What the duck, again!?

 

Raise your hand if you decided to try duck again. 🙋

The pond is lonely. All those turtles are boring, and the pond needs some jewelry. Yes, we once had the most beautiful white ducks that loved the pond. The pup guard dogs loved the ducks too much, so we sold the ducks to ensure they were not eaten - at least on our watch. Fast forward to leaving the farm for 2 months for David's treatment, and we sold the guard pups who loved duck, rehomed the sheep, had sold the goats (previously), boarded the horses for safe-keeping and right-sized the farm to a manageable size for a caretaker to handle. 

Now that David and I are back home and settled in, we (which technically means I) decided 3 ducks for the pond sounded reasonable. Why 3 ducks? Primarily because 3 ducks were for sale close by in Sherman from someone who seems to be a clone of me. I meet the most like-minded women who loves her fowl and poultry so much that she, too tends to nurture them a little much. Duck Lady proceeded to tell me that she pens her ducks at night for safety (no guard dogs) and they free range during the day and have access to a pond. Perfect. I'll take um. 

So I did something a little different this time, I got 3 boy ducks, drakes as they are called in the duck world. Duck Lady told me they were drakes, and I'm not sure I knew that. What I did not realize is what KIND of ducks they were. The picture she had sent me showed a multitude of ducks on a pond with all different breeds of ducks, including white call ducks. She did not show up with white call ducks at our designated meeting spot at the Orscheln's parking lot in Sherman. Nope. I got something else instead. Now, did I ask what I was going to get? Uh, no, I guess I didn't. I heard 3 drakes. Boys. Okay, I'm fine with full grown boy ducks. I mean, who doesn't love a Drake? 

I love me some Drake. Whoa there. We are talking ducks here. Calm yoself down. Duck-wise, I was now the proud owner of 3 Rouen French meat ducks. Yes, all drakes. Duck Lady told me they were raised as ducklings and are all good buddies. In the truck we go, to head back to the house and to the pond. Oh, these boys are going to be so pretty on the pond. 

Huey, Dewey and Louie

First, let's talk Rouen's. This breed of duck cannot fly. They are meant to be eaten and from what I hear, are absolutely delicious. The boys are super attractive while the girls are more plain in their coloring. Yes, the drakes look identical to Mallard ducks, but it's the slight difference in the strip that runs across their face that distinguishes the two breeds. The Rouen has 2 strips and the Mallard has 1 strip across their eye. Who's really going to look that close though. 

So now home with my 3 delicious drakes who are going to be about 9 lbs full grown. Huey, Dewey and Louie are almost 1 year old and each have their own physique. They are more tame than our previous ducks, as I have a feeling Duck Lady spent some time with her ducks. I say this because I put them up on the pond and general pond area, and the next thing I know, they are back at the house. I take them up to the pond again. Back home again. These 3 boys do not seem to enjoy pond life, or just want to be around the barn, chickens and us. Whatever it is, I cannot for the life of me get them to stay up at the pond. I give up. Days go by and the ducks are enjoying their new life up by the barn and the chickens being all bossy and telling them whose in charge. It's not the ducks.

Beautiful boy 

I did try again and eventually get all 3 ducks up front at the pond, and actually on the pond at one point.

Aren’t you supposed to like this

But since we have an opening in the fence for the guard dogs to access that area, the ducks find the escape route and head back to the barn/house area. So, they are hanging out with us for the meantime. Maybe they need time to adjust. Maybe they will be barn ducks. But as the week went on and no ducks on the pond, it was Sunday afternoon and just so gorgeous that I took them back there again. 

(Apologies for the zanky video. I'll try to repost later)

By the way, taking them to the pond means me walking behind them, guiding them towards that general area. They do not move very fast as their legs are SO short. And, they are not really scared of me, thank you Duck Lady. This time, success. 

We like staying close to the shore

All three ducks played in the pond and after a very short lived playtime, they headed to the shelter by the pond to buckle down there. 

You do you

It's Sunday evening and they are still in the shelter up front by the pond. We'll see as the week goes on if they decide to take a dip in the pond again. It's not looking promising, but after all, they are ducks. So there's hope.

Speaking of Hope

Hope and I have been doing some bonding as of lately. With Faith happy in her new home and with a family of her own (whom their daughter adores Faith), it's now time to focus on Hope. After all, Dora is super sweet now that her little demon son, Diego has left the premises. Dora is all about the love, pets and treats. 

Hay in hair, don’t care

As Dora allows me to readily halter, pet, groom and love her - Hope watches. She comes close, and at her own free will, smells every part of me. Hope and I have been working on haltering, grooming and most of all, the showing of my love to her. She's all about it, once she's haltered. And will eventually be all about it all the time. I just know it. I feel so blessed to have these mini mares. If I could take them with me everywhere I went, I would. 

 

Cast and Swing

Wait, I think David said it was called Fins and Skins. I can't ever remember. But you probably remember back a couple of months ago when David was in the midst of his cancer treatments and the one major thing that kept him motivated was his upcoming weekend with friends at the lake/golf course in late March. That weekend finally arrived. His long awaited trip came to life. After spending every waking minute preparing last week for his Friday departure, he cooked foods, bbq'd, collected his 16 ice chests filling each of them to the rim, and packaged up all the food in his Food Saver bags for easier reheating. He was a busy bee doing all the things that in his head, needed to be done for 4 guys who would be renting a house at Lake Texoma for the weekend. At first, I thought he was taking everything - because there was very little he wasn't taking. For a minute I thought he was moving out. But no.  

After spending the week preparing, cooking meats, and baking biscuits, he gathered his golf costume and his fishing uniform (not sure which he looks cuter in). I think he has every fishing shirt that Academy has ever sold, so I wondered how he decided which one to take and wear. Anyway, he got all his uniforms ready for each event. It was going to be a fish, golf, fish fry, poker game, and then golf again kind-of-weekend. He and a friend even loaded up one of his bbq pit thingie's in the back of the truck, and away they went. 

What I would find out about the weekend upon his return late Sunday was this: He could taste the fish at their fish fry (with all the fish they caught). He could taste other foods as well. He could even smell some, too! 

