Farmily Update

 

The Littles

As the pack has grown, so has their undeniable bond. The Littles have become tighter than yoga pants after Thanksgiving. They are a community who circle each others universe like hens to scratch. Like a solar system of snuggles. A goofy galaxy of seemingly 10 year olds being 10 but in dog form. Unpredictable, predictable and everything in between.

Theo The Terror
He's all ears 😈

Lil' Theo (Theodore, if he's in trouble) is turning 1 in June. He has an insatiable passion for kissing (aka licking). Everyone. Everything. If your not covered in Theo-slobber, are you even in the pack? Yeah he looks innocent but don’t fall for it. He's triple trouble - part sass, part chaos, and all love. He may be the smallest dog on the farm, but he's got the tenacity of a toddler hyped up on sugar, mixed with the energy of a 5-shot expresso. Holy terror at times. Pure goodness in moments. My little 5 alarm fireball. 

Then there's my old girl, Maybe, my senior sweetheart living her golden years like royalty.  Heart murmur with her mortality coming for her, she lives a life of luxury on her bed only getting up for pets or snacks. She's 14 1/2 dog years and still classier than most people at brunch. You go girl. I mean, you nap girl. 

The Sunshine Senior Resort isn't ready for your
kind of fabulous, but we'll make it work.

My heart, Sugar. My twin. She's my heartbeat with fur. I'm convinced our souls are connected across dimensions. She's seen me at my best and my mess. We've raced across Tennessee like Thelma and Louise but with better hair. And the mere thought of one of us leaving this earth without the other is my worst irrational fear. 

I loved having you with me every step of the way!

She welcomed Cooper into the pack with 
the caveat that he sleeps at the end of the bed.

And we all know Crazy Charlotte. She has that "Don't talk to me before coffee" face. But underneath that tough cookie crust? A gooey chocolate center. The grinch after his heart grew 3 sizes - only with more fur. This girl is why I don't have to lock my door at night. She's got bad bitch energy.

Oh you'll know which one is Char

Theo adores Char. She tolerates Theo. 
Kind of. Most days. 

And my newest addition, Cooper has blended in nicely. You know I took him in as a 'rehome' dog, and he's settled like he'd lived here all along. Sweetheart? Yes, but don't test him. He has clearly defined boundaries and enforces them like a seasoned therapist. He's a boundary boss.

Declan was in love

Also, he's now permanently in a tshirt.
It's his vibe.

That's the Faithful Five or should I say, Fateful Five. My furry legends. Let's not forget the honorary member of The Littles, although far from little. The Marvelous Mia. You likely remember this is how I received/found her......

My heart was broken when I found her, and
then received her as my own, like this.
Defeated. All bones. Broken spirit. 

Sweet girl, you trusted me. You allowed me into your dark and sad world, and together we both went on a healing journey together - and have come out the other side. We rebuilt each other. I'm SO proud of you, my kind and gentle girl. You have shown me what resilience truly is, how to love again and stay strong through the struggles. She didn't just find me, I believe she chose me. 

You could model for a dog food bag, girl.

Picture this: Me just trying to pee. And 5 dogs following me like I'm leading a parade through Disneyland. Yes, even Maybe shows up. 

Like a 4-legged flash mob

Then? It'll be back to the other room.
In formation. 

Now, let's talk chicks. Literally.

Listen, in my head, I say "no more chicks, man". But in my heart, I want all the chicks. 

So here's what happened. I was at Atwoods and they had sooooo many chicks there. So many, that merely taking 8 chicks off their hands seemed like nothing. Like cotton candy, it's just nothing. 

Now, after raising them in their bathtub for a few weeks, they are now in the barn, in a farmhouse upcycled chic penthouse. Then came Betty,

An upside down box springs was the perfect
new home they needed. I'm a fan of an upcycle.

I had my older chicks (all feathered and hatched in the barn, accidentally) on one side, and the younger ones from Atwoods on the other side - with the heat lamp still needed.

Then, as they grew some more. I transitioned the bigger ones here......

The Fab Four get to interact with the big girlz (aka my hens)
through the safety of a fence and chicken wire

These older 4 chicks are now in a fenced area in the barn, living a more open yet confined lifestyle amongst the hens. The remaining 8 Atwoods chicks stayed behind in their box springs, minus the heat lamp and plus a hen. Let me explain.

Mother by manifestation 

Wait, please let me start over. I was at Atwoods. I bought 8 chicks. 4 silkies, 4 easter-eggers. Super excited. Already had 4 chicks at home in the barn that were hatched accidentally on purpose because at the time I had had some roosters around, which is against the rules here but I did anyway.

