move. Luckily, rain is not forecasted this week, so hopefully it can be ready when rain does come. Only time will tell.



The purple martin's will have even more mosquitos to eat. We may even have it stocked with fish, if the pond can maintain a good, consistent level. There's a lot more work to be done before we can travel down those thoughts.

So how is everyone 

Great! David is thinking lamb thoughts, and buying-ram thoughts. The kid goats are growing so much, and making the cutest noises you've ever heard. And all 39, OMGoodness, did I just say 39 chicks and chickens? They are all surviving the heat. Dora and Diego (miniature horses) have blended in magnificently and I absolutely adore them. Diego's bray brings such joy to me, as I've not heard these melodies on our farm before. Dora's nature of independence is heartwarming to watch her live her life as she desires to. She's blind in her left eye, yet she's keeps on keeping on. The horse's brays rival with the kid goats maaa's for First Place in the Heart Melting category. And thanks to the guard dogs and donkeys who guard 24/7 so that everyone can relax and live a nice life, it's an eco system all its own around here, with everyone doing their thing. I'm realistic to know something could happen, I just put my faith in the good Lord and lay my head down at night knowing everyone is as happy as I'm able to help them be. We all have water, food and shelter - and love. Lots of love. That's what lol means around here. (For real, my father in law thought that - til his last day, and we never told him otherwise.)

For now, there's a stray cat in my guest room and 24 vulnerable chicks up on 355. Only time will tell how this story will tell its tale, what the horizon will bring, and what the Will of God will be. I try hard to exert my own will, but I know better. I've learned to try and let it be. I try hard to flow with what is around me without fighting too hard to make it something else. It's a work in progress, for sure. (If I only had done so in my 20's and 30's, life would have been so much easier). Older and wiser, but still learning. Every day.

And with time, I'll tell you too, what it has brought us,

Cyndi

It's all in the details

It was a little over a month ago now that Toasted Walnut opened on the square in Celina. I'm proud to say the owner, Audra is a friend of ours - but more proud of all she has accomplished, who she is as a child of God, her deep faith, and her convictions. I dropped by to see her new restaurant one evening, and could not take my eyes off the artistic beauty - and the thought - she has poured into it. The store front is not only inviting, but delightful. Everything is placed with meaning, in a well intended space, as if it was created just for that item. As my eyes took in this masterpiece, I was memorized by the creation of it all. Audra did this. I am in awe of her abilities. As I moved through the front, which happens to be a gift/market area, my eyes continue to take in all the things. From the Beekman soaps (my personal favorite goat milk based products) to candles, and even gifts for men. I mentally browse it all. I see Audra, and we hug and say hello. The restaurant is beautifully crafted and decorated, with the food and drink a spectacular hit. As I tell her how masterful it all is, she said something that struck me like finding a diamond at the diamond mine that sparkles brighter and more beautiful than the rest: "It's all in the details". I'll stop the story here, for now.

It's all in the details. How true. At that moment, everything around me blurred, and for a moment, I was living inside my head thinking about that concept, those words, and the raw truth of it. That's what makes things extra ordinary. Extraordinary. After this dream sequence subsided, I came back to the world around me, forever changed. I went about my evening, with her words dancing in my head. It was the lettering alignment on the front glass of her shop, the fabric of the curtains, and the colors and design of the canopy over the front window. Details that bring out the delicate and crisp conglomeration of all she has chosen, fitting like pieces of a puzzle. I was able to see the details, I noticed them.

Fast forward to my last blog post, Before and After. As David and I spoke about some of the pictures I had used (side note: I didn't feel like a had the type of pictures I really wanted to have, to reflect the palate I was trying paint), David said, "It's all in the details, it's not all the big changes we made, but the small ones that matter the most". Oh My Gawd, did he just say that. His point? It wasn't the painting of the house or a new roof, as much as it was the details in those changes, that made the difference in all we've been creating. He's right. She's right. Yet, not everyone has the capacity to create and make details that are impactful and tie it all up in a bow. That requires talent, thought, creativity and effort. The details don't just happen on their own.