They had a good time, even though some
don’t look the part

This weekend trip, along with this monumental moment of tasting and smelling (some, not everything yet) is bringing David back to where he wants to be. He's beginning to feel like himself again. I can see it in his eyes - they are sparkling again. He's more relaxed. And most importantly, he's happy. Food is his jam. He eats for pleasure, not for fuel. The time has arrived, and I feel the energy around him changing. Welcome home taste and smell. Come on in and stay awhile. 

Granted, it's still hit or miss - but now, I can see his future of being able to smell if the kitchen trash stinks or if something on the stove is burning. Or that something in the bathroom doesn't smell so fresh. I didn't realize how much danger can be around you if you can't smell. Not that the stinky kitchen trash is dangerous (the bathroom smell is questionable), but it used to serve as a motivation to taking the trash out. Now, as he moves out of the smell-less world and begins to retrieve another one of his senses back, he's on a roll. 

I even noticed the hair growing back on his face. I saw his joy in making dinner Sunday night knowing he could taste some of it. I reflected on how less dry skin is, and he says his salivary glands are starting to kick into gear. Also, when he sinus rinses, he's getting less and less out meaning it's healing more and more. This is his sweet spot. This is the weekend he's been looking forward to every day. This is his tipping point back to the life he desires. You did it, David! You did it. 

And after being home for about a month now, it all seems like a dream. What I do know is, that experience taught me that one event in your life does not define you. Good or bad. It's but one of the many experiences we get a chance to move through. There will be more, some good and some not-so-good. David and I both learned many lessons from our time in Houston. And we are constantly learning lessons from cancer. She teaches us day in and day out, I mean, she's a part of our life and we have come to accept her presence. She's like a gift that keeps the vision of our life on track. We live in this moment. What a gift. 

#beefisbetter

Life in Cluckingham is wonderful. The sun is shining, spring is here, the barn is open more, and the girlz are enjoying the milder temps giving them the chance to be outside more. The molting is complete for the flock - for now. And those that are laying eggs are doing a phenomenal job. 

This week, I wanted to introduce some chickens that are insanely social vs others that are shy and introverts. Let's start with the social butterflies of the group:

Love you, Long Neck

The Turkens. If I looked back at my blog, I could find where I had once purchased 4 little turkens chicks. I was so excited to have them. Then, they all died. I don't know why, but I was certainly sad about that. Fast forward to finding full grown turkens, and yes, 4 of them. All 4 of these girlz are active listeners, always in the front row watching the humans, and their ability to communicate is their true expertise. They talk, talk, and talk some more, they walk in front of you to get your attention, then talk and talk and talk. Esp Long Neck.

Yes, Long Neck, they are new here

OMGoodness. She never stops talking. When I'm not in the barn, I can still hear her. Come on, the others are saying. You gotta quiet yourself. You be too loud. But no, she keeps on. She loves being held and petted. But what's amazing is, there's 2 of her. Yes, I have two Long Necks as they look and act identical. So they are both named Long Neck. 

They are actually not half chicken and half turkey - they are all chicken. Often called Turken's, but also known as the Naked Neck who are naturally devoid of feathers on their neck and vent. They are originally from Transylvania - Romania and largely developed in Germany. They are not avid egg layers, per se, but they produce a decent amount of eggs so that the other girlz do not cackle about them.

Miss Gazelle is right in the middle - and up
front and center

Miss Gazelle was shy when she first arrived to us, but has since found her own voice in Cluckingham. She's a beautiful girl who has a feathery sheen of velvet. She knows she's pretty, and therefore insists on extra treats. She too, like her sisters, loves pets and is getting more used to being held. So many times when I come into the barn, I look down and in front of me are the 4 turkens. They have really found their place in the flock, and have no shame when it comes to people asking why they have no feathers on their neck. They're used to that. The don't laugh at the giraffe jokes anymore. 

Twiggy

Twiggy is the quietest out of the 4 turkens, but she's still front and center. She's the silent strong type, and relies on her sisters to speak up - which they do. Together, this crew is resilient. They have made their way in the flock, and chattering is just what they do. Long Neck gets top prize for ChatterBox, but the others are right there on her heels saying, What she said. And then stares at you. All of them, with their little necks stretched out. 

The Young and the Nestless

Fay - isn’t she a beauty 😍

The youngest of the flock are our 2 Leghorns. They are beautiful, I'd say like The Bold and The Beautiful, but they are not esp bold. Instead, they are shy and skittish. I named them Fay and Fern recently, as they went about a year without names. Funny how this works. The chickens who are social and want to interact with you are the first to be named. Logical. The leghorns are not that way at all, and prefer to linger in the background and certainly not close to a human, heaven forbid. 

Our 2 brown leghorns are touching on one year old, laying eggs now, and are the last ones to desire touch from humans. They have no desire for human interaction whatsoever, and instead, keep to themselves. I'm not sure if all leghorns are this way, but what I do know is the leghorn is a breed originating from Tuscany, Italy. They used to be called Italians, but the name was officially changed to leghorn in 1865. The white leghorns are the most commonly seen and sold. This breed is a wonderful egg layer, who will lay approx 280 white eggs a year. 

Fern

Fay and Fern are named after my great grandparents on my mother's side of the family. I'd like to give a shout-out to my mom and dad who worked for many hours creating a family tree for her side of the family. I knew my great grandfather, Fay, "Pop", as he and I played many a hand of gin rummy and other card games when I was young. I only every remember him sitting in the chair playing cards with us - or napping. Well, after playing cards for a seemingly long time, he'd say he needed a nap. Then, after a few hours, he'd appear once again to be our muse in card playing. 

Fay and Fern are both hens on the Graves Farm and add sparkle and glitter to the flock. 

On her way up high, for the night.
Excuse the pop marks

They are graceful, almost floating above the ground as they move like elves. They sleep high in the rafters in the barn, and blend in so much, that I have to look hard to see them up high. 

