Like A Bird

His gift to us
reminding to be true
he sent her to visit
all day thru

Our window she'd perch
brightest of blue
and full of song
seeming just for you

Whether keeping an eye
or staying close by
the flutter of her wings
would capture our eye

To the window we were called
by the sweetness of her song
she'd soften our thoughts
for what we longed

Like a bird your name
came to me
and settled softly
into thee
Ava Meiying, yes, yes you shall be

Ava means like a bird...Since coming home from China with Eliza in 2006, there's been a bluebird who visits Eliza's window every day. I always tried to get a photo of it, but never could. Eliza knows the sound of it's tiny landing on her screen and will run to the window to see it. Some time this spring, the same bird started landing on the window in our master bath, always when I was in the view of the window. I used to tell Eliza that it was her chinese grandparent visiting to watch over her, but began pondering a different purpose for our little bluebird when it began visiting me. An angel, a messenger from God, some days I'd tell her. I wrote this poem when I was thinking about a name for Meiying and what the message of this bird could be.

So, last post we were on an "egg hunt"; really we were on a "hen" hunt, but fortunately found both. This post, we've been on a "litter of kittens" hunt. Unfortunately, we've only found 1 kitten. Still can't get close enough to see if there are more hiding under or behind mama-cat. One thing's for sure, faithful companion hen is keeping her cat-friend company and that I still find amazing!

"We're" going on an egg hunt!! Where or where has Emma been laying? She always layed her eggs up by the house and would coo-and-cackle to me when she was done. Ever since this little kitty came along, I've seen Emma wandering on the back property line, following this little kitty no doubt.

Well, Emma's been missing for 24 hours and I was imagining the worst (neighbor's dogs, a hawk...) So, when I realized that this little kitty was sleeping on the front porch and still no sight of Emma, after getting the kids off to school this morning, I set out to find her. With cats in tow and horses and dogs all curious...I began walking the farm.

Finding all sorts of discoveries, but still no Emma... I discovered that for the first year, we have bluebirds nesting in the bluebird house...that someone has been stealing the bluebird eggs...that the sparrow eggs have hatched and there's babies in their house...that amazingly, the turtles haven't eaten all the goslings yet...

Then, much to my surprise, I found Emma and 14 eggs!!! (She only let me collect half of them before getting annoyed that I was interrupting her.) Turns out, she had a made a nice bed for herself in the tractor shed on some old hay. In six years, she has NEVER been down to the tractor shed. Something tells me this is where kitty comes to sleep too so I'll probably be back down here to search for some kittens pretty soon. Well, I was relieved and will be happy to start eating fresh eggs again and I enjoyed a scenic walk of the farm this morning too!

When my husband complains about the mess a chicken can make, I now have proof that at least some of the mess is re-usable! Have you ever watched a bird build a nest? Isn't it amazing what they find to use.

Hogan is a year and half old now. He is the most handsome Golden boy and has the same easy-going temperament as our sweet, old Meg had. It's uncanny some days, he reminds me so much of her and that's a very good thing. He does like to dig holes in the yard though and that's a very bad thing...especially when you twist your ankle or get bucked off the lawn mower from one of those holes.

Oh has it rained here, but the beautiful colors that are popping warm the soul and make the rain less dreary.

(L) Allie, (middle) Leah and (R) Julia showing Emma some love on a sunny day at the farm!

Meet, our version of The Odd Couple... Can you imagine, Emma, our last remaining hen, and the stray kitty that showed up back before Halloween, have become companions. I've been trying to get some videos of the two of them because it's so amazing to watch. I've posted to Eliza's blog about the Emma and Ginger-kitty show that I get to watch every morning so you can link over to that blog and read about it if you want. That's a different story; read on here...

The first day that the kitty arrived, she was obviously following her mama-cat. Mama-cat is feral and took off when I opened the door. Well, the little kitty just hid behind the chair and never followed her mother. So, I think she just chose Emma-hen as her mama-cat from that day forward. Understand that even though kitty will faithfully be waiting for a saucer of milk every morning and hangs out with Emma, she will not let any of us get close enough to pet her. Emma, on the other hand, eats out of my hand, comes when I call her. In fact, a friend was over and we were standing on our front porch chatting away. Up Emma came and decided to roost in the sun, right between us, like she was part of the conversation. She sat there making cooing noises at us. She's that tamed.

Emma is used to all our cats. I have a photo from 2005 of her roosting on a bench between two cats and leaving an egg for us. She eats catfood and drinks from their water bowl and they're all used to her waiting in line behind them. But if any of them try to purr and rub up against her, she walks away. Amazingly, she'll let the kitty...That kitty rubs up her side, under her neck, scoots along after her. Ironically, kitty is the color of Emma's previous companion (another hen) named Hannah. Hannah passed away of old age shortly before kitty showed up (maybe a month before?). It makes you think about reincarnation, I'll tell ya. These two roost together, graze and pal around all day together. They're just simply the Odd Couple. It's so funny to watch. So, I've been promising my friend Judy that I would try to capture some of it on a video. Here's two to enjoy.

We decided to adopt another mature horse rather than put the burden of a pasture mate on the whims of a boarder. So, meet Deba. She's a 24 yo registered quarter horse. Retired after 12 years as a therapeutic riding horse and lesson horse. She is completely sound and rideable at all gates. Truth-be-told, she is what Clark was; a safe horse that can be ridden bareback and bitless if you want too. I love the old horses. They appreciate you and usually will tote you around for a simple treat of an apple or carrot. They like getting brushed, will stand quietly, and nothing phases them. So, the 2 old girls are getting along fabulously. Allie has a horse to ride again and all is well in our world again!

Another whim indulged: I call this the Angel Kisses hat. I used an Alpaca yarn with a few rows of Fun Fir blended in at the brim. It can be worn with the brim pulled down or folded up for the smaller head. It's a luscious baby pink color and is soft, soft, soft. I loved photographing this! Doesn't it just look so girly-girl? You can see my little Eliza modeling it at the other blog: http://eisforeliza.blogspot.com

Sweet Miss Georgie-Girl

Do you remember that picture? Well, HE is leaving...relocating to another barn. SHE will be happy to see him go! She IS almost 20 years older then him...Sweet Georgie is tired...he was a lot of horse for her...ha,ha,ha! (...hmmm, possibly my new saying when I'm too tired! Imagine when Eliza is being whiney: Eliza, you're just too much horse for mommy right now!) Anyway, so now the search is on, this time for an older boarder to come and be a pasture mate. She won't miss him, but she won't like being alone either. I always dread transition time with horses, both departures and new arrivals. Sweet Miss Georgie-Girl.

...So, while that picture was being taken of the two of them, these two were faithfully waiting for me at the back gate. Fortunately, HE is not a lot of dog for HER!

Indulging a creative whim: I just finished knitting this adorable tunic vest. The yarn is variegated shades of purple with a metallic silver thread woven through it. I thought it needed a bit of whimsy so I hand stitched the wool felt flower garnish bringing out the purple and silver tones and adding a splash of shimmery turquoise! Pair it with tights, leggings, jeans or a skirt...my kind of versatility! I love how it came out...

Don't these Anna Maria Horner fabrics look delicious? Don't they just conjure up so many ideas of ways to use them? I received my apron today that I ordered from her "shop" and I love it! I love the colors and details of her fabric. I want to order the collection of towels shown above that match the apron...Check her out: http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/

So, my sister finally joined the blog world. Go check out her new blog: http://mywildwoodfarm.blogspot.com