Birthday week

The morning of my dear husband's birthday went off with a bang. Literally....

The farmer next door, who had decided that enough was enough, blew up a huge stone that was in the field, just next to our house. All the maneuvering around it with a tractor takes time and where there's a rock, there is no crop growing. We were informed about this loud project so Mindy, Mandy, Molly and My were called back in to the stable while this was happening.

It's amazing to see how happy our sheep get, when asked indoors even though the sunny day has just started. It was like Christmas Eve in there, all snuggled up and smiling before I even get the door closed. They did lift an eyebrow when the loud bang was heard but that was all. "We're safe and sound indoors", seemed to be their view on special events. And why not?!

Monty went quiet for an hour or so and then got back to his tooting. The field looked a bit wild with sharp stones scattered far and wide. The rest of the day was lovely and dear husband got presents that made him smile. Apparently they are going to share the bones Mr. Chip gave him, which is fair enough.

It's apple-picking season and this year we have a lot of fruit to enjoy. This means that the elks pick apples from the trees, the deer population pick them from the ground and what they omit to eat, our barrel sized sheep take care of. Birds peck at the apples that are still on the trees and we hope to get a few, before they are all gone. So all hands, feet, and beaks to the pump, so to speak..... It is a lovely season, though...

Our vast squirrel community has once again had babies so now tiny tots are hanging around the oak trees. Thin, long tails whisking away and small faces appearing amongst the leaves. They are very sweet animals but it makes me a bit apprehensive, thinking of all the food we have to provide, this winter. Mr. Chip is standing under the trees hoping that someone will miss and fall out of there. With his luck it will be the tired mother squirrel and he will have to make a run for it.

Henrika the hen is laying her eggs somewhere in the forest, close to our house. I have tried to follow her to her nest but she turns and walks away when she sees me. Why she has moved her production line outside is anyone's guess but it's a bit unnecessary as there is enough space indoors, for everyone. The funny thing is that she has started turning up, small head sticking out amongst the long grass, squawking at me, telling me that another egg has been made. And I can't find them for love or money... One day the pile of eggs will be so high that even I will spot them!

We got a picture of little Eric and his ladies' yesterday. He is enormous and probably the loveliest looking cockerel I have ever seen. He was on his way to take a mud bath in a nearby stream and had a look of determination about him. It was lovely to see him again.... I still haven't visited our friend's, more because of lack of time than because I'm a wet blanket when it comes to saying goodbye to Eric, again. One day... He lives like a king with nice people so Eric is not complaining. Nether am I, we were lucky to place him with good friends, him being the height of a small dog, and all. Eric's new family kindly lent us a picture of him, for this text. I thought we all would enjoy seeing him again. As you can see, he still hangs out with the same breed of hens as before. This must make him feel secure, I think.

Sitting outside in the garden is like a computer game, at the moment. "Spot the hens," ten points extra for catching a glimpse of little Matti the cockerel. No points for Monty, as he informs us where he is. Autumn seems to be a busy time for our hens and now they have taken up running from one place to the next. It gives a sort of Alice in Wonderland feel to the place. We are expecting a white rabbit any day now, clock and all...

Mr. Chip is sunbathing and eating like a horse. Apparently older dogs are supposed to do that and food is extra important for them, or so he tells us. He is in a feisty mood, barking and growling when walking in the forest. He has taken to patrolling in the yard too, barking loudly as he goes. Maybe the bear is close by or maybe he is feeling inspired to be a guard dog now that he is 14 years old and should really retire. Whatever the reason, we enjoy watching him take over the world and when he barks the sheep answer so it all becomes quite musical and lovely. Monty can be heard muttering in between and that's nice too. The rest of the hens have no time for musical interludes, they are jogging...

Mice can apparently jump down 3-4 meters without injuring themselves. How do they get up?

Have a good week and enjoy all these lovely autumn days. We are eating apples...