Good Times

MRI Times, my friends

This past week David made his well-worn trek down to Houston for his first set of follow up visits to MD Anderson. It's with a blissful heart that I tell you David received an A+ from his radiation oncologist, his chemotherapy oncologist, and from his medical oncologist.

** David's favorite thing about having an MRI, are the socks he receives. He has a whole drawer dedicated to no-slip socks. **

His MRI looked good, his labs were spot on, and the healing of his nasal passages, throat, mouth, neck area (lymph nodes) and skin are all ahead of schedule in the healing process.

How about we take a look at what they saw in David's nose, shall we?

All the gold stars for you, David. We thank God for this wonderful news. Miracles are happening around here. SNUC is not an easy thing to have, and leave it to David to just blow right through it all.

What's next? Well, he goes back again next month for a PET scan at MDA, and then that will tell the tale of this story further. Dr Hanna is hopeful that all will be well on it, and David takes this information from him seriously, because if anyone knows SNUC, it's Dr Hanna. His words are golden.

The news keeps getting better, as David has a PreOp appt with Dr D on Monday and has inguinal hernia surgery scheduled on Thursday. Words cannot express how important this is to David and his livelihood. With cancer treatments delaying the surgery, he's been limited to what he can do physically, as the hernia just kept getting worse and worse. Next week is the Week of David. I'm so happy for him. No, the recovery won't be easy, but he's All-In and ready to move forward no matter what the recovery looks like. He can do hard things, no doubt.

Spring has sprung

This Spring weather is certainly a treat for everyone. It's wonderful to see the grass so green, the trees are all growing neon bright new leaves, and the animals are seemingly enjoying it as well. As I spend more time outside and with the animals, I didn't initially understand the power of farm animals and how they heal us and teach us how to live. Now, going on 5 years with so many fun and exciting experiences with sheep, goats, mini horses, donkeys, barn cats, ducks and chickens - I realize they teach me how to be. They guide me toward my truth. I feel it each moment I'm with them, which is why I think I love being in the barn so very much. This is how I want to spend the moments of my day, every day. It just feels right.

Cluckingham reigns 

Opening our hearts to our animals has brought us so much joy, but it also makes us vulnerable to the heartbreak of loss. I remember when we moved to the farm with Ginger and Butterscotch, our 2 Rhode Island Reds. We were so proud of our 2 chickens. Then upon moving to Gunter, we bought 2 buff Orpingtons and 2 Barred Rocks - and we thought we had SO many chickens. Silly us.

Sweet Pepper 

This is our 5 year old girl, Pepper (Barred Rock) whose sister looks just like her, Pebbles. They are barred rocks who are aging and showing the others what it's like to like a wonderful life up until the last breathe. It's with a sad heart that I tell you we lost Pepper this past Thursday night. She had gone up to roost in the coop for the night, as she usually does because she no longer roosts up high. She slowly and intently climbs the ladder up into the coop where it's warm and quiet. And that night, she died in her sleep. I found her the next morning with the most content expression on her face, eyes closed, and feet still curled as if still sitting on the post in the coop. God took her in peace. It was just the day before, that she was slowly moving around with the others. Slowly. The wonderful thing about chickens (or at least ours from what we've seen) is that the other younger chickens respect their elders. They all mingled together, with Pepper no longer able to move quickly these last few weeks, but she's always up and with the others. And now we see Pebbles slowing. In addition, we have several other older girlz that we have purchased as adults, so they too, are showing their age.

In Cluckingham, when our girlz no longer lay eggs, they reap the benefit of getting to hang around, grow old and free range. They are great at keeping the pesky insect population down, so even in retirement, they are useful. Exactly how we all wish to be.

Speaking of Cluckingham, we are watching several older sweethearts start making their way to the slow moving, early-to-bed, slow eye blink phase of life. Here's a few of our older girls:

We lost sweet Pepper, but her sister, Pebbles is now taking the same road of moving slowly, puffing herself out to keep warmer (even during the day) and her eyes are shut often as she rest in the very spot she stands. These girlz will still mix with the flock, just at a slower pace. I get you, my sweets. Take all the time you need.

