Keep The Peace

 

Well friends, it's been about 6 months since I moved here, and the time has finally come - the farm has a name. It came to me as naturally as my coffee at sunrise:   Peace and Love Acres

☮ ♥🐔

You see, there was already a heart painted on the barn from the previous owners, and one day, I randomly added a peace sign above it. I stepped back, looked at it, and BAM - there it was. The name had been waiting for me, right there in front of me, this whole time.

Peace. And. Love

And let me tell you, the girlz (you know who they are 😗) are most certainly a large part of my peace and my love in the barn. 

So here we are at  ☮ & ♥  - the world is still spinning - and I am way overdue for some updates.  Let's get into it, shall we?

Let's talk Huck 🐶

Ah, Huckleberry. The goodest boy. My very first foster from the Humane Society of North Texas. And the reason my mascara ran down my face in the HSNT parking lot on a Wed morning at 8 am. 

Here's the thing. Fostering is basically emotional roulette. I went back and forth. Do I keep him? Does/will Max' family adopt him? Do I return him for adoption because that's what fosters technically do? 

I felt like I was on Love Is Blind - you know the part where they don't decide until they are literally at the alter? Yeah, that was me pulling into the Humane Society parking lot the morning of his neuter. Because here's the deal: If I don't adopt him, he stays and goes up for adoption. If I do, I pick him up after surgery and he's mine. No takebacks. 

The decision? I chose to let him go so I could continue fostering. Cue the waterworks. 😭

A kind staffer - clearly a veteran of fostering herself - asked if I needed a hug. "Yes", I sniffled. She wrapped me up in the kind of hug that stitches your soul back together. She reassured me, "He's sweet, small and adorable. Someone will scoop him up straightaway." And since straightaway sounded like a Mary Poppins word, I trusted it.

And sure enough, Huck was adopted quickly. My heart swelled. As did the lump in my throat when I found out.  

Fostering has taught me something beautiful: I don't have to be their forever to be their safe space. Temporary love is still powerful love. It's joyful heartbreak and I'm here for it. 

The Cat Room Chronicles

Next up: The Cat Room Saga - starring mama cat, Cricket and her fab four kittens. Tomorrows the big day: spay/neuter time! And unlike the Huck saga, this ones less teary because: 

I'm keeping Cricket! 

Plus, two kittens are going to Lauren and Ryan, one to my co-worker, Morghan, and just one lil orange kitty will return to the shelter for adoption. Not bad for a Monday.

Mama is the mottled kitty
I love everything about her 💘

Mini, the bobtail 
Future heartbreaker in Ryan's life

Bug,
officially Brooks' new ride-or-die

This right here? 💕
This is the good stuff

Mama kitty, Cricket as I call her now, is an OG outside cat. She's doing her best to raise her littles inside. Lucky for her, once she heals from her spay, I will release her in the barn with June Bug, who's also a bob tail and enjoys the outdoorsy life. I think the two of them will get along famously. And hopefully keep the mice away, too. 

Hay is a Thing of Beauty

Big News: I had my first cut of hay! 

Listen, I've never been so excited to watch grass turned into big rolls. It's mesmerizing. 

Why so exciting? 

First, it's beautiful to look at.....

I just love a field of fresh cut hay

Second, it's such an interesting process to watch.....

They drove these farm machines down the 
side of the road for miles to get here
(from Leonard)

I used to think tractors hogging the road were just being dramatic. Nope. They're actually going to work. Who knew. I thought maybe they were heading to the gas station to fill up.

As I watched the whole magical hay process, this seemed to me, how it went down:

1) First, the grass is cut and left to dry (cure as the farmers call it). I missed that part - work life got in the way.

2) Then, after it's done curing (days later) a weird looking farm machine with spinning-wheelie-thingies takes the grass off the ground and fluffs it, making it ready for the next step.

2) The finale is this giant vacuum cleaner-meets-transformer machine that scoops the fluffed-grass up into it's mysterious back part, and I assume the farmer then waves his magic wand, and the transformer spins it into bales, just like yarn into balls. 

Every time a bale popped out, I gasped like I was watching fireworks. #farmmagic #haythere

Rapid Fire Updates

Speed round style........

Paul loves his bestie

It hurts my heart that he's getting older 😓

Loving life even during
his molt - currently rocking 3 tail feathers 

* Side note copy and pasted from the interwebs:   Chicken and turkey molting is the natural process of shedding old, worn-out feathers and growing new ones, typically occurring in late summer or early fall. It is a necessary part of a chicken's life cycle to ensure healthy, insulating plumage for winter. During a molt, egg production decreases or stops, chickens may look lethargic, and the process takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete.

