When I realized that goats would not be my best choice for animals at this time, I began to look at other (smaller) options.
Meet Ruth and Boaz. Just two days old, these little guys are the newest members of the family.
Guinea hens have a voracious appetite for ticks and anything else that creeps or crawls. They also yell loudly at strangers.
They imprinted on Bella, and like Mary’s little lamb, they followed her everywhere she went. I think she liked it.
At times she looked exasperated or hid from them. She couldn’t move without finding them under her feet.
I was utterly unprepared for how quickly these tiny creatures with enormous personalities would grow.
I made several pathetic attempts to get them used to the outdoors, while trying to keep them from being a Happy Meal.
The little escape artists continued to find their way out of my makeshift boot camps.
When I found this cage on Facebook Marketplace it was a game changer. No pun intended.
The bottom sides had to be enclosed so they couldn’t wriggle out, and they needed something to perch on. Bella supervised.
How does one teach a bird to perch? Give them a broom handle. Crude, but effective. I was so proud of my babies!
Eventually everyone overcame their separation anxiety, though Bella still hates it when I lock them down each evening.
Seriously, things get eaten here at night. My job is to keep these birds alive until they can keep themselves alive.
WEDDING BELLS
We’ll get back to birdwatching later. May I share my recent trip to New England for my younger son’s wedding?
I love my new homestead- but being in the air, on a plane, traveling– quenched my soul and fed my wanderlust spirit.
Dustin and Melia live on the south shore of Boston in the quaint village of Brant Rock, steps from the Atlantic.
It had turned warm in North Carolina, so the cooler temps with occasional drizzle and overcast were fine with me.
Dustin and Melia stayed at the wedding venue in Buzzards Bay, while Josh and I house-sat and cared for Arco, my grand-dog.
The popular rocky coastline changes often with the high tide and I always look for heart-shaped rocks. Today I found two!
I had never seen such beautiful colors, along with perfectly egg-shaped stones, and round ones that looked like meatballs.
By the time we left, I had about 30 pounds of Brant rocks in my suitcase. But I digress…We’re here for a wedding.
The entire wedding was planned around this exquisite Airbnb about 30 miles south of Brant Rock, near the Cape Cod Canal.
I wasn’t part of the wedding, per se, so I was able to wander around and take pictures.
Meanwhile, in the suite reserved for the bridal party…
Amid the chaos of ten women preparing for a wedding, I called out to Melia and was rewarded with this look of radiant joy.
I shed a tear at Kathy’s tender words to Melia as she gently buttoned her daughter’s beautiful dress.
From tire swing rider to best man, Greyson cleaned up nice!
No denying these genes. Above: “Papa” Lance Brady and our grandson Greyson. Below: Joshua and half-sister Elizabeth.
It was all fun and games until the newlyweds began to act up, and got sent to their own table.
Then Greyson busted out some dance moves, and before I knew it, all the girls were fighting over him. Time to go!
On behalf of the entire Brady bunch and Spear family, thank you for sharing in our joy on this special day.
Can’t wait to get back to my plow. I’ll race you back to North Carolina…Go!
My pet sitter not only took excellent care of Bella, but nurtured my garden, as well.
My milkweed was still getting established, but the bright flowers attracted lots of bees and butterflies.
The proboscis looks like a straw but it actually functions more like a paper towel with tiny grooves that draw liquid upward along the edges.
As the peppers ripened, I recognized that I needed a border on the garden bed in front of the house.
I still had some “stone muffins” I had used for the firepit. They are durable, easy to install and really stay in place.
So what about those crazy birds? Ruth and Boaz are now two weeks older and growing like weeds.
When I saw a cat skulking along the ditch behind their coop, I moved them closer to the house. Thankfully they don’t go far.
An obstacle course that partially protects them keeps me entertained. They are intelligent and goofy, all at once.
When I saw this I thought we’d soon be having a shoebox funeral. I didn’t know birds lay down to sleep, did you?
Cats weren’t my only concern. This peregrine falcon lives in a tree on my driveway and he’s always hungry and circling.
I’m hoping this owl will be a deterrent, especially now that they’ve discovered my garden and travel a bit more.
Boaz actually ventured over to the front of the house last week, presumably to check out the new pink kid on the block.
The door was open because I was bringing in groceries, and they marched in like they owned the place.
Bella got that look on her face and marched them straight back out again. They didn’t even have time to leave a calling card.
My garden was not as productive as I had hoped. There was just a smattering of vegetables. One of these, two of those…
Except for tomatoes. The Lazarus vine was collapsing under its own weight. I propped it with straps, bungee cords and rope.
Below is the same plant- started in October in the greenhouse, and died after transplant in a late March frost. Hence the name Lazarus.
Twine surgery was required and appears to have been successful.
I made a lot of sauce this month.
Hopefully my fall garden will benefit from the biochar and pond water system I’m working on. Maybe a couple of rabbits?
Involved with all the outdoor projects, not a lot has been done on the house. However, my bathroom is finished. Hooray!!
Once I had cleaned the grout, Josh put up the shower curtain rod and affixed the shower head.
Yay!! After nearly two years, I can finally move downstairs. Yes, I’ll miss my treetop views, but I know where to find them.
Just a little more framing and lots of finish carpentry to go, but it’s so beautiful and worth the wait. I am blessed.
From my amusement park to yours, enjoy the rest of the summer. Check back for updates or subscribe, and may God’s shalom be upon you. MH
Thanks, Marie, for all of that interesting news. Loved the bookend farm updates and the trip to Massachusetts. Wow, it appears the weather couldn’t have been better for their outdoor wedding. And you looked nice in your little polka-dot dress. Poor old Bella thought that the house was her canine safe space, but then…!! No wonder she showed them the door. Another culprit to watch out for with your chicks is weasels; they’re masters at breaking and entering and killed one of my full grown pet chickens when I was a kid. Thanks for sharing your homestead adventures. Can’t wait to see photos of your renovated first floor. Be well and blessed, Liz
Congrats to your son and his lovely bride! Great blog! Always love following the path the Lord has put you on! Loved the pics of the chicks abd Bella. So adorable! Blessings!
Omg Marie the dog and the chicks adorable… Congrats on your son’s wedding beautiful… The house is looking amazing .
The adventures of Ruth and Boaz and the crazy contraptions you create to keep them safe and properly entertained! Love it! Welcome to the fam, Melia! Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs.💗 I have a real appreciation for that bathroom (a real FULL SIZE tub!) Enjoy, sweet sister, all God’s blessings 🛁
Wow so much happening ! Blessings in Yeshuas name.
I have missed so much Marie! This is so exciting and entertaining! You drew me in once again, my Sista-friend❤️
We love it!! You are blessed and keep doing what the Lord puts on your heart. We enjoyed our phone call last night and know our Father put you in our lives. God’s peace and love, Dave and Mary Ann