Let's get into it

 

July = Heat

Unfortunately, this is the season that usually tops the list for chicken losses. So how about we talk chickens. Let's start with a relatively unknown chicken fact: that most chickens are likely to be cold hardy than heat hardy. So what is cold and heat hardy? As an example, in this general description of a particular chicken breed (the Rhode Island Red) notice the 'hardiness' is given along with purpose (meat or layer), production rate, temperament, broodiness and comb. Hardiness is an important element to consider in chicken breeds as it directly correlates with the climate in which you live (is the chicken and climate compatible?) :

Rhode Island may be America’s smallest state, but the breed developed there in the late 1800s made huge changes in chicken husbandry. The Rhode Island Red’s amazing ability to lay about 265 eggs a year made it famous worldwide and became the parent of several modern hybrid egg layers. These glossy mahogany-colored hens with black tail feathers are as beautiful as they are gentle and productive.

Purpose: Egg Layer Production: 265 Large Brown Eggs/Year Temperament: Exuberant, Curious, Friendly Mature Weight: 6-7 lbs. Hardiness: Cold and Heat Hardy Broodiness: Occasionally Comb Type: Single Comb

Just like with dogs, chickens also come in hundreds of breeds. I have many breeds of chickens from silkies, polish, easter eggers, wyandottes, barred rock, ideal 236, turkins (naked necks) and rhode island reds as well as many, many more. 

My very first 2 chickens were Rhode Island Reds named Ginger and Butterscotch who I first bought as chicks in 2015. 

Ginger and Butterscotch
The beginning of the Chicken Era

They were the ones we took to the Texas State Fair and entered in the Texas Poultry Show where they won last place - but first place in my heart. They have since passed, but will forever remain infamous and honored as former flock leaders, show chickens and the loves of my life. 

I had picked this breed because as you can see from the description above they are hardy chickens. They can withstand heat and cold, have a high egg lay rate per year, and are friendly yet are usually the leaders of a flock. They are an all-around great breed to have in your flock.

Ideally, having chicken breeds that are cold and heat hardy is optimal but not all of mine are, and therefore as hard as I try, I lose my 'less hardy' chickens to this heat. I have 3 fans in the barn, lots of fresh water available, and I have plenty of shelter and dirt/sand for them to cool themselves. Sometimes though, it's not enough. 

What it looks like when hens stand around the water 
cooler and cluck around

Even Char becomes part of the flock 

And since I am fluent in fowl language, I can say that Paul The Turkey (as well as my 4 ducks) also struggle to stay cool. Paul is a big fan of the big fan. 

He stands in front of this fan
most of the afternoon. It only gets better
when I water down the barn floor and he 
gets to stand in water, too 💦 

Luckily for the ducks, they have the pond. But as of lately, each evening they make their way up to the barn in search of food and fresh water. Everyone welcomes them except for Charlotte, but I'm working on her to leave them alone. We are getting there, as the ducks are more annoyed with Charlotte rather than scared of her. That's Char's life story, isn't it now. Her middle name is ICanBeAnnoying. 

The 3 new female ducks are blending in so well. My boy duck, who I recently named Drake has taken them in under his wing and is a wonderful caretaker of these sweet peas. 

They have their own special water and food dish 🥰
Apparently in the pecking order, they fall below chickens and
are often reminded they eat last.

I think the animals that do the best in this heat are the goats. 

I can't ever get enough of this sweet girl

They just bounce along like no big deal. Yet their roommates, Maggie, Wilbur and Baby disagree as with only sparsely bristled hair and the fact that pigs have no sweat glands, these piggies struggle to stay cool.

She sits and thinks.
Fun fact - pigs are smarter than dogs

Maggie patiently waiting her turn 

Baby The Boar/Pig struggles the most with the heat. She has lost weight, is an old girl (for a pig) and struggles to stay cool and therefore her appetite is affected. So much so that her and Maggie now rival in size because while Baby is slow to get up and eat, Maggie runs to the food as she's young and still nibble and quick.

