Eva’s Friends

[Callender Girl]

Eva's biopsy result isn't the best news, but it's still pretty good. Plus, she's doing well with the stitches out and, from the looks of the photo, is finding your bed a great place to enjoy her life.

Sorry to hear about the mold (yuck!) and glad to hear the chicken fighting has decreased. I cringe every time one of mine gets pecked when they're all out in the yard together. Fortunately, there's not a lot of actual fighting, just some quick pecks to establish order.

Sounds like Francine is coming around. One of the three cats that got dumped here in the spring took WEEKS longer than the others to even let me touch him. To this day, he's still an odd fellow. But they had clearly been house cats, and the other two had no problem accepting human kindness, especially when it came with food!

BTW, it's good that the chicken glasses are effective. But I wonder what the chickens think of their new accessories? Do they wonder why there's so much more yellow in their world than ever before? Probably not. Chickens, in my experience, seem to just accept the world that they live in, regardless of whatever physicality they experience. For example, birds that sustain crippling injuries simply adjust and go on with their lives. It's one more cool thing about critters!

 

[Evadig]

First day of December, man does time fly. It's hard to believe I just graduated in August. That time seems as far away as the moon.

Francine let me pet her yesterday! She also comes to greet me when I come to feed her. We are making progress... Her heated bed arrived today, but she was too scared to go all the way in. Hopefully she'll get used to it, because it will be lows of 20F for the next week.

There is nothing to report on the chickens, except that I had to bring out the heated dishes because of the cold weather.

I can already see how December will go for me. Cleaning up outside, the storage shed, and the house during the day and sewing in the evenings.

I have a lot of sewing to do. My sister wants a vintage Christmas outfit, so I've started that. I'm halfway done with the blouse, only I had to stop because I got fusible interfacing fused onto my brand new iron. Last time using that...I'll stick with muslin. I'm also out of pins, as I used them all to pin a quilt that I haven't finished . But tomorrow I'm going to the store, and the work will continue!

I thought I'd try making the pictures smaller so they load easier, but then it's awfully small on the phone. Do you like them smaller or should I keep them full size?

Winston Churchill

Rainbow I caught seconds before it started fading

Francine's new heated cabin

Miss Prude

An ice bowl

The pattern I'm working on right now

The half-finished blouse

The dogs have their own bed next to mine now - I got tired of sleeping curled up on the edge.

Evadig

Constance

 

[Callender Girl]

The smaller-sized photos still look fine! The ice bowl is pretty cool
I love that the Simplicity pattern was 35 cents. I have a fair number of vintage patterns that I've collected over the years. I know I won't really sew anything from them. If you would use them or just want to add them to your collection, I would be happy to send them your way. I can mail them to you or to any address you would prefer since you probably shouldn't include your home address in an email anyone can see. BTW, your sister's blouse is coming along nicely!

Francine's cabin is amazing; I hope she starts using it right away. And, it sounds as if she's really beginning to trust you.

How do the dogs like their new bed? Thankfully, my 60-pound George (a blind rescue) doesn't climb stairs. Ever. If he did, I would have no room on my bed since Dinah, who's about half his size, pushes me to the edge every night. Sometimes, Magoo -- my eyeless cat -- also wants to join our pajama party.

Today, I woke up and saw snow settled in on the roof of the mudroom that's beneath my bedroom window. Snow!! No!!

Before I let the dogs out, I trudged to the garage and grabbed a snow shovel and a broom. So far, it's light and fluffy snow that can be swept away.

It's the first snow for the chickens I got in July. I plan to sweep the snow out of their run so they don't get too much of a shock!

 

[Evadig]

I was too tired to write yesterday...and there really hasn't been anything going on.

It was freezing cold today and windy. Despite this, I changed the lock on The Yellow Turnip (the yellow shed-turned-chicken coop). That coop got the name because it was poorly built and is of course yellow.

I've also been busy at the storage organizing our belongings. There is a new door in the basement and they are starting work on the floor, so the basement will be done sometime next week (hopefully).

The bathroom is the worst nightmare. We've been working on removing the wallpaper, which was glued directly to the drywall, so it's almost impossible to take the glue off without ripping the drywall.

I finished the blouse that I was working on. It took approximately twelve hours from cutting out to sewing the last buttonhole. I have to sew all the buttonholes by hand. Now I have to start the skirt.

My uncle died unexpectedly yesterday...if y'all could please remember him and his family in your prayers .

If you would use them or just want to add them to your collection, I would be happy to send them your way.

That is very kind of you! I will send a pm.

Francine's cabin is amazing; I hope she starts using it right away.

She is using it, finally. We put canned food in there and after a few nights I think she got the idea it's a warm place to sleep.

How do the dogs like their new bed? Thankfully, my 60-pound George (a blind rescue) doesn't climb stairs. Ever. If he did, I would have no room on my bed since Dinah, who's about half his size, pushes me to the edge every night. Sometimes, Magoo -- my eyeless cat -- also wants to join our pajama party.