I moved the older 4 hatched-here-at-the-farm chicks into a fenced area to start adapting them to the flock, and kept the 8 (purchased) younger chicks in the upside-down box springs housing area. 

Here's the tricky part. This black hen thinks they are her chicks now. I'll call her Betty. Betty was sitting in a nearby roosting box (where they all lay eggs) and was doing her chicken-thing of going broody sitting on fake dreams (aka eggs that would never hatch). But Betty does not seem to know this. She does have a bird brain after all.

But after a unfortunate egg crack incident and a hen hygiene intervention (aka I noticed she was wet and icky underneath her due to an egg break) I picked Betty up and placed her out of her nesting area at which time she locked eyes on new chicks and said "Mine now".

In that moment something clicked in Betty's chicken bird brain: she instantly knew these chicks were HERS and has not left their side since. Even though they are underneath fencing, in a cage and she can't actually get to them, they are hers. She guards them through the fencing with the passion of a tiger mom. 

So now, Betty gets fussy with me when I try to 
feed and water her chicks. 

Betty is making my life more difficult than it needs to be. But you know what, Betty? I'm also going to pretend they are yours. I can do that. But really? I try to feed them and you fluff up like a feathered security guard at a nightclub.

Luckily, these babies (apparently with a mama now) will grow up and also be placed in their next housing unit of a fenced area that gives them more freedom and room to move about. I might even put you with them, Betty. I mean, why not. Until then, you'll have to wait on top of the chick penthouse for your babies to feather-up - and then you'll have real visitation rights. Soon, Betty. Soon.

Donkeys and Horses, oh my

Summer = Fly Season. Which means fly boots are IN.

Pink is the new black, Pippa

Hope and Pippa are working the runway in bubblegum pink flywear. Work it girls.

All equine are rocking the fly spray, fans are blowing to keep the flies guessing and the fly ointment is flowing.  

This young lady, Alexis, made the magic happen.
We haltered Hope and Pippa and made them fancy.

My farm fashion assistant, Alexis helped with this outerwear. but also helps out in all areas of the farm and I thank you soooooo very much for all you do! You see, she's come regularly to help out on weekends. She's up for any and all chores no matter how stinky and gross because chickens can be stinky and gross. Her boyfriend, Max (they are both 17) also helps out here and recently they used the lug wrench to take off the tires on my trailer. I've been in need for new trailer tires  - and BOOM, these 2 made it happen and got my tires off in record time. I pay them in gratitude and pizza.

Are they not the cutest? 
Mia thinks so.

He trimmed my trees, they both mowed like they own zero turns, and she took care of assorted barn things - and I really do appreciate them so very much. They have young, electric energy and I learn many new things from them like what to watch on Netflix. 

Careful girlz, I jacked this baby up

I would later take my 2 old and well-worn trailer tires to a tire place (thank you, Spencer for the recommendation) called Trenton Tire Shop.

I don't think I'm in Trenton anymore

Super excited about the thought of this highly endorsed tire shop, I drop by there after work one day with my two old tires still on rims in the back of my truck. A guy is out front fixing a tire on a truck. At this point, I'm not exactly sure who works here and what's about to happen, but he comes over and with very little English, seems to "ask" me what I need. I explain I'd like 2 new tires for my trailer and then show him my old tires in the back of my truck. In broken English, all while a chicken is dust bathing at our feet, I feel like he's telling me that he will get me new tires but can't get me used tires. Perfect, I'm thinking. That's what I want. Then I realize that he has used tires stacked up all over his property and probably sells them primarily. 

New is fine I tell him. I'd love new tires. So he proceeds to pick up the tires out of the back of my truck and I think he says something to the effect of "come back tomorrow at this same time". And he walks away with my old tires. He disappears into his 'shop'. I think that means I leave now? But he doesn't know my name. Or my phone number. What about how much will it be? He's just gone. I leave because I think I'm supposed to leave now. 

At work the next day, I quickly look for Spencer to quiz him about this tire shop situation. I tell him what happened and he says, "Yep, that's right". And proceeds to tell me he's taken many tires there and they do a great job. Oh yeah, and take cash when you go to pick your tires up. He only takes cash. 

But wait, how much cash do I take? I have no idea how much these new tires will be, and he will place them back on my old rims, right? And does the guy know I need trailer tires and not car tires? I'm so unsure of what is happening yet I know I need to trust this process. So I do. I sing the Frozen song and Let It Go.

As instructed, I stop by the ATM for cash after work before stopping at the tire shop that next day with scited (word smash of scared and excited) anticipation. Will the tire shop guy remember me? Does he know which tires are mine? I wonder how much it will cost. 

