I try not to complain, but I do it. Someone who has to live with me might have a different answer, but my assertion is that I complain most about the dogs barking and running outside at the slightest noise when I’m trying to watch television. It is so loud. At least now that we stream, it’s possible to pause.
When not barking all night, Goldie is cute.
Okay, I asked Lee and he said I complain most about the new occupant of the White House. He claims he complains most about the same guy I complain about, and also the death of customer service. I like that answer.
Alfred is Barker in Chief.
What I can’t complain about is Connie Gobbler. She’s all grown up now, I guess, because she laid her first egg today! And it does look like it has the measles!
Interesting pattern.
Of course I sent a picture to Heather, who gave her to me, and to her namesake, Connie. The egg is no bigger than Cindy-Cathy’s eggs, but future eggs should be bigger.
Connie’s egg next to Black Cochin eggs
I’m not complaining about the weather, either. We got an inch of rain, and I can tell the ponds are more full. We still need more, though.
If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?
Actually, I think I communicate pretty well with my animals. But, if I could fix one thing it would be to convince Harvey, who doesn’t move unless he truly must, that he can bark all he wants to…outside. Dang, that dog watches all the other ones to dash out and bark their heads of at cattle, coyotes, or deer that dare to get too close to the fence, and he just sits on the couch and bellows his lungs out.
Who, me?
Lee then yells, “Outside, Harvey!” over and over, adding to the cacophony. It gets oh so tiresome.
Ha ha, I’m never bad. (Not true, Carlton)
Today I wished I could communicate with my horses and let them know it was me walking up to them under a giant umbrella. They shot out of their shelter like little four-legged rockets when they saw me.
WTF!
It was really wet. I needed the rain gear. Poor horses. Then I had the nerve to scare them again when I walked down the road to inspect the drainage. They all stood there with their ears pricked, ready to flee the demon who sounded like me, but looked very scary.
No longer a grassy playground.
Since the ground is pretty saturated, 2.5” made for a lot of standing water, as well as a lot of flowing water. The creek was extra wide and came close to going over the road.
I should’ve gotten closer, but I was wet.
There were 6 calves and a cow separated from the rest of the herd by the property line fence, and they were NOT happy. My Merlin recording today could also be a tutorial on the variety of sounds a cow can make. Eventually the cow led most of the calves through the water to their friends, but two didn’t follow. They yelled and yelled and ran around randomly, disturbing the sparrows.
The mama and the calves, mostly staring at me like I can fix things.
One finally realized the barbed wire is loose and escaped. The other one came up to me and said MOO twice. So I telepathically communicated with her that the could go through water or the fence. After more running around in circles, she made it. Whew. My ears were sore.
At last the app “heard” the mallard and wren the cattle had drowned out. Yeah, that was my excitement for the day!
Today’s rain chains are exciting!
Oh, and I made chickpea “pasta” Mac and cheese and it was fine. Healthy eating, here we come.
Pork loin in that covered stoneware baker thing is sooo good.
All right, your turn. What would you say to an animal if you could?
I always wonder what the animals do all say when I’m working. Today I snuck out and spied on Goldie, to see what was going on in the woods. Soon the whole pack joined her for a very important meeting with the neighbors.
Hello, hello, let’s all take our places.
Apparently, the dogs and cattle had some items to discuss, and Goldie was in charge of getting things going.
Now let’s settle down! Where the heck are the refreshments? The cows aren’t sharing their milk. It’s time for the meet and greet. Let’s all touch noses. Wait your turns, Brownie and Blackie!Now that we’re all here, let’s go over the dog agenda. You cows need to stop moving around in the woods at night. We can’t hear the coyotes and hogs for all your stomping. Wait wait! The rest of the dog committee wants to make our points! Ooh. It’s Alfred. We have to listen to him. He guards us. Let’s all touch his nose. Dang it, I’ve lost control of the meeting. You guys, get back with the group. Penney, go back inside. We’re breaking into subcommittees. Mooers to the left, stompers to the right, please. Barkers in the middle. I’m lobbying for less barking and more nose touching. Will you go along?
At the above point, Vlassic and this calf appeared deep in conversation. The calf was nodding and seriously considering what Vlassic had to offer.
Meeting adjourned! Let’s go bark, moo and stomp!
And the party is continuing as I type. The animals seem to genuinely enjoy their interactions. Humans with the agenda of napping, however, wish they’d find another venue for their get-togethers.
The Hermits' Rest 