Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The Great Emptiness

Friends, 
It's very hard for me to write the following post.  I could not post yesterday, I felt too wretched. 

It was a beautiful day out today, and I have been trying to see the positive side of things.  I also have been reading your comments two days later... and thank you all for making me see there is a positive side. 


This was the full moon setting yesterday morning, I stepped out on the porch to take this in the western sky. 


And turned around to take this in the eastern. 


But the day actually dawned gray and dreary. 


Things went on as normal in the goatyard. 


But the chickens knew something was up. 
I did not let them out. 

It wasn't until 4 PM that my friends from northwest Missouri came to get them. 
I had to go outside, I could not watch the catching and carrying across the yard to the cages. 
I was getting sicker and sicker. 

They took from the old and the new henhouses.  

They took three of the ducks, Aflac, Donald and Cinnamon, and would have taken the other two girls if there had been room on the truck or in a cage. 

I was having a VERY bad time, so I was glad to see them pull out of the driveway for their one hundred mile drive back in the open back of the stacked truck. 

I didn't sleep. 

Stupid, I know. 


I tried to take pictures of the goats this morning... but I had treats and you see it wasn't working. 


Yesterday's eggs. (and five more were laid in the cages on the ride home to Northwest Missouri) 


Abby and I found a duck nest covered with straw in the 4 x 4 pen in the old henyard. 
I'll put these eggs down in the pasture tonight for the wildings. 


Fawni and Spicey had a treat tonight... and for some reason, they are not using their swimming pool... maybe because Donald is gone now. 

However... more about them in a minute. 


At one PM, the Tates and the Langfords pulled up. 
Friends, I want to tell you... I couldn't have picked kinder people to take my beloved goats. 
And granddaughter Hailey Grace is truly the chicken whisperer... they took another ten chickens, and 3 roosters, for which I am eternally grateful.  They took the Mille Fleurs, and Hailey was able to catch almost all of them without my netting them. 

This weekend, when I go to get my big vari kennel (because Delilah was in theirs, behind these two you see above)... I am going to take Fawni and Spicey to live with them.  

The little girls and Kelly and Mama Delilah were confused and bewildered by the fact that they had to wait in their kennels while we caught the chickens.... and I have to admit to you that their crying and screaming to me as they went down the road tore my heart up. 


Here are Moe and April, so very bonded, with Moe outside the fence.  I finally let everyone (left) loose this afternoon. 


Three minutes later, literally. 



Seven minutes later, after I had dragged the Attacker into the house, and had run back out to pick up the dead rooster. 

As if I haven't had enough to worry about these last two days. 


Today's egg count. 

That's a duck egg, and a bantam egg, the only banties left are two old girls, 
and the two porcelain girls... and Fluffernut. a year old cute little girl that I can't believe no one wanted. 

There are only two big egg layers left... Henrietta and Buffy, the Polish girl. 

There is one little tiny white bantam, a blacktail Japanese in the old henhouse, that 
I have not seen in two days, she and the three old roosters are hiding in the ceiling, where we can't see them. 
The events of the last two days have upset everyone. 

I need to rehome the porcelain older rooster and hen, she is still laying, so I am hoping to move them as a pair.  We have probably six roosters that will have to be put down when we do get moved, unless I can find (beg) someone to take them. 

I am so used to the goats calling to me when I come out on the porch... it seems so odd not to hear them. 
I am going to take the duck eggs and the game camera down to the bottom of the pasture and leave them for the wildings, and see if we catch anything on camera. 

Tomorrow, Nathan and Chris and Chris's girlfriend Haleigh are going to come from Garnett to 
help move boxes on Friday, as we get ever closer to the move.  They are the first of family seeing the new house, so we will take some pictures while they are carrying boxes.  We hope to move quite a few during the day, and I'll run them back down on Saturday. 

Thanks again, friends, for all your kind comments.  It's been a hard week for me. 