It's all in the eyes

As we do, we saw cutie patootie Brooks recently   ❤️😍❤️

Eyes for mama, so much love 💘

Smiley and crazy eyes 😃 or should we say, 
bright eyes 👀

I wanted to interject a little something here about our sweet Lauren. She was born with shiny red hair, the same hair you got a glimpse of in the photo above. 

Baby Lauren

She caught the eye of JC Penney and a few other department stores at a young age. That red hair took her places, and it's still just as gorgeous today. Lauren, you are beautiful inside and out - keep shining that bright light of yours. I see that same light in Brooks' eyes. It's so fun watching your children have children. I never dreamed the time would arrive - but it actually happens. It does. And it's like a dream come true. A child you love more than anything, but aren't actually responsible for day to day. Does it get better than that? 

Like sand through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives. Spring has blessed the donkeys with green grass, sunshine for the mini's, bugs for the chickens and new smells for David to smell. Our guard dogs are relishing in the sun's heat during their daytime naps and the barn cats are all happy to bring their trophy mice to the front yard. When life vibrates on this kind of ease, it's hard to even think that anything else is out there waiting for us except peace and joy.

Happy Spring,

Cyndi 

As The Barn Turns

And these are the days of our chickens (thank you, Kim) and it is a soap opera in the barn alrighty. The chickens are in high gear churning out eggs, singing their egg song and free ranging in this beautiful weather. It has been extra windy, which they are not fond of, but the warm sun calls them outside to find bugs and cut grass on which to peck through. The next set of girlz to hightlight in the flock are all beauty's who are in the lower pecking order, because they are less aggressive than others and overall a docile grouping of girls who never start any trouble. Generally, these breeds are an all-around great chicken breed to have in any flock. They readily allow touch from us/visitors, and are curious and kind creatures. Cluckingham would not be the same without them. These 7 girlz are farm favorites, and I probably say that about all my chickens. But these really are. 

No big iDeal

Who names a breed of chicken Ideal 236? The Ideal Poultry Breeding Farm does. The breed was developed in the 1960's when this particular farm was trying to breed chickens that had resistance to the deadly Marek's disease. They bred white leghorns, Anconas, and California greys who all had resistance to Marek's disease to come up with this special breed of Ideal 236's. Maybe they had to go through 235 trials to get there, I don't know, but what I do know is the Ideal 236 is a breed that is highly sought after. This breed lays bright white eggs and is considered highly productive when it comes to laying eggs. We are fortunate to have 4 of these awesome and amazing girlz. 

First up,

She has love for everyone 

This girl, Moon Pie. This girl is first up on the feeding station in the barn every morning and evening. She can't wait to see what food or treats we might have brought out to see if she'd like to taste it, but also wants pets - lots of pets please. She's guilty of eating the cat food, and wants first crack at any food, really. And then don't forget to pet her. You have to pet her. If we allowed it, she would probably come in the house and sit on the couch with us, pecking at the dinner plate in front of us. Yep, that would be her. So, no, she's not allowed in the house as I'm afraid she'd run the show because she's so cute and sweet it's hard to tell her no. And she doesn't take no for an answer very well.

Cutie Patooties, Whoopie and Little Debbie
(see their combs?)
Long Neck checking things out. What’s
wrong with yo comb? 

Moon Pie has 3 sisters who look just like her: Whoopi, Little Debbie and Marsha (Marshmallow). 

Marsha, who looks just like her sister.
I bet they play tricks on their friends. 
Hi, I’m MoonPie. Wait, are you Marsha?

These 4 girlz are really hard to tell apart, but you can do so by way of personality and also, their comb. ** Side Note: The comb is the little red rubbery thing on the top of the chicken's head that sticks up (or falls to the side depending on how big it is). It so happens that during snowvid a few weeks back, that 2 of the Ideal 236's combs froze and are now black, necrotic and starting to fall off. Can you imagine that would hurt? I don't know, but they are bouncing around like it's no big ideal. Whoopi and Little Debbie still have some red on their combs, but they are mostly black. I'll report back more on this, esp when/if it falls off. Will it grow back? Will the other chickens make fun of them? 

This Wyandotte is roosting in a sea of Ideals 🐓

The downfall of having such beautiful white chickens is that the hawks can spot them quickly. Often times, white chickens are the first to go when it comes to hawk attacks. Luckily, Moon Pie, Whoopi, Little Debbie and Marshmallow (Marsha) are all fast runners and good flyers, too. This allows them to escape back to the barn as soon as they see a hawk circling the area. When you pick up a dozen eggs here on the Graves Farm, be sure and thank these girls for the bright whites eggs. Moon Pie will be right there to speak to you about that, I promise you that.

A Raisin In The Sun

It was one of those serendipitous moments when we came across someone looking to get rid of their flock who happened to have the most amazing chickens. Yes please. And along with about 13 chickens we got from her (remember those chickens we bought for $3 each, yeah, those) were 4 Ameraucana's. I was immediately stricken with infatuation for these girlz - as their look was unlike any other chicken I have. And I didn't even know they were going to lay me the most beautiful blue eggs that trumps Jack and the Beanstalk's enchanted goose who laid golden eggs. Better than that, my friend, Jack. These girlz eggs are beauty's. And, these girlz are beauty's as well. I ended up gifting one to a chicken lady friend of mine, Jessica, because that's what chicken lady friends do. We share our amazing finds. 

Walter and Walter roosting for the night with a friend

When David and I first saw the Ameraucana's, we could help but notice the sideways little feathers on their face that looked a bit like a moustache. David immediately named one Walter. Before we knew it, all 4 were named Walter, and after giving one to Jessica, we have 3 Walter's now. They are gorgeous thangs and oh so gentle. 

That face 

She has a tiny comb. It’s okay girl. 
You can have a tiny comb. 

We have 2 Walters that are white with tan markings, and then one with grey and tan/beige feathers. Grey and beige are the "in" colors to have together when it comes to interior decorating, and this Walter is no different, as she's always in style. 

