It's 2:30, Do You Know Where Your Snake Is?

If. It. Would. Just. Cool. Down. 

They would all go back underground! 

Honestly, I am not going to show you more snakes today, though I am going out in a minute to make sure I get some eggs from the henspa today. 

I have been watching the ducks now for a few days as I do chores. 

If you can see in the dappled sunlight... the Khaki Campbell girls, Cinnamon, Spice and Fawni have all lightened up considerably in the summer sun.

You can see them a little better in the full sun.  Donald is ever-vigilant. (on buzzard watch!) 

See how dark Cinnamon and Spice were when they came here?  Cinnamon, especially! 

This is the view I usually have while filling the duck pond! 

I hurried to cut the yard this morning, as we are still expecting severe storms and possible high winds late this afternoon and into the evening. 

Does anyone know what these gorgeous berries and this bush is?  I haven't had time to look it up yet. 

My gosh, they're pretty, and I sure don't remember them from last year.  

This fence line (the west) has become very overgrown.  I can see a fall project here. 

Oh, Honey-about-to-get-home-from-training-people-for-a-week.... there's a little project waiting for you. 

That was our very first pophole ramp. 

Too many goat hooves. (and heavy turkeys)

There's another ramp on the side, so the chickens can either hop up or walk up the higher ramp. 

I went outside this morning at 5:30 to get this picture... I am just absolutely fascinated with the Harvest Moon for some reason.  My little point and shoot did a good job... and right now, this afternoon, more clouds are gathering before the storm. 

I'll be sure to batten down the hatches before coming in for the night tonight, and yes, I'm a FRAIDY-CAT!!!

Shine On, Harvest Moon

Just at dusk, tonight.  It's dark now and the moon is a huge orange orb.  

It's nights like these that I wish my little sister were still with us to see how beautiful it is. 

I guess she is looking at it from the other side, though... and has beauty surrounding her. 

Today, I really overdid it in the henspa. 

This. Ticked. Me. Off. 

See that egg in the middle?  See the one by his tail?  

I GOT THEM. 

He already had one in his mouth. 

Uh huh. You're not getting that egg in the middle! 

Vanquished!

I went in there a half hour later, and he was gone.  He did get one egg, so won't starve tonight.  He needs to eat some of the mice! 

Wanna know how I did it?  

I went in and got two ladles from the kitchen.. held him back with one and scooped the eggs up with the other!  

This kept me busy in the heat this afternoon.  This is the bed Chris trimmed for me a week or so ago, and I got the landscape paper down on it, some dirt... and the straw.  I need about 60 more bags of dirt to cover that straw and paper... but there is dirt holding the paper down right now strategically.  We'll get dirt as we are able through the fall. 

The mums you see in front of you are the castoffs stepdaughter Andrea gave me... they are doing so well and by next year will be almost as big as the huge red one you see on the left. 

She did not know the colors... one is the most delicate pink... you can't see the flowers, but I hope it gets HUGE. 

My assistants were helping me and snacking, too. 

But I have to give them credit... they were holding the paper down for me. 

We were originally going to plant small fruits in this bed... raspberries and blackberries. 

But you know what, folks?  We don't eat that many. 

Rather than do all that work, I am going to put more flowers in it.  

(Not that that isn't work). 

When I got ready to come in and fix some dinner, I put the little ones back in their pen.  Kelly went in at dusk and jumped right up on his "bed".  He and Kody always went right in at dusk. 

I took the opportunity to lock the little girls up, and took the mower in and cut the grass in their pen. 

They had to come out and check out what I had done when I finished.  However... I kept an eye on them, and by the time I finished taking the picture of the moon at dusk, they had gone back in. 

The ladies of the henspa lucked out because I had so much straw.. I took half a bale over to them and they tore right into it.  I always put it in two or three piles, so the little birds and pullets can join in. 

Notice who is directing the show now? 

Ferdy, aka Ferdinand.  

He appears to have taken over. 

I put the game camera out in the pasture tonight... I noticed both big dogs picked up on something this morning as they trekked around the pasture.  We'll see in the morning what it is, I hope. 

Also... we had a warm day today, up to 93.  Tomorrow is supposed to be hot and sultry, before a cool down. 

I caught on the news just a minute as I came in that severe storms may be in order, tomorrow night into Friday morning.  

I'm scared to be alone during storms, I admit it.  So are the dogs! 

Can't wait 'til Keith gets home!