It's 1 A.M. Do You Know Where Your Bobcat Is?

The big excitement tonight is the defeat of the bobcat by four of the five dogs.
We realized that something unusual was out there when all four were barking wildly in the woods behind the house. Big Dan went out with a light and saw a big kitty.
While he loaded the shotgun, I had a look see. Sure enough, there was a bobcat, right behind the back fence. The dogs had him surrounded, and his every attempt to get up a tree was thwarted by Joe Houndog. That dog was running in circles around that cat faster than you could imagine.
I was a little worried because Lily was trying to bite it, and I don't think it's a wise choice to bite into a bobcat.
When Danny came out armed, we distracted the dogs so he could get a shot. I begged him to let the kitty go and he did. I'm convinced that Rufus, as we call him, won't be back for more dogfighting.
I wikipediaed bobcats (L. Rufus Rufus) when the kitty had made his get away, and found that they mostly eat rats and bunnies. So unless he had rabies, it was probably a good decision to let him run.
I never knew that a mixed hound dog could be such a valiant defender of livestock. Or maybe he just thought it was a coon?
I'm proud of the mutts and fat Beagle!

Po Folks' Basketball

I had an antique metal egg basket without its bottom.
I had an oak tree which wasn't living up to its potential as a backboard.
I also had four kids who want a basketball court.

Watermelon Anyone?

This is Scott lying on the watermelon patch, with a plant trying to grow through his tail.
Who can guess how big a watermelon yield we'll be getting this year?

Almost Done Planting

Now they are done, and are playing "dog seek;" a game in which they hide from the dogs and the dogs seek them.
Also joining in the fun are the neighbor and his dog.

Should I tell them that dogs have a keen sense of smell, or let them keep being surprised that they're tracked down so quickly?

It's funny to hear them laughing with such abandon. Nothing like dogs and kids!

"Adopt Me, Jodi!"

What do you think of this dog, Marin? You'd better come visit her to find out if she wants a two year old human.

Snow Capped Cattle

Here's Big Dan puffing diatomaceous earth on Charlotte to keep the bugs away.
#16 says, "Can I get some, too?"

The Farmer's Daughters

Here are my under represented daughters planting petunias. We're also going to plant roses today. I got them at Wal Mart for $2.50 each, so when they won't grow, it won't be a large financial loss.

Happy Birthday, Fat Suburbanite Dad!

Post a picture of the cake!

He'll try to tell you all that he's turning 39.
Right, like we'd believe that number ; ) Good try, FSD.

Running Races

I couldn't put just one of these pictures up. They both have their own merit.
This is our fastest runner, Katie, with another fast runner, Devin.

Beauty

This is what I think is beautiful.
Here's Bruno posing, then Devin helping.
One day I'd like my own American Pit Bull, but that will have to wait till Danny's dead. Or incapacitated.

Where I've Been Instead of Blogging

This is my mare and me out in the evening to enjoy a gallop.
I intentionally chose a photo in which I can't be recognized.
If you look closely, you can pick out the horse and rider, but I wanted you to see the sunset. There were little swallows flitting around us as we rode. We stirred up bugs for them and they kept us company. Lots of flowering plants and trees are in bloom right now, so the air was perfumed for our ride.

After the Rain

The world looks completely fresh and clean after the "April shower" passed quickly through.
The spring colors are popping out, and the smell is verdant. Wish you could experience it in person.

Whew! That Feels Better

This is just Shirley, but Cotton looks pretty similar.
In the top photo, you can see my neighbors' progress on their estate.

Sheep Haircut Day

Last year, we lead Cotton (the tame pet sheep) into the house, and wild and crazy Shirley followed her right in.
This year, we weren't so fortunate.
Shirley ran around the farm in a panic all morning, being herded by five human Border Collies.
We finally tricked her into the 10x10 and got her captured and put in the trunk of the mini van to go to the Amish boys for beautification.

Hopefully, we'll receive a phone call later saying that the sheep have military style haircuts and mani-pedis.
I'll try to post an "after" photo later today.
I left the camera out in the heavy rain the other day, so I'm expecting it to give up the ghost any time now. So far, so good though. Maybe I got more than I paid for when I spent $78 on this technological marvel of a camera.

Spring

Springtime Bridge and Stream

The computer is seizing up every time I get logged on to the blog. Hopefully I'll get a couple more shots by the girls on here.

Laura and Lily in the Woods

At the Risk of Becoming a One Issue Blog...

My neighbors seem offended by my ownership of guns. In order to let them know I am tolerant of their position, I put a sign in my yard.

Spring! (by Katie)

Katie took this.
She's out on the trails with the camera now, to get some photos for Uncle Mr. Funny Gummy Bear Sr.
Hopefully I'll post spring photos soon.

Pigs

Wilbur had gotten himself all the way in the trough, but by the time I got outside with the camera, he was out.

