Happy midsummer
weekend to all and everyone!
We have reached the
middle of what it's called the summer over here. As I write this, the rain
starts pouring down once more. As it's a bit nippy too, it certainly does not feel
like it's time for picnics and paddling.
So, we have been
doing home chores all three days, dear husband and me. Our animals have been happy to help as best as
they can. Ebba has been an all-round helper, sticking her nose into every
project with catlike enthusiasm.
The hens have helped
by roaming quite happily somewhere, trying to save the world all on their own.
Monty also pops in to have a go at being the loudest cockerel in the county. He
does this on our step, facing the house so we really can't miss his antics. The
birds also take turns digging up my old flowerbed, so that's coming along a
treat. Our lovely, kind sheep have helped by eating weeds, bushes and all other
eatable greenery that we have been clearing away.
We lost one of our
sweet hares to a big bird of prey. It was a sad moment for all of us and dear
Ebba stands by the window, waiting for its return. It's heartbreaking to watch
her, leaning against the window, tail slowly wagging and all she sees is
blackbirds and seagulls. One nervy, jumpy hair is all we have got left. Poor
Ebba. We have tried to tell her that once the babies grow up they tend to fly
the nest or in our case, the apple tree but to no avail.
When we feel like
lifting the spirit of this household we have the option of going to the hay
barn. Not to role in the hay, I hasten to add, though that would be a very old
school midsummer festivity... But sadly no; hay fever and shyness keeps us away
from that kind of activity in the hay barn. Plus hay is surprisingly prickly.
We would feel shy,
for seldom have so many eyes been monitoring the comings and goings in this
particular barn. We now have more bats than ever sitting between the metal roof
and the old, wooden plank roof. We can hear them beeping and squeaking in that
high pitched voice of their species in the afternoons and then they start
moving about. It sounds like small grains of sand pouring down along the roof
and then a small head pops out from a hole in the old planks. Then more and
more funny, fury faces turn up and there we are, they stare at us and we at
them.
There is always some
eager soul that leans just a tad too far out to get a good look at us and then
has to fly around the barn for a while. Bats have bad eyesight, so it's
understandable that some leaning is required and maybe we smell funny to them.
We stand and admire the flyby and then sneak out of there. (I say we but mostly
it's me, as dear husband does useful things around here).
Bats make an unholy
mess in the barn and probably drive the resident squirrels up the wall, but
there they are and we are pleased to have them. They eat flies and other bugs,
so that's a help to our sheep and it is lovely to watch them fly, in the
evenings. We also have bats up in the attic, so it's safe to say that we have
gone completely batty! Still, better batty than ratty.
It's that time of the
year when whatever we do, we're surrounded by animals. That's what you get for
having them roaming and pruning all and everything. The elk and her two babies
stay around our place and why not - the more the merrier as my dear sister
would say. Dear husband sighs "There goes the donkey derby, again"
when our funny sheep run past our front door.
As we worked through
our list of chores, we realised that this has probably not been the traditional
way of celebrating midsummer, but it's been a good way. Visiting loved ones and
working together, getting things done and having a few laughs on the way. I
always have a few meltdowns on the way, mostly due to the chilly weather, but
dear husband just tries to ignore me as best as he can. Ebba laughs for both of
us so that evens it out. Once I get some more food I'm back... (Come to think
about it, I am a bit ratty, too...).
Our hedgehog project
has come as far as me signing us up as potential carers if there are some
prickly friends without a home. It would do wonders to this place, to have a
population of snuffling, snake eaters bumbling about. Ebba would probably
disagree or not, come to think of it. More entertainment for our dear dog. All
we can do is wait and see...
Darya is working hard
and will have to take a break from creating her lovely art for us. This blog
will not be the same with only photos and our kind friend will be missed.
Have a good week and
enjoy the warm weather, wherever it is hiding at the moment. Mindy, Mandy,
Molly and My are happy with our cool, animal friendly summer. Ebba is not
complaining, either and is telling me to get a grip and dig out the old winter
coat. Take care!
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