Hard to believe it, but guess whose in school.....

Tiny CEO

Brooks started PreK this year and is loving every minute of it! He has such a love for learning, and enjoys the social aspect of it, as well as the routine in it. I'm so happy for him - Go Brooks! 

Side Note: Lauren sent me this screenshot of Brooks, and I thought I'd share a nugget with you about it: Did you notice Dr Honda in the top right? He's a psychologist who has a podcast/youtube that does a deep dive into the contestants and their interactions on Love Is Blind. It's interesting to watch/listen to after binging LIB. Lauren introduced me to it, as an added bonus for after you've watched Love Is Blind and have no new episodes to watch. Dr Honda breaks it all down from a psychological standpoint and I've actually learned some things from him. #freetherapy.

Is it unhealthy the number of times I've referenced Love Is Blind in this blog post? 

Next up.....

My ducks are still in a row - and loving all this rain 

Emmie, Poppy, Pippa, Dora and Hope are all
doing great and the mash is flowing
The goats are living their little goat life back there, too.

Hope is still here with me 💟 and I love every small step she makes in her life. She and I have a rhythm unlike the others. She's my special girl. Hope is a reminder that there's always hope. 

Side Note: The horses who were boarding in my back pasture have all been picked up and have upcoming sell dates, according to Liberty, who often houses her horses with me in the back pasture. She buys and sells horses and mules, and brings them to my Airbnb in the back pasture for a little vacay while they await their new forever home. The horses and mules unknowingly work while they stay - as just their presence detours predators from the back pasture. Love that.

And since there's never enough heavy equipment on site.....

Mia supervising everything like the good girl she is.
Currently, it's the septic system install.

Water line trenched and ready

And did you notice.....

Sweet Mia 💛 My sidekick

Side Note: Mia and I found each other about a year ago now. She's has the temperament of a saint. 

Penny and Dutch are holding strong
on their own 💪

Two of my fav little humans.....

Since big brother has a tractor, this
only seemed fitting for her

Minnie Mouse is king queen here,
besides monster trucks of course

My most faithful companions (besides my 2 doggos outside protecting everyone).......

Where does everybody sleep, you ask?
The better question is where do I sleep.....

Cluckingham Is Everything

The chickens are back roosting in the area in which
I shot the snake in.
Never mind the hole I blew in it.....no, I'm not fixing it

The chickens are all doing wonderful despite the heat. And my little chicks are growing up and blending in beautifully with the flock. 

Here at Peace and Love Acres, the world keeps turning - sometimes quietly, sometimes chaotically, always full of heart. 

But whatever comes, it'll either be good - or it'll be a story. (Lauren is probably so tired of hearing me say that). 

Thanks for riding this journey with me.

Take care of you.

With peace and love,

Cyndi

Hay Girl Hay

 

So many wonderful things are happening around here! And honestly......is it just me, or are they all happening at the same time? It's like the universe hit "shuffle" and "fast-forward" at once.

While I'm wrangling my thoughts into a blog post, here's a little peek at the current chaos joy:

15 bales in this area

Which feels like both an agricultural update and a fitness tracker alert. 

I've always been curious about the mysterious world of hay baling - turns out it involves tractors, timing, and a surprising amount of suspense. I can now confirm: it's intense, slightly itchy, and very satisfying. 

More soon,

Cyndi

Levi 2013 - 2025

 

With A Heavy But Grateful Heart

It's with a heavy heart - but also immense gratitude - that I share that my sweet, kind, fierce, loving beast of a livestock guard dog, Levi, has passed. At nearly 13 years old, Levi lived his life with quiet strength, full purpose, and deep love. He left us the way he lived - peacefully and on his own terms - crossing the rainbow bridge during his usual afternoon nap.

How It All Begin

Levi and I first came together in June of 2016. Both Levi and his sister, Whisper were (intentionally) left at the property in Gunter upon the purchase of the farm there. The previous owners asked if they could stay - the two Great Pyrenees had been raised there, and the land was all they'd ever known. They were moving into a neighborhood and didn't have the space these gentle giants needed. 

I, on the other hand, was thrilled - what a gift they turned out to be.

