The Last Code Red of 2021... Maybe

If you have been a farm friend for any length of time, then you might remember that a Code Red is called (by our across-the-street neighbors, Jim and Kathy) whenever one of the equines escapes.  This only happens through human error.  The equines are not expert escape artists.  What they are, however, is vigilant about always doing a perimeter check wherever they are, to see if any of the gates have been left unlocked.  So, no, they are not escape artists, just opportunists!

Yesterday morning, while the horses were in the upper pastures, and the donkeys were (supposed to be) grazing in the front pasture - we received a Code Red text... the donkeys had escaped.

Luckily, a donkey escape is much simpler to handle than a horse escape.  When given the opportunity, the horses go for the gusto and take off running a half mile away to our hay field.  When the donkeys escape, however, it is with a small amount of enthusiasm and a great amount of trepidation and anxiety.  They never venture far, for that would be too scary.  But, they did exit their dry lot and found some scratch lying on the ground that we had put out for the guinea fowl.

Naughty girls!  Because they didn't really want their freedom in the first place, they were very easy to encourage back into their dry lot. 

 The fact that it was time for their daily chow (nutritional supplement), they went willingly.

Since we were already out at the barn for the Code Red, we decided to walk up to the upper pastures and bring the horses in.

Of course, everyone was at the furthest point from the gate, so we had a bit of a hike.

Moonie wasn't interested in participating in the round up, and took off trotting towards the gate.  But, because Becky's horses were also out grazing, we insisted on leading him back to the barn instead of giving his freedom.  Under these circumstances, I cannot trust that he wouldn't just take off running to join the other horses.  It's an opportunity that I don't feel like giving him.

So, we all headed back to the barn together... one big happy family.... slipping and sliding on the soggy ground.  

We've had several days with snow/rain/ fog and the already moist ground is utterly water-logged. Then, to top it off, temperatures have been in the 50's this week.  It's the weirdest winter weather ever!

After the excitement of the morning, and with no other responsibilities, I took a couple hours to work on some watercolor painting from photographs...

Next on the list, pasta making.

I received a Christmas gift from my son - wooden pasta cutters and a drying rack.

All tools worked great, and we had homemade pasta for dinner.


Happy New Year to you, friends!!  

We'll be back in 2022 to share another year of life on the farm.  Thank you so much for visiting us each day.  Also to those who are so generous with comments, I thank you.  They are a very special gift that we cherish.  And if you don't comment - no worries, we still know you are there!

New Year Blessings to you all!

Comments

jaz@octoberfarm said…
happy new yeas bev! naughty donkeys! we have a ton of rain on the way and i am not liking this winter at all. maybe 2022 will bring some snow. welcome to the world of pasta making, it's a dangerous one to enter!
Cheryl said…
Happy New Years to you and your human and 4-legged family!

Thank for all the great pics, videos and sharing that you we all enjoy! Thank you also for the awesome masks that you made that have kept me safe for the past 20 months or so....holy cow, has it been that long? :)
colleen said…
Wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy 2022! Hmmmm, what will BHA have in store for us next year? No matter what it is it will be an adventure and I will be here soaking it all up. You and Jack were quite the team on making the gnome houses. It was fun!! xoxoxox
Anonymous said…
I look forward to reading your posts each morning. Happy New Year!
Karla said…
Wow, it is New year's eve already? What a year it's been, and I want to thank you, Bev, for your part in keeping me positive! I look forward to your blog posts and pictures. Your blog is the one I read first, so I get my dose of nature, happy, and warm fuzzies. It's a lot of work to blog and post pics, and so many appreciate it! Happy New Year!
Unknown said…
Happy New Year, may it be one of many blessings. Thank you for taking the time to share a peek in to your daily life, it is a gift. Lisa G in TN
Marcia LaRue said…
Definitely looking forward to spending 2022 with you, Jack, and all the equines and other farm critters, plus the cats and dogs! You do have quite the menagerie!
S. CO is expecting to get some snow later on today into tomorrow with bitter cold temps of 19° and down to 9° tomorrow night!
Be safe tonight if you go out celebrating and greet the New Year with hope for a new beginning!!
Jody in Georgia said…
'Tis another grey, rainy day in Georgia....noticed my rain gauge showed 3 inches the past few days. But the temperatures are in the 60's and 70,s so no snow. As usual, starting my day "at the farm" makes it a good day. May 2022 bring you joy and happiness.
Happy New Year. Thank you for sharing all you do - it's a joy to see animals cared for the way you do things.

Blessings that 2022 is happy and healthy for you all.
littlemancat said…
Chuckling at the donkey girls - they like home best, but feel like they just have to take that opportunity for a small bit of naughtiness.
Thank you for all the farm joy this year and a very Happy and Healthy New Year. Hugs to all.
Mary
And your artwork is a joy!
Susan said…
Thank you again for sharing your life with us. It is always a bright spot to visit every morning full of positivity and hope. I not only look forward to the visit but need it also. The very best to you and yours, furry ones included for the New Year!
Lynne said…
Red alert and all . . .
I love my visits to the farm and you.
Great fresh pasta roller/maker gift!
And your watercolor style continues to inspire me.
Happy New Year 2022 . . .
Melinda said…
Your post are a day brightener for me!
I have a suggestion..open a bed and breakfast so we can visit!!

Happy New Year!

Melinda

Camille said…
Happy New Year Bev to you, family and all the furries. Quiet follower here but I never miss a day. All the best wishes for a wonderful year ahead.
Have a great New Year! You are a very good artist. Does it come naturally?
Vicki W. said…
Happy New Year to all at Bee Haven Acres!!
THE BEARDED ONE said…
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF YEAR WE ARE GOING TO HAVE..INSTABILTTY IN D.C. AND DIFFERENT STRANDS OF COVIT...AND THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF WEATHER...WE JUST HAVE TO ROLL W/RTHE PUNCHES...SMILING...THE ONLY TIME ONE OF MY HORSES GOT OUT..A CAR HIT IT AND KILLED IT...TRAGIC...HE WAS A HORSE YOU COULD PUT A 2 YEAR OLD ON AND SAY ..JACK, JUST WALK AND TURN HIM ALOSE AND HE'D WALK AROUND IGNORING WHAT EVER THE KID WAS DOING...19 HANDS HIGH WALKING HORSE..YOU ARE A TRUE ARTIST...AWESOME...MY WIFE IS A CERTIFIED BOB ROSS INSTRUCTER...HAVE A SUPER DAY AND MAY 2022 BE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT
DIRECTION !! KEEP SMILING AND HAVE A SUPER DAY !!!
Thank you and the farm so much for giving me good thoughts, and enjoyment every day that you posted--I am ever so grateful for you and the farm--I need my farm fix --
the best to you and the farm and your family in 2022--
hugs, diane
I see they are keeping you on your toes! Just to end the year.
What a thoughtful gift knowing how much you enjoy being in your kitchen.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
This N That said…
Speaking of trials and tribulations…… my computer is not giving me a readers view blogs today so I can’t comment.
There will always be something keeping us on our toes. Darn donkeys anyway.
Your paintings are incredible…. Wonderful reflection in the water. Great job.
Home made pasta. Sounds good. Yum
Happy new year and much love to all at BHA!
Xxoo🥳
Anonymous said…
Happy New Year to you and those you love, no matter how many legs they have!

Take Care,
Kaye
Gosh...now you're pasta maker too. You are amazing. Glad you got the girls back in their pen and the horses rounded up too. Sorry you don't have snow yet this winter....you're right it is a strange one. Maybe soon? Happy New Year to you all! God bless you.
daisy g said…
Blessings to all who dwell on the farm!