Fast forward again to the farm now. So many changes, so much movement of animals and fencing, so  many ideas that failed along with ideas that soared. So many labor-of-love hours, so much time spent trying new things, new ways, in an attempt to be effective and efficient in all we do out here. And now I finally (my favorite word) get it. Finally. It's all in the details.

To be able to find these details, create these details and pay attention to them is like finding Nemo in a gigantic ocean. It takes practice, time and effort. Brainstorming and having a mind that thinks of the little things. Over time, I've learned to walk around my home and be mindful of what is around me. What's really needed, used and not just there because I'm too lazy to do something about it. What I have found is the more I go through this process, the more I see it all. Taking out the excess brings me to the details. This keeps bringing me back to living in a more minimal environment. Granted, I'm not there, but OMGoodness, I've come SO far. From death cleaning, to rearranging, to donating, to getting down to the things I use - and knowing what I don't use. It's an over and over again thing. And every time I cull and discard, it feels good. Less is more. Less makes me happy. My things had begun to make me unhappy because they took up space, made my living space seem cluttered and chaotic, and no longer created the same happiness they did upon that moment of purchase. It's in the details, and I can't find the details when there's too many things blocking them. I'm happy to say I'm at the stage now where I'm seeing the details. Not only at my home, in the barn or the garage, but out and about. I notice the effort and thought that someone made to make and create places and things that feed our souls, and bring peace to our surroundings.

How do I know I'm getting there? Amazingly, I can feel it all around me. The porch, the kitchen, the garage, the barn......it feels calm. It feels peaceful and relaxing. It's taken me many years to get here, and well worth the wait. Realizing that the things I own, end up owning me, has spurred this thinning-out process to continue. I have gratitude for it, and find such value in it and how it contributes large amounts of positivity in my life. I'm happy to be able to provide this update, if only for my own sake to look at how far I've come. It's a good reminder of the reward that awaits, after all the work and effort. I see the details now, and sometimes even create them.

Speaking of updates, let's talk horses. Dora and Diego have settled in nicely and seemingly switched roles since arriving. Dora was friendly and desiring of touch and attention first, while Diego was standing out of reach and watching. Flip that 360 now. Diego is the first to come up and say hi, ask to be petted, and request an alfalfa treat. He's learned to take it from our hands gently. Our little boy has touched my heart with his sweetness. Dora is older, and I feel like she deserves to be herself, enjoy herself, doing the things she'd like to do. I give that to her. She still comes up for alfalfa treats, too, but is living her best horse life running and playing as she desires. Their favorite thing? Running around the pond. So dang cute.



Dora and Diego have their spot in the barn from the cold, rain  or storms. Although, their preference is to be out in the field, not inside.

The sheep and goats continue to live in unison in the back pasture, with Petunia and Dotty getting big and growing up. They are all happy, content and well guarded by Dixie and Davis. Their barn is plenty big for them all, and life is good in the field back there.

The chickens are staying strong at 15. The heat deters their egg laying, but that's okay ladies, as cooler weather will be here before we know it. While talking chickens, I recently decided that starting a small trial chicken (egg) farm (up on the property we have adjacent to our gravel road, where mama and papa donkey live) sounded like a good idea. I mean, why not? I have an extra chicken coop, feeders and waters. So we bopped on up to Tractor Supply and made a deal for 20 of their orpington and rhode island red chicks, and wham, bam, jiggly jig, we are back home with 24 chickens. Seems they gave us a few bonus ones. The investment of $20 dollars in chicks did not seem too outrageous.



It's a constant eating and drinking frenzy as they split cells and grow right before my eyes.



They even go up the ramp inside the coop now.



I promise this is not how it really looks, the Leaning Coop of Gunter. It's just that I'm not a great photographer. Their coop is double wrapped inside a fence, inside a fence. After all, they are yummy treats. When they are grown and get bigger, I'll allow them to free range. Not yet. Too tiny.

