Eva’s Friends

[Callender Girl]

I don't know much about poetry, but I think your poem is an excellent reflection of your knowledge of and interest in military history and how you feel about duty and honor. All that sounds good to me!

I smiled that you named your betta "Fish." For more than a decade, I had a cat named "Kitty Kitty." Neither of us gets points for creativity

My family kept freshwater tropical fish when I was growing up, and my mom's favorites were always the bettas. As an adult, I used to keep aquariums, too. I've only had a couple of goldfish, and neither lived long enough to outgrow their tanks.

So far this year, there hasn't been a problem with feather pecking, unlike last year when the Taj Ma-Coop girls all kept each other's butts picked clean and red.

However, the runner drakes are crazy with spring hormones. Traditionally, they choose to over-mate Blair, a submissive silver girl, causing her to bleed from the back of her head. I have been keeping her away from the flock this week, hoping the boys will calm down soon and I can quit applying Neosporin to her wounds.

Has Antonia had her appointment yet? If so, have you found out if she's really an Antonia or an Anthony? I had to rename one of the dumped cats that I originally thought was female. Turns out, Jinx is the perfect name for him; he is the troublemaker of the group.

 

[Evadig]

This morning when I went to take the dogs out, the grass was crunchy with frost and I could almost see my breath. I was not expecting it to be that cold! It warmed up, though, and actually turned out to be quite a nice day.

My mom was feeling quite sick yesterday. She did not even leave her bed. I am still not sure what the matter was, but today she was up and even mowed the lawn while my sister and I made dinner.

Tilly has gone broody again. She was sitting on a clutch of eggs but I absolutely do not want more chickens - especially chicks that might turn into more roosters - and I took them all away, leaving a single turkey egg for her comfort. I need to rehome her to the friend that said she would take Tilly about three different times, and each time we never got around to giving her up. The friend has several other turkey hens and one tom, so Tilly should be plenty happy.

For myself, I downloaded reveille onto my phone for a wake-up alarm, and it works much better than the provided ones. It makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning and go do something great with yourself. Only this morning, I nearly jumped onto Con. She was sitting by the bed at 5:30 am waiting for her canned food!

I have been trying to stay on a schedule, and have actually been falling asleep soon after I get into bed (which is downright incredible). However, I've been noticing that I've been waking a lot more during the night and also, for the last couple nights I've woken up grinding my teeth. I'm perplexed because I have never, ever done this before.

I finished my sister's Easter skirt and started cutting out a dress for myself. I'll get pictures later.

Has Antonia had her appointment yet?

No, they're booked out over a month. S/he is the most frightened cat I have ever known (but I haven't known too many). If she hears even a voice, she'll hide in the back of her shelter.

An old Presbyterian church built around 1752; Chief Justice John Jay attended services here when visiting his siter

Eva enjoying the frosty morning

Sunrise

Annie

Constance

A couple older pictures:

Betsy Ross's bedroom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Two of my sister's "daughters", Patricia and Victoria
Some days I miss playing aunt to her dolls - especially since I made nearly all their clothes (and Victoria herself!). Patricia is an antique doll one of our aunts found at a garage sale.

 

[LaFleche]

For myself, I downloaded reveille onto my phone for a wake-up alarm,

Please, provide a link for me as it sounds intriguing.

 

[Evadig]

Please, provide a link for me as it sounds intriguing.

Here you go :

 

[LaFleche]

Thank you!

Here you go :

I had envisioned something completely different though.

 

[Evadig]

I really wish I could post something interesting. Do y'all have any ideas? Life is boring here. The chickens are behaving. We spotted a hawk perched in a tree the other day, but scared him off before he could snag one of the Virtues.

I started making a dress, but the pattern is a size too big and I didn't realize that until I started. So it really didn't turn out. It was good fabric, too. Oh, well.

Here's a poem...I'm no good at poetry but I like writing it.

Palm Sunday

The colt stood by the gate with widened eyes
The strangers' words had filled him with surprise.
"We take this colt for the Master's need.
He will ride in glory on this lowly steed."

