And there have been some ups and downs
for me as well.
But regardless of the difficulties and sadness,
I have cheered myself up by thinking about
all my blessings and everything I have
to be thankful for.
Saturday Carol reported that 2 of her ducks died within 24 hours, and she wasn't completely sure of the cause. I felt bad for her and the ducks.
It was a very windy day and felt colder than the 53 degrees it was. I got a ton of school work done from 4:30 to 8:30, but then my productivity level started to decline. I headed outside after an early lunch and it actually wasn't all that bad temperature wise... but the wind complicated outdoor tasks, dried out the eyes, and made it difficult to keep a hat on. I discovered our ornamental weather vane had been bent by the
wind. The chickens kept low to the ground and
the horses grazed with tails to the wind. Steve and Tiny have been getting braver... venturing farther from the coop. Here they are out near the well.
I got the dog crate moved out of the coop and reorganized some stuff in there, including putting up a makeshift roost using the xerox box. I did some more tiding up around the yard but by 3:30 pm, I was wandering aimlessly wondering where my motivation had gone. I noticed Tiny and Steve decided clinging to the chicken wire was
better than the stick I had for them.
After dinner I pushed through grading some lab reports, but finally gave in to exhaustion. After climbing into bed, I did one more set of hand and wrist massage and stretching exercises before falling to sleep.Sunday morning my wrist and hand were sore and swollen. I must have over done it the day before, both with my therapy exercises and working around the house and yard. I massaged it and did some slow gentle stretching while doing my daily Bible reading. Then I graded Lab Reports until 10 am which was when I headed outside to work. We were expecting Courtney and her friend Amanda with daughter Lexi. The girls were running late so Joe and I were able to get some things done. He had run into town to buy a new pitch fork, having broken the other one. So he cleaned stalls while I cleaned out the duck water tub and several water buckets.
Well, it wasn't long and tragedy struck. Kaysha killed the rooster Steve. It happened so fast. In the blink of an eye she broke his neck and he was gone. I saw her go into the coop (she eats the chicken feed sometimes) and I yelled at her but was busy with Lexi at the time. And then I heard a squawk, looked up and saw Kaysha coming out of the coop with Steve in her mouth. I yelled and she dropped him. His wing moved a bit as I grabbed her and walked her to the deck, reprimanding her the whole time and put her in time out. I went back and scooped up Steve and his head was completely limp. A little blood was on his beak. I peeked in the coop for Tiny and she was sitting on the floor in the corner where she lays her eggs. Steve was probably trying to protect her from the dog. I carried him around for probably 10 minutes hoping he was faking dead and would come to life. I honestly felt like his heart was still beating. Then I laid him in the hay in the barn... still not convinced. But 15 minutes later it was clear he was gone.
I couldn't completely clear Steve from my mind, but still had a great time with our lady visitors. We talked about horses as Courtney picked their hooves for me. Amanda (who has been around and trained horses several years, and experienced lameness issues as well) looked at Amiga and Zorro, giving us good advice and hope for our two young Paso Finos.
Lexi was more interested in helping Joe who was adding a ring of boards to the trailer to make it taller. They took a break from construction to 
pet the cows. Norman and Babe were not too sure about Lexi. They don't see little people very often. She took off her unicorn cap thinking they might be afraid of it. She was so cute. 
As we were finishing up in the barn, I spotted Tiny trying to befriend the ducks and then some chickens. She is the smallest bird in the middle of this photo. I don't think she even tried looking for Steve... she knew what had happened to him. Meanwhile, back at the deck in time out, Kaysha was still looking very sad and sorry. 
We roasted hot dogs in the fire pit and enjoyed lunch before the three visitors had to head out.I then set to work at making a pen on the south side of the barn so the horses can be out there on nasty days, and we can get them to and from the front pasture without needing to put halters on them. I eventually got frustrated with my lack of strength, while also getting shocked 3 times by the fence, and ended up in tears. I hadn't shed a tear about Steve so think that's partly why my difficulties resulted in sadness. Steve was such a beauty and he was a nice rooster and it was such a pointless, unnecessary loss. I also felt so bad about poor Tiny loosing her mate. And I was feeling sorry for myself with the loss this broken wrist has caused. But all this pales in comparison to the loss so many others have faced.
An amateur photographer (Frank Glick) recently captured this amazing shot (which has been circulating on the internet). It was taken at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota. Most Americans see the eagle as a symbol of patriotism and dignity, and some cultures believe it is a messenger between heaven and earth. I am humbled at the sight and reminded of the numbers who have given their life so that we might have freedom here in the USA. But the ultimate sacrifice was of Christ who died on the cross to free us from death and give us eternal life.
I agree with what Joe's sister Patty posted on Facebook, "I'm thankful that there are people willing to do what it takes to protect our country!"
I had moved the roosting board and box from the coop since it hadn't appealed. Then I had Joe screw up this longer board for a perch and I tied the chicken wire to it so Tiny could roost there if she wanted but not bend the chicken wire. And sure enough, she was settling in for the night before I came into the house.Monday and Tuesday zipped by at school and at home. I shopped and then fixed veggies for our Growth Group Pot Luck Monday and went in for therapy after school Tuesday. It rained all day Tuesday so my mind was set on getting things done here at my desk. First I needed to work on more grading and this blog so I could then tackle one of the several other goals I wanted to accomplish, such as: all lesson plans done for December (including tests and exam written), my first 2 weeks of 2nd semester planned, Christmas letter written and cards sent, Christmas decorations up, etc. With Britney arriving home Dec. 20th I want every thing done by then, (including gifts bought and wrapped and the house cleaned). Then I can just enjoy time with her and others and celebrate this wonderful season.
As the week progressed Tiny slowly made her way into my flock. On right she is wandering by herself.
Then she see Hercules and goes over to join him.
She follows him into the chicken coop and starts eating.
And one of the Americanas comes in to join her.
I made it through 5 hours of meetings during the Institute Wednesday. Once home, I was in the mood to celebrate and wanted to start getting out and organizing Christmas decorations. However, I couldn't figure out how to get my Christmas music to play so opted to catch up on e-mails and Facebook while eating my 2:00 lunch. Rather than napping I went out to
"play" with the horses because it was
so nice out. I wasn't really playing, I groomed all three of them, starting with Zorro and ending with Roni who was the dirtiest. Amiga and Zorro at right fairly cleaned up. Roni below is next. 
I left Zorro tied to the hitching rail the whole time so he could work on patiently standing haltered and tied. Well, he is so ADHD that he started mouthing the rope. I kept telling him to stop. He got to the point that every time I looked at him he would drop the rope and as soon as I looked away he would pick it up again. What a goof ball. This video is when I first caught him horsing around.
I did put on bridles and bits and do some ground work in the round pen with Amiga and Roni. Just as I was finishing up, Marj came over to drop off some egg cartons and we had a nice little chat. After she left, Lisa came with her boys to go through the farm chores list so they know what to do this weekend. It was 5:30 and dark by the time I sat back down at my desk. I ended up taking a short nap, watching Survivor with Joe, and then going to bed.
Today is Thanksgiving, as every day should be.
I spent some time out in the barn a few evenings this week, brushing the horses, visiting with the barn cats, and reflecting on life as I know it and on what it must have been like, especially on the farm and in the barn back when it was built over a 100 years ago. I am thankful to have horses and be a part of the old barn's history.
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