What to do with a friend you've never actually met

Have you been able to guess who has come to visit me?
My blogging friend, Marcee, a.k.a. frugalmom, has come all the way from her home in Illinois to visit Critter Farm.

I sure hope she's having fun. At the very least, though, I know I'm keeping her busy. Within the last 24 hours, she has:

* met me for the first time:

* seen me almost lose my cool when I lost the airport parking ticket needed to get out of the parking structure (crisis was averted after about ten minutes when I found it under her suitcase).

*scratched a jersey cow chin:

* gotten a piggy back ride from my son, Aidan, so she didn't have to wade in ankle-high cow manure (where was my camera when I needed it?!)

* held a REALLY big wrench:

* ridden through a corn field in the back of a pick up truck driven by my teenage son:

* helped unload 1 ton of hay (she's a master now at balancing two bales in a wheelbarrow):

* watched my surprised husband and son chase a speedy mouse throughout our living room (welcome to the farm, marcee!).

* taken a (brief) walking tour through downtown Portland at 7:20 in the morning (that was enough big city for both of us).

* visited Trader Joe's (they don't have those where she comes from, poor lass):

* fed carrots to starving donkeys:

* and, at his repeated insistence, scratched Pistol's behind (she must've done this before - she's quite good at it!).

So far, so good. She's been a great sport about everything. It sort of feels like I've known her forever. The best part is that none of us have made her cry (yet), so I would now like to proclaim the first part of her trip a success. But, in all fairness, I guess we should wait to hear what *she* has to say...

The Day Before

My day today was full of this...

Vacuuming:

Bathroom cleaning:

Dusting:

Perennial plant trimming:

And chicken coop tidying:

All of this is very important because, tomorrow, company's coming to Critter Farm!

Roxy helped every way she could. She pointed out places I missed with the vacuum:

She tested out the softness of the fresh guest bed sheets:

She got her favorite ball for the vacuum cleaner to throw:

Outside, I had a stern talk with the donkeys on appropriate behavior:

Though I'm not entirely convinced they were listening:

Sparrow was kind enough to help me plan out our menu for the next week:

Back inside the house, Roxy dumped out her toy basket in search of the perfect toy to share with our guest:

and began practicing her best tricks:


Roxy loves it when company comes:

And so do I.

The difficult life of a garter snake

This is a garter snake:

This is a garter snake skin:

A few times a year an adult garter snake will shed its entire skin as its body grows.

This is a dead garter snake. This poor guy was, quite literally, stomped flat:

I sure hope this wasn't the same snake I spent thirty minutes cutting out of my deer netting a few weeks back.

Donkeys don't like snakes. I know this now because I found these snake remains in the donkey paddock. Yep, flat as a pancake, this guy:

Cats, however, like garter snakes:

This kitty wanted to eat this snake:

The garter snake, however, wasn't ready to be lunch:

But the cat was patient and persistent:

And ultimately got him across the street to the sidewalk:

Where he promptly lost interest and went off to do other kitty things:

It's not easy being a snake:

Loving and Being Loved

Today I am feeling thankful. I am thankful for all the really nice people I've "met" since I started blogging last October, but I'm also thankful for having been granted access to some wonderful writing, different ways of thinking, and very diverse experiences.

First of all, thank you, Angie (Children of the Corn ) and Carolynn (A Glowing Ember), for thinking of me when you wanted to share your "love your blog" award. It just feels really nice to be mentioned and thought of in this way.

I kinda also hated getting this, too, though. Not because it didn't make me feel good. Not because I have to pass it on. No, I hated it for a minute because it forces me to single out individuals to give it to. This always leaves someone without an award and I believe that everyone who puts their thoughts, feelings, and dreams to the page on a regular basis should be applauded in some way.

But, as per the rules, I must now specifically name a few blogs special to me. I would very simply like to say
to the following people:

Solomon over at Things I'm Grateful for.
Solomon pops on to my blog only every now and then, but I love it when he does. He is also the clearest example, for me, of a person who remembers to be thankful for every single day he is allowed to breathe. He also spends a great deal of time thinking of others and doing what he can to make less fortunate folk a bit more fortunate.

Marigold at Goat Philosophy 101. Marigold is, without a doubt, the smartest, most well-read goat I've ever had the privilege of knowing. She has an incredible way with words and a flair for spinning yarns that is unparalleled (not that I don't believe every word you say, Miss M.!) It also fascinates me that she's obsessed with peanuts.