Wilbur prefers the smaller round water pool

Then Wilbur has gained his own fair share of weight. He's not a big boy by any means, but he does enjoy food in general - and time in the water pool. I have 2 water pool sources for the pigs, as well as several dug out water sources for them to wallow in. 

Overall, the piggies are doing well. They tend to stay under their awning in the shade or in one of the water pools. 

Goat -n- Pig B&B

Overall, there's a total of 3 fans in the barn and one in the garage. The fan in the garage is primarily for the livestock guard dogs who prefer to lay on the 'cool' concrete and in front of the fan. Levi, leader of the pack, gets first dibs on the fan.

Levi, a solid 120 lbs of no nonsense with
predators

This is daily

Penny, Whisper and Dutch all lay around the garage area waiting for the heat to break each day. At night, they take no prisoners. They keep all the farm animals safe and protected to the best of their ability. 

The fans are lifesavers. The fans for the mini horses and donkeys in the barn are two fold: 1) To keep them cool and 2) To keep the flies off them. My equine sweeties are so intuitive that they know both of these things - and stand in front of the fan(s) each and every day. 

Dinner by the fan

Luckily, the fans keep the flies off them so well that their skin is holding up well against these savage flies. The flies show no mercy.

Guess it’s time for new fly sticky thingies

There's room for a few more....

Bee careful, it's hot

My bees also have special needs during this hot season of increased sugar syrup as well as pollen patties placed in their hive and pollen substitute all provided for them in hopes of helping keep the hive healthy. It's hot inside their hive and this is a tough season for them.

Beekeeper Katie took this video of the bees eating the pollen substitute. No gloves people. What the beep.

I suppose it's a tough season for all the animals right now. July and August are months everyone just gets through day to day with lots of fresh water, good nutrition, shade and fans. Good thing I happen to love me some hot weather. Sweat, no problem. Heat, no problem. There may be a day this changes, but for now it's okay because when I bike or run, I do it early in the morning. I make it work. 

Wait, did you say run?

I show did. You see, I saw my ortho doctor this past week and got the approval to start back running SLOW and short distances. He said go easy, start with 2 miles and see how my knee feels. Then slowly go up from there and try not to go long for now. And go slow and easy. He did not have to tell me twice. The next day, it was 2 miles on a soft treadmill at the gym and my knee felt great. My stress fracture is primarily healed from what they can tell, and my meniscus tear is something I may have had all along in my life and was not symptomatic, which means I was running on it anyway so no surgery for now. 

I love the idea of no surgery. I may still need it if my knee continues to act a fool. But for now, my ortho dr wants to see how the knee does without any further interventions and with the stress fracture in my tibia under control now. It's hard to see the actual healing of a stress fracture without another MRI, but his xray showed more healing and it has been 2 months that I've been off of running for it to heal. So I was set free to start slow and short. Can do, my friend. Can do.

I am so happy to be back running as it makes my heart so happy and fills my soulful cup up. And so does line dancing.

So recently I took a line dancing class at the Parks and Rec Center in Sherman. The instructor there knows many line dances and will teach you any of them you want to know, and one evening asked me if I had been line dancing at Calhouns 2.0 in Denison. I knew nothing of this. So the next week, I went to Calhouns 2.0, based on her suggestion. I mean, why not. Apparently on Thursday nights they have Cowboy Charlie as DJ and it's karaoke AND line dancing night. 

Yes, I went on my own. And this is how it went: I parked the car, walked in this honky tonk, and they were playing one of my favorite line dance songs and I literally went from the front door to the dance floor. I did. It made my heart so happy to see all these folks - young and old - line dancing (and to all genres). This particular song that I jumped on the dance floor for was Flex. I think it's fun to line dance to it, even though I'm still learning and getting it down.

Then, the song ended and the dance floor cleared as they switch between karaoke and line dancing. As I was walking off the dance floor, 2 ladies, Carla and Ann came right up to me and begin befriending me. How long have you been line dancing, they ask me? We come here every Thursday night, they tell me. And invited me to come sit with them at their table. And I did. I met all their friends like Jim and Jolene and others who I don't remember all their names. It was a bit overwhelming. And each time a line dance song came on, we all went out and tried it, learned it, or already knew it. OMGoodness - best night ever. 

