When It Rains, It Pours

Quite literally and figuratively this week!


Mornings, this week, have reminded me of autumn.
The sun rises through thick fog,
while a curtain of misty moistness hangs in the air above the ground.
The dew lingers until noon... the earth saturated from the rains of the previous two weeks.


I was caught quite by surprise yesterday as the mid-afternoon sky darkened
and thunder rumbled.
I was inside working on a new embroidery project and had no idea that a 
storm had moved in.
Then the rain started... and it poured and poured....
dumping 2 ½ more inches onto the already soggy ground.


The water ran in rivers through the farm,
running from high ground to low ground with nothing in between to soak it up.
The lowest point of our farm is our pond.


Needless to say, it swelled until it almost crested...
rising to almost a foot above its normal level.


Of all the animals on the farm, the ducks are happiest when it rains.


(And by the way, our five remaining young mallards are still with us,
and doing great.... seemingly adopted by the domestic flock.)


The runner ducks and Ancona ducks can be found just about anywhere these days.
Their boundaries are widening daily.


The sight of anything different sends them scurrying back to the safety of their home...
running along like little men with their pants around their knees
 and their hands in their pockets.


The horses and donkeys don't seem to mind sharing their dry lots with ducks...
hopefully no one will step on their little webby toes.


I mentioned yesterday that the second half of my Nigerian dynamic duo passed away.
We lost Star earlier this summer and Ash on Saturday night.
Then, yesterday morning we found Stella (Star's daughter and Ash's niece) 
dead in the goat pasture.
She had not been sick, had shown no signs of distress... nothing.
We are completely dumbfounded by this.
Did she die of a broken heart?
I just have no idea why this happened.
She was the last of our Nigerian Dwarf goats.


And although she was the least friendly of any of our goats,
we will miss her quirky presence in the goat pasture....
and forever wonder why she died.

Yesterday was just one of those days...
when it rained... it poured.
Literally and figuratively.


More storms are predicted for today.
Yikes.
We may just have to build an ark!

To Karla... I chop my peppers with a vegetable chopper like this...

Also...
Patsy from Illinois....could you email me your mailing address???
Your fairies left something behind that I really must send to you!
Thanks!
beehavenmaven@gmail.com

Comments

Portia said…
You have had a lot of losses lately, some harder then others. But they all have to hurt. I am so sorry.
Louise Stopford said…
Gosh you must be getting the rain that the UK has not had for quite some time. Like many other places in the world, we are desperate for the rain (and I never thought I would say that living in Manchester!!!). Sorry to hear about your loss. Sometimes these things just happen and we don't know the reason why. Your ducks seem to having a great time.
daisy g said…
So sorry to hear about Stella and Ash. They had a beautiful life with you and Hubbs. I'm sure they knew how much they were loved. And that's really all that matters.

Enjoy the rain! It is such a blessing!
GeorgiaHoneyBee said…
So sorry about your goats. 😞 And I'm very happy you had a great vacation but am super happy you are back! Stay dry!
Karla said…
Bev, so very sorry to hear about Stella. Lord, our hearts sure do get a work out with animals. Thank you for the link to the chopper! I can't wait to order it and use it. My husband is a patient and excellent chopper, but I am too impatient!
janie said…
So sorry for your losses. Take care, Janie
jaz@octoberfarm said…
it seems that you always get my rain and my snow! we were all set for a whole day of rain and it was sunny and hot all day. i think stella did die of a broken heart. i'm so sorry to hear this.
Anonymous said…
Perhaps you could
have your Vet do a little autopsy on Stella to see if she can determine just what happened to Stella. That is such a shame … doubt a broken heart would show up, however!
I have one of those fantastic choppers, too! Ordered mine from QVC for $40! Came with all kinds of blades and attachments. The spiralizer isn't so great … LOL
Hugs from Colorado -- Marcia
Lynne said…
Tons of rain . . . wow . . .
Sad about Stella . . . and the not knowing “why” too . . .
Appreciated the answer to the “chopped veggies!”
I think I will order it . . .
Getting more difficult for these aging hands to chop, chop!
Have your wellies close by today!
Unknown said…
So sorry about the loss of the goats. When our old mare passed, the colt we had (the only other horse at the time) I thought he was going to die from loneliness. Although we had goats it wasn't the same. Comet would hardly eat and just wandered around. Until we bought Gypsy 2 weeks later he didn't perk up. Gypsy didn't like him but Comet did come out of his funk. I think that's proof that animals have feelings.
This N That said…
Oh my..so sorry to learn about Stella.. I'm sure she missed her family...more tears shed for your losses..too many lately..They all had wonderful lives thanks to you.Glad the Ducks are happy..This is their kind of weather..Quack ,quack !
diane in northern wis said…
So sad to hear about Stella as well as the other goats this summer. Such a sad thing. I'm sure their lives were blessed by living at your place though! You show such love to all your critters! Tomorrow will be another day...may it be a better one for you!
An American in Tokyo said…
The first photo is soooooooooooooooooooooo cute!!!
And the running ducks always make me giggle, running around with their hands in their pockets! ha ha!
I'm sorry to hear about Stella. I hope she is running around with her other family members now on the other side of the rainbow! =)
I haven't had much time to comment lately, but I've been reading your posts whenever I can! Hang in there!
Dee J. Hartman said…
Friday: Star was sadly missed, I'd say,..So Stella gently passed away...And rain, it finally went away.... As hot sunshine returned today...