The Current Situation

The air is thick with mist and the ground is slick with mud. 

 We are sliding out of 2023 through a carpet of puddles.  It's been the perfect week for relaxing.

We head outside for regular feeding hours, but spend the rest of the day indoors.  

I am still working on knitting myself a vest, baking bread and tending to small projects - like using up the last of the fresh rosemary and some of this summer's garlic to make a rosemary/garlic sea salt mix. 

 It's a family-favorite seasoning, so I will be replenishing supplies in the coming weeks.

My favorite one-eyed guy greets me in the mornings - with a come-hither knicker - eager for his breakfast.  He looks like a wretched urchin as a result of standing out in the rain.

Forrest tries his hardest to get all of the animals to play with him.  With his chest down and wiggle-butt in the air, he tries to be as irresistible as possible, but the horses aren't buying his act. 

 And so, they wander off, ignoring his plea.  

With that, Forrest goes back to the fun of the nearest mud puddle.

It's not unusual for Ginger to be grunting on the outside of the pasture gate - also eager for her breakfast.

Forrest hops out to see her and tries to engage her in a game, but she is singularly focused on food.

Meanwhile, in the far corner of the dry lot, next to the pig house, Faith is also bleating her plea for breakfast.  If only we could be several places at the same time, then everyone would be happy!

With the mammals fed and happy, we head up to care for the birds.

Morning treats are served...

And Forrest heads off to join the runner ducks, who scurry quickly away.  "Leave it!" we call, and he returns to us.  "Oh, yeah, I'm not supposed to play with the ducks!"  

"That's right Forrest, good boy!"

In order to clean off the morning's accumulation of mud, we take Forrest to the pond for his morning swim.  Once again, he's the cleanest dog on the block!  (Sorry Ellie!)