Livestock guardian dog...

People who farm or "homestead" often have livestock guardian dogs. These dogs, (breeds such as Great Pyrenees or Maremma's, etc.) are raised with the animals they are destined to protect.

Dazzle the poodle (very much raised "in house!") has taken over the job of chicken guardian dog since the new babies have hatched. She stands, by the hour, just watching as the chicks potter about. She does not get too close, does not annoy the mother hens, she just hovers and observes. You can see the look of joy on her face in this photo... she is having the time of her life. We have lost one chick, I think to a hawk. I fear if Dazzle were not on duty we would have lost far more.

My polka dotted poodle is earning her keep guarding the flock.
And she looks pretty funny doing so!

Mouse, out of the house...

Last winter, in the deep cold, someone pawned an abandoned baby field mouse off on me. I took very good care of her all during the cold months. She feasted on pop corn and sunflowers, fresh fruit and home made bread. This week, when the weather was reliably warm, we set her free.

There is an old, abandoned chicken barn across the street. It is filled with excellent mouse habitat; piles of lumber, stacks of hay; all surrounded by lovely meadow. On a warm late afternoon, we set "Twinkle," free. I left stacks of sunflower seeds in strategic places, and a pile of warm nesting material, too.

I am hoping that Twinkle will find friends, have a family, enjoy life in the big world. And I am really hoping she does NOT become owl fodder. This photo is the last shot of her as she dashes for a safe place to begin her life outside captivity. We wish you a long and happy life, Twinkle!

Snow drops...

Although it is late April and much of the country is enjoying real spring weather, Maine is just now getting into the "swing of spring." Much of my world is still shades of brown. Finding a patch of snow drops like these along the side of the road is a treat. The lush green foliage and the scattering of dainty white blossoms are real attention grabbers. And so pretty I wanted to share.

Blue bird ...

The blue birds are back. This handsome guy has a hen he is feeding in the nest box he is sitting on. They are fascinating to watch, and the male sings a pretty little song, too.

Motherhood...

The mothering skills of these chickens amazes me. If you look at this picture you will see a wee chick poking out from under mama's left wing. The chicks scurry up under their mom, crawling through the feathers right up to the hens back. It is funny to see a little head peeking out from on top of the hens neck.

The mothers don't exactly feed the chicks, but they do show them how to find food. If the hen gets a treat, she calls the chicks with a soft, distinctive clucking. Next she breaks the treat up into tiny bits, then models how to peck at what she has found for them.

When a shadow from a passing crow, hawk or eagle crosses the yard, the mama again calls the chicks to her, covering them with her body and flattening out on the grass until danger has passed.

At the end of the day, while the hens without chicks are still scratching about, the mama hens are tucked in the coop at 5 pm on the dot, chicks tucked beneath her warm, feathered skirts. She is so drowsy from watching out for her babes all the long day, she seems unable to keep her eyes open another moment.

I wonder at how they know to do what they do, and I treasure the sweetness of it.

Boston skyline...

This is the view of the Boston skyline from where Pearl's memorial luncheon was held yesterday. So pretty!

Farewell...

Aunt Pearl's ashes were returned from Harvard Medical School, after "science" was done with her. All that was her in body has been reduced so that it is held in this very small green box. All that was her in spirit remains with us, in warm memories.

Today we gathered to return her remains to her family. Then, as she would have wished, we had "luncheon and a cocktail." And we told some stories and we laughed and connected and missed her. A lot. Thank you, Pearl, for loving us and for decorating our lives. I miss you so....