Lucky Number 13

 There's nothing like a sunny, blue-skied day with the mercury rising higher than it's been in months to recharge one's winter-weary soul!

It was the perfect reminder that nothing lasts forever - including ice!

Enough melting occurred to entice even the pigs off of their well-trod paths.

For the past several weeks, the runner ducks have hung out at the far end of their pen on an iceberg.  That having melted, the pen was now nothing but mud.  

And though we wanted to start letting the ducks roam freely, an experimental release earlier this week revealed that Forrest and Ramona have no clue how to navigate the farm.  The entire flock had headed towards the upper pastures, but then, when confronted with the pasture fence (which the other ducks just scoot under) Forrest and Ramona were clueless as to what to do and were quickly left behind by the rest of the flock.  They just couldn't figure out how to get to the other side of the fence... repeatedly hurling themselves against the fence.  Jack escorted the two safely home and returned to shepherd the rest of the flock back home as well.  It looks like we will have to have "freedom" day on a day when we can stay out at the barn and make sure that Forrest and Ramona don't get lost.

In light of the fact that the ducks will be staying in their yard just a little longer, I took some time to clean their house...

and fill their muddy yard with soft, dry hay.

This new hay was quite a curiosity.  Eventually, they were all in the hay sifting through it for edibles.

Forrest and Ramona were curious about Annie and stood by the fence talking to her.  (These two grew up with dogs in their yard, so they are much more used to dogs in their space than the rest of our flock.)

Finally, the ice has melted enough that the donkeys were brave enough to gingerly join the horses on the horse side of the dry lot

Amazingly, I noticed the other day that Moonbeam is already starting to shed his winter coat.  All of the horses are in need of some grooming attention, so, yesterday I started with Red.

As I worked on clipping his bridle path and brushing his mane, Red stood perfectly still.

He didn't even seem to mind that Pete used him as a lounge.

Perhaps Pete's constant purring felt like a back massager for Red.

Pete buried his front paws in Red's mane and sat there hugging his neck.

At one point he looked as though he was ready to ride Red... ready to take off on a cross-country adventure - galloping and jumping his way across the land on the back of his trusty steed.

I love how relaxed these two were with each other.  I continually praised Red for standing so still.  And Pete?... well, he is just the sweetest cat, ever!

Now for this week's Give-away....

Yesterday, I assigned everyone interested in the first shawl a number.  

Then I used a random number generator online to pick a number.  I only wish I had enough to send one to everyone who entered.

 Denise T... you were number 13.  

Email me with your full name and address. (beehavenmaven at icloud dot com)

It looks as though our warmer weather is to continue through Saturday.  By Sunday it will be back below freezing once again.  It's fine... the days are getting longer and there is a hint of change in the air.  We can weather a few more cold weeks - knowing that eventually the sun will warm up our land, dry up our mud, and encourage the buds and blossoms to once again open!

Have a lovely weekend.  I'm not sure what kind of mischief I will get into over the next few days... but whatever it is... I'll share it with you on Monday!