NOVEMBER WARMTH

For the past two days the weather here in Southern Maine has been mild and in the mid sixties. Few flowers are still in bloom, but these that remain are enjoying the warmth. All too soon the approaching cold will strike, and days like these will be a faded memory. The chickens too have been enjoying the weather. I have been trying to get the yard raked (where did this sea of brown come from), however the girls take this as a signal for some good old fashioned fun. Pig pile. They love to run and scurry through the leaves, just as my sons did when they were young. Sweet Honey

Charlotte

PipPearl.
I do hope I make progress on my raking, last year the snow fell before I could get this fall chore accomplished. Mental note: order new snowshoes and poles before it's to late!

"OLLIE"

Yesterday was a perfect day to finish up "Ollie" he was finally able to join his new friends. Unfortunately it is time to pack them away until next year, you can see Ollie is not happy about this by the look on his face. This morning as I went to gather eggs, Pip greeted me at the door and was soon joined by Willa. They were quite animated, it was as if they couldn't wait to show me something.
My oh my those girls of mine have been working overtime.

Eight beautiful eggs.

It has lead me to wonder what is so special about this particular nest box.
There are four nest boxes, but this one seems to be the favorite. Is it the amount of chips? location? or could it be once one egg is laid and still warm, it prompts another to jump in and go about her business. All I can say is what a delight to collect warm eggs first thing in the morning. Girls I am very grateful, keep up the good work!

FIRST SNOW

Proof that winter is just around the corner!

"ELLIOTT"

I posted a picture of this cat on a Wordless Wednesday. This is not Emma, but a stray on the island where my parents reside. She is lovely in looks and personality and I felt deserved a name. "Elliott" has been residing on a summer resident's porch in a grocery box. Now that this family has left the island my dad has befriended her. He has provided food, a newly constructed cat box, which will offer security and warmth in the cold winter months. My parents together made the decision to take her to the Vet in Portland. Elliot's age was determined between three and thirteen. She had been spayed at one time and was in relatively good health. She was given a rabies vaccine and treated for fleas. It is obvious she was someone's pet, however no one has claimed her. The Vet and my dad made the decision to bring her back to the island. Elliott has been an independent outdoor lady for quite some time and being caged up in a shelter would do more harm than good.

I myself cannot fathom how people can mistreat or just dispose of an animal. You all can rest assured that this lady will be well taken care off. I am glad to know there are good Samaritans like my parents in this world who choose to do the right thing. Elliott and I thank you both.

NOVEMBER

" November comes

And November goes,
With the last red berries

And the first white snow.

With night coming early,

And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fire burns

And the kettle sing,

And earth sinks to rest

Until next spring."

~Clyde Watson~

GHOSTS OF HALLOWEEN PAST

I love Halloween. I love the colors black and orange and old Halloween memorabilia. Our sons are now grown and Halloween isn't quite the same. No preparing costumes, trick or treating, or Halloween parties. So as a couple of empty nesters DH and I have begun our own Halloween traditions. Winslow dons a costume, this year I made him a chicken hood, but he was too embarrassed to pose. At twilight we head to a most magical place, "The North Gorham Cemetery". Now DH and I have been going to this cemetery walk for the past five years. This event is credited to one gentleman. Not only does he carve all the pumpkins, (we think he must have help, our son says "no") but he purchases them as well. A jack-o-lantern is positioned on each gravestone no matter how high or low. We drove by the cemetery in the late morning and saw no evidence of pumpkins. On our return through a few short hours later the pumpkins were all in their places.

At dark the magic beginsThe rains came early, but It was still a most amazing sight! I Hope your Halloween was as "Spooktacular" as ours !

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I check the girls' coop several times daily and today being no exception, found Pip nestled in a nesting box. Could it be?Why yes it could. Shortly thereafter she presented me with a beautiful blue egg.

In the corner of the coop floor was Honey, she laid her first egg. To date Honey's is the largest of the eggs given.
Honey is also my smallest hen. Its true, good things come in small packages.
And then you have Winslow Homer, the king and leader of Dog Trot Farm. It is just recently that I have allowed Winslow out among the chickens. Prior, I had kept him on a run, afraid he would chase and do bodily harm to the them. Winslow as you know by now has quite a reputation for getting himself into trouble and being naughty.
Enter Gladys ring leader of the hens. Mighty frog and mouse eater ( who knew?) and apparently not afraid of a four legged, pucker ridden, funny looking so called dog.

It has become quite apparent that Winslow Homer must remain on guard as Gladys has no issue with making her presence known. She has no reluctance in chasing, pecking,
and putting Winslow in his place.

and should she not be able to accomplish this on her own, the reinforcements are called in.

You go girls!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

A FIRST

By now most of you know I spend a lot of time visiting with my "girls". What I have learned from them is each and every one has a distinct personality and each breed presents different traits. My Buffs are more reserved, not as boisterous, are lady like and enjoy their "dirt" baths. The Ameraucanas have a "look at me" attitude, strut around with puffed chests (you would think they were males) and are aloof and loud. Now the Barreds. Right from the start they were the more friendlier breed and most open to human contact. They enjoy being held, carried, and will sit on your lap. The other morning while brushing my teeth, I looked out the bathroom window and who do I see? Miss Willa perched on the porch window box. You cannot come in, I'm sorry. Then I stood still and just watched.

She was trying to get comfy in the window box.
She had a determined look on her face

and then would need to take "five."Egg laying is hard work.

Willa I think you had better rethink this.

I'm serious

Not going to work, I told you. Hens have a mind of their own, don't you know.

Oops.Next day, second attempt

Yup I added chips, she works so hard to give us her "gifts"

Go ahead give it the old college try. Do you see what I see, Bingo!

With a very loud announcement one egg was delivered perfectly centered in the window box. Chickens are amazing, well mine are anyway.