Blurry but beautiful 

The 3 sisters give us blue-ish green eggs daily and I can't imagine a flock without them. Their eggs are what make a dozen eggs in a carton 'pop'. They are the icing on the cake, the cherry on top, the fancy in fancy pants. What the Ameraucana's give us each day brings our neutral colored eggs to life inside each dozen eggs we sell. You can't help but look at them and say, "Wow, that Walter can certainly lay a handsome egg". 

All seven of these girlz are gentle, quiet and kind souls. Yeah, Moon Pie is a social butterfly and yet her gentleness is her strength. She wants you to look at her, pet her, and talk to her. Her 3 sisters let her do all the talking for them. They stand back and watch. In addition, all 3 Walter's are allowing us to pick them up and love them now. Sometimes it's these breeds that help me understand if I ever had to only ever have a few chickens (God forbid) - both of these breeds are top of my list. The egg cartons would all be full of white, blue, white, blue, white, blue eggs. But how cool would that be. 

Keep The Faith

The tender topic of Faith, one of our Shetland Pony's, has been in the forefront of my mind since we've arrived back to Gunter a few weeks ago. Faith and I worked hard for many many months to learn to trust one another, and that love is at the core of our relationship. She's a tough cookie at the young age of 3 or 4 ish with only abuse in her background. She has the scars to show what other human beings have done to her, and she had accepted that I meant no harm and only love. We had a good thing going on and I adore her. Fast forward to boarding her (as we left for Houston), and she comes back at square one. I could hardly wrap my head around this. 

I knew what I needed to do after trying to get us back to a good place again, her and I. I knew in my heart of hearts that she needed someone else, and I wasn't her person after all. It's taken me weeks to get to this point. I had the intention of taking her to the auction and finding her a new home, and had gone so far to arrange that. Then, a miracle happened. God decided who would have her. A young couple with 3 sweet children, a barn, acreage/property and faith in God that knows no limits. They asked to buy Faith. 

Family: Oh, is she for sale? Yes, I say, she is. Family: How much? Me: It's about finding her place in the world. Family: We really want her. Me: I need to tell you a few things. 

I then told them her story, and they are all in. I tell them more about her regression and what her needs are to move forward, and they are all in. I tell them she will kick and it can be a dangerous situation, and they are still all in, ready to retrain Faith in a strong and loving way. Faith wants to be the boss. Period. The End. This sweet and strong family pick Faith up on Sunday, after I've groomed her and got her ready for a in-service to the family on how best to not get hurt. They listen intently and watch as I gave a mini in-service on Faith. They are now all-in more than ever. We load Faith up in the trailer, and I tear up. Faith naa's and Hope (Faith's mama) naa's back to her, over in the pasture. Hope and Faith horse-talk to each other and I can barely handle this. They drive off. I cry. 

I've prayed about this for weeks. God, what do I do? He showed me. He made it happen. And just like that, Faith is home. Amy and Cody have Faith, along with their farm-savy children, Dexter, Chole and Levi. 

❤️🐴❤️

Amy called me Sunday night to report that they had the best day ever with Faith. Chloe (Amy's daughter) braided Faith's mane, they made sure everyone was safe, they walked Faith around the barn, taking turns. They took her halter off and put it back on. They showed Faith strength, love and guidance. Amy said Faith did wonderful, and wanted to call me as she was sure I needed to hear this. Faith is home. 

Chloe doing Faith’s hair

She's finally found her home. Thank you, dear God, for answering my prayers. I guess I needed to rescue Faith to get her to this family, is the only way I can console myself right now. Sometimes we want what is not ours to have. Letting go of her has broken my heart, yet God has placed her where she's to be. I'm crying now because I'm in awe of God's glory. It's hard to understand that I'm not where's she's meant to be, and being shown where she's meant to be is overwhelming. Blessings are bestowed upon us all in this case. Faith is now finding who she is, and will reveal her potential to this sweet family. The sky's the limit with Faith. Both our hearts will heal.

Purple Hat Club

That leaves me with Hope and Dora. Two mama mini mares who have both recently raised their last babies (respectively Faith and Diego). They are now empty nesters and two old ladies just living their best lives. I treated them today to a portion of the pasture that they rarely have access to. Hope romped around while Dora watched. They never came back up for dinner. They were having their own version of steak and potatoes tonight at a first class restaurant called the pasture out back. 

I've also made a decision to fence off a portion of the back pasture and allow them access to the back barn - all their own. This barn will be perfect for the two of them to keep them warm and dry. It will also allow me to place mama and papa donkey in the adjacent pasture and they can all hang out together (with a fence between the donkeys and mini's). Currently, the donkeys are up front in the pasture by the road still enjoying their round bale. And treats. I love to indulge them with treats. I mean, I have to. While we were in Houston, Angela and Paul set a high standard of regular treats for them. 

Speaking of seniors, Winston is rocking the world of old dogs living large. He's slow, but he knows and smells food immediately. He doesn't miss a meal. And when Angela and Paul drop by the farm, his tail almost wags off. I think he's secretly their dog who just happens to live here at the Sunshine Senior Resort. Winston adores them. 

Wait, which toy was I playing with 

Everyone loves Winston. He's just a happy go lucky kind-of-guy, and we are the lucky ones who found him. He was brought into our lives and it was meant to be. Winston has upgraded his accommodations to the laundry room as I've mentioned he figured out how to use the doggie door. He loves sleeping inside that room with the cats. He barks at them. No wait, he Woofs at them loudly. He's all bark, while never getting up - and the cats are starting to figure that out. 

I love your scent

OMGoodness! I have the best news to share with you. David began tasting some foods. Not alot. Just a few. It's a random thing, but when he finds he can taste something, his eyes light up, kind of like the pinball machine that has multiballs and extra flippers that keep all the balls hitting the zones that light up the color cabinet in front of you. That's David - with his eyes flashing and blinking and his smile as bright as the lights when you hit the jackpot - he's tasted food. It's still hit or miss, mostly miss right now. But just the fact that he gets random tastes here and there is a reason to celebrate.

