Updated Pictures

Here are some newer pics of the kids, turkeys, chickens.

The wild turkeys were just passing through apparently and only spent one night here. I am not disappointed about that.

They entertained themselves with this bucket for several minutes.

Sleeping Late? Yeah, right.

Apparently the new turkeys DID find Prairie House hospitable and decided to stay for a night. This morning very early I was awakened to the Turkey Chorus. One Tom sang the melody, the others answered on the refrain with the hens adding background. It was not a presentation a person could sleep through when it was taking place just outside the window. I would also not recommend it for more than one performance, but I may not have a choice in that matter if they all decide to stay. I gave up the idea of sleeping in. When daybreak finally came and I had light with which to inspect the situation, I discovered 3 extra Tom turkeys and 2 extra hens (near as I can tell from the noise) roosting in the trees around the houses. It isn't turkey hunting season. We may be in for an interesting summer. I'm only hoping the visitors aren't bringing any ailments with them and they don't take our pretty turkeys away.

The word is out!

Apparently word has spread that Prairie House isn't a bad place for turkeys to hang out. Tonight at turkey bedtime it seemed the birds were making a lot more noise than usual. When I looked out the window, there were 5 wild turkeys standing in the driveway. As I opened the door to get a better look, their Tom took them up the hill and across the highway. Apparently the wild ones are traffic savvy because just a few minutes later they were back. This time when Rick opened the door they mosied on across the driveway to the east and waddled on past the white rail fence. It should be interesting to see if they stay here or if they tempt our turkeys to follow them and join the wide, wide world of wild animals. Hopefully ours will be smart enough to stay here, but I have heard stories of the wild ones leading the tame ones astray. I guess we should plan on putting some of those turkey eggs in the incubator just in case.

I don't remember drinking that much!

Yesterday morning we took 4 of the feline residents of Prairie House to see a retired veterinarian. Krazy Kat was scheduled to go, but he mysteriously disappeared when it was time to load the car and take off. Karl Kat, King Kong Kitty, Katie Kat and Chester went for a ride, stayed for a visit and came home in an altered state in more ways than one. The boys could walk with only minor stumbles, but only went a few steps and then decided it was time for a nap. Jumping was a whole different story. After two or three tries, success was ever so much more satisfying. Katie however could not walk without the drunken swagger of the far from tea totaller. She tried to stand and be graceful, but it just wasn't going to happen. I was funny and sad all at the same time. By morning all were doing much better. I was pleased with the bill. $80 total for all four cats. In Denver that amount wouldn't have covered having even one of the boys neutered. For $15 you can bet that Krazy Kat will be taking that trip. Juliet is going to have kittens the first part of April. She will also be visiting the good vet after that.

Friends

I had a great day today. This morning my best friend suggested we should "Do lunch". I know that doesn't seem like much, but this friend lives nearly 180 miles from me. She was serious. Three hours later she and her daughter were at my house and we went to lunch. That is a good friend.

She got to see all the kids, the baby chicks, the new greenhouse, and brought lots of stuff that she had accumulating for me at her house. I still have stuff there, but I can easily fit it in my car now, I hope. One of the things she has there still is a wooden gate which might be a challenge to fit in the car but I'm sure we will manage.

My beehive kit arrived last week. With the help of Jan and Amanda, I actually got my bee hive put together and ready to paint. Woo Hoo. I'm ready for that first colony of bees now. Here we are working on that construction project.

It sure is great to have a friend like that. And she has had to courage to stick with me for over 20 years. Now that is dedication.

I get a chance to repay her on Wednesday when I am going to Denver to take her to the hospital for a procedure after which they insisted an adult drive her home. I think I can look the part.

kids pics

Really Big Brother Star Big Sister Cream Brothers Rusty and Ebony

Mulberry thinking about lunch

Pegleg

Camomille, Mulberry, Pegleg

Mom and daughters

Camomille

Ginger, Camomille, Pegleg

Ginger says, "I am very proud."

My name is Ginger. I live at Prairie House. I gave birth to triplets on Tuesday morning. In my opinion, they are adoreable. Although they can be somewhat annoying what with that wanting to eat all the time thing. I didn't need any help getting these girls here, but my people, Laura Evelyne and Aunt Jo were sure I would. (I confess, last year I did need some help, but this year I was ready.) My people were also very worried that because it was so cold outside I would let my darling little girls freeze during the night. How silly humans are. I knew exactly how to care for them. I bundled them up in the corner where they would be out of the wind and could stay warm and I stayed very close to them.