I have since been back and each Thursday is a little different in the songs and way they do things, but the fact I can go line dance there is a gift. Not too far, new friends, and there's even a line dance teacher who jumps on the dance floor and teaches some of the dances to everyone. Young and old are there, beginners and novice folks are there. And some people just watch and dance their own little dance as they desire. It's a place I can be me. And people can just be themselves. Dancing like no one is watching. I'm still getting to know these kind and delightful people, yet we are all learning about one another and enjoying a common passion - line dancing. Thanks to the teacher from the Parks and Rec in Sherman, I now have some really cool new friends. And a place to go when I desire to line dance, which has been the last few Thursday evenings. And more to come. 

Cyndi 2.0 at Calhouns 2.0 👢 There's so many nice people out in the world. Sometimes it just takes going out in the world to meet them.

Fairy First Birthday 

It's hard to believe, but Olive turned One ①

This sweetheart is not only 
walking, but she's trying to run

And as one year olds do, she loved the 
bag more than the gift.

It was a delightful celebration. 

Such fun with these fun people 💟

** Lauren's friend Sarah took photos from the party that morning and she'll send them to us later (and I'll post those in a later post). She's such a wonderful photographer that we took very few pics ourselves and will await hers instead.

But I did find this nugget........

Lauren

Olive

You decide? Look alike? I'm not sure as one pic may not be able to determine that kind of thing. Hard to believe they really grow up and have babies of their own. Crazy, huh.

355 Scoopy Poop

355 is the street number to Lauren and Ryan's property, and here's a little scoop on what's happening.....

I know I know, not the best pic, but if you look
closely, you'll see where the markers have been placed
for where the house will be. 

The house site has been officially marked by the builder, then septic things are happening soon, and a gravel road for construction vehicles will likely be placed next week, and a extended culvert as well. It's a process. 

So many wonderful things are happening in our lives. 

 

Char's expression says it all. 
A smile, the eye squint, enjoying
what life brings.

Brooks’ Happy Place

It's the little things like going to Dominoes

And....

Like watching fireworks outside your house

Or outside your window 🎇

Whatever you choose, I hope your July 4th was a day of celebrating freedom. Peace is power.

And she lived happily ever after,

Cyndi

Sugar and Maybe wanted to make sure they got in here too. Look at my old girl, Maybe 🥰 #growingoldtogether

Favorite activity besides eating? 
Car riding 🚙

Forever my girl. I’d take her
everywhere if I could. I would. 💕

We all have people

It was just the other day that I realized I have people. It's a gift to have people around us to love us and lift us up. And then to have farm people alongside me as well is beyond measure. These amazing and talented people direct me, educate me, assist me and truth bomb me all coming from a place of love and concern. My farm people are Beekeeper Katie, Shannon The Farrier, and Jerry The Sheep Shearer. 

Let's start with Beekeeper Katie 🐝

It was in my latest update that Katie rated my bees at 'okay not great' (her words). I think that equates to a C+. She instructed me to go get a new bee hive box which I did. And then she showed back up to move the bee frames from their existing hive to the new box. 

New box about to have the frames 
placed inside

Katie

Katie checks for larvae, pollen, and all the 
things the frames should have inside a hive.
Then she moved the frames to the new box.
Their new hive home.

Katie said the new hive box is perfect for the bees now, and that our next step is to monitor how much they are eating. In order to do this, a feeder was attached to their hive with sugar water and vitamins. And Katie will come each week to refill it, and see how much they are eating. Why? I don't know. What do I know. I'm guessing it's because she wants to make sure the bees have access to enough food and are getting the vitamins they need to be healthy. Just like us, I suppose. But she did not say.

Fancy feeder

What happened was is that she came to do all this but I was not here (I was at work). You see, she can't always come on a Tuesday when I'm off work as she has a route and she picks the day and then just shows up. Lucky me, I missed another opportunity to get in my bee suit. 😉

She did let me know that they will need a lot of syrup and will also need pollen. She said she'd bring pollen patties on her next visit. This is all via text mind you.