What's not to celebrate is the increasing issue with his hernia. I don't see how he's going to make it another month to be cleared by his oncologist for surgery with a general surgeon. I'm afraid it will be considered emergent before then. David is wishing for hernia surgery like tomorrow. But, we will see what life will being in regards to this. There's many moving parts since he's finished up chemo and radiation only a month ago. Is his throat healed enough to be intubated? Is his body up to surgery at this point? This is a ticking timer that we do not know when it'll go off. I'm sure the hernia will keep us posted. But time is ticking on it, that I know for sure. 

David is still in recovery mode and is making progress, slowly. Yet, he's not only making progress physically, but his outlook on life has shifted. I find that he's honing in on what's important to him and what he wants to do in life. He's made some big shifts lately like selling his 68 Chevy truck. He's selling a couple of his BBQ grills/smokers to buy the exact one he really wants. He's fine tuning his things. He's found that his stuff owns him, and reducing the amount of things he has frees him. It frees him in life of responsibility - and it frees his mind of clutter, as it's that much less to maintain these things and spend energy on them. No doubt, we have enjoyed the 68 Chevy truck and had many adventures in it. But it's time to move forward, and we were able to sell it to someone who is just as excited about it as we are. That in itself made it all worthwhile. We know we can't hold onto all these things forever, and determining when to let go is key. It's time to let go of some things, and we know it. We are all-in. This season of life is a new gift, and we are going to unwrap this gift a little differently than we have before. Less is more. We are fine tuning life to have the things we love, want and need around us. And many things will serve others more than they are serving us. We honor this. Letting go feels good. This new season of life will bring new adventures and new ways of thinking. We just have to be willing to see it, do it, and live it.  

Porch Time

One thing David and I decided to invest in is more comfortable lounge furniture on the front porch. Our little farm house is best served with time out front, rocking in a chair, listening to nature and watching the chickens all around doing their chicken things. We often want to sit out on the porch and relax, but our willy-nilly chairs and rockers have never really hit a homerun for us. We didn't have to spend alot of money to find just want we needed, and we sit-tested many chairs and rockers and picked out a few that were just our size. 

Our little house

We also decided on sod placement around the house - and some in the back pasture. This can be challenging with chickens and dogs who tend to accidentally destroy new sod. But we are hopeful the grass "will take". I've been doing my part to keep it watered, and luckily, mother nature is going to help me out with that this week. Rain is coming. Then we had the trees trimmed and although we've mostly trimmed them in the past, they really trimmed the trees. Those types of decisions are things David and I think long and hard about because we only have so much shade around here. So balancing out tree trimming vs the desire for shade is a fine line we walk. All in all, it's things like this that make us feel like Spring has arrived. The farm looks and feels Spring-ready and we spent Sunday afternoon giving it all a test run sitting, rocking and visiting with friends on the front porch. 

Avocado Boy

Wait, I won't be able to close without posting Brooks. What was I thinking. 

Avocado purée. He did a gag on the first bite. 
Who thought this was a good idea to
put this in my mouth 🧐

Feet. The new BFF. 

Peace, Love and Light,

Cyndi

Cyndi's Crazy Chicks (C3)

 

Now that it's been established that C3 is a real thing, I'd just like to say that the word 'crazy' is used in the most kind and funnest way possible. It's not like cray cray.........more like, wow, that's crazy cool!

My peeps, Kaitlyn and Brooke are in cahoots to create merch for those "following" the Graves Farm and our human, fur and feathered family. And in particular, the chicken population. They have inspired me to name the world in which the chickens live. I'm going to call it Cluckingham. 

After much thought, I realized the world I enter everyday (the barn) has it's own soap opera stories going on. With almost 50 chickens, there's a whole 'nother universe of relationships, dislikes, likes and struggles. The hens live day in and day out with each other and some are leaders while others follow. Who are these chickens? Whose friends with who? Who is relegated to eating last? Who goes to bed first? Who sleeps where? 

Introductions

Interestingly, as humans tend to do, so do chickens: they hang with their own kind. It's not that the hens don't mingle with all the others or have any particular bias toward another, but they merely prefer those who are chicken-minded like themselves. Don't get me wrong, as a group, they do well together, getting along wonderfully much of the time. Yet, they still have their preferences in who they like to hang around with. It's not always apparent at first glance, but just as researchers and scientists study animals in the wild, I too, see the hens every day and get to know their distinct personalities and dispositions. And I name them. Yes, some look exactly like another, and even I have trouble telling them apart. But there are stand-outs, as I like to call them. Like the hens that need more from humans (touch or attention) or those that are more social, and even those that are bold and daring. They truly are individual animals that want love, touch and to feel safe. From the outliers to the shy ones to the ones begging to be picked up - they all have a special place in the flock. 

Let's get started with the introduction of the girlz by way of breed, shall we. 

Cinnamon Queen Castle

The cinnamon queen hens used to be the majority in Cluckingham. Not any more (that goes to the Orpingtons). Nonetheless, the cinnamon queens are a popular, friendly, sweet and gentle breed of chickens. They are inquisitive of visitors, have beautiful markings and are cold and heat hardy. And whenever I've had people over that want to buy chickens, they will usually pick some of these girlz. I've gifted them to friends, and unfortunately, I've lost a couple of them to predators like hawks. 

These girlz are easy-going and come from parents who are Rhode Island Red roosters and Silver Laced Wyandotte hens. They are wonderful egg layers and lay large brown eggs - approx 260 a year. I've also seen them called Golden Comets, and quite frankly, I can't be exactly sure which name fits the girls I have. They were sold to me a cinnamon queens, but others have called them comets. Comets are cross chickens as well, and either way, they are laid-back and always a great choice for beginner chicken people because they are very good-natured and nice girlz. 

Let's meet them 🐔

First up,

Poppy settling in for the night

Always up for a pet

This sweet thing is a flock leader, trend setter and Graves Farm Greeter. Poppy settles into her roosting place at night after all the others do. I sometimes catch her rustling the other chickens to their roosting spots, like an impatient mom trying to get the kids to bed. Often times, you will find her in the Tack Room roosting, and not with all the girlz in the main barn area. She loves settling down for bed separately away from the others, and is a bit of a loner. That, or she just needs some peace for a minute. Yet, she'll be one of the first to run up to greet you upon your arrival, or be right beside you while working on a project outside like painting or mending a fence. She's right there to judge my work, and nudge in for a close inspection. She's been known to have paint on her feathers from being too close to what I'm trying to paint. Poppy is certainly a farm favorite. 