Doing great, Cali!

Another older gal is Cali. We purchased Cali at an unknown age from a chicken lady in Oklahoma and have never been really sure what breed she is, but I think she might be a buff princess gem. She was already an adult and laying eggs when we took her home a few years back, but I can tell she's getting old because she goes to bed very early, and sleeps in each day. Her comb is wilted and no longer red and vibrant. Her feathers have dulled from the once beautiful sheen she had as a young hen. She's in no hurry to move around, all while the young'uns are feverishly moving around her. She does her own thing. You do you, Cali. We adore you're kind-hearted self and your beautiful just as you are.

Storm

Speaking of princess gems, here's an older gal, Storm. She's very quiet and keeps to herself mostly. You can see her comb is shriveled up and her eyes show her age. She's no longer a layer, and rather enjoys being retired. She roosts low to the ground, but still in the open area with the other girlz. We ended up buying another grey princess gem who looks just like Storm, but whose obviously much younger.

Raine

This is Storm's younger look-alike, Raine. She loves to roost on top of the coop at night, and poop all over it, knock over the weather vane and do things young girlz do. She's an egg laying machine. Notice how her comb is bright red, stands up straight and nice, and her ability to fly to the top of the coop is evidence of her younger age. Storm is just not able to do that anymore. Both these girlz are beautiful grey gems, and we love the contrast they bring to the flock.

New Beginnings

As we share our chicken loss with you for 2 weeks in a row now, I wanted to add a little Spice in here. Spice, as in a new chicken that was gifted to us by friends today. Today was the day that Carlos' parents (family) have been waiting for. As they came to pick up the 4 frizzle/silkie chicks that were fathered by their silkie rooster, Carlos. They in turn came to see us, with their daughter, Chloe jumping out of the car carrying a chicken for us. It's completely normal for a chicken lady's daughter to ride in the car, holding a chicken. Chloe jumped out of the car and raced towards me with Spice, a beautiful - and scared - brahma girl. If I'm mistaken on the breed, I'll correct myself later. She joined in the flock with caution, and this evening, is roosting inside the barn with them like she's home. Welcome, Spice to the chicken circus at the Graves Farm. 

Spice, and running scared day 1

We were thrilled with our new gifted chicken, and loaded up the 4 little silkie/frizzle chicks from The Little Girl Area to send home with them. This particular family are truly kindred spirits, as they see farm animals as we do. We want them all. We can't have them all, but we sure try. The 4 little chicks will head to their new home with their new family, and the silkie/frizzle mamas in The Little Girl Area are now relieved of their motherly duties. All is well.

But wait. There's more. More chicks that is. It was only a day before this day that David and I were at a local feed store who happen to have chicks. David, yes David, picked out 8 chicks - and here we are. With a new gifted chicken, Spice, and 8 little chicks of our very own.

The look like they are on the sun. 
It’s just a heat lamp, not Jupiter.

This little nugget took up residence 
in the food bowl

Pictures like this with the heat lamp on them do not really show off how cute they are. Trust me on this one, little chicks are so cute. And the excitement of it all is that with time, you get to see how they turn into beautiful chickens with their very own personalities and dispositions. The 8 chicks are 2 polish, 2 wyandottes and 4 buff brahmas.  

I appreciate the differences in each chicken, as well as the differences of the young and the old. I love all the animals and their uniqueness. They all bring something special to the farm. What I know for sure is that everything in the past has been perfect. We've had our ups and downs these last 5 years on the farm, and I wouldn't change a thing. I grieve with every loss, every time. And all that unspent love that gathers up in the corners of my eyes, the lump in my throat, and that deep feeling in my chest all tells me that it's just love with no place to go. Fortunately for me, all my animals I've lost, I'll meet again in heaven. Waiting for me. That in itself brings about peace, and I will carry on here at the Graves Farm loving and learning in the meantime. Farm animals make me come alive, and when life breaks you open, I keep moving towards love, with joy as our GPS. And chickens. Lots of chickens. 