This is the setup for now anyway. 
She has her smoker with her, and 
I got one too. Gina let me borrow hers 🙏

So she's got the bees all fixed up. She undid the home depot bucket feeder with syrup/sticks (for now) as that does not allow her to monitor how much the bees are eating. I don't know all these things, I just have her to help me keep my bees alive and as healthy as she can get them - and I appreciate it. I went to the intensive bee class you know. But beekeeping is an art. And I'd rather do just about anything than put on my bee suit. Maybe someday I'll say otherwise because Katie is determined to make me a beekeeper. She'll talk about bees to anybody that will listen and that's okay (right, Lauren?) I'm certainly glad she is one of my people. Thank you for all you do, Katie.

Who is this Jerry guy 🐑

Living the sweet grass life in the back pasture 🌱

You know I love me some sheep. And sheep are covered in wool. And as the ball of fire in the sky heats up, I contacted my buddy, Jerry The Sheep Shearer. And to the farm he came. He has new and fancy battery-powered sheep shears so no more long extension cords for him. He makes sheep shearing look easy - and people who make hard things look easy always fascinate me. 

Belle and Lulu are in great need of getting old wool off them even though they weren’t excited to see Jerry, I was excited for them. Knowing how good they’ll feel afterwards. 

You probably know that Belle and Lulu have a pasture and barn all to themselves. Turns out, that's not all that good for them right now with this abundance of sweet grass this past spring. Too much food out there yall and they've turned into BOG's. Big Ole Girls.

‘Before’ front view 

Side view

So. I knew they were big, but it was Jerry The Sheep Shearer who confirmed it and told me to do something about it.

Jerry showed up this past Friday to shear my two sweet ewes. Belle is my girl who I received as a 1 day old lamb from a local feed store. (Long story but it’s in the blog awhile back.) Lulu was the first daughter of Belle. And can you believe Belle is now going on 8 years old and Lulu is 6 1/2 years old. They are best friends and each other's everything. Love these girls.

Okay where was I. Oh yeah, Jerry showed up and since I had been at work, Ryan was kind enough to shut them up in the barn for Jerry's arrival. Thank you, Ryan! Luckily, I left work just in time to drive up after Jerry did, and we caught up on life, as I have had him out to the farm to shear my sheep many moons ago. And here he is again. Super nice guy. He's the guy that I gave my (sheep) shears to years ago because I thought I could buy sheep shears and shear my own sheep. Instead, I almost took my arm off trying. Hence, Jerry here you go, need some new shears? And do you know I gave Jerry those shears years ago and he said he still has them. I'm glad somebody could use them because laud knows I tried. Bad idea. Instead, Jerry is my go-to for sheep shearing now. And he trims their hooves as well. 

It’s getting hot in here
 so take off all your wool.

So he shears Belle and Lulu and tells me they are too big. He advises me to move them to a different pasture area and give them less access to grass and forbs (weeds). I watch him closely as he tells me this, and I can see how serious he is about sheep. He has 50 of them himself, he says. And then proceeds to show me how I will monitor and measure their weight loss. He says Belle only needs to lose a little weight but that Lulu needs to lose alot of weight. 

Lulu (right) is in need of a decrease in food supply
but really, you guys look good in my eyes 

Alrighty, I'm beginning to think I'm managing a weight wellness clinic around here. Who needs what, how much and where do they need to be pasture-wise. But really what I'm doing is being educated and realigned regarding my farm animals which I greatly appreciate. I will do as he recommends.

So that evening after Jerry left, I moved Belle and Lulu to the dry lot where Dora and Hope along with Poppy and Pippa reside.

This part of the land which I call my dry lot, allows
me to feed as needed and restrict excess food availability
or feed based on individual needs (talking to you
prego Pippa 💟)

So it makes sense that the sheep should be on the dry lot so that I can help them lose some weight and watch them carefully as Jerry recommended. He did say if they bleat too much, it means they are hungry. Boy do I know that because they can have all the food in the world and will still bleat for more food. Silly sheep.  ** Bleat is the term used for the sound a sheep makes like maa or meh. 

Welcome to the food desert!

