Friday, July 08, 2011

baby buca-bucas....


I can't wait for our friend Rick to read this blog... because he is going to be so EXCITED when he hears about this.... in fact, he will probably be as excited as Ed was (is).....

This afternoon we went over the grain store to get various barn supplies. They always have chicks----- and off and on, I have looked in to see if they have any guineas or silkies. I know it will probably just leave to heartache (until we figure out "what" gets our birds).. but I do love having them around.






At first, I didn't see any keets...but Sadie looked closer and said "Mom, there are keets"... I asked the owner if any of the keets were available (because sometimes they're sold ahead) and he said "sure". Well, the smile that was on Ed's face when he heard that we could have guinea hens again... was huge!!! He has really missed having them around the farm.. he loves the way the call to each other, and warn you when people come up to the barn or on the farm....








"Let's get them, hun... in fact, lets buy all that he has!! I love guinea hens.... and you know, even Rick has commented that the barn is just too quiet without them around..." so.. we bought them.. all nine... plus two more barred rock (laying) hens. Ed couldn't wait to get them home... he was so happy to have them.















We set them up in their own little cage in Turkey Manor. That way we felt the two big guineas will have a chance to get to know them. Eventually, we will introduce them and have a flock again. Can you imagine when all 11 are together.....
















Abbie was fascinated by them... "my baby buca-bucas" she calls them.. and then she'll tell you that they go "peep-peep"....















She wanted to kiss them all goodnight... but she knew they couldn't come out of their cage...






so, the farm will be back to normal one day soon... guinea hens to guard the barn, eat the horrid tics and entertain us with their sweet little sounds... Ed can't wait, and I bet Rick cant wait to come and see them!!!!!







*** just for the record, as the author of this story, I might have taken some poetic liberty----with the idea that everyone just loves guinea hens!!!! and if you believe every word (other than the fact that we really did get 11 new birds).. I have a wonderful piece of ocean front property for sale in Arizona****




weekend of the 4th - part 1



July the 4th...the real beginning of summer!!! We decided that we would "spend the weekend at camp".. now, mind you, "camp" is a whole two miles from the farm!!! Despite what one might think, it still took me "hours" to pack and go... and even after we got there, I still had to make several trips back and forth. Horses don't care if you are "on vacation", they still require your attention.






On one of my early morning jaunts to the barn, the field looked so pretty in the early morning dew... and the wild flowers are at their best right now.



Kas and Nate - along with Charlie and Banjo, came to stay at camp as well... fortunately, we did not rent the back camp.. so it was open for them to use. What a great weekend, having all the family in one place.





Abbie has a brand new "boat coat".. and the rules are, go beyond the deck and you must have your boat coat on. She was great about keeping it on, and it just makes us all feel better thinking that if she should topple into the lake, the big folks would have an extra few seconds to grab her.







The 4th itself could have been a little hotter and sunnier, but that didn't stop us from having a big cookout with everyone. Ed had grill duty....
















Lots of great company and conversation.. and just a day to sit back and relax. We are a hard working group, and a day to sit is rare.....











Everyone brought something, and the "eats" were amazing.....












and plenty for all... even enough to share.....
















and what's a cookout without starting the "cooker' and making s'mores......











We got the old boat into the water. It's been a number of years that she hasn't been put in. Ed gave rides to everyone that wanted one... only to discover that the engine is "k-put".... we nursed her thru the weekend, but ended up pulling her out. She's going to need some "surgery" before she can go out again... but it sure was fun having her for the weekend.





She does have one magic touch...
















getting folks to fall asleep. Anytime that Ginger or Abbie had a little ride... this is what happened....













Even little Otis couldn't keep his eyes open for his ride... and then, didn't even have the energy to get out of the boat....











































weekend of the fourth - part 2


The next morning the day was much warmer (of course)... the loons were up early... saying hello to everyone.















Abbie began her day with bananas, and then went to be with her Daddy.












Since it was so warm, and the lake was beautiful, i thought I would see what Ginger thought of swimming. At first she wasn't so sure, but decided that if I was going to be in the water... then she was too. I can't say she really swam, but at least she got in and paddled about.







That evening, we thought it would be fun to head to the city and see the fireworks. I love fireworks, but often avoid them because of the crowds. This year I thought it might be good for Ginger to go and we would handle the crowds together. We met up with Kelli and Rick, who brought their Mindy and Otis along as well.









For the most part, Ginger did fairly well with the fireworks. But just before the grand finale.. I did walk her back to the truck. She had done well, and I didn't want to push it too much. Otis did perfectly fine, in fact, I think he dozed thru much of them... he is such a laid back fellow....









Abbie did pretty well too... we brought some ear protection for her, which she wore part of the time... once she figured out how pretty they were, she had a grand time watching them. Nice to see that a first time experience went so well...









Happy 4th to one and all, aren't we so blessed to live in the United States of America......