Wednesday, June 2, 2010

CATCHING UP

I have survived, I have prevailed. What began as a three day stomach flu morphed and settled in my throat. Three weeks of no voice, just a croak. To make matters worse smoke which has been blowing in from the wildfires in Quebec, Canada found it's way here to Southern Maine. Add pine pollen to the equation, and you have misery, plain and simple. Oh, and let me just state my best buddy my laptop became ill as well and needed to be sent to Ohio for treatment. But enough about that, lets catch up shall we? The Bluebirds have been busy raising their families, three sets of families to be precise-may I just add what great parents the Bluebirds have been, diligently providing food and removing waste...
The perennial beds are beginning to fill in and the clematis is spilling over my old picket fence, quite a garden show piece this clematis has been this spring...

My parents gifted me with this beautiful teal glass garden globe along with a black rod iron holder. How pretty the pink clematis and teal globe look together in the garden. Thank you mom and dad.
My girls are doing well, Gladys has fully recovered from her brush with death and every one's egg production is up to speed once again...

This is the face of Iris, her photo taken on a very hot and humid morning not so long ago.
Let me set the scene, I had been working in the pumpkin patch, DH had been lugging extra roof shakes to the cellar, (finally a new roof which means no more leaks in my bedroom closet, yippee) while Winslow Homer was placed on guard duty at the edge of the woods. Squawks with feathers flying alerted us to the now common sign of imminent danger. Iris was snagged by a fox and was being dragged down into the woods. I threw down my hoe, grabbed Winslow Homer, and we were once again on this all to familiar rescue mission. Down the sloping bank the fox and Miss Iris went, fortunately for me Iris is one heavy girl. The fox could carry her no further, dropped my girl, and Iris scurried for home just as fast as her chubby little legs could take her. Winslow chased the fox off (for now anyway) and everyone was no worse for wear. Well, maybe me- but we won't go there.
During our brief heat spell the girls seem to wilt right before my eyes. They would pant, spread their wings and drop anywhere they could find shade and a little breeze. Lulu took refuge among the violet's leaves.
Now the best news of all, here at Dog Trot Farm we have two new babies! Please meet Fern and Phoebe- Silver Laced Wyandottes. It is so nice to have babies in the house once again and Winslow is enjoying his new bunk mates.

These two girls appear quite feisty, demonstrating take-offs and landings as well as being quite talkative. I am positive they will afford me many future stories -please stay tuned!
A big thank you to everyone who inquired about my well being and for all your kind comments and concerns, blogging friends are just the best!

16 comments:

Ken and Mary of Fancy Fibers Farm said...

So glad to hear that you're well. We checked your blog everyday and was greatly relieved to hear of your return to the land of the living or at least the blogging. Poor Iris! It was a near run thing for her. I guess there's some advantage in being "big boned" ahem, as they say. I wish I could loan you are livestock guardian/chicken loving dog Bear, he would make short work of those foxes. Foxes are no laughing matter to be sure, but last night my DW was rushing about to secure the 2 1/2 dozen hens, wholly atypical behavior on her part. So, I asked her what she was about and she told me that she had been reading about foxes getting chickens. I assured her that I was pretty sure we didn't have any foxes in our part of Texas and that Bear would handle the odd coyote/coon/possum. Again glad you kicked your bug. Someone has to take care of your girls. Ken and Mary of Fancy Fibers Farm, Texas

JC said...

I'm glad you are feeling better.
So, glad that the fox didn't hurt Iris.
Your babies are so pretty.
Keep them doors only so no fox or whatever can get them.

And, I'm jealous ... we've had almost three weeks of rain. Today was nicer though. No rain and just a visit or two of that yellow stuff.

Farm Girl said...

Oh I am so glad to see you are back, Poor Iris, That is one really brave fox. I got one Silver Laced Wyandotte in the spring when I got my new chicks and she is the sweetest hen I have ever had, I think you will be so happy. Isn't it nice to have baby chicks again?
So happy you are better, I have missed your posts.

Unknown said...

Glad to hear your feeling better. I must say things are looking quite beautiful in your neck of the woods. And Fern and Phoebe (love their names) make quite the adorable pair.

Glad to hear Iris is no worse for wear!

~Andrea~

Gail said...

So pleased you and your computer are feeling better. Missed you!

Eve said...

The babies are beautiful Julie. I'm so glad Iris survived, and you too. The gardens are lush and I love the globe from Auntie and Uncle! I'm thinking of you and so glad you doing better. Hopefully the air will clear and all will be right with the world!

Pondside said...

Welcome back. I'm glad to hear that you survived that nasty virus and are back in full-fox-foiling mode!

Kathy in KY said...

It's good to see you're back and feeling better. Your baby chicks are beautiful, and the clematis looks wonderful among all that green in your garden. Our weather here has been very hot for the end of May/beginning of June. It is getting into the upper 80's with a lot of humidity, and the afternoon thunderstorms that crop up. Some flash flooding and severe thunderstorm warnings keep all of us alert. We've been lucky in our part of the state, and the bad storms seem to pass below or above us. Glad to hear Iris is OK - how scary that must've been for all of you. Take care, from hot and humid central KY.

Rowan said...

Sounds as though you've had a pretty grim time, so glad you are feeling better again. My friend in NH told me about getting the smoke from the Canadian fires - it must have made your throat even worse. Still, there are some good things happening too, love your new babies:)

Birgit said...

I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling better and no worse for ware. Getting sick in the spring stinks!
Your two new chicks are as cute as can be! Oh, so fuzzy and soft looking. I so wish I could get me some chicks but I'm not sure I could handle the extra excitement that comes along with them.
We're surrounded by woods and many predators, I'm sure.
Glad to hear that Iris is doing okay too.
Hugs to you~ Birgit

Sherrie said...

So glad that you are feeling better. I can sympathize with your fox story. Even though I live right intown, we have foxes and coydogs. It is not unusual for me to be sitting on the front porch and have one of them walk right by, especially on get out the trash night. That is one of the reasons that I do love where I live, I can walk to the store, bank and schools, but also get the wildlife. The good and the bad. I will be below the dance studio, fortunately more under there lobby area than the actual dance space, and across the street from Tinsel Bright. I will be announcing the opening in the Gorham Times as well as on my blog. It will either be the 19th or the 26th this month. Please spread the word. It will be vintage kitsch mixed with old crocks and bowls. I am looking for consignments if you are interested. I look forward to meeting you. Thanks for stopping by.

Rural Rambler said...

Julie! I am so glad you are back, missed ya :) Also very very happy Iris loves her food and was too much for that stinkin' fox! Fern and Phoebe, well they just have the cutest little faces and butts :) I'll be stayin tuned for all the latest at Dog Trot Farm!

Jenny said...

Hi Julie, I'm trying to catch up on my fav blogs! So, I'm really sorry that you've been unwell with the flu, but very glad that you're now better and enjoying the garden and your girls and as for the two new ones.....well they are gorgeous. I'm looking forward to Fern and Phoebe tales already! Oh and I love their cute stumpy legs!
(-:

John Going Gently said...

we dont have bluebirds here (except over the white cliffs of dover)

Kim said...

Good Grief! I swear your chickens are part cat -- luckily they have 9 lives!
This fox is starting to get on my nerves. Can you try and live-trap him? Then take him for a looooong drive in the country??
Kim

DayPhoto said...

I'm glad you are feeling better! Gosh you have had a long haul.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/