No more buffet

Belle and Lulu have adjusted well to their new living area. I actually get to pet them much more here, and get to look in their rectangle eyes on the daily. Thank you, Jerry for being one of my people. He encourages me to text him anytime with questions or concerns. Love that. I'll try not to bother you, Jerry. But I appreciate that you're there when I need you.

In summary thus far, the bees need more food. The sheep, less. Got it.

Realignment for Hope, now

Shannon, my farrier showed up this past week to trim the horses and donkeys feet as she does every 6 weeks. I'm still in therapy from that particular first donkey hoof trim event 6 weeks ago. But this visit, Shannon brought backup for the donkey feet trimming and her name was Amethyst. Amethyst runs a rescue/sanctuary and knows how to handle restless and uncertain and scared and tough horses and donkeys. She takes no shit off any equine and has no f’s to give when it comes to these things. She was there to do the business of getting these donkeys feet trimmed all without a fight or any funny business. 

And you know what, she and Shannon got it done. Poppy did not throw herself on the ground this time. Nobody had to hold a donkey down. Nobody got hurt. And the donkeys feet were much improved since their last trimming with all abscesses gone and feet looking beautiful. It’s amazing what dry ground and good nutrition will do for donkey feet (and horses too). A big thank you to them both, as they are truly my people. Shannon is always there for me and has been for years. I can’t imagine having my horses without her. She’s a true equine guide, a wealth of information and always lets me know that I can call her anytime if I ever have any issues with my animals. Everybody should have a Shannon in their life. And I’m so grateful I do.

And with that said, she realigns me when needed. On this particular visit, she let me know that Hope has gotten way too big and you know what, she’s right. I knew that, but sometimes it’s important to have somebody tell you the things you already know.

Hope is technically a Shetland pony,
and they are a stockier breed. 
But she is too big.
 She loves to eat her feed and 
everyone else's feed too 

From l to r:
Poppy, Pippa, Dora and Hope in the back.

Shannon, thank you for all you do. Having you as my people is a privilege. I imagine all your customers say the same. And I’ll make sure Hope has a restricted diet to get her back in better shape. Oddly, it’s not always easy feeding less to those you love. But I need to - and that comes from a place of love. Hope, please remember, it's from a place of love. 

Despite what I think

My farm is not my only or actual therapist, yet as in the classic tale Animal Farm by George Orwell, there’s many things to learn on a farm. 

In this particular story whereby the farm animals rise up against their humans alleging they are controlling and take their produce (eggs, etc) with giving little in return is a reminder of many lessons in life. I find this book fascinating with deep meaning and multiple interpretations. And while it is predominantly political, it's metaphors are many. Mostly though, it reminds me as the person in charge of all the farm animals on my own farm, I'm to be more cognizant of how I am treating everyone. That's my take away from this book. Treat them as if they were me. 

Which brings me to another grouping of people I've come to know and love. Therapist. They truly are my people. Recently, mine had me write two lists: 1) what I'm looking for in a man and 2) what qualities I bring to the table in a relationship. Hummmm this sounds hard. But I did it and when it came time to review it all with her, she said: Now, you work on being the things on your first list. Be what it is your looking for. 

Wait, we aren't going to talk about the second list? Nope. Just be what it is your looking for. 

Big sigh. 

So I'm working on that and will be the rest of my life. Be what it is I'm looking for. Turns out, it's not as easy as it sounds. It all starts with my relationship with me, myself and I. Being my own people. 

What qualities am I looking for in a mate? Be that. And my #1 item on list number one of what I'm looking for in a partner? Actions align with words. So Cyndi, focus on your actions aligning with your words. Be responsible for your actions. Paddle your own canoe. Stay in your lane. Worry about yourself. Be accountable for doing what you say and saying what you do. And don’t forget #2 on the first list: Be impeccable and kind with words. Words are important. As is tone.

The trying to try never stops. And I’m gonna ride this til the wheels fall off. 

I'm wishing myself the best,

Cyndi

Ryan and Lauren have people….

Yeppers, Tilson is their people 
And the sign is up and things are getting real

The site for the house is now marked on their land and so it begins.

