The Rest Of The Story

I've been holding out hope that this part of the story would have a happy ending, but it doesn't.  Last Tuesday evening a raccoon got in our chicken coop.  Right at dusk I heard a commotion in the coop and raced in to see what was going on.

As I opened the people door, all the chickens flew out in a panic.  I started looking around and couldn't see anything and the chicken door was closed.  As best I can figure, something came in just as the automatic door was getting ready to close and then got spooked as it did and split.

I counted heads and Yaya, the beloved crowing hen, was missing.  Even though she crows, she also lays eggs and once or twice a year goes off to set.  I looked in all of her usual spots and nothing.  She was good about coming when called, even while setting,...and it's now been a week.  

I put out the game camera that night and a raccoon came back three times to try to break into the coop.  I was able to trap it Wednesday night and it now has a new zip code and things have been quiet since.  Too quiet. 

Not only did I really enjoy hearing her crow each morning, but she was another early morning driveway greeter.  Jared waited at the top of the hill.  Yaya marched on down to meet me.  She got special treats each morning and it was best I not be late.

I'm here all day on the farm by myself.  I spend more time with these animals than any other people.  These are my friends.  My strange funny family.  I miss everyone.  A lot.

Thank you so much for all the kind notes and comments, here and on the "socials".  I'm always torn about writing the obituaries, but I know I'm not the only person invested in this strange funny family.  It's a shared family of not only you all and the animals, but you all and me and you all and each other.  Family is important.

Everybody take care of each other.

And let's not have any more of this for a good long time.

Don't Worry About Me

Maisie gave me a bit of a scare yesterday.  I knew she's been cold the last few days, but she was smart about tucking herself back in the corner of the skirting area, a place out of the wind and surrounded by wool insulation, and seemed to be okay.  

I was hopeful yesterday's warm up into the 20s would help, but I found her huddled in the corner shivering in the afternoon.  I couldn't find anything physically wrong with her and she's got plenty of wool and "good cover" (fat ;-), but I don't want to see anyone shivering.

I knew her red coat from after shearing last year would not fit over her wool, but thought Jared's bigger coat would...but it was too small, too.  I was just about to sew some extensions on it, but luckily remembered Mrs. Pepperpot's old blue coat.  With just a small alteration in the front, it fits perfectly.

"I'm fine!"

"I just needed a puffy coat."

I wonder if The Crowing Hen would wear a puffy coat.  She looks pretty cold up in the top picture.  I've been bringing her into the Wool House at night and making her stay in on the really cold days.  We'll all be glad when this weather breaks.  I have gotten a few nice pictures though :-).

A couple new puzzles coming tomorrow!  

March

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I took out as many pictures as I could and it's still a long one.  I left a bunch of weaving pictures in because there were so many steps for that project that I wanted to remember.  There are a lot of Archie and Possum pictures, too.  And Maisie in her puffy coat.  We can never have too any pictures of that :-).  

Merry Christmas

I really enjoy listening to Christmas stories, well, any good stories and some of my favorite people are the ones who tell great stories.  I like to think that our animals tell each other stories as well.  I wish I could sit down here between Bea and Blossom and listen to Grandpa Rocky.  Everyone has a story. 

Merry Christmas!

Jessica is our puzzle post winner.  Please email me (thecrazysheepladyATgmailDOTcom) with your mailing address :-).