R is for Racoons, rabbits, and... No, not happening...

My reputation as a country kid followed me when I went to college.  I suppose it was when I tried to raise corn on the window sill that it was cemented in that I liked nature.  (Or that I was a nutcase, but I like to think the other...)

This was a two-edged sword, as I was then the "expert" for any animals roaming about.  Especially those that managed to get in people's apartments.  We had a period of time when the landlord was working on people's bathrooms, thereby leaving holes that would lead outside.  At least if you were four footed.  Or not...

Also, quite a few folks, during the spring and summer, would leave the front door, or the back window open during the day.  This lead to my helping someone get a bird to leave... This one was pretty easy, had them turn off all the lights, then open door and window.  Then walk toward bird.  Bird took off, pooping as it went, which upset the person.  I shrugged, explaining, it's what birds do.  I found out she started telling others that I was some sort of  'animal expert'.

I went on to help someone remove: a cat, a couple rabbits, and one opposum.  (You'd be amazed what you can do with a cookie pan and a large blanket.)  A raccoon was a bit more tricky, we managed to do that by closing the door to the bathroom where it came up, and getting some stinky food, (cheese?  I don't remember, but it smelled...) and putting it by the vent nearest that bathroom.  Sure enough, about 10 or so minutes later, the furry bandit's nose was twitching 'round the corner.  After a nice lunch for the critter, we started blocking vents.

Thought we had blocked them all...

I was doing some homework, when there was a knock on my door.  A tiny lady that lived at the end apartment asked if I would help her with an animal in her tub.

Uh, sure...

We walked back to her apartment, one of the last ones to be repaired, and in the tub, nearly as long AS the tub, was a boa constrictor!  Please note, I am not afraid of snakes.  However, this critter was big, and I don't know how to handle large snakes.  I turned, and told her that this was a time to call the police.

I kid you not, she looked at me like I was nuts, and said, it's a snake, not a burglar.  Nonplussed, I replied, yes, but the police know who to contact for animal control.

Oh...

It was rather a good thing we did call the police, as someone a few houses away had called that their pet snake had wandered off while sunbathing.  (!!!)  So, I waited with the lady, who WAS afraid of snakes, and didn't want to be alone, if it got out.  We waited by her front door, until the police, and animal control arrived, soon to be followed by the owner.  This parade went in, the owner came out with said animal.

That's when I decided to tell the landlord I was going to start charging him for animal removal if he didn't get all the holes plugged up in the apartments!

R is for...

Roosters and hens.

I love to go out and look at my birds.  I have the good fortune to live where my rooster won't bother anyone, (and the latest one isn't all that loud, either).  I watch them peck and scratch, finding the little whatnots in the dirt, then, suddenly, one hen will take off, running zig zags around the field, chasing a bug, which soon has a couple more chasing frantically, until either the bug becomes a snack, or is bright enough to fly up, or out of the chicken area.

Mon Ami is my rooster, and I will be buying some more french faverolles chickens, these are such nice birds.  Mon Ami was in a pen all his young life, and now is with other birds, and out and about during the day.  It took him a while to get used to being a "country bird", but with a lot of coaxing, some feed, and several hens, he seems to fit in well, and hopefully be happy with his life.

I had one girl that was not in too great of shape when she was younger.  She would get trampled by the others, and would actually almost act as if she'd fainted.  She would let me pick her up, (believe me, THAT is unusual in a chicken), and I would set her up and away from the rest, to let her eat.  She has since grown to a nice little bird, she isn't picked on, much.  She is now named Henny Penny, and she delights in jumping up and looking in the barrel when I have my head down in it, getting food.  She also lets me know, clucking incessantly, that I am not fast enough.  I have even had her jump IN the barrel once, but I really, REALLY don't want to get THAT started.

I just enjoy having the chickens around, they relax me, and are fun to watch.

And, let's face it, I like fresh eggs for baking and cooking, too!

Red Roving, Red Roving...

Roving I have carded, started to spin, to make a "Knitting" messenger bag.

The mask?  Because I thought it is pretty.  (Buc is jealous...)