And also, they had a party for some of their people - their friends. 

Even Paul enjoyed the party

 

Fun was had by all. Bounce house.
Kids fished and caught fish (which is
important for kiddos).
Lots of farm animal petting. 
And sharing time with each other.

I know one thing for sure. This sweet family that lives with me? They are my true people ❤️

 

A Wealth of Health

 

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a webinar regarding the blood cancer, polycythemia vera that I have. 

PV is tricky

Prior to the event, each participant received a package via Fed Ex that included many valuable resources along with information and booklets to follow along while attending the webinar. The webinar was amazing, educational and brings me closer to a world of people who live this same life as I do and/or work in the field of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) which is the blood cancer category that my cancer falls under. PV as it's called in the cancer world, is considered a rare cancer and while many people have never heard of it (I had not either until my diagnosis) I enjoy sharing information about it as it helps those around me understand my symptoms and how it may affect me in my life. I was thinking about this because the other day as I realized that my hair has begun to start growing again and my nails are not as terrible as usual. 

I have mentioned before that I have lost a couple of fingernails along my cancer treatment journey due to the toxicity of the treatment. But since I've started having monthly cancer treatments (rather than every 2 weeks) I can tell a noticeable reduction in (one of many side effects) of my hair and fingernail loss. When I lost my fingernail on my pointer finger is when I noticed how much I use it for normal daily activities like picking up coins, opening flip top cans, as well as the many uses at work (as a nurse) that I rely on it for. 

I was thrilled to have this simple thing such as hair in my hair brush again and the luxury to cut my nails because they were growing. I may be missing a couple of nails but I'm so very grateful to have the ones I do have. It's the little things in life that bring increased appreciation and normalcy to my daily life. This is one that fills my soul-cup up just a little more. Truly fits the saying, it's the little things in life. It really is. 

All guests must be approved by the pigs

* Before pic *
My makeshift Pig and Goat Pen constructed with all
the fencing ingredients I could muster up around here. 
Hahaha I was so proud of myself for creating this, silly me.

It's true, the pigs and goats were fine as they were living inside my makeshift pen. It was definitely a necessity to confine the mischievous and curious goats as they were eating all the bark off many of the trees and also all the chicken food faster than I can eat a can of icing and trust me, that's fast as I can put away some icing. 

So God intervened and decided that there were some people who needed some things from each other. Please clarify, you ask.

It all started on Mother's Day. I noticed that a duck down at the pond was missing. Hum, that's odd. Upon closer and further evaluation, I found suspicious feathers near the pond that told me something had happened to one of my ducks. Ugh. One lone duck, who appears to be looking for it's friend is all that's left standing. The friend duck was there yesterday, as I remember being down there and seeing it. Now, it's gone. 

So I go to my answer for everything....Craigslist Texoma. And sure enough, I find someone in Sherman selling 3 female teenage ducks. He had bought them at Tractor Supply for his son, and now the ducks were grown and they could not keep them. No problem, I text the number given and sure enough, we arrange a time to meet in the Tractor Supply parking lot in Sherman for a pickup. 

The meeting went well, and the man was happy to sell me his ducks and I was happy to take them. Then, he asked if he could give me his business card and if I ever needed fencing or tree trimming, he could be of help. Awesome, I think. And immediately, I knew what I wanted. I have been dreaming of a nice fenced area for my pigs and goats. So I asked him if he could come out for an estimate.

Did you know that he came to the farm that afternoon, and by the next day I had my estimate. Then, I said yes to the estimate and within a couple of days, he (and his adult son) were building me a fence.

Little did I know that he needed the money and I needed the fence. He had told me he was having an anniversary party that following Saturday and they had spent much money on it. Perfect, I'm thinking. There was something about this fateful meeting in the parking lot at Tractor Supply that neither of us knew about. It was a chance meeting whereby we both would be given an opportunity to receive from one another. 

They worked so hard on this fence, esp making sure it's 
sturdy around the bottom so the pigs don't push their way out.

