Where it all started.

I remember the first time I ever went to the old family farm. I was about 4 years old I was gazing out the window when our car slowed to turn into a driveway of the big two story farm house. It was beautiful. It had white ginger bread type scrolling around the porch and a black rod iron fence enclosing the front yard. I stepped out of the car and took a deep breath. I could smell a variety of things all very foreign to me. I could smell dirt, cows, and sweet apple pie baking in the kitchen.

Over the years the farm was home to a variety of people as well as livestock. I love to look at the photos that were taken generations ago. The farm is still in our family and rich with family history.

Though my visits to the farm has been sparse, this place made an impression on me. The apple trees in the back yard where we were fussed at for climbing are still there. The cellar was a dark scary place, that you only went into because of a dare. The old Bull enclosure still stands, where my cousin and brother once tied me to the fence! I will never forget this place.

This was the first place that we (kids) were able to completely run free. We played. We were fussed at. We were fed and we were loved. Life on the farm was exactly like reliving my ancestors life.

As years go by, each time I return to the old farm house, as I take my first step onto the soil, I am reminded that my grandmother and grandmother before her walked on this same soil. They found love in this place. They lost love in this place. Forever will this be the place that for over a century my family has walked, bled, cried and prayed.

Though, I do not live close to the farm now, I intend to give my children the same farm life, the same freedoms, the same love. Now that we embark on our own homestead journey I know that one day my children will have those memories and freedoms.

As time goes by in a continuously changing world, I can only hope that each generation will return to the old family farm to leave their footprints in the dirt just as their ancestors left over a century before.

Just call me "Detective"

I knew something was up when Milo (the barn cat) wanted to move in with the chickens....

Evidence A.

Milo about to walk down the chicken plank.

Milo eating out of the chicken feeder. Is Milo confused? Does he believe he is a chicken? Identity Crisis...perhaps?

I thought Milo's move was encouraged because another cat wanted to move in and be the barn cat. Then she moved out of the barn also (unfortunately she now is living in the garage). Is there a ghost in the barn scaring my barn cats?

Months ago, after 2 of our chickens were pulled through the chicken wire (piece by piece), we notice raw spots on the ground, where the dirt had been freshly scratched. The chicken deaths were consistent with a raccoon. The raccoon we later caught. Could it be another raccoon?

Evidence B.

This is about a day old. We have noticed fresh scratch marks during the day. This is not consistent with a cat scaring ghost or a raccoon. Still possibly a wood chuck?

What ever it is can get the lid off the cat food container but can not seem to figure out how to dump it over. Raccoons are smart, very smart. They can use their "hands" in ways other animals can not. This is not consistent with a raccoon. Possibly wood chuck. A ghost could definitely dump the cat food container!

Evidence C.


There is also five entrances (holes) under the tack room floor. This is consistent with a wood chuck. Wood chucks should be hibernating by now. Could climate change effect their hibernation time?

Evidence D.


Then there are the animal tracks. To the untrained eye one could say it is indeed a raccoon but to me the detective say they are not of the size consistency of a raccoon or a wood chuck! Ghost do not leave foot prints.

Evidence E.




Conclusion:
One- All evidence leads me to believe its not a ghost.
Two- Milo is not confused that he is a chicken, all signs point to fear of whatever is in the barn.
Three- I am a detective but not Sherlock Holmes.
Four- We are getting a night vision camera for the barn.

Black Copper Marans

I must admit that raising chicks is my very least favorite thing to do. They poop a lot. For some reason, their water is their toilet of choice. They also like to kick their feed out of the feeder. They must have a heat lamp on them. Their brooder must be cleaned daily, other wise it is just disgusting. In short, they can be a lot of work.

There are some perks. Raising chicks is economical. I like making sure my chickens come from respectable blood lines. Chickens of those sorts can come with a price tag too. It's cheaper to get them young. I have to admit it isn't all for practical reasons. They are a lot of fun too. With each new clutch we learn something new and exciting.

So we all have to make sacrifices in order to get what we want. In the meantime, I am going to be scrubbing off the chicken poo for at least ten more weeks!


If you are interested in learning more about this breed check out www.maransofamericaclub.com