The Very Naughty Dog: or the re-education of Tucker

Tucker was peacefully taking a nap when he suddenly jumped up and began to bark at the window.  I, in another room,  looked out the nearest window and see nothing as usual.

So I call out, “Quiet Tucker!”

Tucker’s response?  “BARK, Bark, bark….”

So I repeated my request and he slowed down but didn’t stop.  I called out, “Tucker come!”  and still no response.  So I called out my ultimate threat guaranteed to make little dogs quake in shame and come running, “TUCKER, DON’T MAKE ME COME GET YOU, GET IN HERE NOW!”

Tucker’s response?  “BARK, Bark, bark….”

Now I’m irritated.  I stop what I’m doing, walk down the hall into the living room and without even giving him a chance to catch on, I scoop him up in a sky-hook maneuver  and move him to the bedroom with me… I set him down and command.  “DON’T MOVE – STAY!”

So there he sat. Right where I put him, which was half on and half off the doggie bed… and he wasn’t moving, or barking, or twitching a whisker… Gasping with the effort not to break out laughing and confuse the issue I told him to “STAaaay” and walked to the other side of the house to retrieve my camera.

And here he is.  My very naughty dog who is practicing his very sad doggie look on me and trying to make me feel guilty.

OK, it worked.

I tell him, “OK, you’re a good boy!”     And now all is forgiven.

Mid July on the Farmlet

Standing at the  dining room window I look out to see that all of my chickens (and the geese too) have decided to take advantage of the neighbors property.  It’s OK, the neighbors don’t mind.  In fact, they even encouraged us when we replaced the fence to put in a gate for the critters access and enjoyment.  And enjoy it they do!  Just try to keep them out!

I grab my camera and venture outside into the heat of the moist 93 degree weather.

By the time I get to the back fence the chickens have moved to the far side of the acre to forage under the oaks.  I could watch them all day if I didn’t have other things to do, but I give myself a break and watch for a while.

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While I’m out I decide that the Keets and the Baby Roos are ready for the big turning out party.  With trepidation I open the gate of their little nursery and let them go… and OH-BOY, can those keets FLY!  They’re only the size of doves at the moment and one has landed on the roof of the house!  Now what?  Well, apparently it scared her too, so she came back down and started foraging the morning glories with the rest of the gang!

Maybe they’ll find all the little ‘invisibles’ that have been chewing the leaves to Swiss cheese.

I hear the geese honking behind me and turn to see that they have become bored with the field scene and are heading to the gate to come back into the poultry yard.  They are honking at me the whole way…

MOM, hot-hot-hot, MOM!  They seem to say.

I yell back,  “OK, I can take a hint! ”  And grabbing  the hose I fill their pool for them.

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OK, here’s just a bit more from yesterday…

I cleaned out the corn field because it was done.  It was a little disappointing again this year, yet better than last because what little there was,  was delicious!  That’s when I discovered all the Butternuts that were hiding underneath!  A whole twenty pounds of them!  Now what will you do with that much butternut and more on the way.  I ask you?  No really, I want your suggestions please!

I also watered the cukes and potatoes and that’s when I found these!

And there’s plenty more for this winter too!

I love my life here.  “:<>

Oh Baby its Hot Outside

Its been so hot that the bees are spending much of their time hanging around on the outside of the hive.  Especially at night.  Even though the temperature drops down into the 70’s they will still be found bearding on the front of the hive.  The sound of thousands of little wings fanning away the heat is mesmerizing and will go on for hours after the sun sets.

1:30 PM:  They were very busy flying to and fro, in and out of the hive all day today.  Their mission in life, in spite of the heat, is to find nectar and keep the hive going and growing.

10:30 PM:   It is amazing to see everyone sitting on the front stoop and fanning to draw off the heat.  I switch off the light.   I love standing there in the dark to listen to the hum of all those little wings.

And tomorrow they will go out and do it all over again.

A Garden Sprite

Out in the garden this afternoon I survey my little bit of earth and it is hot.  Parched really.  What’s new, huh?

But the heat is always made bearable when I find something so lovely as this.

This little Garden Sprite is known as a Clearwing Hummingbird Moth and with good reason!  It can hover, sip nectar, and then reverse direction just like a hummingbird.  Very clever moth don’t you agree?

Keep your eyes open the next time you go out into the garden, and who knows, you may discover a little hummingbird about two inches long.   But look closely… for you may have found a little Garden Sprite on your own bit of earth.

You can read up on her here:  http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Butterflies/Summer/Hummingbird-Clearwing