This man can build a fence. Any kind of fence you want. Pipe, wood, t-post, whatever your heart desires. Handmade gate or store bought gate, whatever you'd like. And within a few days that same week, my dream came true and suddenly Baby, Maggie, Wilbur, Coco and Pearl were all living in a upsized living space full of grass, goat toys, downed limbs for nibbling and all their sleeping houses enclosed in this area as well. 

I threw many of the downed branches from the storms
into their area. Both the pigs and goats are enjoying the
limbs, leaves and bark of the trimmings. 

The handmade gate is probably my favorite.
He suggested a sign across the top, and I can't wait
to decide what the sign will be. 

I'm telling you it was magical. I was able to pick out what I wanted and he built it exquisitely. Perfectly. Did you know that kind and gentle man worked all week with his son beside him, and built a fence that's sturdy, beautiful, painstakingly straight with a handmade 6 ft gate that's so downright gorgeous that I would marry it if I could. 

This area gives the 3 piggies and 2 goats 
plenty of room to roam

I love the location and convenience of having them
close to the barn. And they still have all their pig and
goat houses under their awning for nighttime
and bad weather.

Baby is doing well. She's taken up sleeping in one of the
goat houses instead of her own and I don't even
understand how she fits in there. But I've seen it with
my own eyes.

Coco has shed her winter coat and she's a
pretty girl with her smooth brown fur. 

All because I lost a duck on Mother's Day that this man came into my life when we both needed each other for different reasons. We were brought together and not as a chance meeting. Truly an intentional introduction. Neither of us knew it at the time, but we do now. 

He sent this pic from his anniversary party.
So beautiful - and I imagine it was a 
huge celebration! 

And sure enough, he had his very-special anniversary party. He sent me a picture - and I was so touched by it and the fact he included me in his personal world was priceless.They had this most amazing and wonderful celebration of their love and time together (26 years) with all their family and friends. He had worked so hard all week and blessed me with a fence I could only dream of - and now somehow had. And all week long he talked about his upcoming anniversary party (and that he was nervous, which I thought was cute) and then it turned out as magical as my fence. 

Wait, what about the ducks?

These three new girls are happy with their
new place - and new friend

And my lone duck is happy to have 3 sister wives 💙

My therapist has whiskers

Let me explain.....

The Cat House

Kitty and Finn enjoying the weather and having 
their own space

My relationship with these kitties has changed drastically. I'm able to love, pet and care for them more readily and I truly feel they are safe and happier in their new space. Each of these precious kitties are older. Even when they were in the house and used the doggie door to go outside, they were hanging around sleeping or just laying around. They weren't really catting around much anymore for the most part. But they were leaving all their cat hair in the house, scratching up the furniture and deciding to occasionally potty in the house and not in the litter box. So decisions had to be made and this seemed like the best option for everyone. Ryan and I put it together (from much of the fencing from the old pig and goat makeshift pen) and after Cat Sanctuary 1.0 did not hold them all in (they were climbing over the fence) we went to 2.0, then 3.0, then 4.0 then 4.1 finally held them in. And ever since, they are doing great right where they are.  

June Bug in her spot.
She was our talented escape artist.
Now, she's settled and loves all the 
attention that comes her way.

The easy life

This Cat House is purrrfect. Absolutely the cat's meow for us all. Thank you, Ryan for helping make this happen with me. We worked hard to give Kitty, June Bug and Finn a place of their very own - with many visitors who love being able to get to them, pet them, and be with them. Including myself! A common request kids have when visiting the farm is to see and pet the cats (odd, but true). That was not doable before, as the kitties are all elusive with visitors. Now, they enjoy the pets and attention in a safe environment. No more running away. They are here for it. Yes, it's voluntold love that they didn't know they needed but now enjoy (and tolerate).

Go Man Go

I’ve always been a go man go kind of girl. So in an unusual turn of events which I'll explain, I got something that’ll help me go a little faster.

Going to place eggs in the egg fridge up front.....

Then back home jiggity jig. 

How exactly did this happen? One word: Richard. You know Richard, the friend who works on my mowers, and cars and installed my generator. Well, he rebuilds things into other things. And he built this contraption from a motorcycle and turned it into a truckster. A Cushman Truckster. 