Peace, love and chickens,

Cyndi

Podcast, SNUC, MDA and more

Duck It

As you may recall, our three rouen drake ducks survived what we thought was a hawk incident, and made their way back to the shelter by the pond. As they still protested the pond itself, we placed food and water in their shelter to sustain them. Then, another miracle happened. They begin going to the pond at night. We noticed accidentally while down in that area filling their water and what-not. Where are they? Over there at the water’s edge. This happened for several days, and before we knew it, all 3 ducks are paddling their little webbed feet all over that pond - day and night. Success! Yes, Huey, Dewey and Louie are truly home. They are so gorgeous, and everyone who has seen them so far thinks they are mallards who have flown in for a hang-out session in our pond. Nope, these sweet things can’t fly and are here to stay. So much to be grateful for, and we are happy that the ducks decided to make the pond their home, finally. Who knew - as I’m not sure I would have guessed this outcome. Pond, Sweet, Pond. 

You guys did it! So proud of you 👏 

Dorothy girl

Ahh, sweet Dorothy.

My girl

It was just in the last blog I spoke of the silkies, introducing them and telling the world how wonderful they are. And they really are. Everyone was sitting on eggs except Dorothy, but at night, she goes up to roost with the mamas in the coop sitting on their eggs. On this particular Saturday night, I had made an abrupt decision while mowing the front pasture (one of those ah-ha moments) that I needed to go get the chicks out from under the mamas, as it’s getting a little crowded with chicks, mamas and eggs. And I did just that. You already know that chickens go into a chicken trance at night, right. So I went to their coop where they all were resting and settling in for the night, and gently picked up each mama and rounded up the 4 chicks from them. I had a chick nursery already awaiting them in the house with a heat lamp, food and water. It’s Saturday night, and I get them settled and warm. Perfect. I somehow felt settled. Now, I primarily did this because we have lost 2 chicks so far - and we are unsure why. Were they trampled? Were they just sick and weak? Regardless, I decided on that fateful Saturday night to take the 4 chicks into the house and raise them there for a while to keep them safe. Then, the mamas can focus on sitting on the rest of the eggs. I have 3 "new to this process" frizzle mamas who are learning what to do from Frankie, so I’m trying to decrease their work a bit - and try to not lose any more chicks.

First-time frizzle mamas trying hard

And as Dorothy does each night, she too was in the coop with everyone else and was sound asleep with her peeps. I was sound asleep as well on this particular Sunday morning just as the sun was rising, when I heard chicken commotion. What’s all that noise? I’ve never heard that before. Are the chickens up early and singing their egg song? No, it sounds too stressed for their egg song. And literally with that thought, I get up, and in my pj’s and only socks on my feet, I look out the front door and can see all my frizzles and silkies running madly around in their Little Girl Area. What is going on!? I knew it wasn’t good. I run out to their fenced area and realize there’s a skunk inside their pen. The chickens are scared out of their minds. I literally run to the barn, socks and all, grab the net and run back to the Little Girl Area. I didn’t care what happened to me, but I was going to get that skunk. And I did. I swung that net over its stinky self and captured it in the net. It’s frantically trying to spray me, and I’m swinging the net everywhere, and it’s just me and the skunk - and I was going to win.

Okay, now what, I think. What do I do with this skunk. The chickens are still screaming and crying. I hold the net as far from my body as possible and head to the garage, socks and all. Now what. I see a clear plastic bin that’s empty and decide that’s where this skunk is going. I manhandled the skunk into one of those clear plastic bins and shut the lid tight. Side note: I just so happened to empty a plastic storage bin the other day, and it seemed to be there waiting for me to throw a skunk in it. It’s all a blur, but when I slung that skunk in there, it didn’t know what had happened. Just as I closed the lid, it sprayed it’s smelly spray but missed me and got plastic container in the process. Whoo, that stunk.

Damn that skunk. Now to go check my girlz. I knew there was no way that someone didn’t get got. And to my dismay, that someone was Dorothy. My heart broke then and there. I saw her. The skunk had surprised them all while they were sleeping up in the coop, and got Dorothy first, and all the other girlz got away. I was so glad the other girlz were screaming so loudly, as they let me know they needed help and I heard their cry for help, just too late.