I drive up and there he is, working on a tire on a car. I guess the front of his "shop" is also his work space? I hop out of my truck and he says Hola in a happy voice. Hello I say, smiling. He motions that he will go get my tires and says como esta as he walks away. Am I to follow him into his shop and pay there? I try to keep up with him but he's quick. As I step into the door of his "shop" trying to follow him, I see a lady to my left, stirring a pot on a stove. Oh, she's cooking dinner. She waves at me but her eyes tell me that I should not be in the "shop". Which I quickly think may be their house? I turn and walk out as quickly as I walked in. Then, there he is behind me holding my tires. I say to him, 'good'. I'm answering the question he asked before he ran off. I'm good. Then I change my answer and say 'bueno'. He smiles. I say 'como esta' to him. He says bueno and smiles. He's thinking, bless her heart.

My truck is right there, and he places them in the bed of my truck and shuts the tailgate and we seem to be done. Except I still don't know how much it is and I need to pay him. Awkwardly, I ask, how much? He says $140.00. 

What? Only $140.00? That can't be right. The tires are new, beautiful, mounted and ready to be placed on my trailer. I have the cash in my pocket and pull it out to count his 140 dollars. Then I give him another 20. Then, another 20. He's so happy that it makes me so happy. He begins saying kind words of gratitude, some of which I know and others that I'm pretty sure are happy words. Yet, I'm the one whose feeling grateful for him and his work. He's a blessing to me. In that moment, I realize that this is what life is all about. He and I are in harmony with one another and although we can't vocalize all our feelings in the same language, we can see what we need to see on each others faces. I can't wait to need another tire fixed because I know exactly where I'll be going. Where the big piles of tires are, dinner is cooking, and the chickens are free ranging and taking dust bathes at my feet. 

Summer Barn

Summer Barn is very different from winter barn here in Wolfe City. I love this hot weather, but it's hard on the chickens - and on Paul.

Winter Bar: Tarps, heat lamps and heated water buckets

Summer Barn: Open, fans going, lots of fresh water

Thus far this summer, the chickens are doing amazing. But it's not 100 degrees yet. 

Getting settled in for the night

They even roost on the stairs in back
tack room. 

The horses and donkeys are rocking their new space and their new gear. Trying to be a responsible equine owner over here. Trying to try to make sure they do not over-graze on sweet green grass. 

Gotta keep those feet looking good - and healthy,
which means sweet grass is limited using portable 
fencing that I move around.

The goats reside at the barn and have their own space and housing with protection from the elements. 

These two 🐐🐐 always playful and curious
- they enjoy a playground

Paul The Turkey is living his very best life and still wins the Most Popular award amongst farm visitors. 

Paul and his best friend (his reflection in his mirror)
are lifelong mates. 

My old man

Emerald (Emmie) is growing up! 

Caught you snoozin' 💤

Ducking great! My two quack a doodles just go from one pond to the next, yet come to the barn for safety to sleep each night. And for late night snackin' of chicken food, just saying. 

My ducks are in a row.
But that's easy when you only have 2

All in all, I have a healthy understanding that to all my farm animals - I'm the Food Lady. I'm also the Safety Officer, the Health Manager, and the CEO of Love for them. There's no where else I'd rather be and no one else I'd rather be for them except all these things. They are gifts I get to unwrap each and every day.

Safety is Not An Accident

Good News! I've learned how to use a chain saw. I'm ready for Halloween. 

And taking care of large, heavy tree limbs that fall from above. Considering I have 1,001 trees around here, this is a skill that although I do not enjoy, I do have a great need for. After my first encounter with my chainsaw, Chewy, we've become very close and cut to the heart of every problem together.  

Too heavy to move? Where's Chewy.....

All extremities and fingers intact ✔

Farmily Time

Love me some family farm time. My sister, Sheryl and hubby, Gene along with their daughter Kristin and her children, Savannah and Declan hung out for the day recently. Also making an appearance was my Lauren and her two littles, Brooks and Olive. The kids had a blast playing together - no one got hurt, we had smores and the sweat was pouring as the fire ball in the sky had it's way with us. 

That wood sure came in handy during
'Smores with the Fam'
.....like it wasn't hot enough without a fire

Savannah, Brooks and Declan 💗
Please stop growing.

My farm girl

My family is my North Star. We love each other for who we are and there's no place like home - and family. 

Mom, Dad and Sis 🥰

And as my little house is coming along nicely, work is good, and life on the farm is amazing with family and friends, I feel happiness and joy that words are not able to express. It's a sense of wholeheartedness. Serendipity. Bliss. The glory of living in my truth. Does it get better than this? I don't think so. 

Me…..Also, Olive

I've never felt such happiness in all my days. I've discovered I am deserving to be the girl I never got to be. So here I am now - doing it all. I had to be lost to be found - and I found me.

With dirty boots and a full heart,

Cyndi