The Littles love it!

I know I will definitely regret this purchase when something does not work right with it one day, but Richard really wanted to sell it to me and the price was right. Living this second life seems to be doing some crazy things to me but I'm loving every minute. 

Enough about me

Look whose walking! Olive (Ollie Girl) is turning one year old on July 3rd and we will certainly celebrate that soon. For now......she's walking into 1 year old like a boss. 

Bee Good Bee Sweet

Before I say an actual pray, I want to say oh my gaud this bee thing. Why. Why do I torture myself like this.

My neck is tense just looking at this

I am riding the Help Me Please bus with these bees. So I've enlisted the help of a young lady by the name of Katie. She's a beekeeper who you pay, and she helps care for your bees. This is an actual occupation that people put a bee suit on every day and care for bees. Wow.

So Katie arrived to the farm to make her first appearance to assist me with my bees. I met her when I got my bees at The Bee Supply in Blue Ridge. She's a petite young (probably 25?) year old who is a beekeeper by trade that looks like she jumped out of Hee Haw and Woodstock all at the same time. Bandana tied around her neck, blond hair up in a messy pigtail of some sort, adventurous while marketing her beekeeping skills wherever she can all with a fun and carefree vibe. She's just someone you'd want to put in your pocket and carry her around with you.

She found the queen though! 

She rated my hive as OK not great. I'll take that.

This is so Katie

She set up a 5 gallon bucket with a gallon of sugar water in it all while placing sticks inside the bucket for the bees to walk down on to the water. Who knew. Genius. Seems my hummingbird feeders weren't doing the trick.

Thank goodness for this beekeeper, Katie. She helped me get my bees squared away today and will come by and do things for them every 1-2 weeks. Alrighty then. I feel really good about my beekeeping now. Really good. What's the big deal, bees are easy. Right, Katie? I feel like I'm cheating on a test having hired her. But I think an A++ is in my future after my C- today in regards to my beekeeping. Katie is the bees knees.

On last thing

Oh yeah, knees. My knee. Update please: I went to a supposed preop surgery appt at the beginning of June and to keep this short, the ortho surgeon postponed my knee surgery. Until when, I do not know. He is wanting the stress fracture in my tibia to heal first before doing surgery on my meniscus, and upon xray that day, the fracture is still in the healing process. 

I was relieved and I was disturbed. And I was surprised. I had off work for the surgery planned and ready, I had everything set up, and bam, no surgery. Okay then, I shall wait and everything little thing is gonna be alright now. These things take time. How much time? Only God knows this, so I will defer to Him. Until then, I'm still biking and started swimming laps. No running, I promise. This is going to be a process and I'm all in for it. Time heals everything. Hearts and knees. 

I've saved the best for last y'all.........

But first (drum roll please) a special announcement:

Lauren and Ryan signed up to start building their new house on their property! They are having the site placement decision and marking completed very soon which will determine where the house will be laid out on their acre and a half. Then, the breaking ground will happen in the next 60-90 days they say. It's exciting, bittersweet (for me) and Lauren says she feels scited (that's scared and excited). I can see the excitement in Ryan's eyes. So you can bet your bippy that I'll be posting pics of that process. The fun never stops around here! 

Lastly though, I do want to thank God for all his grace and blessings he's brought into my life. I'm so fortunate to wake up each day that I'm given. 

 

Dear God, 

You never let me down. You allow me to fall if I must fall. You teach me that the one I am becoming will catch me, but really, that one is you. And I thank you.

You show me the roads to realizing my dreams. You put people in my path with purpose. You bring new loving souls into my life to love as well as allowing the development of new and improved relationships with those loved ones already near and dear. And I thank you. 

You provide all that I need in my life. And I thank you.

Amen.

Exodus 14:14

Hold your peace and the Lord will fight for you. You only need to be still. 

Feeling extra-grateful these days,

Cyndi

There's something new here

 

As the world turns, I'll treat you with a window into something new on the farm. It's not Brooks in his skivvies washing his big rig in the chicken water. That's never new. But something behind him for the pigs and goats......more soon.......