I'm going to see if the donkeys can guard for them, and we'll get them raised, God willing, to egg laying age and see how we manage this trial run of a mini chicken farm. Granted, our 15 chickens up at the house/barn will remain a separate flock for now. This mini chicken farm may grow, but only time will tell if this egg production thing can be accomplished - all up on our property we call '355'. It's the 1 1/2 acres we bought that's adjacent and next door to our 5 acres. This is a trial chicken/egg situation. For now, all 24 chickens are small, and working on getting their feathers. It will be about 5 months before we start seeing any eggs. That's okay, I can wait them out. For now, chicken feed and water is their thing. Supposedly, they have been sexed, and are all girls. I'll also let you know how that goes - and if that's a real thing. Sheriff says No Roosters.

See you out in the field,
Cyndi

I forgot to mention! We had a new run-in shed/open barn built on 355 for the donkeys. They will need it, as we all prepare for winter. Since they have been living there primarily, we decided to make it their long term home. Along with their new flock of 24 chicks. The donkeys do well with chickens, after all, where there's chickens - there's chicken food/feed. And it's one of the donkeys favorite things to eat.



It's a little blurry. This is their new casa.



Mama (on the left) and Papa

Side Note: Our primary residence is numbered 391 on the road in which we live. The property attached to 391, is numbered 355 on the road, therefore, we always refer to it as "355". It's a nugget of pasture we have, whereby the donkeys have their primary home. Now with their new shelter, and our goal for them to guard (donkeys are extremely territorial) the 24 chicks, we'll see how this all pans out. I have no idea.

Before and After

We've had quite a few friends comment on the amount of changes that have occurred on the property, after moving to Gunter. Shortly after purchasing the property with a house, barn and garage we immediately gutted the house. Most everything was taken out, including doors, flooring, some walls, moulding, bathrooms, etc. It took several months, and the assistance of a contractor, to have the  house remodeled. Although there are still a few areas that could use some updates, most everything in our home has been completed, as we have kept working on it over the years.
As many changes that were made to the house, they do not compare to the constant and fluid changes in the barn. The barn was not used as a barn when we purchased the property. Instead, it had a pool table, dart board, refrigerator, bar, bar-style lights and more. It was all well-loved, older, very dirty (as barns are) and not quite our taste, if you will. Craigs List helped us rehome these items, and left us with a blank palate to create our own barn - our way. And that we did - over, and over, and over. The barn has experienced the most changes of all the buildings on the property, and may still continue that trend in the future. For now, through the many fencing movements inside the barn, animal door additions, gates added, and animals who have taken shelter there - I think we are at a stand still for a moment in time.
The chicken coop area has remained intact for over 3 years inside the barn. We like that setup, and so do the chickens. ** Side note: Chickens do not like change. The sheep have all had their lambs in another area of the barn. And in another corner is where our sweet Whisper (Livestock Guard Dog - Great Pyrenees) lived for 3 months while a mandatory penning had to occur while she recouped from extensive leg surgery. As difficult as that was for us all, mostly her, she did recover and is back at 100% capacity with her leg. Levi, her brother, guarded on his own that whole time, and I'm sure that period of time for them was harder than we even knew. But all that time was worth the outcome of Whisper having the use of her leg again. Priceless. And with all these wonderful experiences, the barn has continued to develop, and become useful for other purposes.
Over the years, we have added another barn out in the back pasture. It's 26 X 20, with an open concept. Dixie and Davis are the guard dogs in charge back there, and look over 6 sheep and 5 goats who all live in that barn together. This has proven to be quite successful, as it helps manage how much the livestock can eat, and make use of all the space in that particular barn area.
So who besides the chickens house in the primary barn? Whisper and Levi do, as they have their own area where they eat, rest and sleep, if they desire too. The newest addition to the barn is the area for the miniature horses. David created not only a concrete ramp for them to walk up into their area of the barn, but he made a dutch door so that there can be options, depending on the weather. The lower door can be open, with the top door shut or open, depending on rain, wind, cold or hot. It's very convenient and a little fancy for the barn. Dora and Diego seem to have taken to it quite well. With this hot weather, they really don't spend time in the barn, but with Fall coming, I imagine their area will be well used during the cold and rainy seasons. Thank you, David, for getting them hooked up with their own spot in the barn. After several weeks of having the horses now, Levi and Whisper have warmed up to Dora and Diego - and they all are getting along wonderfully. The sheep seem to be quite content out back with the goats, in their own barn, too. All is well. Oh, and the donkeys (Mama and Papa) have their own place in the front pasture. They are as sweet as ever.