I cleaned the forensic file scene up. I tried to calm the girlz with meal worms and treats but they weren’t having it. They were distraught and terrified. I was shaking myself. What just happened at 5 am on this Sunday morning?!  I  was out catching a skunk and trying to wrangle it in the plastic bin. I was feeling so many emotions at one time. The lump in my throat burned, my eyes welled up and I knew today was going to be a hard day.

I can never be okay with losing a chicken. I just can’t. I have to do better.

Turns out a week ago prior, we had suspected a skunk crawled under a shed on the other side of the garage and was making itself at home. I got my flashlight and on my hands and knees looked under that shed. No skunk. Was this the one? Is the skunk in the plastic bin in the garage the same one living under the shed? I knew a skunk had been under there and today was now the day to seal up the surrounding area around the shed to keep creatures out of there. Not only did it make itself at home - it had breakfast too. 

Should have done this before

David and I did seal up the bottom area around the shed so that no one can make a home there. It felt cathartic. It felt right. And I’m here to tell you, we’ve had no further skunk visits. Typically when a skunk comes into the pasture, the guard dogs kill it right away. Unfortunately, on that fateful morning I’m thinking the skunk came across the front yard and into the Little Girl area and no one stood a chance. It was game-on for the skunk. It now lives in Sherman.

Unfortunately, after the skunk incident, the remaining eggs the mamas were sitting on had: 1) gotten too cold in this whole attack as the mamas were besides themselves and not able to settle again on their eggs, and 2) that stupid skunk decided to claw several open and the chicks could not survive. Let's just say it was horrible.

When all was said and done, I’m happy to end this story with David and I placing the 4 chicks back out with the silkie and frizzle mamas. Everyone is doing great and thriving. AND, good news on top of that is the silkie and frizzle mamas are embracing the three teenagers and allowing them to sleep with them nowadays. It just takes time. I will say, for the next couple of nights after that (because it happened last weekend) I slept with the bedroom window open so I could listen for any further signs of distress. I’m hoping I’ve relocated the problem skunk. 

RIP Dorothy, I'm so sorry. 




PODCAST time, folks

Good news! Our podcast is now up and loaded with a few episodes at our podcast titled It SNUC Up On Us. I plan on adding a few more episodes soon, as well. Take a listen here:


https://anchor.fm/itsnucuponus

We are very excited to now share the blog in podcast form, and the next episode(s) that will be loaded to the podcast will include “Day One” through “Day 45” of David’s cancer treatment(s) for SNUC.

When David was diagnosed with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, we quickly realized the lack of support and information available for patients diagnosed with SNUC and their families. SNUC is one of those rare cancers whereby information is limited, connection to others is marginal and we in turn are hoping to bring light to this issue by bringing about an increased awareness to this particular head and neck cancer. Our hope is to touch other’s lives who are dealing with cancer, not just SNUC, and share our own journey with those looking for support and connection in times of uncertainty in their lives.

Bare with us while we load more episodes, and feel free to share the link with others who on their own cancer or illness journey. We are all in this together. It’s easy to feel isolated when something like this happens in our lives. David and I have felt strongly that staying positive and trusting in God is what serves us in regards to what has shown up in our lives. We desire to wrap our arms around everyone, and reaching out through a podcast helps us feel more able to reach those that need that.






Bubbi Bug

My baby and her baby

This little guy turned 6 months old. He’s such a blessing in our lives, and we love watching all the new things he’s doing lately.

He’s a good eater

Yes, he’s eating all kinds of soft foods now. His favorite you ask? Sweet potatoes. And banana. And blueberries. Granted, it’s all mashed up for safety. Let’s just say he’s a big fan of food, and he tries it all willingly. Even pureed brussel sprouts, although with a grimace with each bite. 

What cha think about that one

Brooks is visiting museums, and learning the appreciation for art at an early age.

And when the day is done…..

Night night, sweet dreams 

He sleeps. And a big turning point for Brooks has been his crib sleeping. Crib sleeping cannot be taken for granted. It doesn't just happen, right? Lauren and Ryan worked on his sleep training, and it’s paid off for everyone. Brooks sleeps so well in his crib, and is able to turn and twist as he so desires in his sleep. He’s a good roller now, going from front to back and back to front. And with a full tummy of yummy food and a bottle to boot, he’s sleeping better than he ever has. Which in turn allows Lauren and Ryan to sleep.

