Code Red !

It's been quite some time since we have had a Code Red here on the farm.  That's a good thing, too.  Yesterday, however, it was such a beautiful day and I was home on the farm alone... so I decided it was time to shake things up a bit.  In actuality, it wasn't really my decision at all. 

The horses had been out in the front pasture grazing for the morning, while I was working in the garden.  

I called them all in and closed the two minis in their stall to eat their breakfast, while Moonie was locked in the other stall.  Meanwhile, the ponies and the donkeys eat their breakfast chow in the dry lot.  Normally, I don't bother to lock the stall door on the Mini's stall because they are not ones to challenge doors... and certainly not ones to actually open those stall doors by themselves.

Yesterday, I got everyone arranged and busy with their chow, while I picked up some sticks that were lying about the grass around the barn from recent wind storms.  All of a sudden, I saw Ollie sauntering out the front door of the barn, followed by Red.  I calmly walked over to them and suggested that perhaps they should go back inside and return to their stall.  And just like that, they turned around and headed back into the barn..... and ran like idiots right out the back door.

Their first stop was the duck hut... to check out the little bit of cracked corn that I had left out for the guineas.  I walked over to them with halters in hand, and they took off running down the driveway along the pasture fence.

Oh, this was just too much fun, they decided as they doubled back and ran past me in the opposite direction.

Luckily, after only five or so minutes of shenanigans, they decided that the carrots I had in my hands were more enticing than running around like a couple of ninnies.

Halters were placed on and two little bad boys were led back into the barn by their slightly annoyed Mum.  Now, normally, whenever one or more escape, the rest of the herd loses their minds. 

 They hate being separated and the idea that their herd mates might be having more fun than they is enough to cause quite a commotion.  Yesterday, however, everyone ignored the Code Red and settled in for a nap.  I could hear Moonie snickering, "Boys will be boys...."

As I was working in the gardens, I noticed a couple more blossoms peeking their little smiling faces out between the weeds...

Hyacinths!

These particular weeds are the most tenacious.  They have taken over the entire perennial garden and I am not sure how I will ever get rid of them without completely overhauling the entire garden.  Any suggestions?