Sarah over at It Blows Here. Sarah's blog just touches me. I love her stories, her writing and her photos. Her kids are adorable. I learn something new every time I'm on her blog. Reading about her life, although it is extremely busy (this woman does *everything*), always puts a smile on my face. She manages her crazy life with such grace that I am always impressed. And, darnit, I'm totally going to make that bean tee pee next year. That thing is SO cool!
Oh yea, Sarah also makes me giggle with her writing. Anybody who knows me knows I *love* to giggle.

Mellimaus at Riding Miss Daisy. Ok, please don't think I'm weird for reading a teenager's (who isn't related to me) blog, but this gal is something special. She is funny, interesting, has a beautiful horse named Daisy, posts the *cutest* videos, und sie spricht deutsch! Did I mention she also plays the violin? She is an incredibly talented young woman who interacts regularly with people much older than she and does it with amazing intelligence, humor, and style. Oh, and she's also a cutie pie.

And, finally, but never at the bottom of my list, Farmer Jen at Mountain Harvest Basket. I consider Jen to be a friend of mine, even though we have never personally met. How odd is this blog world that things like this can happen? She and I have wonderful, if short, sweet and to-the-point, conversations. Someday I hope to get to North Fork and meet everyone she writes about, human and animal. She loves deeply and well and is dearly loved in return. She also throws the world's best half-birthday parties where elaborately wrapped gifts of sausage and zucchini are bestowed upon the very thankful half-birthday person. (Um, Jen? Tomorrow's my half-birthday....)

Thank you all for the good reading!

Wordless Wednesday: Happiness is a new toy

The "Pipster"

Would you like to hear how Pip, my re-homed rooster, is doing?

I've received a number of email updates from Verna, the delightful woman who adopted my chicken-abused rooster, Pip, last week. Every one of her emails has left me with the biggest smile.

For anyone possibly just tuning in, last Wednesday, 8/27, Pip, my White-Crested Black Polish Rooster, went to his new home about 2 hours from Critter Farm. Life, since then, has been dramatically different for him.

What is Pip's life like now? I think the words of Verna, along with a few of her photos, tell it best. So, without further ado, and reprinted with Verna's permission, I give you... Pip's new world:

===========

Wed, Aug 27, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Subject: Pip Update!

Hi Danni,
I've left Pip in the cage, put scratch around on the ground around him and the hens are getting acquainted with him. He has been crowing, which causes a lot of clucking with the hens! I will turn him loose with them before dark so he can find the roost and then observe them in the morning, but all seems to be going well. I will send you another update tomorrow.
-Verna

Wed, Aug 27, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Subject: Pip is free!

Danni,
We turned Pip loose and he has already shown the girls that he is the new boss. About six of the hens are hanging close to him, the other eight are staying back for now but they are all behaving themselves. Looks like Pip is a keeper! It will be fun watching them all adjust to the new pecking order.
-Verna

Thu, Aug 28, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Subject: Pip's clan

Hi Danni,
Pip was up on the roost with the hens last night and they are all hanging together this morning, just like old buddies. He has also been seen chasing the hens around, doing what roosters do best!
-Verna

Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Subject: The Pipster

Hi again Danni,
Yeah, he's the Man! Pip is doing great. He does seem to be ruling with somewhat of an iron hand, pecking the hens (lightly) when they are in his way. I did see some heartwarming behavior too. I picked some blackberries and took a handful to the chickens. When I put them on the ground Pip made some clucking and called the hens to "come and get it." My old rooster also did this, as if to let the hens know that he would take care of them. I was delighted to see this behavior and the hens all seem contented!
I'll e-mail you again when there is more to report.
-Verna

Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Subject: Pip's Bald Spot


Hi Danni,
I got these two shots of Pip's bald spot. He was constantly moving so I had to work to get these shots, but as you can see he has some pin feathers showing so it shouldn't take too long before he has a new head of feathers. The hens have never pecked at him. He absolutely rules in the chicken yard!
I will send you pictures as he gets his new head of feathers.
-Verna

===========

Good boy, Pip!! And (again) thank you so much, Verna! I can't imagine a better home for that sweet boy, Pip.


Would you like to read Pip's story from the beginning?
5/20/08: Poor Pecked Pip
6/24/08: This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Two of Them
7/18/08: In Critter Farm Rooster News
7/30/08: Happy Monday turned into Challenging Tuesday