As we all know, things constantly change with babies, and no doubt will be true here as well. Teething happens. Developmental changes occur that create new feelings and unexpected new adventures. For now though, this little bubbi is full of smiles, giggles, and doing simple things in life that just make you smile in return. Where’s the pause button? I need to slow all this down.




MDA, here he comes!



David makes his way to MD Anderson on Monday for his first set of follow up visits since his cancer treatments. He'll say Hello to Dr Rosenthal, his radiation oncologist, and to Dr Lu, his chemotherapy oncologist, he'll have some labs completed and them have an MRI in the afternoon. Then, on Tuesday, he sees Dr Hanna, the superstar of-all-things-SNUC oncologist for the results of his MRI. We are holding good thoughts and asking for God's grace. And you know we will keep you posted.

In other good news, David will have his hernia surgery the following week. Things are looking up for David - and he's excited to be moving forward with some things on his wish list.

I, in staying true with good news, have completed 2 out of 5 of my iron infusions and am just starting to feel like it's making a difference. I'm thrilled. So much so, that I signed up for the Cowtown half marathon coming up in May. Let's just jump back in with both feet into a in-person race - and oh, it's a perfect excuse to go to Fort Worth and see Lauren, Ryan and Brooks.




Cheers,

Cyndi

Nail-Biting Times

 

Ever have those weeks where you're nervous yet excited about something because you are unsure of the outcome to come - or feel like something is about to happen. It's almost like having butterflies in your tummy, but you're not sure if it's a good thing or not. What I've come to understand is that these feelings are a reminder for me, as they are reminding me (as Rumi writes) I am a guest house, with new arrivals all the time. My jumbled feelings are reminding me to welcome those feelings with open arms. Don't be afraid of them, Cyndi. Welcome, and come on in. All unexpected guests are to be greeted with peace and gratitude - not confusion, as each arrival brings about a new delight. These feelings are sent to me for a greater purpose, and what I do with them is what's important. Sometimes I have to sit on them awhile, and sometimes I just know it's all intended. Rumi's poem, The Guest House was recently in a discussion I had with a dear friend, Dr Waheed, who bares witness to this poem regularly to walk his own walk through life. When I reach for these words, the world becomes a much more settled place for my feelings. I'm reminded that each feeling I encounter is intentional - and is a guide. Once I break out of the overwhelmingness of the feelings, it feels good again, knowing all my unexpected visitors come in peace. Sometimes, I need to be reminded of this.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

by Rumi

So why the reminder

Because I tend to get busy with my life and forget to hit the pause button and think. This poem helps me do that. Prayer helps me do that. Taking time to meditate helps me do that. All signs point inward, which is where I need to get back to every now and again. When I start feeling willy-nilly, it's time to pull back from life and recalibrate. So as I feel myself finding my calm, I'll share our happenings these days. 

David travels to Houston on April 19th and 20th for his 2 month follow up appointments at MD Anderson. He will see his radiation oncologist, his chemo oncologist, have labs drawn and an MRI completed. Then, he'll see the SuperStar of all things SNUC, Dr Hanna. He'll be given his report card and we are hoping for all A's. I often wonder if David is concerned. What is he thinking, deep down inside that brain of his. Of course if you ask him, he says He's fine, everything is fine. I guess for that matter, I might say the same. But deep down, what are those most intimate personal thoughts. I mean, he's gone through the diagnosis, the cancer treatments and is working his way towards the other side of recovery now. His smell and taste slowly are finding their way back home. His skin is healing, his saliva is mostly back, and his sinus passages are all brand new. Things are looking up. He's even hoping to have his ever-bothersome hernia fixed soon. The upcoming appointments will be a right of passage for clearance into taking the next steps of life for him. We are hoping for those steps to be into Infinity and Beyond. 

