Bad News, Good News, and Sky Watch Friday

First, the bad news.  I had a rough time sleeping last night.  Mike has been sick.  He's been coughing and moaning in his sleep.  Of course, he's not been sleeping that well, either.  But that's not the only reason I didn't sleep well.  All the animals think they should be as comfortable as possible at bed time.  That means they think they should all sleep with us. Except Prissy.  She rarely ever gets on our bed.  Elvis, who I named after Elvis Presley (A Little Less Conversation-remix), climbs right up my shoulder and puts his face in my face to sleep.  Max (who Mike named with his ex before we met) gets in and out of bed all night.  He's one of the nosiest dogs I've ever met.  Thinks he's gotta know what's going on with everyone all the time.  Minnie would rather be between us, but is forced to sleep at our feet.  She doesn't move after she settles in....even if she's in your way.  Then there's the bad part of the good news.  Part of the reason I couldn't sleep well last night.  It's hard to sleep with a cat...yes a cat....particularly a striped one named Stripey Cat thinks he's supposed to sleep on your face. 

Mike called me yesterday to tell me that Stripey Cat came home.  There are a number of kids that live down the street.  I think maybe one of them tried to keep him.  But if you open the door when he wants to go out he bolts before you can even say stop.  I could be wrong, though.  The important thing is the good news....Stripey Cat came home!  Thanks everyone.

And finally, I wanna do a sky watch Friday.  I got the idea from that Canadian woman over at That British Woman.  I took these pics about a month ago and never down loaded them from my camera.  I thought the second one looked like a volcano erupting.  Perfect timing with the one erupting in Iceland.  Hope all you European types are okay and not too ashy or smokey.

I took these pics right out my back door.  Those trees are just on the other side of the field behind the house.  Great sky, ain't it?  Y'all have a fantastic weekend!

Where Is He?

Where is Stripey?  He's a great cat.  Priscilla is a sweet cat, but she's not very affectionate and keeps to herself most of the time.  Elvis is a lovey cat, but usually later at night when I'm watching tv in the dark or after I've gotten into bed.  Stripey Cat would leap right into my lap and settle down for some good snuggling.  We already lost Black Kitty this year when he was hit by a car.  But Monday night Stripey Cat went outside and didn't come back.  He's only spent one night outside since last September.  He likes to stay out till bed time, but he always comes in at bed time.  He's afraid he will miss a meal!  If he doesn't come running, just shake the food dish.  He'll be at your feet in a matter of seconds!

Elvis has disappeared a number of times.   He's endured a lot.  He's moved 5 times.  And when Mike and I met I used to carry him to Austin, Texas on the weekends when I'd go visit him.  We've had to pick him up from the pound in Harker Heights, Texas a few times when I lived there.  It had even gotten to the point where they would call us to say he was there.  He just wouldn't stay out of the feral cat traps.  He even disappeared from where we live now for a whole week.  He came home scrawny and sickly.  But he's doing okay now. 

Prissy was not supposed to be ours.  Our landlord at our old place dropped her off and said he called the pound to come get her.  (But they never showed up.)  We had a guy staying with us for a while who was down on his luck.  So we gave her to him.  He took care of her, fed her, and everything.  Then, one day, he went out, got back into the crack cocaine scene, and didn't come back.  So we were sorta stuck with her.  But we've grown to love her.  She's not going anywhere right now.  This is what she's got at home.

She's got four little kittens that are about 2 weeks old.  Their eyes are just opening now.  They are adorable, too.  But where is Stripey Cat?!  He IS a male.  And he's right about the age where he should start getting curious.  But still, it's not like him to miss a meal.  If you're reading this Stripey Cat, please come home.  We miss you!

Chicken Out!

I haven't done a chicken post in a while.  Shame on me for that.  So, I am going to try and make up for it today.  It was such a lovely weekend.  Saturday was a bit cool, but great weather.  Sunday, I was wearing a t-shirt and chillin' in the sun!  Of course, when we have days like this Mike and I spend it outdoors.  Even if there is nothing to do, we still go outside and find little projects to do.  This past weekend was no exception.  The chickens got to spend a bit of time out of the coop, as well.  I only took a few pics when they were still inside, though.  But they were getting a good bit of sun there, too.

Mike's been buying crumbles instead of pellets because we get a better price.  I throw out a few handfuls for them to scratch for, but I put the bulk of it in this feeding trough someone gave us.  It works great, but they climb on top of each other to get to the feed.

This is Little Chicken, the first chicken we ever hatched.  He's come of age and has been in with the hens.  But he's gotten mean since we took those four other young roosters out.  And since these eggs are for eating only, he got removed this weekend.

The big breasted gal in the box is one of my first.  She was full grown when we got her last February, so I don't know how old she is.  She's really a broiler, so we're not getting any eggs from these girls as of yet.  They may get the chop-chop this year.  The red headed girl is from one of the broilers and the RI Red rooster.  She was hatched early last summer, so she should start laying soon.  These girls don't have names yet.  The white stuff is lime powder.  We cleaned the "stuff" off the next boxes and sprinkled the lime to cut down on the smell.  It ain't bad, but we don't want it to get that way, either.

Dana is our sorta pet chicken.  She's got an enlarged left foot, and as far as I know, she's not layed an egg for us.  She walks with a limp and always gives me a laugh when she tries to run.  It's the funniest sight!

This was Stripey Cat's first encounter with a chicken.  He plays out back behind the coop in the small grove of pines, but he rarely pays any attention to the birds.  He just sniffed a few times then sprinted across the yard.  His attention span is still about 15 seconds cause he's so young still.  Heading out to my parent's this weekend.  Haven't been out there since the new year.  I'm sure I'll get scolded.

Today is the last day to get in on the give away!  Leave a comment, make sure I have a way to get up with you!  I'll announce tomorrow who the winner is!  Stay tuned in!