Villhauer's Farm Blessings: So Much To Be Thankful For

Driving home late Saturday afternoon from a great weekend in Iowa, I spent some time reflecting on the past week and the great year we have had. I had gotten all my grading done so typed up much of this Blog post while we rolled down interstates 80 + 74.
Even though

the issues with Zorro have been at times trying, they are teaching us great lessons. Through our horses and trainer, we are learning so much. In this photo Zorro is going from one stall to the other. I hook both gates open so he has more room.

I am especially thankful for Amiga, and the fact that she is such a nice horse and getting along so well. I hope and pray Zorro heals faster, and can soon get the exercise he needs to be in a better frame of mind and of a calmer disposition. He is a sweat horse, just not happy about stall rest.
Amiga in the paddock....not much grass left.

I have finally come to the conclusion that Sissy was most probably devoured by the coyotes. It is so sad to think about. I know I shouldn't get attached to my barn cats....but I can't help myself. I am thankful though for the time I had to get to know and share with this wonderful kitty.

My neighbor lady Lisa, who came

to feed while we were in Iowa, said they had all 12 of their chickens killed a few weeks after Sissy disappeared. It occurred in one night by something that squeezed into her coop. Most of the chickens were left somewhat torn up but two were completely gone. She didn't think a coyote could fit through the hole at the bottom of the door that doesn't fit tight...but who knows. She also commented that the coyotes get very loud when they have made a kill. This coyote looks just like the one I have seen 2 miles from here. I got this picture off the internet.

I was planning to go back to the barn where we got Bro and Sis and bring home their other sister. Courtney had set up a time for us to go on Tuesday. But then Monday night our neighbor Brian came over with a little
black cat, that fit the

description of Sissy. She had shown up at his machine shed Sunday night. I was so excited to think Sissy had been found. But as soon as I picked her up, I knew it wasn't Sissy. She is skin and bones and upon close inspection has scabs on her face below each eye. She is super affectionate and very friendly and loves to be petted. Because she is so sweet and appears homeless, we have taken her in to stay with Brother in the barn. Has God brought her to us for both our sakes?

Tuesday I went out to check on our new barn Kitty and the wind had shifted from out of the south to out of the northwest. And as you might guess....the temperature had also dropped 18 degrees from what it had been earlier in the evening. That night and Wednesday morning we got
lots of rain. It

was puddled in the paddock and a muddy mess. I did not walk out to the water way ...but did not see pooling out there, so hope it is doing it's job. On the way to school Wed. the rain was freezing on the over passes and cars were in the ditch.

Thanksgiving Day it rained some more while Joe and I were out doing some last minute "winterizing". I got all the water buckets and dishes plugged in and Joe took care of the stock tank. We decided to make smaller turn-out areas for Zorro and moved the fencing pens closer to the barn, and made sure they were all attached to Eletro-braid to make them escape proof. Luckily we did this before the real cold hit and the ground froze. So, they will be "permanent" over winter until the spring thaw.
Hopefully by then Zorro will be given a

clean bill of health and won't need the confinement. The rain started freezing at about 2:00, but soon after it stopped raining. So, things like our deck were covered in a layer of ice. I had had enough of outside work so came in and helped Britney with Christmas decorations. The chickens had decided to hang out in the barn rather than search for food in the freezing rain.

This is the hay feeder Dan built. He still needs to put legs on it but I wanted to give it a try. It seems to be working... keeps the hay from blowing away and getting spread all over the ground.

       We had our Thanksgiving with Joe's side of the family at Tracy and Teresa's house on Friday. Like two weeks ago, it was a tasty feast...only this time I had nothing to do with it's preparation. Again, fun was had playing games, talking, and watching tv. To burn some calories, many of us gave a shot at "just Dance", a Wii video game. I also went for a few walks because we had taken Kaysha with us.

     I was ready for school Monday and Tuesday, but had to scramble to prepare for the rest of the week. I had thought I was in better shape. I also was wanting to work on more Christmas decorating and finish up this Blog post. But pressing school work prevented that.

     By today I was really wondering if the new barn kitty was going to work out. She has attacked both Kaysha and Bro. They were keeping their distance each time... but she ran up on them and attacked. She is a real survivor.... she growls while she eats... probably what she had to do with siblings or other cats in order to get enough food.

She follows me around and is super affectionate, but thinks she has to be tough and on guard all the time. It makes Bro and Kaysha keep their distance.... which I don't like. I want piece and harmony on our farm. In these two pictures she is by the wheel of the wheel barrow and growling at Bro and a chicken. Notice her reaction when the dog shows up. Now there is hissing and howling. I am not sure how long I should give this a try to see if she is going to work out.

As always, the drive home last Saturday afternoon seemed long and somewhat depressing. None of us like to see the good times end. It was a beautiful day for a drive, with the sun mostly at our backs. Looking out at all the farms; we spotted a horse and rider, several cattle herds, and even a large herd of deer in a corn field. There were flocks of geese and as the sun set, Christmas lights started to appear.