Whisper, on the left
Levi, on the right
Only a few years old. So young! 💕

This was Levi and Whisper on Sept 13, 2016, up by the pond - their favorite post for night duty. Back then, the area was much quieter, with fewer people and plenty of coyotes. But Levi and Whisper handled it all with strong, rugged, yet quiet command.

Born To Protect

True to their breed, Levi and Whisper stayed up all night, every night, patrolling the perimeter, watching, listening and protecting. In all the years I lived in Gunter - nine of them - only one coyote ever dared cross the fence line. It was a short-lived mistake.

He was their Shepherd 👑

Levi was always Head Guard Dog - never loud or pushy - just respected. The other dogs intuitively knew he was in charge. His strong, quiet, confident demeanor said it all. He remained that respected leader of the LGD (livestock guard dog) pack until the very end.

He trained Penny and Dutch, two great pyrenees I got as pups. Levi made sure they knew exactly what to do. He had a way with them. And once he had them trained up, both Penny and Dutch always respected Levi and worked along side him to guard, just as he had taught them. They never stopped looking up to him.

Levi, Whisper,
Penny and Dutch

A Bond Like No Other

He and Whisper were a true pair - deeply bonded and always side by side. He kept a watchful eye over her, the same he did with everyone he loved. 

Levi, always watchful over his sister,
whom he adored

Patient and tolerant, even when Maybe
would chew on his bones

After I moved to Wolfe City, Levi adjusted wonderfully. He seemed to settle in like he'd been here all along. With Penny and Dutch by his side (after Whisper disappeared 😭) the 3 of them settled into a strong, peaceful rhythm. He was happy, content and had his favorite napping spot picked out quite quickly. He continued to guard the animals as he always did, like they were his own children - and truly, they were. 

My Main Man here in Wolfe City 💪
Just beautiful even at 12 years old! 

I loved how he walked, one paw crossing in front of the other.
The Fancy Levi Walk.
Yet, he had a fierce run, even up until the day he passed. 

 

The Gentle Goodbye

Levi was still eating, playing and patrolling until the day he passed. There were no signs, just the normal slowing down that comes with age. That afternoon, I had brought him his dinner, only to find that he had quietly passed in his favorite spot. Just slipped away, with no pain, no struggle - just a deep, peaceful sleep. 

Isn't that how we all hope to go? 

Even still, the shock has stayed with me. It was sudden. But old age, in it's quiet way, had finally come for him - as it eventually comes for us all. 

A Legacy That Lives On

There is now a little cemetery at the back of my property - a place just for you, Levi. I buried you near my running path, so I can see you every lap, every day. 

 

Every day, I miss you 💔

For you, big guy.

I wanted a place of peace for you 💙
underneath the trees

There will never be another Levi. He was a once-in-a-lifetime gift, one who gave protection and fierce devotion to everything and everyone on this farm. He loved his people. He loved his farm animals. And he trained Penny and Dutch like a boss. 

I was so lucky - and blessed - to be your person.

Nope. There will never be another Levi. 

Thank you, good boy. Thank you for being there for us all - every day, every night. You earned your rest a hundred times over. And don't worry - Penny and Dutch will take it from here, just as you showed them.

Rest easy, my love, I'll see you again.  

Heartbroken,

Cyndi

I see you 💖 In your fav napping spot.....out in the cool grass.
Little did I know.....

A Saga of Fur and Feels

You know what's really heartbreaking? Fostering. Not in the way you'd think. Not in the oh no I stepped on a Lego kind of pain. More like I let this little creature into my heart and now my heart is wearing a hoodie with it's face on it and refuses to move out kind of pain.

I've been blessed to foster. That's the word. BLESSED. Blessed in a way that makes it very hard to say goodbye. 

I mean, just look at that face

Go ahead. Look. Your resolve will melt like an ice cube on a Texas sidewalk. 

You guys 💟

At one point, I thought I could let Huckleberry go.

I had peace, serenity, closure.

Then, the next morning, I looked into his big ole soulful eyes and I was like:

"Abort mission. I am keeping the floof."

Shoes on the other paw now, huh, Theo

The Foster vs Adopt Pendulum is less of a swing and more like a full-body pirate-ship ride at the local fair. And it's not just me. Theo loves Huckleberry, too. And now he knows what it's like to fall hard for a four-legged roommate.

Guest Room 2.0

As I contemplate the Huckleberry Dilemma, I've created a Kitty Room which used to be my guest room and apparently I prefer kitties as guests. I mean, who needs a guest room. Gone. Poof. My house used to say, Welcome, Guest! Now it says, Welcome, Furballs, with questionable boundaries!