Becca

Then, there's Rebecca. She's a gorgeous girl who blends well with the other girlz in the flock and quietly goes about her chicken business. She prefers to roost up high with a mixed group, and has beautiful blond markings with her rose colors. She's not a trouble-maker, and has many friends. She’s easy-going and loves life. She's not a cheer-leader yet not on the chess team. She's just an amazing girl floating along in life.

Sally 

Oh, Sally. She's the neighbor who always has a sour look on her face. I don't think she's displeased about anything in particular, she's just has more of a flat affect than others. She's quiet, and sometimes gets pecked on because she's in the wrong place at the wrong time. She'll move away quickly, and keep to her own set of friends who appreciate her and look past her diminished emotional expression. 

Lucy Lou

Lucy is lean and not mean. She kind of looks like the marathon runner of the girlz. She's trim, with her feathers always in place, and her run is more efficient and effective than the other girlz who spend alot of their energy running side to side all while trying to propel themselves forward. Lucy runs forward and fast. She is confident despite not having the larger stature of the others. She prefers the medium height roosting spot at night, and mixes nicely with all the girlz. She doesn't have to try and fit in, she just seems to belong. Her dark rose markings brings out the Rhode Island Red in her, while her light wyandotte markings shine through. 

JoAnn

I named her JoAnn because if you've ever been to JoAnn's Craft and Fabric store, that's where you'd likely find this girl, if only she could fly there. She just looks like a crafter. She's neat and tidy, and is one of the older cinnamon queens. She goes about her crafting business each day moving rocks around and digging deep to find the perfect bug. She's a busy girl, and the others look up to her with her experience and crafting feet. Need a makeshift dirt bath? She's your girl. Watch out though, when she ruffles her feathers - dirt flies. She does ask for pets here and there, and I'm always happy to oblige. She prefers to sleep up in the rafters inside the big girl coop. 

Sharing a meal together 

As with many of the girlz, you can often find the like-minded ones roaming the pasture together. Several of the cinnamon queens in this picture free-range together. I mean, sisters tend to do that, and since all of them except for JoAnn came from the same batch, they just feel comfortable staying near each other. They socialize, but not everyone is nice like a sister is nice.

Next week, we'll meet the Americana's and the Ideal 236's. 

What's the Scoopie Poop on DG

As we settle back home, David is finding his way. He still tends to hoard and over-analyze food, but as a by-stander watching him in action, I see him using these tools to deal with his no smell and no taste. He buys and buys and buys food (esp at the grocery store) in hopes of liking the texture of that or maybe being able to smell this, but yet.....no. Our fridge is packed tight, and what he tries once he may not want again. He looks at food like he's waiting for it to say something to him. But I really think he's just willing himself to be able to taste or smell it - maybe this time. And every now and again, he'll think he smelled or tasted something, but then will usually say it's his mind playing tricks on him. He really doesn't know for sure.

What he does know for sure is the pleasure of eating has become a chore. He needs to eat and drink, and the only thing I see him having consistently is iced tea. Unsweet iced tea. He tries all kinds of food, warm, cold or hot - all in an attempt to find some sort of satisfaction. And just like the Rolling Stones, he can't get no satisfaction. 

The nose knows

David's sinuses have been radiated to the end of the earth and back, and are now growing all new tissue lining back up inside there. It's crowed up in there. New growth, old ick, new lining, old pieces making their way out. He's sinus rinsing as much as Brooks get his diaper changed. Wait, not that much, but close. The sinus rinse keeps his nose moist to promote healing, as well as rinse out all the old ick up in there. His other best friend is his humidifier. All these elements bring about moisture which helps not only his nose heal, but also his mouth mucosa regenerate, his throat soothe, and his skin start to find its own shine again. Things like hearing aids, dental partials and contacts for his eyes are all better tolerated as everything from his neck up finds healing. And with time, he's hoping this also includes his salivary glands. He's still looking for that one worker who went on strike and shut down saliva production inside his mouth. If he finds them, they are fired.

Rooster Chatter

The chatter of the roosters (Carlos and Prince Charming) came to a close this past Friday. Carlos’ mom came and picked him up telling him his play date is over. We offered up Prince Charming, and she could not resist. He’s a beauty, for sure! But the rambunctious roosters have left and now gone home. We won’t miss them, really. They are kind of loud, and Carlos would peck at my legs. Yet! They did the job that roosters do. Guess whose sitting on eggs now.....

The Frizzle Family is sitting! I may actually have Frizzle babies! 💕
Of course, Dorothy and Chompchi
are in there, too, because broody is their middle name 

Faith and Hope 

It was just last week that I set about gathering Faith, Hope and Dora to halter and groom them all. Dora and Hope - check.

Love you Dora, and your wonky eye

Barn Cam gives perspective on her size

Hope and her wild hair

Easy greasy getting these mini's halter on and although grooming is not their favorite activity, it's much needed this time of year. The mares all have their winter coats of which they are trying to shed. I can help with this. I have brushes that take off layers and layers that they are trying to rub off. And so we did.

Well, all except Faith. It took literally everything I had to help her understand she's not the boss of me. Yes, the farrier who boarded all three mares (while we were in Houston) told me Faith behaved badly with her. All this after I worked hard for months to get her to a better place in her (and my) life. Now, we are back at square one. No, we are back at negative one. 

Why you gotta be so bossy

Fatih is not having any of my shenanigans. Haltering? Nope. Grooming? Nope. All she wants to do is tell me she's the boss of me by raising up or kicking back. There's no middle ground. 

Almost side-eye and not having this today or any day

What's weird is that she used to be my little sweetie that yes, I had to work hard for her trust. But she and I got it done. Now, after coming back home, her regression is beyond what I'm able to handle. She's wild, and even kicked me despite my best efforts using all the horse safety I've been taught. 