Myself, on another hand had a set of appointments at Texas Oncology all my own this past couple of weeks. My last monthly appointment has showed progression of my PV reflecting severe anemia, and in a turn of events, lowering of hematocrit and hemoglobin (normally good for PV-ers) but mine decided to take a dive without asking first. This has all left me with fatigue and shortness of breathe and a fight against my body and what it's doing on its own path with PV. 

Remind me

So polycythemia vera is a blood cancer whereby your bone marrow has a gene that's been turned on to tell your bone marrow to make lots of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Yet, it's like a rollercoaster ride with ups and downs of this generation of blood products due in part to various elements in your body, one in particular being iron. Iron is (one element) that encourages your body to create red blood cells, therefore a state of anemia with PV is encouraged. The less iron you have, the less your body with be triggered to generate red blood cells. So what's the issue, right? For me, my iron fell too low. So low, it starts affecting your organs and soft tissue in your body. So, here we go on this rollercoaster ride, and I'm now needing 5 weeks (every Wednesday) of iron infusions which each take about 1 1/2 hours to process into me. Yes, it should help me feel better and help my body as well. Yes, it will irritate my PV and cause my red blood cells to increase therefore creating a need for more phlebotomies. Phlebotomies create iron deficiency. It's a double edged sword having PV and everyone's case is specific to them. This happens to be my kryptonite - iron, or should I say the lack of iron. 

The good news

What's interesting in all this is my mind tells me how good things are. Look around you, Cyndi, at your life, your loves, your farm, your peace and all the good and wonderful people in your life. My plate is full. Sometimes, I need to take a step back and use my self awareness to see all this goodness to combat the chatter that tries to creep in and create doubt and disturbance. That's where the reminder of welcoming unexpected guests come in into play. And then, Maya Angelou reminds me to look around myself, and whether it's good or bad you see, be grateful for it. Her light shines so bright, that I can actually hear her whispering that in my ear. I am grateful for the health I have been blessed with - good or not-so-good. I am here today. My mind is strong. Don't get lost in it. Stay rooted in my being. Reminders are needed for me, as strength is not the absence of struggles, it's what I build while I'm inside them. Recognizing my own weaknesses helps me build on them. 

I've needed to remind myself of this lately, as life continues to lead me on journeys that I never would have gone on if it were up to me. I have so much to learn from it, so much faith to hold tight to, and allow myself to trust this journey. Because in the midst of all of it, there's always opportunity. Something new that I couldn't see before. For all this, I am grateful.

Punked, wait Skunked

 You know Maybe, sweet little Maybe, right.

Maybe would be in the Popular click
in middle school

It was a bright sunny Easter late afternoon, when Maybe, Sugar, David and I were up at the front of our property. The birds were singing, flying in and out of their bird houses high above the pond, where the ducks still refuse to go. The donkeys were watching as the 4 of us who happen to be up at the road for a reason that escapes me at this time. But there we were, David and I watching Maybe and Sugar tootle up and down the road which runs in front of our place. It's not well traveled, but is often visited by four legged creatures. Today's visitor, a skunk making it's way out of the culvert pipe home it occupies and finds an unexpected visitor nearby. The skunk did not welcome this unexpected visitor named Maybe, but instead, these two 4 legged furry not-friends met face to backside and waa-laa, as if in slow motion, Maybe was blessed with a face (and chest full) of oily green-yellow ick that burned her eyes and smelt to the high heavens. 

Ugh. David and I immediately attempt to direct her back to the house, down the gravel road and leash her to keep her from transferring this gunk all over her, to anyone or anything else. I run in the house to grab supplies to wash her, first asking my best friend, Hey, Google, How do I get skunk spray off my dog. She quickly explains the ingredients of hydrogen peroxide, Dawn dishwashing soap and baking soda, providing the proper ratios of each. Perfect, Thank you, Google, and I'm now running back outside with these three bottles juggling in my arms like a circus clown. 

With David holding the leash and Maybe at the end attempting to shake all the gunk off, I run and grab a large plastic bin from the garage, pour free-style all 3 ingredients and add water with the facet hose outside, and toss Maybe in. It's cold. Sorry, not sorry. Both David and I are now dousing her with this cold mixture and it needs to sit on her for at least 5 minutes. It's cold. We all smell like skunk now. 

