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!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Po Folks' Basketball
Watermelon Anyone?
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!"
Snow Capped Cattle
The Farmer's Daughters
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.
He'll try to tell you all that he's turning 39.
Right, like we'd believe that number ; ) Good try, FSD.
Running Races
Beauty
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.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
After the Rain
Whew! That Feels Better
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.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Springtime Bridge and Stream
At the Risk of Becoming a One Issue Blog...
Spring! (by Katie)
Pigs
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Good Day to Ride
Some Photos by Kate
Thursday, April 16, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Lynchburg TEA Party
Moth Riding Dinosaur
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Remains of the Laurel Bushes
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."
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Spring Evening
Honey, Go Water the Cows, Will Ya?
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
Wholesome Fun?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Post for a Particular Sister
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?
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