Tracks

March 31:

Our Cat Max came upon these tracks on our walk today. We imagine they looked huge to him. "Are they bear tracks?" No. They are Raccoon tracks. Fortunately, they weren't right next to the Chicken House.

We are left to ponder: Who also calls this Little Farm home? What are the myriad of Beings with whom we share this lovely space? Are we good Neighbors? How would they rate our tracks upon this land?

Supplements

Max, the Cat, got a little chunky over the Winter. We Human Companions decided to cut back on his Morning and Evening Meals. Recently, he has taken up quite an interest in hunting. Max is pleased to report that he is very good at it. He supplements his morning ration with a tasty Shrew and evening ration with a vigorous Vole. He disdains Moles. Deer would be O.K. but they are on the big side and they seldom get within his range of 100 feet or so from the House. Exercise is part of his program too.

"Hen to Set" Saga: 2

The 6 Hennies with their 1 Rooster are now at home in their new house. The transfer is complete.

"Hen to Set" Saga: 1

As Daylight turns toward Dusk and the Chickens get ready for bed in the Main Chicken House, we Humans are anticipating a shift. We will move 6 Buff Orpington Hennies and 1 Freddie into the Rooster House. Why?

This year, we Newbies at these things are trying to get some fertile eggs to go under 1 Broody Hennie. The language in these parts is getting a "Hen to Set", which means that ideally we should have baby Chicks in a few weeks. For this to happen, we need Freddie to do the usual Rooster thing with the 6 Hennies. We are assuming he is fertile but we really have no idea. We need 1 Broody Hennie. Lacey is our 1st choice. To our delight, she is showing signs of broodiness.

The 6 Hennies are from the "top shelf" which is their usual roosting place in the Main Chicken House. In addition to Lacey, they are Sally, Kayte, Amber, Poulay, Honey. They were chosen because they are from the 1st year's group (Class of 2007).

So what were criteria for selection? Their molting patterns were within the normal acceptable range. Their personalities run the gamut. Some are shy. None are too aggressive. They are just nice Hennies. Melanie thinks that most of them are pretty good layers, but she really isn't sure. She laughs: "You'd think that would be one of the selection criteria." None have had problems with egg laying. They range in size but are within the normal range. Brownie is really too big.

In a few more minutes, the 3 of us will head out for the transfer. We are not sure what our roles are. Either Richard or Melanie will pick them out of their house and hand them over the fence to the other. I will monitor the door of their New Digs. After they are all tucked inside, Melanie will have a little talk with them to seal the deal.

Their New Digs, the Rooster House, is all set up for them. They will have sweet smelling fresh hay on the floor, makeshift nest boxes, an old saw horse for perching, the cat carrier for the broody hen, and a haybale for resting. They will have food and water with an assortment of their most favorite foods. They will stay in their luxurious coop for about 2 weeks. Melanie's intention is that they are spoiled in direct proportion to their significant role here.

Time to go.

Nature Notes

The Sweet Grass that we brought from our yard in North Dakota is up. It smells ever so sweet. We had placed it in a wet area just between the Woods and the South side of the House. Richard brought a stem inside for me as I type away on this Blog. I shall have to check it out tomorrow. That wonderful grass known by many Native People of this Continent is already beginning to set seeds.

Magic

Yesterday, Richard and I headed for a walk in the Woods. It was my first walk into Nature on her lovely uneven ground since my hip fracture almost 2 months ago. While the day was windy, Spring was more of a dominant presence. With the tawny brown of last year's vegetation on top, green was poking up everywhere. With my usual Cedar Walking Stick in hand, I was excited and ready to go.

Richard glanced back and noted that Max, the Cat, was intent on following. Our City Cats generally stay pretty close to the House, unless they see their Humans headed on a Walkabout. Considering these parts are also homes to Foxes, Coyotes, Turkeys, and Hawks with occasional Eagles overhead, we are perfectly content with them staying close to the House.

But here came Max. He was just as intent on an early Spring walk as I. I think he felt he had been denied for far too long.

Magical Max stayed tied to us on an invisible tether of about 20 feet. He would go tearing off scattering dry leaves on either side of our path. He would meow all the way, and then head right back to the comfort of our feet. He was so excited. He just could not be contained. It was a day of exploring with the comfort of those you know and love and those with whom you feel safe.

Max has no front claws and has not had them since he was small. But in the presence of trees, he still knew they were for climbing. He looked up and then launched himself onto a branch platform. He climbed a ways, then looked down. "What do I do now?" Soon he was back down upon the ground.

After our walk through the Woods, we headed back into the Meadow. He did some exploring but soon followed us back to the House.

After our walk, I felt energized and invigorated in doing something that I had not done for so long. I wonder what our lives would be like if we did only those things that made our spirits soar. After being cramped up in our Human Confines, we feel a bit awkward and unsure. But the more we travel down those precious roads, the lighter our step and the more we soar.

Max knows that Magic. I am learning too.

Shoulder Season

March 25:

After a few days of Spring weather with luscious rains, things are popping. The Pussy Willows are proudly sharing their furry Catkins.

The Grass and Pasture Lands have turned that sweet Spring Green. That lovely Spring Green surely gets its own color in the Crayon Box because there is nothing like it. Every day we see more new Calves on wobbly legs on our trips past neighbors as we make our way to Town.

This shoulder season where Spring is a more dominant force still brings North winds, cold weather and remnants of Winter. Richard just got back from Town where he learned that Snow is possible. Some People have to read a book, watch a movie, or read the newspaper for drama. But we just watch and walk outside.