Fast forward 5 minutes and it's time to rinse. I get the cold outdoor facet hose and rinse her off. She's NOT coming in the house anytime soon, period the end. After she's rinsed and shivering, I go to my collection of dog towel's neatly kept in a plastic slot titled Dog Towels (thank you label maker) and we attempt to dry her. After she's been roughly dried with this dog towel (definition of dog towel: towel(s) designated as not to be used on a human and not to be washed with human things in the washing machine- any deviation of this will result in a fine of which is unspeakable). We then stand back and stare at her, as if to will this stench off her. 

Next, I take the rest of the baking soda in the box and pour it all over her. This ends up helping dry her further and absorbs more of her nasty smell. Next up, I put Sugar and Maybe on a leash and we go for a long walk letting Maybe finish drying, shake it off and get herself together for further evaluation of whether she gets house privileges tonight or not. 

The walk helped dry her, and now 10 year old Maybe is exhausted when we arrive back home. All she wants to do is go inside the house onto her comfortable bed and roll around. She is dry, and the smell is much less - nice. I wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight with her on her bed on the floor next to me. Hummm, we'll see how that goes. I'm happy to report that after Maybe had been inside the house for about an hour, I was nose blind to the majority of her smell. I could gets whiffs of the stench here and there, but it was tolerable. Plus, I was not going to put her outside for the night and not sleep with her barking all night to come in. Everyone lived happily ever after. 

WTD

Here we go again, same beautiful rouen drakes, same resistance to the pond. What is new, is the duck attack. Surprises are a thing around here, and I shouldn't be so surprised by all the surprises, but I always am. It's another day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood and then wait, what's that? What is that duck doing over here? Sure enough, one of the ducks is over the fence and through the woods to a place it could have not gotten on its own accord. And it's hurt. It's tucked under one of the garden hoses, almost blending in with it, and for good reason. From the looks of it, it's likely that a hawk picked him up and could not hold onto him, dropping him into a different area of the yard - and Huey ran for cover. He was bleeding and scared, but he is going to be okay. Good job running away with those tiny short legs of yours.

Funny thing

Funny thing is what happened when Huey was taken away, is that Louie and Dewey ran for the shelter up near the pond. That's a long way for their little legs to travel - from the barn area of which they have taken up residence, all the way up towards the pond. I mean, we were looking everywhere for Huey's brothers, fearful that something happened to them as well. WTD, nope, they were up in the front shelter by the pond awaiting the fate of their taken friend, pacing back and forth. 

Happy here, trying to get away from me

We carried Huey up to them, and placed him back, making a happy trio again. And do you know from that fretful moment since, not one of the 3 ducks have made their way back to the barn area. Nope. They are living large in the shelter up by the pond. 

All theirs

They are not fans of the pond, no sir. I still steer them towards the pond on some days, and they stay for a minute, then straight back to the safety of their shelter. 

Here for just for a min 

But they are no longer barn ducks. The live close to the pond - not actually at the pond. Close enough. I'm happy the 3 ducks have found their feathered-ever home here with us. This past week I've dabbled in the thought of getting more ducks to teach ours to go in the pond, but no. I'm duck done for now, and happy with exactly who and what I have. And I'm glad all three are safe and happy. That's duck matters.  

Cluckingham continues 

A very special place on the farm is The Little Girl Area, as I like to call it. This, my friends, is where the little chicken magic happens. 

Little Girl Area

All the silkie and frizzle chickens live in here, as they do not fly, and are more prone to predators due to their small size and inability to find shelter quickly. Therefore, even though I'm not a fan of fencing my chickens, I do so for these girlz own safety. 

I've long been a fan of these little puff balls for a long time, and currently have 6 adults and 3 teens in this special place. Let's talk about them.

Chompchi you so pretty

Chompchi has been with me for some time, and although I think she's in the older age range, she still lays eggs here and there and is certainly a wonderful chick mama who loves to sit on eggs - hers or anyone else's. She's a "self blue" or lavender silkie who is sweet and kind to all the others. Sometimes I think this kindness of hers is what keeps her at the lower end of the pecking order. To me, she's a super star, beautiful and her personality and good nature is something I can always count on with her. She's a good egg. And speaking of.....she's sitting on eggs right now and the hatching has begun.

