the up and the down
Some days just start out dreadful.
We lost four chooks last night to a fox. Four. Although at least it wasn't all of them, like my friend Darren, who's experience last week was pretty dire.
Adam and I are all no-nonsense and practical and we don't get emotional about farm animals. 'Cept as much as we know this in our heads, we feel sad in our little hearts. Poor defenseless chookies. And I think when you lose animals to a predator, you just want to know you did everything you could to keep them safe; and maybe we didn't. He got in, somehow.
So tonight, the remaining eight are shut up in their nesting room, which is the safest we can make them. And still I'm nervous. What if he gets in there?
And so am thinking about other bits of the day instead. (No point worrying about something you can't control.)
Today was a very wet day.
Good for dressing up your little sister in a feather boa and pretending she's a bird.
Good for a middle of the day movie (The Lion King) complete with popcorn.
Good for hanging out inside, talking to the dogs outside.
A good day to eat a goose egg, soft boiled. (Oh, that orange benchtop. Sigh.)
Lovely on a muffin with tuna and dill and mayonnaise. Tastes just like a delicious enormous chicken egg. Nothing strong or terribly rich, just delicious.
And a good day to celebrate a special birthday! No, my Dad is not turning ten. I didn't actually have seventy-three candles. Awesome work, Dad.
Any day that ends with marble cake is OK with me.
And one more up: up in the air right now, winging her way to Australia, a very very special and much-missed sister, coming to visit.
Now THAT makes it a very good day. In your eye, Mr Fox.
xxx
Darren (Green Change)
July 21, 2011 at 11:29 pmBugger. So sorry to hear about your chooks. Catch you this weekend!
green ink
July 22, 2011 at 12:00 amSo sorry to hear about the chooks Fi. It is always sad to lose the little critters. Can you use electric fencing to keep the foxes out, or is that too big a risk with your little people?
YAY for sisters being on their way. I will be that sister in about five months time 😀 xx
nell
July 22, 2011 at 12:14 amIt is hard losing chooks. It does remind you though to not get too fond of them! We live on Phillip island which has an intense anti fox policy due to the wildlife here (fairy penguins). We’ve not lost a chook in 8 years!
I had to comment as it is also my birthday today! 41 … and had a marble cake!
Your dad seems pretty special … from previous posts.
bennoss
July 22, 2011 at 9:40 amup yours, Foxie!
Nichole
July 23, 2011 at 3:34 amSo sorry to hear about your chickens. I hope the rest fair okay and stay safely tucked away from Mr. Fox.
Have a wonderful time visiting with your sister! Yay!! I know you must be very excited.
Tricia
July 24, 2011 at 5:30 pmSorry about the chooks. Thats hard. We had to say goodbye to two of our three chickens yesterday when they started crowing! I’ve known for months that they were probably roosters, but I was hoping that perhaps they were simply hens with big combs.
I hope you are enjoying your sisters visit. x t.
Christie-Childhood 101
August 2, 2011 at 4:28 pmThat is one gorgeous bright pink baby bird 😉