I think my owners are pretty pleased with me and my new little girls. I'll bet you will see even more pictures of them on this site tomorrow.

Ginger falls apart

This morning when I got up the temperature outside was 11 degrees. So of course, this was the morning Ginger decided to have her kids. Triplets again. We brought them into the house one at a time to help her get them dry and warm, before taking each of them back out to her.

Mother and babies are doing fine now, but it is supposed to be cold again tonight so they may have to spend the night inside.

I will post more pictures in the next few days. They are all girls (last time all 3 were boys). All have their daddy's curls. The tan one with the black leg is very tiny...about half the size of the white one.

Ginger's secret

We have been patiently waiting for the arrival of Ginger's kids. I just found out about this secret code: The doe's secret code of honor is as old as goats themselves and is the species best kept secret. No doe shall ever kid before its time. (Its time being determined by the following factors): 1- No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your owner's house must be a wreck, their family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and their social life nonexistent. 2- "Midwives" must reach the babbling fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence mean the time is getting close. 3- For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed by at least one day for each item. If they use an audio monitor, one good yell per hour will keep things interesting. 4- If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready. She'll be fine while we're away for the weekend," Wait until they load the car, then begin pushing! 5- Owner stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close. 6- When you hear the words "I can't take it anymore!" wait at least three more days. 7 -You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are mandatory! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it, and nesting, are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait. 8- The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your barn mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. OH, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time. 9- If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have the kids, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe storm warning is what you're waiting for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works! 10- Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too. Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doeling to carry on the Doe Code of Honor for the next generation of those who wait. Author Unknown

Turkey eggs

I am so excited. Our turkey hen has decided to build her nest in the pole barn behind a pallet instead of out in the middle of the field where she can be eaten by a predator while she incubates her eggs. So far she has 5 eggs in her well disguised nest. I wouldn't have found them except I saw her hiding in there yesterday. I don't know how big their clutch gets before they start setting. I'll keep you posted on that progress. We have had several people comment on our "beautiful white and black turkeys". The Tom is usually strutting in all his puffed out glory and, they are right, he is beautiful. Juliet is starting to look heavy with child. Her babies are due around the first of April. Today Katie Kat is in season. I believe she will be moved into the greenhouse for the next few days to protect her from other cats as well as protect my sanity from her incessant begging. I feel sorry for her, but that noise is really annoying. The little chick that had trouble getting out of the shell and was abandoned by the mother hen as she went off caring for her other 3 chicks is doing well. We brought it in the house and put it in the incubator until it finished hatching and dried off. Then we took it out to the second hen who was hatching baby chicks and placed it near her. She immediately took it in as one of her own. We haven't been able to get an exact count but near as we can tell she has 6 chicks to care for. They are little Ameracaunas and are colored like chipmunks. Too Cute! The weather turned nasty and cold yesterday and we expected Ginger to have her kids then. Fortunately, she waited. It is going to be in the 50s again today with sun shining. Today is a much better time for her to have them. Watch for pictures once they arrive. Aunt Jo

Signs of Spring

Spring is near. I have pictures to prove it. These daffodils, geranium and tomatoes are blooming in the greenhouse. The tomato is one that I managed to save when the others froze after the window blew open in the greenhouse this winter. It has 6 blooms on it now. We should have tomatoes to eat by the end of April. WooHoo!

The geranium is a Martha Washington.

This Momma has baby chicks with her, but they are shy. As soon as I showed up with the camera, they retreated to the security and warmth of Mom's feathers.

This lovely lady should be much thinner by the end of the week. We are hoping she doesn't have triplets again. Twins will be just fine, thank you. Watch for pictures when the kids arrive! Also pictured it Star. We have already taken 4 grocery bags full of fleece from him this year. Now that Blanco Billy has moved on to new quarters, he has taken charge of the herd, tells them where to good food it located and guards them while they are out in the field.

This handsome boy has nothing to do with spring. He is simply the 18 pound miracle cat who was originally spoiled rotten by my Dad. Some things never change. He woke up just as I was taking the picture.