Kicken Chickens!

I have roughly 35 chickens...I could get a more accurate count if they would either stand still or walk in a single file...but noooo, they have to run around an confuse me! The count I am sure of is the duck...I have "one" duck!

In the mornings all the chickens and the "one" duck are waiting for me close to the front door! I have to walk all the way out to the Chicken house to feed them so they gather around me, walk on my feet, trip me, whatever it takes to hurry me up! They are so bad that I have to gently move them out of my way with my foot...It's my morning dance, "The Kicken-Chicken"!!

The really cool thing about the Chickens is how socialized they are, mostly the young ones, no, I guess all of them now. You see, this "one" duck I mention, well, I feed her out of the grain scoop while I am throwing scratch to the chickens. I do this to tame her so the kids can pet her. Slowly the baby chicks started coming close and eating with her from the scoop. So I just start petting each one as they come to eat. Now the older chickens come close so I can pet them...even the roosters!

The really cool thing is that a few of the young chicks (the banties) fly up on my shoulder or head sometimes. Of course this is all fun and games till one of them poop on my head...then it won't be so cute! I wonder...are all chickens like this...or just mine?!

Mickey!!

Turning 14 years old this June 10th, Mickey is showing his age. Not just the white covering his face, but the distorted look he has. He had a nerve issue a few years back and it left his face dull on the left side. He has lost about 90% of his hearing and has a blurred look to his eyes.

That being said, Mickey still runs, jumps, plays, hoards his toys, loves his treats, and has the most incredible appetite! He is an obedient and loyal dog!

I never thought I, or my hubby would own a wiener-dog. I always thought they were kind of stupid, hard to train dogs...well, I was so wrong!

Mickey was a rescue, I just happen to be the one the owner dumped him on. He was 4 months old and after a few hours with him, my hubby and I decided we couldn't just give this little guy away! I have to tell you, we have had 2 Black Labs, a lab mix, German Shepherd, German Short Hair, Standard Poodle, add to that all the dogs we are around that our friends and family have, and Mickey...has the best vocabulary, the best understanding of the events taking place around him and the quickest response to the right action to take for the circumstance!

I write all this down and share it because I know it is inevitable we will loose him one day. It will be a very sad day. I got a phone call from a friend who winter's in Arizona. Their chow cross just up and died in their arms on New Year's eve. A couple months ago my youngest brother and his wife lost their little sheltie cross. And about 4 months ago, my oldest brother and his family lost their yellow lab. It's so sad and so hard on the families to go through such a loss...In each case, their dog was a HUGE part of their family! Mickey has been there, done that in our family!

Mickey keeps us all on a schedule here, he is a silent alarm as he barks very little...instead, he goes and gets one of the big dogs to challenge the intruder! (like I said, he's a smart one!) He has traveled everywhere with us! He is worldly! He is a perfect gentleman in any motel, and as a passenger in a car, you couldn't ask for better! He knows his boundaries, never runs off and always minds his manners! All of this came naturally...he was not trained!

I could go on for hours on how good and smart this little guy is, how accepting he is of all animals and people...but sooner than later, you will get bored! So, let me leave you with this...Never judge a book by it's cover...the content may be something you wouldn't want to miss out on in life!!

Happy New Year!

Today, January 2nd, 2011...who'd a guessed!?! Back when we were 10, 15, even 25, would have you believed we would this soon be living in the year 2011?! It seems like something out of a science fiction novel or movie! But, here we are! So, let's make the best of a Sci-Fi situation!

This year I would like to do more to improve my life...my relationship with God, my husband, my family and my friends. I'm going to try hard to be a better person, say nice things, compliment someone, support someone in need, share a smile with people that need one. I am writing this so there is a hard copy of it...that way I (hopefully) won't just say it and 2 days later forget it! So, feel free to set me straight if you see me be rude or out of line!

Of course I want to do all the regular New Years resolutions also...loose weight, quit smoking...wait, I don't smoke, What are some others? hmmm, can't think of any, so I guess I'll just call my mom more often!

Well, what ever you do in 2011, do it well, be blessed and happy!

Stay warm...it's cold out there! If you look close, you can see ice on Brio's eye lashes!!

Merry Christ-mas!!

From all of us at the "Farm Follies", to all of you who check with us...We wish You a very Merry Christmas! Please take the time to reflect on the real reason we celebrate Christmas and say a prayer of thanks for all we have been blessed with! I look forward to sharing more follies with you in 2011!!

Blend in!

Snow...we got lots!! Around 2 feet and it's still snowing!! Crazy!

Not many days left in this hunting season, so, if you haven't got your deer yet, you gotta hunt, even in the deep snow! So hubby went out, all done up in his snow-camo. It is the coolest camo! I had to take pictures. And no, he didn't see any deer:(

It "Snow" wonder it's cold!

Oh my goodness!! There's allot of Snow out there!! Right now we have over 14 inches, and that's after a couple of days of packing down! And now, we are due to get another possible 10 inches! Oh no!!

I have never figured out how the critters survive the winters! The chickens and duck follow me around as I shovel so they have a place to walk...I think about closing their coop gate, but have you ever tried to keep Banties from flying the coop? Impossible!

The dogs do well in the snow...they love it...it's like God does it so they have a personal winter wonderland playground...I think my dogs feel like God does it just for them!! The cats seem OK with the snow also...of course, they have a second story shelter with feeding area, and that's only if they choose to stay outside!

Now the horses, they are a real hoot in the snow! At least ours are! They run and buck and put their noses in it like the dogs. It is quite the sight seeing the horses play in the snow! We have trees all around us and occasionally a branch will break off from the wind or heavy snow. Well, one broke off...about a 5 foot long one...in the pasture! We recently bought a 4th horse and I think he is going to fit in just fine! I prefer my horses (well, all my critters really!) have personality! Well, Banjo does!

My hubby was driving down the easement road and he sees Banjo flipping this big ol tree branch around and running thorough the pasture with it. Then he would stop and mess with it and then flip his head around and run some more. Well, upon further investigation, it seems the branch was stuck in the mane of the horse! My hubby went in to rescue the horse from this killer branch, but the horse decided it was more fun to play! Finally, the horse let the branch be separated from his mane! I now have a few twists and knots to comb out! I wish I would have gotten pictures! -- The horses in the photo here are Banjo and Brio!

Thanksgiving Day!

To Garfield we went! Weather was horrific...really didn't want to go...but always glad we did after the day is over and the memories are made and the pictures are taken to preserve for generations to come! I love my family, oh, I can complain and find fault in them all...me included, but I do love them! My sister's oldest and his family were there. Because of their jobs and hours, they don't often make it to family functions. It was so good to see them!

I have 5 siblings, all showed up with their Sig Other, except my bro from MT. He was greatly missed, as he is the Knight in shining armor who rides in and brings the sunshine and smiles! Everyone loves him! And yet, he disappoints us...what's up with that!!! Maybe Christmas!!

20 of us did show! Dinner was great, fun was had by all! A little sledding, a little story telling, lots of hugging, visiting and reminiscing. But sadly, after all the fun is had and we head home, my dad is left behind, failing fast. He doesn't look well. He has pneumonia for the 7th time this year. Very thin and frail. We are all very worried about him. If you happen to read this blog...please include my dad (and my mom) in your prayers.

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving and your families are well!!