Indian Summer

       This past week's weather was just gorgeous. The temperatures started rising last Saturday, and although it was colder and windy Sunday, Monday-Friday it was beautiful.  It was in the upper 60s or low 70s each
                                                                                   day with sunshine
and gentle breezes. Wouldn't you know, though, it was raining this morning before all our house guests were due to arrive.  I was thinking "so much for a beautiful weekend on the farm".  But, we need the rain so it wasn't all bad.

    
     Saturday after I posted last weeks blog, Joe and I took down the fence around the new grass in front of the garden and moved it over to along the railroad tie at the garden's edge. The chickens thought this new range was great for exploring.



Bro was helping me secure the fence to the posts with the wire.  Then he decided to sneak up on Floppsie.  Now that he doesn't have Sissy to stalk and attack...he uses the chickens.  They don't put up with it though, especially Brooster rooster.

                   Here Brooster is chasing Bro while Zorro looks on.

  
   I went for a nice long ride on Amiga, working her in the round pen first. 

    As I rode I still kept a watchful eye out for Sissy.  Even going as far as looking through the water way that passes under I-74.














No signs of Sissy, but I did see the remains of bunnies and birds and I saw lots of coyote poop along the tracks.  

   
     Once I got Amiga un-tacked and brushed, I went back to clean up the Coyote poop and put Kaysha's poop out there instead.  I had picked up two weeks worth of her work from the yard.  I am trying to give the coyotes a message.....that this is not their territory and they need to KEEP OUT! 

      I dropped in on a neighbor I have never met before on my way home from Church Sunday.  When talking with him, he said there has been several coyotes running together and they come right up to his house after dark and hunt the rabbits in his yard. He has a tiny little Yorkie he will not let out after dark, unless he has him on a leash.   He thought the coyotes would probably eat all of a little cat with out leaving much trace, except maybe some fur.  Now my hopes are down and my fears have really grown.

      Britney was woken by coyote baying early Monday morning just before I got up. She said it sounded like they were just outside her window.  I hadn't heard them, but maybe that is what woke me up earlier than usual....actually it was Kaysha barking that aroused me from sleep. 

     I like this picture of Floppsie, rather camouflaged, looking for food amongst the dried Day Lily leaves.  She would be a sitting duck (or I guess chicken) if the coyotes were hunting her.  Luckily the chickens are safe in the coop at night. And actually, I don't think the coyotes come on our property because we have the electric fence on.  But, they seem to come just outside the fence, especially back by the tracks.  Bro goes hunting back there a lot, because there is a lot of good cover for him and what he is hunting for.  But I recon there is also some
                                                      cover for what might be hunting him.

    
     I had worked about 12 hours on school work last Sunday anticipating this weekend being very busy with family coming. I got much done but needed a break, so took a sick day (mental health day) Tuesday.  It was a gorgeous day.  I got 3 more hours of school work done and then spent the day outside working.  Daniel removed the fencing from around the picnic

shelter, seen above, and mowed the new grass and all of the lawn. 

     The chickens and Abbey enjoyed having access to the new grass..... tender to the toes and great to dig through.



      I mowed a new  path out in the alfalfa field and around the round pen.  You can see in this picture that the new grass is still nice and green.  Below, look at how it compares to the mature stuff that has already gone dormant.


      I fertilized and watered the twenty little pine trees out back; took down all the Halloween decorations, with Abbey's help, and put up some Thanksgiving stuff; hung decorative lights in the picnic shelter; cleaned out and refilled the two water tanks; swept out the barn;








put in some stepping blocks in front of the chicken coop, seen in the photo on the right with Betty coming over to check out my camera; and I did other things around the yard and barn to clean up and prepare for winter and Thanksgiving guests.

     We have been planning to get a new cow for several weeks now, so I installed a hook to hang a water bucket on out in the corn crib.  Daniel has designed and been building a hay feeder we can use in the paddock.  It will be helpful with the horses as well. 


    



     We tried hay in a water tank last winter, but it would blow out or the tank would fill with water and freeze. 


     I had my ridding lesson Tuesday and then went to Marj's Thursday to ride with her and Courtney.  Both day's it was nice...but we end in the dark now, with the sun setting so early.

     The sun sets have been pretty, but I prefer the rises....
                                      which start a new day and give hope to life.

     The animals come out of the barn and coop to start another day.

     With these warm Indian Summer days, we have spent more time outside.  Britney hung her laundry out to dry on the new line Joe had strung between the garden shed and garage shed.  Notice Brooster is coming to see if he needs to protect his hens...but he is no match for Britney.

     Abbey has enjoyed sitting out and watching life around the farm yard....

as long as Brother doesn't crowed her space.














        We have allowed Kaysha to run loose more while we are in the yard.  She has a good time but is intent on catching our squirrel who has been busy stock piling acorns for the winter.

      Brother has also enjoyed the warmer days.  Here he is relaxing in the sun under the picnic table in the shelter.  Look at those claws.

     Bro and I have started getting used to not having Sissy around.   I think he is lonely and we both miss her.  I have not given up on her returning.... 
but realize it would be a miracle at this point.  So, I (and Bro) have not been looking so frantically.