BBQ Cats

Houndog Joe's Dog House

Once again Joe finds himself sharing his house.
This time, it's with a mother hen and her 9 eggs.

Landscape Update

Here's with mulch.

Good Day to Ride

Mr. B was on pony ride duty today. It makes him feel important to give rides to the kiddos, poor old Grandpa horse.

Some Photos by Kate

Katie got tons of good shots all around the farm today. Here's just a small sampling.
The flowering tree is a dogwood- Virginia's state tree.
The goat is Child.

2nd Amendment Funnies

THE 2ND AMENDMENT


The purpose of fighting is to win... There is no possible victory in defense (waiting for an attack).

The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.


1. Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.

2 If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.

3 I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy.

4 When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.

5 A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him 'Why do you carry a 45?' The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46.'

6.. The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm.'Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?' 'No Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my shotgun.'

7. Beware the man who only has one gun. HE PROBABLY KNOWS HOW TO USE IT!!!

But wait, there's more!

I was once asked by a lady visiting if I had a gun in the house. I said I did. She said 'Well I certainly hope it isn't loaded!' To which I said, 'Of course it is loaded -- can't work without bullets!' She then asked, 'Are you that afraid of someone evil coming into your house?' My reply was, 'No, not at all. I am not afraid of the house catching fire either, but I have fire extinguishers around, and they are all loaded, too.' To which I'll add, having a gun in the house that isn't loaded is like having a car in the garage without gas in the tank.

Lynchburg TEA Party

Here's the kiddos at the Taxed Enough Already party.
Virgil Goode gave a rousing speech. Patriotism was kindled in at least one of my children. A good time was had by all.

Moth Riding Dinosaur

Here's a little moth who the kids brought in for a while. They like his hairstyle. It's fuzzy and blows in the wind.
Here he is having a ride on a foam dinosaur.

The Remains of the Laurel Bushes

Big Dan transplanted the sticks which used to be healthy, expensive laurels. If they can make a recovery, we'll have a nice hedge. They're still pliable, but have no leaves left. I have no idea what to expect from them.

Also planted in the shrub bed is Scott.

Landscaping. Again.

Since the goats had gotten loose and eaten the Otto Luyken Laurel from last attempt, here we go again.
We never did like the plants that the landscape architect chose for us, so at least now we're planting stuff we actually want.
Instead of laurel, we planted euonymus, variegated and refreshing. I've always wanted a tea olive because of the fragrance, so in the corner by the front porch (bottom photo)is an osmanthus. I think I'll get another one for the other side of that window.
If you look closely, you can see that I planted a companion plant behind it- Joe houndog.
I wanted a tall pyramidal shrub for the corner, and was thinking of a Nellie R. Stevens holly, but fortunately Lowe's didn't have one, so I got an arborvitae. I think I'm going to add another one next to the blue princess holly next to the one that's just been planted.
The girls like the arborvitae. They call it "the cedar tree."

Spring Evening

Here's our perfect end to a perfect day. The weather was nice. We had good friends over today and tonight. School went well. What else could we ask for? A bonfire, that's what!
We wish you could have been with us, Mr. Funny Gummy Bear and Super Girl. And we wish you brought marshmallows too.

Honey, Go Water the Cows, Will Ya?

Here's Big Dan, momentarily distracted from watering the garden by a passing bull calf.
Who could resist?

Happy Pigs

I know, I know, enough with the pigs already.
I talked to the butcher today, and they informed me that instead of scheduling a date for pigs, they're making a list and collecting names of people to call as they get time. That just freaks me out. I'm a Yankee, and I'm used to a little higher stress than this laid back approach to life. Maybe when we pick up the tender delicious cow next Thursday, we can get a little clearer idea of whether we'll be butchering by ourselves or not.
Yes, we bought a heifer, and yes, we have 8 cows in the field. We've been girl heavy lately, and don't want to waste our Dexter ladies, so we're stuck eating Black Angus for a while.

Say Cheese

Lily and her friend are enjoying the nice weather. The friend has just suffered a wasp sting on his back, and no crying. Tough kid!

Wholesome Fun?

Here's the kiddos playing a quaint little game called, "Human Sacrifice."
I have a feeling that they'll all ace their abnormal psych tests in college.

Thanks, Grandfather!

Here's Kate with her Easter bracelets. And the remains of the Easter chocolate on her face.

Post for a Particular Sister

I like to make sure my garbage can is always sparkling clean. I just don't feel like the house is clean unless I scrub it down daily.
Maybe some of you don't share my standard of cleanliness. Hmmm.

Pretty Stuff I Saw

Could you pretend that apple blossom is not completely blurry? Thanks. I couldn't make it focus properly, and was hoping it was just my eyes, but no, it really was blurry. AS you can see in the background, the goats ate the bark off of this Albemarle Pippin. I sold two more of the miscreants today. Take that, tree eaters!
Do you think the tree can pull through?