On the dusty road the crowds acclaimed Him King.
With "Hosanna in the highest!" the air did ring.
Among the waving palms the Lord rode into town.
Ahead the cross, ahead the victor's crown.
​

I feel bad posting when nothing is going on. But I took plenty of pictures at least .

I had envisioned something completely different though.

But what? now I'm curious!

The Easter skirt

Miss Prudence

Stanislaw

Jenny

Dolores

Betsy Lee

Finnian

Brianna

Eva in church (a historical one, not in use)

Priscilla

Hope

Apple blossoms

 

[Callender Girl]

Sometimes, having nothing going on is good; we all need to rest and revive a bit. However, I learned at an early age never to say I was "bored." That was my parents' cue to find me some chore that I wouldn't enjoy; I think it was their way of encouraging me to be more creative with my own free time.

Who says you're bad at poetry? I'm not really into poetry at all, but if you like writing it, and it expresses your feelings and beliefs, then I say it's good.

Love the fabric on the Easter skirt. Also, is there a way to cut down the too-large dress -- without having to rip it all apart?

I've been trying to take advantage of nicer weather to clean out flower beds and my strawberry bed. Last fall, it appeared that critters had dug up all but two strawberry plants. Yesterday, I pulled back mulch and found at least 8 healthy plants and a runner or two. Fresh strawberries are my favorite fruit!

Good deal on the hawk flying off. I got to run outside in the dark yesterday morning to yell at coyotes. There was whining and howling from at least three, and they sounded dangerously close to the back fence line. The breeding season should be over, so I was hoping to hear less from them. Still, I had to chase one off from the ditch along the front of the property just last week.

As always, I totally enjoyed your photos!

 

[LaFleche]

feel bad posting when nothing is going on. But I took plenty of pictures at least .

It does not always have to be "bigger, higher, more exiting" etc.

Just think about Jane Austen's way of writing about every day life and her detailed description of the characters and sceneries.
No horror stories or extreme exitement needed to fascinate and reign in readers all over the world.

But what? now I'm curious!

Something more dreamy and appropriate for a sunny spring morning

Your dress looks beautiful, nice coulours!

And I really enjoy your photos too, so keep up with this thread, please.

 

[Evadig]

Well, today we said goodbye to a few more of Eva's friends...

Y'all know (I think?) that I've put my whole flock up for sale. That listing has been sitting there since last last September, and then a few days ago someone contacted me; they wanted a few hens. I ended up selling Jenny, Vivienne, and Dolores. They went to their new home today. I hope they're happy.

Now we're down to eighteen. I can't say I'm too sorry. Twenty-one chickens was a little more than I could handle, what with their constant drama.

This evening, a young man came to the door. He had come, he said, to pick up a turkey that was for sale. Well, Matilda is next up for rehoming, but no one has contacted me about her! And certainly no one knows where we live...I hope! I politely sent him on his way, but now I am perplexed and a bit worried. How did this fellow know I have a turkey for sale?

This morning my sister and I went to a lovely old-fashioned diner for breakfast. Now, I do not enjoy going out to eat. But the place was clean, quiet, and even advertised a jukebox - though I am not sure what music was available. Anyhow, we had a good dinner of real eggs, not rubber, and delicious potatoes, and a fluffy bun.

I have a question: which is correct? Is it a just a matter of restating the sentence? I hate English sometimes!

The only downside was the prices.
The prices were the only downside.

Either way, the dishes were a little pricy. Maybe that solves the problem?

Sometimes, having nothing going on is good; we all need to rest and revive a bit. However, I learned at an early age never to say I was "bored." That was my parents' cue to find me some chore that I wouldn't enjoy; I think it was their way of encouraging me to be more creative with my own free time.

Yes, I always make sure to at least look busy, so they can't assume I'm bored! No, I do not want to pick blueberries, thanks!

Love the fabric on the Easter skirt. Also, is there a way to cut down the too-large dress -- without having to rip it all apart?

Your dress looks beautiful, nice coulours!

