THE GIRLS ARE GONE

4/2/2012

The girls are gone. I came home last night from my business class around 6:30 pm and it was very quiet in the barn. I went out to close the door behind Rocket because he likes to eat his dinner in a closed space - and then I saw this. No blood. No feathers scattered around. Just a silent death. Who could have done this?!! We think the foxes. But why would they kill and not eat? I could understand if they needed to eat, I cant' understand just killing for nothing. The two girls, Miss Wyandott and Miss Arucana, had just laid eggs this morning and they were best friends. At least they died side by side.

Later on we came out and two of the bodies had been dragged out under the fence. Time to get the electric turned on again. I so miss their coos at night coming up on the branches of their coop and getting settled in. I learned from them that one cannot merely "go to bed"....you must get settled first, chat a bit about the day, coo about it and what you appreciated about all the tidbits you'd gleaned and then, settle in. I never really knew how much I loved chickens until I had the girls and now, that they've gone. Tonight I'll settle in with a bit more cooing.

Pete's Noble Nose

Well, it's first of April and a very warm one at that for us Vermonters. I have to share with you the most amazing event with my main man Pete. This is a picture of Pete with his nose sliced 8 inches, the top went in about 1/2 inch.

Here's the story - my new employee, Sally, is amazing. She loves the horses, hasn't had a huge amount of experience with horses, but is "a natural". Three weeks ago we were hauling slabwood for the sugaring house and she had some sawdust go in her eye and had to file for an accident insurance. (Note: #1). One week later, we were working with the tractor and the bucket fell on her leg. (Note: #2) Arnica, ice, Rescue Remedy, elevated leg, later.....very little trauma and she's back.

"So, we say. Accidents happen in threes - please, Sally , just stub your toe or something". So last Friday we were out working Pete and Rocket and Sally was taking off Pete's harness. He bent down to eat some hay off the floor and when he came up he sliced open his nose on the metal cap of the stall. ( Note: #3). Didn't bleed very much but was hugely traumatic. It's an 8 inch slice down his nose - like I took an exacto blade and cut in 1/4 inch or more down the bridge of his nose.

Long story short. I "got it" yesterday morning. Pete took the hit for the 3rd accident for Sally, which would have been huge. He took it out of loyalty and love for me and what I stand for and what I work for - not the fussy "I luv you" kind of stuff, but the incredible "this is why we are here" kind of stuff. When I got it, I went over to the stall where he was with tears streaming down my face in all my humbleness and appreciation for what these incredible Beings do for us.

I'm still processing how this all integrates in our barn here - some things more profound than others and yet - thank God everyone is healing/healed/happy/joyous and full of life.

With loving light,
cathy