They love it (although they like mine better...). You are amazing to have both a blind dog and a blind cat. I don't think I would be able to handle it!

I am surprised y'all don't have snow yet? I thought in the northern states snow came early and stayed late...at least that's how I remember it in Michigan. I'm glad it wasn't much. Cold weather is bad enough!

My phone doesn't work well in the cold, so it is hard to take any photos.

Proof that Francine is in her house

Lucy

Enjoying their bed...if Annie looks like a prehistoric creature it's because she's chewing a dental bone.

Closeup of Eva

Constance likes to sleep next to my chair.

The finished blouse (background was edited).

 

[Callender Girl]

I am so sorry about your uncle's death, and I did say a prayer.

Sounds like you have your hands full with projects. Removing wallpaper is always a chore, especially off drywall. It's been many years since I've done that, and I'll be happy never to do it again!

I like the name of the Yellow Turnip

It is unusual that we haven't had any other snow yet, and the extended forecast isn't showing severe temps or snow for the next two weeks. Today and all weekend, in fact, it's supposed to be in the 40s and maybe 50's. I am thrilled!

I chuckled out loud at the "proof" that Francine is using her cabin. And, it looks like you did a great job with the blouse!

Having blind animals isn't that hard, really. Magoo, the cat, was born to a stray that hung out in my back yard when I lived in town. I was concerned when I moved out here that he would be disoriented, but it only took him about a day to figure out where everything is in the house. As long as I don't move the furniture, he's fine!

I applied online to adopt George because I knew there wouldn't be a lot of takers for a blind, overweight adult pit bull mix. He is a gentle boy who navigates well most of the time. In both his case and Magoo's (also known simply as Goo), people haven't realized the critters were blind until I told them. Animals adapt to their "handicaps" much better than most people.

I previously had a deaf dog I adopted from a rescue; they didn't even realize he couldn't hear because he watched the other dogs and responded when they did. One time, he slipped past me at night and ran outside. I gave chase but was still in work clothes -- including some too-high heels that slowed me down.

It was a challenge to "call" him back. I finally started flipping the outdoor light on and off until Cash caught on and came home.

Dealing with blind pets is easier, I think, than deaf ones. But, sometimes when George tips his face up toward me, I wish his beautiful big, brown eyes could see me looking back at him. Goo's eyeballs simply never fully formed; the vet said they are like little raisins inside his head. It's hard to imagine what he would look like if he actually had eyes.

 

[Evadig]

Today was nice out and warm enough to wear only one coat.

The drama I have to deal with is unbelievable. We took the glasses off today, so their nares didn't get clogged, and all hens started pecking each other. Well, that is, everyone except poor little Patience. She is aptly named.

I also let Stan out of jail. He immediately rushed to the hens and began trying to force them to mate. They scattered, and he didn't have much success. Then Honor came down from the other side of the yard and there was a hot fight, in which no one was hurt. Neither Honor nor Stan have spurs and their beaks didn't do much damage. After letting them wear themselves out a bit I sent Eva to separate them and send Honor packing back to his own territory, where he thankfully stayed the rest of the day.

I made a new roost in the old duck area so as to reserve the runs for the cats. The hens have pretty much all accepted the change but Tilly paces until she can get back into the run. Well, sorry Till, you just can't. So get over it! I put her on the roost every night.

I put up plastic on the north and west side of the coop. And I built a Dutch door finally on Winston's run. I am so happy to be rid of that netting that would always catch on my hair!

Francine lets me pet her! Not only lets, but demands. She rubs herself on my sleeve and she's very careful with her claws. She is definitely a polydactyl. Her fur is like velvet. I wish my family liked cats so I could bring her in the house. But they only tolerate Constance because she is old and stays in my room and doesn't scratch the furniture.

I finished organizing the storage shed. And they are starting the basement floor tomorrow. Hopefully it will be done this week.

I am so sorry about your uncle's death, and I did say a prayer.

Thank you .

I can see why taking care of blind animals would be easier than deaf ones. I communicate with Eva (and pretty much everyone else) mostly by talking, though I do use a lot of hand signals as well.

I am glad you are having warmer weather!


The Dutch Door

Some still photography...

Francine

Annie waking up this morning:

Dolores and Patience sunbathing:

Annie playing with Tilly:

The new roost:

Look at that tail!

In memory of Pearl Harbor yesterday:
Remember Pearl Harbor

 

[Callender Girl]

We kept chickens and ducks when I was a kid, and I don't remember Dad ever having the same kind of antics that you and I put up with from our poultry. Hope your birds settle down soon.

How cool that Francine is a polydactyl! Too bad she can't live indoors.

The Dutch door is nice and so is the pretty yellow house!

I've had some drama surrounding my oldest cat, Ziva, who's 15 and has lived by herself in the basement (where she's SUPPOSED to catch mice) since her mom and siblings passed away.