I'm okay from her kick, as it could have been much worse. I was sore and bruised, but it was my heart that hurt the most. She broke my heart, and all the trust I gained from her is now lost. We have both lost our trust with one another. How can I handle her? What has caused this new nonsense? She comes from an abused background, but I thought we were moving past some things and our therapy sessions had us moving into new territory with each other. Ugh. I'm so torn. I'm not a horse expert. I'm a horse lover. Even my farrier has no desire to invest in any training for her. What to do. It's even sad to say that I haven't been able to get her halter back off - that I barely got on her in the first place.

I'll keep you posted on this sad turn of events. Faith is a young mare whose only known abuse in her short life. And I now know extensive training is what is best for her. That's the bottom line. Training and time. More training. More time. Somehow her mama, Hope is accepting of my guidance in what we are going to do, despite a rough life. Yet, her baby, Faith is struggling with dominance issues. Esp over humans in general. I've got some decisions to make in regards to this. I'm just not sure what they are yet. 

Moving forward

We sprung forward this weekend, and lost an hour we will not get back for awhile. We did get rain, too, which was a blessing, esp since we had 7 pallets of grass put down this weekend on our property. We had a wonderful visit from Sheryl, my sister and her sweet family of hubby Gene, daughter Kristin with her 2 Sweet Littles, Savi and Declan. It was so wonderful to see them all! We also got to see Ed and Gina (pasture neighbor) along with their daughter, Jessica and her 4 kiddos whom we adore as well. And then we made a trek to Fort Worth to see Lauren and Ryan but mostly Brooks.

Big boy rolling over now

Where does the time go

What a wonderful week and weekend it was, and there's so much more to come. This milder weather has me planting onions and spaghetti squash in my garden, it has me mowing budding grass and weeds already, and it has me wanting to be outside 24/7. 

Welcome Spring,

Cyndi

 

Seeds

 

Here we are in March of 2021. Who knew we'd be still wearing masks, fighting covid, getting vaccines and talking about opening Texas again. So much going on in this little world in which I live, and knowing that, it heightens my awareness that there's so much more going on in this big'o wide world that I'm not able to comprehend it all. That I know. 

That topic has been on my mind for a few days now. Why? Because I can't even figure out what's going on in my own little world. I'm learning what it's like to come back home after cancer treatment and process what all happened. I'll call it reflection. 

Yet, I'll also call it seeds. We are God seeds, planted, sprouting, flowering and then seeds once again. Who we are is ever changing and new parts of us develop, grow, blow away, planted once again, and this evolution never stops. Yet, it's not just us. It's all of humanity doing this. And together, integrating, we are able to grow as one in this epic forgetfulness that we really are all one. Together. We are not going through this life alone, nor are you going through your life's living alone. Awareness brings about this understanding that this is not about "us", it's about "all of us". We are all on this Sail Boat ride together enduring the storms and the smooth waters. Speaking for myself, knowing we are all one in this universe, and in this life together, brings about a sense of peace, esp during choppy waters. 

SNUC and it's undoing

I've made no secret that SNUC, radiation and chemo has been the undoing of David. Anyone who has had  cancer treatment likely has an undoing of some sort. I just didn't really know this beforehand and what that would feel like. I mean, you know that bad things are going to happen because they are frying you and putting toxins in your body, all in an attempt to help you survive your cancer. It's the aftermath that is the undoing. Yes, treatment on cancer island was no fun and day by day it knocks you down. Then, you get up and go again the next day. But when it's all said and done, what then.

There's not exactly a How To guide on this. Everyone's experience is a little different, so finding relevant documentation on how to move through this is like finding the elusive missing sock. My discovery is that the aftermath of cancer treatment brings about new and unusual feelings, disturbances in life, and the uncertainty of how long the side effects are going to hang around. Recovery is the chapter David is now in, but even more importantly, along with recovery comes discovery. They go hand in hand if you are willing to open the discovery door.

Gold Star

I'm awarding David all the Gold Stars. He's stepped right through that discovery door, no wait, he blew right through the discovery door. He's in recovery mode all while discovering the essence of life and living.  Life is not static, that we know for sure. The life of ones soul evolves and grows as we move through this spiraling journey. Each day, David and I wake up a little more to the awareness of this evolution of consciousness. When you teeter on the edge of life, walk a fine line, one's awareness heightens. David's side effects are becoming more readily accepted day by day as he lives with them. The unknowing of which will stay - and which will go - is finding its home inside us. All while his sense of knowing is settling in as well. Every kernal of knowing brings about a deeper awareness to coming home to yourself. Our minds are finding peace with just being, with self reflection, love and understanding. Our souls are settling from the recent storms of life.

Workie Work

David is back at work, and not just working from home, but actually went into the office last Friday, the new office in Plano. DMS moved buildings/location back in January (when we were in Houston). It was a long, extensive process starting back in 2020 and finishing in 2021. And thanks to so many hard working people, the move is complete and people are offered the ability to come back to a new office workspace that's gorgeous. 

Yes, masks are still required, as all of the CDC guidelines are enforced. David was able to get his first covid vaccine this past Tuesday. We were thrilled with that opportunity. And now David is making his way out in the world again. He's now venturing outside of MDA, his people there, and the security that once brought him. Being back at the farm has been a time of healing and blessings. Just sleeping in your own bed is transformative.

The Question

The real question now is What have I come here to do with my life? 

My own life has become much more contemplative. I won't always know the answer to that question, but I'm asking it anyway. It's the gateway to my calling. My callings in life have been ever changing. I've had callings in relationships and professional settings. I've had multiple callings at one time. I'm called to something, and just as profoundly called away from something else. And each time, I'm asking myself this question: what have I come here to do. 

Our callings are folded into our lives, in our own language for only us to understand, and are there if we choose to listen to them. They lure us into our own being, if only we can be brave enough to grasp the callings. I've been listening lately, for what's next. Quieting my mind and listening. David and I have both fallen into the question of what have I come here to do with my life. What are we to do with this? What does this all mean. And although we do not have all the answers in life, we feel it's important right now to ask ourselves questions to propel us forward to where ever it is we are going - personally and emotionally, even physically. What do we do with this experience, what can we learn from it. And now we listen. 