Honestly, cats make the best guests. They bring their own snacks, use the bathroom in a box, and ignore you respectfully.

What I haven't mentioned is that I Marie Kondo'd my guest room. I disassembled it awhile back, and had gotten rid of all the furniture so it was actually empty - except for my Christmas tree which has squatters rights. All along, that room was waiting patiently for feline enrichment toys and tiny creatures that meow. Your welcome.

Side note: Since I've been practicing living in the main house with what I'll be taking to my little home, I feel very wow - as less is more and I love having less. It's different having less material things, no doubt, but I really love having just what I need, want or love (Thank you, The Home Edit). Our things own us, right? We have to clean it, maintain it, fix it. And if my things are going to own me, I prefer them with fur or feathers. And purr.

Kitty Room

So foster update: I got the call to take in a mama kitty with 4 young kittens who are still nursing. The responsibility in this felt a little heavier as they explained the "fading kitten syndrome" and what their protocol is if this occurs. No need to worry. No fading kittens. Only shy and elusive ones.  

And just so we can all understand what I'm saying.....I'm happy to tell you that all 4 kittens are giving. The food is bussin and they are here for it. Bro, KittenLand is not basic. It's fire. And that mama? She has all the drip.  

I know that was mid. And I may be corrected by those who know just how to correct me. But I hope it was a Big W. Tryna over here.

Ready for her Vogue spread. Her markings are 💣

It's a whole new world outside the crate

Best Mama Award 🏆

This little mama is tiny herself, and since this little cat family was simply 'found' outside by someone who then took them to the HSNT (Humane Society of North Texas) there's no DOB or age - nothin'. But somehow in all this, she's nailing motherhood like it's a TikTok trend.

Not to worry, the security camera keeps tabs on them like they do Puff Diddy. I see them out and about, playing while mama watches from the front porch aka refuge chair. Single mom-ing can be hard, y'all.

Litter box use ✓
Kittens at play ✓
Spa break in the getaway chair for mama ✓

Interesting nugget about the current naming system at HSNT:

Food it is. All animals there are currently named after a food, hence why Huckleberry is actually Jello. 

13/10 is accurate 

As an update on Huckleberry, his option for a home with Max and their family (see prior blog post for reference) did not iron out, so Huck is with me and I'm currently arranging an appt for his neuter. I did attempt to have him neutered as instructed at HSNT, but plot twist - he had a bit of kennel cough, so he was rescheduled for a later date. He bounced back like a puppy-shaped tennis ball, but surgery is on hold for safety. Safety is a choice, not a chance, right Lauren?

I'm still over here waffling between "foster" or "forever". Foster fail is real people. He's gonna find a home, no doubt. Unless that home is my home. TBD. 

And just for the record, I'm definitely keeping mama kitty. Not the kittens, as they'll find a home because they are kittens and everybody loves a kitten. But mama kitty....she's here to stay. I'll need to think of a name for her and likely not a food name.

Condensing while Living Large

I can do this. I've been practicing now for a couple of months. Living small in a large house. Trying to practice ahead of time.

How do I feel about this? 

Me
Also Olive preparing to take over the world
Blue Bell first 

Funny thing is, I've dreamed about living in a small home for a long time with just what I want, have or love in my home. And now, I'll be getting that opportunity. I'll eventually be able to tell you first hand if the dream is all it's cracked up to be.

Currently, it's being hand built by a mennonite family business in Commerce which automatically makes it more charming and 82% more cozier. 

On this particular day, I was approving the wall structures so that the foam insulation and walls could be completed. The plumbing and wiring is mostly completed. And yesterday, I had a septic system design completed so that I could get an estimate for the septic system to be installed for it.

So many windows I might have to name them

It's hard to really imagine it finished
 

This is one a little bigger than mine, 
and with a different ceiling. I
picked metal for my ceiling - but this 
looks really nice too. 

I've been asked many questions regarding my upcoming consolidation to a smaller space. What about all the dogs? And fosters? And will it be too small? And what are you doing with your main house (4 bedroom, 2 bath)? And your little house is farther from the barn? And my favorite, are you starting a commune? All valid questions. Yes, yes and maybe.

All dogs will be with me that are with me now (with the exception of Huckleberry as I still make my final decision) and yes, I plan on fostering cats in the home as well. My long term cat fostering plan is to get another of these little buildings/spaces (smaller though) for fostering of cats. Unless Brooke (yes you, Brooke) want to get you a little house next to mine and we can start a commune of C3-ers. 