Z is being forced to share her space with the three strays that showed up in the spring, and she's not happy. I took her to the vet last week because she was holding a paw funny. It was diagnosed as a strain or sprain, and she came home with meds. Z's been isolated in a dog kennel to let her heal.

Yesterday morning, there was blood all over the kennel. The vet found a shoulder wound that needed suturing, and he kept her overnight. A wound isn't good, but it's better than a tumor -- which is what led to the deaths of her mom and siblings. What I don't know is how she could have gotten injured while she was in the kennel. I'm guessing the vet overlooked the wound last week?

How are the basement and bathroom projects going?

 

[Evadig]

I must be officially insane...yesterday I brought home two more chickens. They are five years old and are said to be Ameraucanas, but one doesn't have a muff.

I put Patience in with them and they seem to be doing well together. I know you're supposed to do a quarantine but (one) I don't have an extra coop; (two) they aren't ever going to be with the main flock; and (three) I couldn't tolerate Patience getting picked on anymore. The others just couldn't stop themselves from pecking her.

It rained for the last three days and the tarp on the roof leaked and the Muddy Run is muddy again .

What I don't know is how she could have gotten injured while she was in the kennel.

I can't imagine what happened to Ziva! The only thing I could think of is she somehow tore something trying to get out? I know Brianna (the black cat) nearly went crazy when we put her in a kennel and she was flying from side to side and yowling. I don't remember how we resolved the issue. I hope Ziva feels better soon!

How are the basement and bathroom projects going?

There's been no progress on the bathroom.

The basement floor had to be ripped up three times so far because the man didn't know how to put in it right. Finally he seems to have got the idea. So we are behind time, but it will be okay as I still have nine days to move out of the storage unit.

This post was really short as I'm trying to finish the weskit for my sister's Christmas outfit tonight and I'm behind in that too. It takes forever to sew darts! I just looked up the word weskit and it says it's an abbreviation of waistcoat. The difference between a weskit and a vest is that weskits are formal, always worn over a dress shirt, and vest are informal and can be worn over anything. Good to know!

The Bad Birds aka the main flock

Gladys (formerly Cocoa) is the black one with the muff.

Miss Scarlett here doesn't have a new name yet. She doesn't have a muff, either.

From the front...

Annie

 

[Callender Girl]

More chickens? I say, congratulations!! My new chickens this year included two Ameraucanas; still disappointed that one turned out to be a cockerel. Hope things work out between yours and Patience.

Gladys and Miss Scarlet are good-looking birds.

Sorry to hear about the bathroom, but at least there's progress with the basement floor.

Did you get the weskit for your sister finished? Back when I did historical reenacting, I sewed a few weskits. I'd never heard the definition of how they differed from vests, however.

Ziva is finally feeling better, I think. She has been extremely reluctant to leave the wire kennel where I've set her up with a plastic carrier (which she sits on, not in!), a litter box and her dishes. This morning, for the first time, she ventured out of the kennel on her own -- and quickly went back in, away from the other cats. I've been wiping her incision with peroxide every day, and I think it's looking good.

Too bad you're dealing with mud in the run. It's been in the single digits here and with just a tiny bit of snow. Not sure if I'd rather deal with mud or winter weather. Not a fan of either one

 

[Evadig]

The first snow fell today.
The world looked white and clean.
But all too soon the mud I'd tracked
From Muddy Run to Turnip House
Was plainly to be seen.

Okay, enough of me trying to write poetry...

Patience and her new friends are still getting along. I am happy for her. My sister did not like the name Gladys. So, back to the 1975 Webster Dictionary and the list of given names in the index.

Francine crashed herself into my face today trying to get as close as possible, and then - drumroll, please! - she let me pick her up! She nestled in my arms and looked as contented as can be. We stood out in the gently falling snow and she watched it with curious amazement. Even my mom was shocked, and she says maybe I can bring her into the basement when it's finished...

Speaking of which, the floor should be finished Tuesday. That day we intend on renting a truck and bringing home the two storage units. It will be the only nice day in a cold and rainy week.

Also, someone is coming to finish the bathroom, and the laundry room, and install two new doors.

The weskit is almost finished; I just have to sew the buttonholes and the buttons. I made the skirt, and have to put the button on the waistband. I will post a picture of the outfit when I get it finished. I have started making a suit for myself. For the record, it took an hour to cut out the jacket.

Back when I did historical reenacting, I sewed a few weskits. I'd never heard the definition of how they differed from vests, however.

That's neat! I think I would like to do historical re-enacting. What time period did you do?

Ziva is finally feeling better, I think.

That's good! It must be hard on her to have to share her domain with the others, especially as she's been there longer.

We lost power tonight for approximately ten minutes. Hoping it doesn't happen again!

Lucy: Is that snow I see coming down?
Everyone else: Oh no! Not again!

(They all hate snow!)

Eva must have found a mouse...

Annie