Thank you! I did cut the dress down, but it still just does not look right. It would look better on someone with a different figure, I think.

I've been trying to take advantage of nicer weather to clean out flower beds and my strawberry bed. Last fall, it appeared that critters had dug up all but two strawberry plants. Yesterday, I pulled back mulch and found at least 8 healthy plants and a runner or two. Fresh strawberries are my favorite fruit!

How do you keep ants from eating all your strawberries? I've tried and tried to raise them, but the ants always get there first .

Good deal on the hawk flying off. I got to run outside in the dark yesterday morning to yell at coyotes. There was whining and howling from at least three, and they sounded dangerously close to the back fence line. The breeding season should be over, so I was hoping to hear less from them. Still, I had to chase one off from the ditch along the front of the property just last week.

Oh man, I can't imagine running out in the dark to yell at them. Will they do anything? Can they get into your chicken coop?

Once I was putting the chickens to bed when I heard them howling fairly close. It seemed like just across the road. I never locked the doors, collected the dogs, and ran inside so fast! I admit I'm scared of them; I guess especially with Eva, she will run up to anything. And coyotes ate my grandma's neighbor's dog once when they had just let it out to relieve itself. I like coyotes but as long as they're not in a pack.

Just think about Jane Austen's way of writing about every day life and her detailed description of the characters and sceneries.
No horror stories or extreme exitement needed to fascinate and reign in readers all over the world.

That's true. And most of our days on earth are just hum-drum, anyway. Maybe I can practice describing more?

Something more dreamy and appropriate for a sunny spring morning

That's lovely music! I don't think it would help as an alarm, though. I'd probably turn right over and go back to sleep .

And I really enjoy your photos too, so keep up with this thread, please.

As always, I totally enjoyed your photos!

Thank you, I'm glad you like them!

Jenny, Vivienne, and Dolores before they left

Constance

Patience

Old pictures:

A couple more of my sister's dolls -
Susie (my sister made her dress)
Emily (my aunt made her shirt, the skirt is purchased)

Left to Right: Prudence, Lydwinne, Wilhelminna, Rose as "children"

Rusty

 

[Callender Girl]

I hope your rehomed girls are off to a good life elsewhere. I know you took great care of them. That's kind of weird about the guy wanting to buy your turkey.

I have been grumbling about one of last summer's "pullets" growing up to be a cockerel and was pleasantly surprised this week when a friend said she'd found a home for him with another family member. Last night, she said she would drive Moses to his new home on Saturday!

He's been confined to a small kennel (and moved in and out of the garage daily) because the coop where he was living had been infested with rats. The rats are gone, but the coop needs major repair from the holes they ate in the walls. So, Moses will have more space and access to hens -- both should make him much happier.

As a bonus, the woman who is taking Moses has also offered to take my Cochin Bantam rooster, Billy. He's okay with some people, but he's hated me his entire life. I question whether taking both boys is a good move for her, but it would make life easier for me. Maybe Billy will be better behaved with a fresh start in life.

Male critters are my problem babies. I wish my two runner drakes would stop over mating the girls and battling each other!

I've never had a problem with ants eating the strawberries -- probably because some other pest gets there first!

When I first bought this property, before I had any outdoor critters living on it, I used to like listening to coyotes singing. They are incredibly smart animals, and I admire their ability to adapt to almost any situation. Now, it's like a fire alarm going off whenever I hear one.

My coops are all close to the house and fairly secure. I worry about the safety of my last sheep and two miniature goats; their shelters don't have doors, so they are vulnerable to attacks. A single coyote can be a problem, but a pack is a serious threat -- whether it's coyotes or dogs, the mob mentality is dangerous.

Regarding your grammar question: I'll let you in on a little secret. Despite many years as a reporter and newspaper editor, I am not good at KNOWING grammar rules. I go with what feels and sounds right to me, and when in doubt, I also go with your strategy: just restate the sentence to avoid any likely error.

I don't remember seeing photos or hearing about Rusty before. Is he still with you?