But ultimately, I'll likely get another building with a small a/c unit for cat fosters, along with a dog feeding station inside. I can have it placed close to my existing arrangement:

This awning is big enough to cover 4 cars 
or a huge RV. 

My road is graveled and ready to lead me to my new area of being. I plan on getting my Tesla charger attached here, and will park my vehicles under the awning, as my house will be here:

The pad for the house is slightly elevated, with the cement
blocks for where the doors will be. 

The mowed path back "behind" the pretend-home-for-now goes to the pond, and to my running path around the property. I've also applied for an address for my new place, as that's required for a septic system for a 2nd dwelling on property - primarily for 911 purposes. So when I call 911 with my shot gun in my hand, they know to come to my house - and not the main house, for example. 

I'll eventually be at 239.
Currently, I live in my house at 237.
This portion shown is 10 of my 21+ acres.
The other 10 are back behind the big pond
and barn (bottom right corner)

I'm trying to try and do everything with legitimate intention (2nd address, proper septic, quality pad for the house) as adding a second dwelling has many moving parts to it - but I'm getting there. 

I digress. Oh yeah, the questions I'm asked.....yes, the barn is further and I'll likely get a mountain bike-of-sorts to go back and forth to the barn, because why not. I'm not wanting to get something motorized until I really have to. That day will come but while I can, I'm going to walk or pedal there. I'll make me a fun path straightaway to the barn we go. 

So cats, dogs and me in the little house. Maybe a littler house by my little house like I mentioned. But the big and most popular question is: What are you going to do with the main house? 

You guessed it! I've offered it up to Lauren and Ryan and they said Yes! Free.99 and how better to tempt my daughter and grandkids out to Wolfe City?! Because who wouldn't trade real estate for more grandkid time? 

Tentative Cannon plan? They move into the main house around May of next year. Brooks starts kindergarten. Olive conquers the world. 

My plan? Split the property out so they can have their part in their name, and my side in my name. It just feels right. If I'm going to pass the torch one day, I might as well do it now - while I can still help build the bonfire.

Lauren mentioned maybe quitting her job and going to nursing school, but no matter what she decides, they will hopefully have a little more financial freedom as well as freedom of land to roam. I'm here for whatever they decide and support them however I can along their own special, important journey of life.

With all this said, things can change and pivot - but for now, this is the plan I'm forging ahead with. I can't wait to be present in their daily stories: fish-catching, barn-exploring, goat-gazing, chicken-feeding. And you'll have a front row seat for it all.

Wait, one last question. Brooke, are you in, or are you IN for a small building of your own. Let me know.

Kim, I’m saving you a spot. 

Farmily Updates Please

Remember my equine dentist? Well, she's currently utilizing my back pasture for 6 of her horses and I wouldn't have it any other way. They've turned my pasture into the Prettiest Screensaver Ever. 

These folks are big, esp compared to my mini's

Turns out, when she was here doing dental work for my donkeys and horses, we discussed this as an option. The horses have over 10 acres to eat, roam, and drink from the pond. Besides the heat (there are trees for shade all around) they are doing great! 12/10 Pasture Ornaments.

They are excellent greeters and enjoy
face time with my horses and donkeys

They add a little something something to the ambiance.

And you know what? Poppy, who had 4 teeth pulled, is doing AMAZING now. 

Poppy glows. Literally glows.

Poppy is finally gaining weight with her bad teeth gone - and she's eating mash like a 8 month old baby sumo wrestler. She looks like she got a full glam squad makeover. 

Dora's on the mash now, too

So mash they will have. I can never express how grateful I am for the dental work provided. It's changed Poppy's life, and all my girls are doing well. There's a piece of mind knowing no one's teeth are bothering them. It was hard to watch at the time, but the reward it great. Lesson learned: Teeth matter. 

My buddy, Paul is ever present and gobbling.
Struts around like he owns the joint. He does. 

It's like a Hallmark movie around here. Except with more goats and less Christmas......

CoCo and Pearl are GOAT.
Pearl has been showing off her
fainting skills lately. My goat drama queen.

Brooks and I recently spent the day at the 
Children's museum in Fort Worth and 
WOW - what a dino-day it was! 

Lil Olive enjoys riding her new lil bicycle and is now signed up for the Tour de France.

Just being safe in bed

Thanks for playing y'all. And in the end, for me, it's not about the square footage - it's about the fur, family and feels. 💖

Keep the peace, 

Cyndi