Farm Wise

In a State of the Farm address, I'm happy to say things are settling back in around here. We've had a few new experiences lately, but they are merely bleeps in the radar of life. For example, a neighbor asked us last evening to take 4 rhode island red roosters off his hands because his wife is scared of them and he needs them gone ASAP. We agreed, and have a holding pen available, so there they are. Waiting for someone or something. They crowed all night and they are big ole roosters and they are loud. I think his wife was tired of them keeping her up all night. 

That someone happened to come along the very next day, and he's a wonderful young man, Nick. Nick has become a close family friend, as the three of us had the opportunity to travel to Honduras for a mission trip awhile back - and became like family. We had 10 days there, but it seemed like a lifetime, at the time. Nick also worked along side myself at a surgery center for several years, at which time he determined his calling was to be a doctor. Now, in year 3 of medical school, he's in town to come say Hello and bring his 2 sweet girls over to visit - and take the roosters back home to his mom and dad. His mom makes a mean chicken soup I hear. Fresh as fresh is. 

So 4 roosters here Saturday, and Sunday morning they have found their forever home. Thanks, Nick, for taking them off our hands. Roosters are not our thing.  But yet, we still have Carlos and Prince Charming with the silkie and frizzle ladies in the Little Girl Area. Dorothy has begun laying a clutch of eggs and sitting on them so it's looking like there is a good possibility of spring chicks. It's a real thing. Carlos' owner, Amy will be thrilled as she's wanting more silkie chickens and I'm pretty sure that will happen. Oh, and my 3 little silkie chicks? I put them out in the coop with the broody girls, as silkies are known for taking in orphan chicks. Esp when they are broody and sitting on eggs. 

This frizzle hen readily allows the chicks to nuzzle in

Things are happening in here

How many days for a chick to hatch? 21 - give or take a day. Silkie hens are good mamas and they take turns sitting on each others eggs to keep them warm, esp when a mama needs to get up for a restroom break or have a meal.

What about our big girls? The hens are all doing well and enjoying this milder weather. As are the horses, donkeys and dogs. Winston has learned how to use the doggie door to get inside the laundry room where the barn cats are allowed to take refuge whenever they desire. 

He melts into this bed and has trouble getting up

Cats want to get here, but must pass by the troll first

Junie B and Smokey consider going in, despite Winston 

There is definitely an adjustment going on there, as the barn cats come inside to sleep or eat (if they want to) and it's a room that is closed off to the rest of the house. Think Laundry Room = Cat Room. Now Winston's Room, too. But Winston has a very big woof-bark and when a cat comes inside the laundry room, he's there to announce it and scares the cats over and over. The cats are starting to adjust, but he's a scary creature to them and certainly uninvited in Cat Land. Winston made it through the bliz-id of 2021 so he is more than worthy of the luxury of seeking shelter inside now. I would have never guessed that would happen because his hind legs don't work so well, and to function in a way to get in and out a doggie door was something I didn't think he was capable of. Good for you, Winston. The cats don't agree though. 

Mini Update

Hope and Faith are happy to be back together, and back home.

And Sweet Dora has just become the most amazing mini horse as she's an aging half blind mare who is becoming one of the most gentle animals I have. I imaging all three will lose their winter coats in the next month, and be smooth as butter again. 

Brooks Brooks Baby

It was a big day Saturday as David was able to see Brooks after missing him for the last 2 months. 

Fav chew toy

Prior to David's cancer treatment, he stayed away from everyone to try and stay covid free. He made it through and is back home with one vaccine under his belt. He's ready to see the world as safely as possible and seeing Brooks on Saturday was so much fun. He literally held him the whole time through 2 naps and feedings. 

Baby watching 💕

Brooks is going on 5 months old and watching him grow, change, and become his own little self is such a joy.

How is David

This is the most common question we get and rightfully so. He's doing the very best he can, and resting as much as possible. He has a lot of healing to do. Rest, food and fluids are his friends. His salivary glands are still on strike, as are his smell and taste. His nasal lining is sluffing off and coming out in bits and pieces, which means healing is happening. His hernia is something that is about to drive him half batty. He still can't get it fixed until his oncologist clears that, and that's not happening right now, as his radiated throat will not handle intubation well. It needs more time to heal. 

If you happen to ask me how I'm doing, I'll say something good like wonderful or great. Esp because I'm back home and doing all the regular things I used to do. But David, if you ask him how he's doing, he'll say, "I'm dry". Everything about him is still dry and will be for awhile. Colon, mouth, nose, throat, skin - you name it. Yet, he's healing, and with time many of these things will bounce back. 

He's looking forward to his follow up appt in April to get checked out on how he's progressing with his recovery as well as (fingers crossed) be cleared for hernia surgery. Keep doing what you're doing, babe! It's hard, but you make it look so easy. Take your time. We will get there, together. 

We R who we R

It's times like these that reflection is a big part of our life. It's also time for us to share more in regards to a rare cancer such as SNUC. This blog has become a space for documenting the life of David, a SNUC warrior. Yet, information is limited in regards to SNUC, and certainly communication and support with this particular cancer is sparse. In this effort, David and I will be placing an upcoming blog on the MDA website. I've given my permission to MDA already, and we will be moving forward with this endeavor. There's many blog posts on the MDA site, all who share their particular story in their own unique way. It's very inspiring to read other's stories. We are all in this together. 

In addition, we are also starting a podcast called:

Thanks, Lauren, for putting this together!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/it-snuc-up-on-us/id1549463650

Although just starting this podcast journey with only one episode recorded thus far, we are putting it out there to give a taste of more to come. I'll be adding more in the near future and it will be heavily based on the blog post, esp for those who prefer to listen rather than read. Or maybe even do both. Our hope is to reach those interested in hearing this journey - and to reach those in need of SNUC support. We look forward to encouraging those on this same trip to cancer island to travel with love, positivity, hope and faith. And most importantly, with your higher power, whoever that is for you. This journey is best made with spiritually holding your hand. 

Dare to dream,

Cyndi