22 comments:

  1. I am so sorry Mary Ann, such an ordeal for all of you. I hope that things will be better when all the moving is done. You are I my thoughts, be well.

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  2. Oh sweetie, you are breaking my heart. It looks as though you have found great homes for those who needed a place, hang on, better days are coming. So sorry about Moe, it's always tough to lose one, but traumatic when under other stress. We are rooting for you, I hope the rest of the move is smooth.

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  3. Ahhh..Mary Ann so sorry for the pain you are feeling but on the bright side it sounds like you found wonderful homes for everybody. You will be in my prayers....

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  4. This is a very sad post. Hugs. ...and Moe. How angry you must have been. Sedona is the same; you can't turn your back for a minute.

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  5. Sweet Mary Ann. I am so sorry that your heart is breaking. As I read this,, I am crying too.
    The good thing is that the animals have gotten good homes.. And they will be loved!
    I know this is so hard on you... I am so sorry
    love
    tweedles

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  6. You share a sobering reality, Mary Ann, and it should give all of us with animals food for thought. Time will dull your pain, but the creatures you have cared for and loved will always be in your heart. Love and hugs.

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  7. Hugs. I agree with Michelle, there will come a time when I will have to do much the same thing as our retirement plans one day are to move to the coast . I think you will look back on this time as a special era in your life and you will have the blog to look back on. But something tells me you will find special things where ever you go , so I know that one day soon I will be enjoying reading about your new home and maybe mention of a critter or two that is about .

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  8. I felt similarly when I got rid of my horse. It must be much worse to get rid of so many animal friends at once. I feel for you.

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  9. Mary Ann, I can only imagine how heart-wrenching it is to give up your animals. Try to rest in the knowledge that they have nice, new homes and will be well cared for. I hope the rest of your moving will go smoothly. Take care. (((hugs)))

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  10. It has to be very hard for you, but the good news is that they have good homes to go to and that is a blessing.

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  11. I am glad you have been able to find them good homes. I am sorry for you losses. I
    HUGS!

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  12. I'm so glad to hear about the family that came for the goats, and the chickens yesterday! It sounds like they will be well taken care of! Will you be close enough to visit the goats on occasion? I'll bet they would love that! I will be thinking of you, as you continue with the move, and as you grieve the loss of your animals!

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  13. I'm so glad the goats and chickens are finding good homes. Hopefully, you can find the rest of the Roo's a good one too.

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  14. i am so sorry this is so tough on you but i guess there is no way around it. what an awful week for you but at least you know they are going to good homes. take care of yourself!

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  15. I shed tears for you--I'm a hopeless animal lover.

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  16. I know you are having a tough time right now. But knowing loving people are
    getting your friends should help alot! In the long run you and Keith will have more
    time to be healthy and that is a good thing, Hard to take noe but it will come as
    you move and start a new routine.

    M :)

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  17. ((hugs)) My heart is breaking! I am soo sorry you are going through such a tough time. I am happy that they are going to new wonderful homes where they will be loved as much as you loved them.

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  18. Mary Ann,

    Your animal family is going to great homes with people you can trust. I can imagine these people would love to have you come over and visit your animals any time.

    Now it's time for new beginnings in your new home with Keith, take care of yourself my friend.
    Sending hugs and prayers your way.

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  19. Mary Ann, I am sad with you. I remember how I cried as my goats left. So I feel your pain. So sorry about your rooster. I know this is so hard on you, but I know you are thankful to have found good homes for your babies. (((HUGS))) I will be praying for you!

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  20. Oh I am sorry to hear about your animals. I very much enjoyed reading about the goats and the chickens. I am sure your heart must be breaking. You are in my thoughts.

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  21. My heart goes out to you. Be strong.

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  22. I know how you feel and I am very sorry. Not everyone understands that we can actually see ourselves in our animals and when they go they take a part of us. I don't know his you do it with the dogs though. I just can't live with chicken killing dogs.

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