Dot, pretty much lead hen

Dorothy is a friend of Chompchi's, yet she's more of the leader in this group. Dorothy rivals with another hen, who between the 2 of them, are co-flock leaders. Dorothy is more assertive than the others, but I think it's because she's in charge. Whenever she sees me, she checks to see if there's treats. She's a big mealworm fan, and I see her little dance she does around my feet asking nicely. It's hard to tell her no. Out of all the mamas, Dorothy is the only one not sitting on eggs right now. She keeps watch for treats and hangs out walking around wondering where everyone went. 

Such a good mama

Ah, sweet Frankie. Remember that one friend you had growing up where everything scared her, and she'd scream? That's Frankie. She's a screamer. Oh, you there, you scared me! Wait, you're walking too fast towards me, ah! I'm sitting on my eggs, get away, squawk! She's very verbal. But that Frankie, she's a good mama, the best. She'll sit on anyones eggs and raise their babies as well. When she first arrived with us, I thought she may be a rooster, so I named her Frank. Then, I realized when she laid an egg, he was a she, and Frank turned into Frankie. She's given us several rounds of chicks, and her babies turn out snow white and gorgeous. That reminds me of the time I named one of her babies Snow White and for the longest time (until they come of age) I thought she was a beautiful princess. But no, Snow White was really Prince Charming and therefore went to live with a friend who desired a silkie rooster. Given a chance, Frankie will have more chicks. All the roosters seem to find her very attractive - and she is. Attractive and independent, for sure. She prefers to be left alone and admired from afar when it comes to humans. She too, right now, is sitting on eggs.

Those silly teenagers....

We are growing up!

The trio is strong 💪 

These 3 teenagers came from a local feed store not all that long ago. They are growing into real beauties, and are not from any bloodline on our farm, which means I can breed my girlz with them if one happens to be a rooster. So far, I'm thinking 2 are hens and 1 is a rooster, but one will never know until they grow up and crow or lay an egg. Sometimes you can tell the difference between a male and female by their comb, but it's not a guarantee. We'll wait and see what these precious teens turn out to be. It's hard to name them not knowing their sex. 

Next, onto my frizzle de sizzles. I've introduced them in prior blogs so will keep this brief. I currently have 3 pretty frizzles:

This Black Beauty has brown feathers mixed in ❤️

She’s all coco coloring 💕

My SaltNPeppa 😍

These girlz are not ones to be held. They are not screamers about it, they just prefer their own private time to do their own things. They are hesitant about treats, but are coming around to the idea of mealworms. Will I have more frizzles? Maybe. Because they are all sitting on eggs - AND the eggs are starting to hatch. Thus far, we have 3 or 4 little chicks hatched. The reason I'm not sure how many we have is because if you try to pick up a silkie or frizzle mama, they get all excited and upset and can stomp their little babies accidentally. So I'm trying to let them all do their mama-thing. They actually do best when I leave them alone. Nature is like that. 

Chicks, man

I'm not able to tell which of the chicks are from which mama just yet. What I do know is that Carlos is likely the dad of them all. He visited us for a couple of months, and then went back home after the mamas started sitting on their eggs. It's hard to say how many eggs will really hatch - but the process has begun. It's nerve-racking for this silkie and frizzle grandmama to wait and watch. But I just mess it all up when I get overly involved. 

With intent and dedication, they sit

I love all my little girlz, and while I have a full age range of them right now, I feel so blessed. They make my heart happy. We’ll see what God blesses us with as far as chicks go. 🙏

Oh yeah! 

🥰

It’s a month to remember those you love like David, our friend Darrell, and millions of others around the world with Head and Neck Cancers. As we strive to bring awareness, we stay grounded in knowing that God is an awesome and mighty God. Miracles happen. Prayer is peace. I’m reminded by God, Rumi and Maya Angelou that welcoming everything that comes my way with gratitude is where I will find joy. Cancer lives with us and many others, and I’m thankful for all her blessings and teachings in my life. 

Carry on in peace my friends, 

Cyndi