Let's do some Before and Afters.......



Before: Ginger and Butterscotch (RIP) when they were only months old. This was in 2015, and Ginger is now Head Hen in our flock of 15 chickens.



After: All grown and living life free ranging in Gunter. We lost Butterscotch last year, due to a respiratory illness. Ginger is doing wonderfully, and makes being the leader of the flock look easy.



Before: One side of the barn upon purchase. It was a rustic entertainment area.



After: The pool table was replaced with fencing and a Sheep Pen, with the Chicken Coop across the way. But wait, the sheep were moved to the back pasture, so this area is primarily now for Whisper and Levi. There is a "doggie/sheep door" that allows them to access this fenced area at their own discretion.



Before: Even though this picture shows a StoryTime we had in the barn for the local library, it shows the area below the shark, not really being used except for storage for our mower, and such. We did have it fenced for Whisper to recover in, as previously mentioned.



After: It's the new stall area for the horses. The dutch door behind them can be used in difference manners, dependent on weather. The horses have adapted to the ramp to come into this area. Across from this particular stall area, is the Tack Room.




We have two Barn Cams placed in the barn, and this one happens to show the sheep shearers, along with Lauren carrying the wool. I placed this photo here so the layout of the barn can be seen a little better. From L to R: Tack Room, Sheep (who are now moved) and Dog area, Chicken Coop(s) (far right) and then the Mini Horses stall.
We first installed the Barn Cams, because at night, when things were "happening" with dogs barking, etc, it's always nice to look in the security cameras to see what shaking out there! We keep a close eye on all our babies. And, when I'm at work, I can see what everyone in the barn is doing, too. It's a good way to stay connected to the happenings in the barn.



Before: Some photos of the house as it was being gutted and walls removed.



Before: Most everything was taken out of the house, including two walls. Showing you all the pictures would likely put you to sleep. You probably get the idea. After almost 3 months of remodeling......



After: Several bathrooms were redone



After: Hardwood floors placed, with new doors, new stairs, and a more open concept





















After: The view from upstairs. Now, these are just a taste of some of the changes we made. There were many. And as many changes as we made to the interior of the house, we also made great strides to the exterior of the home. A new roof, paint for the house and exterior fencing around the house was completed. The barn and garage had the same metal roofs placed on them, as well.



Before: The house looked like a KOA check-in facility. This photo is with the new roof, too. As the prior roof was green. Oh my gawd, it was horrible. The house was ever changing at this time. Then, after the roof, we had the home painted......



After: You may notice the rock on the porch, David ended up placing the flagstone on the front porch.



Still drying, at this time.



And again, After: And the house started coming together - inside and out. Slowly over 3 years, we made it our own.

Starting the before and after photos with Ginger and Butterscotch helps reflect how far we have come. We started with a run down house, 2 little chickens and us. We had no idea what we were doing. We just started doing things. Years later, we are so happy in the place we have created. It's not for everyone, that's for sure. What I've discovered is building, re-doing things, moving fencing again, changing areas and pasture, navigating animals, and more fencing changes - all brought us to where we are today. A place of our own. When I bike and run out here, I can't help but notice what other people have done as well. They are making their place their own. I find such value, joy and contentment in that. I can imagine they are as happy as I am, out here. They are moving fences, caring for animals and changing things in their lives. It makes my heart sing. I smile as I run by, knowing my own little place is waiting for me to run back home to it. And I do, every time. After all, I might want to move something around, who knows. My "Before's" are allowing me to get to the "After's". Somehow, the After's keep on ebbing and flowing.

This is the story of my life, and not just the physical things around me, but emotionally as well.

Cyndi