Donkeys Gone Wild

I wrote this post a week ago, ready to show you a hilarious video of the donkeys.  And then blogspot told me it was too big.  So I trimmed it in my phone (or at least I thought I did) so it was under a minute.  But then my computer wouldn't let me paste it in the blog, blah blah blah.  I was confident if I started anew today everything would be A-OK.  Blogspot is still telling me it's too big, which I think is baloney.    

Your favorite three miniature donkeys have almost lost all interest in the pasture.  Yes, around this time of year it's not in the best shape, but some of it still has lush grass.  However, the three princesses do not deign it worthy.  And yes, their royal sensibilities are becoming a bit irritating.  Thus the following situation.

Let me preface the video clip by explaining the normal day's schedule.
Breakfast is served about 8:45 am.  At 1:00 (until the pasture is not fit for the beasts, usually around October)) the pasture gate is opened.  Post-pasture lunch is served at 3:00.  And the final dinner bell rings at dusk.

Well, recently I had the utter audacity to pass the donkey yard via the driveway at 1:00, intending to give the next door neighbor cows some carrots.  The donkeys went nuts.  And the irritation you hear in my voice is just that.

   [at this point you have to use your imagination in your mind's eye seeing three donkeys
running madly back and forth
in the yard, braying at the top of their lungs and my voice telling them to knock it off]

I have no idea what caused the frenzied behavior.  The vocalizations and running are more indicative of real trouble.  Who knows what prompted it.  Except my long held theory that they're nuts!

I may try again to figure out why it won't take the video or I just may post it on FB.  To be honest I'm tired of struggling with it.

So instead, let me show you a little clip of a teeny fountain on the deck.

What I really want you to take note of is the tall flowering begonia just behind the impatiens. 

 I've had her for years, wintering her every year.  She's taller than I am at this point.  I hate to trim her but I probably should before bringing her in for the season.   A few of the many plants that come into the sunroom on a tarp in October are old friends.  They've been around for years.  Often they look a bit iffy when they take their places on the deck in the spring, but by fall they're again magnificent.

OK, back to the chonkeys.  Sharona in particular.  She is now the biggest girl of the nine, but doesn't know it.  She kowtows to the older girls as does Clara.  Storm, however, has got some gumption and is starting to hold her own.

  Next week I'll show you the modification Rick made to the roosting area for the new girls.

Sharona Shines

I cannot in all fairness say I have any new stories about the teeny tiny farm. 

We took a teeny tiny vacation last week on the west side of the state along Lake Michigan, not a teeny tiny lake in the least.

Over in the vicinity of Ludington.
Our time spent sitting on the beach listening to and watching the waves (and seagulls) was wonderful.  Plus lighthouses galore.  And good food.

However, this weekend I was finally able to capture a semi-decent photo of Sharona in her technicolor glory.

Yes, you may ooh and aah at this point in the story.

So, the peculiar thing with the little girls is they fly out of the coop in the mornings with the big girls, but during free- range time they tend to stay in the run.  A little chicken door is always open during this block of time for anyone who feels the need to find a nesting box so the three girls could leave at any time.  But they don't.

I know the next question on your mind is, did the three donks miss you.
Well, of course.  Or at least that's my story.

* * * * * * Vegan Delights * * * * * * 

This was a lovely recipe for incorporating  home grown cherry tomatoes and basil.  First time making it last evening.

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

Using a non dairy parm makes it vegan all the way. And I bet no one eating it will ever complain it's not "real" parm.

Next time I make it I'll cook the sauce a bit longer to help the garlic and basil flavors burst through.

Spice Displays Hidden Talents

 Before we delve into the world of hidden talents, allow me to give you an update on the  new little girls.

Progress is being made but it's oh so very slow.  Storm seems to be the most adventurous, zipping out into the pasture while Clara and Sharona appear to depend on her for leadership.  All three can be easily bamboozled by the big girls, but I did see Clara and Sharona at the feeder at the same time a couple of big girls were there.  Now that IS progress. 

I had to pick up one of the girls the other day and oh lordy, you'd think she was headed for the chopping block.  Clearly none of them were handled as chicks.  
In the evening when it's time to lock up, I sweet talk the three as they perch above me for the night. 

I'll try my darnedest to get some decent photos of the three for the next post.  Sharona's colors are coming in and they're quite striking.

Last week I stopped in to Tractor Supply for some shavings -- I usually prefer to get supplies at my local feed store, but I do like TSC's shavings.  As I walked into the cart area some chicken-themed wind chimes were seductively luring me.  Yes, I am a sucker for wind chimes.  Big ones, little ones, cheap ones, expensive ones.  And these particular beauties were on sale.  I was doomed.

Here Spice demonstrates her abilities to ring those chimes with just a flick of an ear.  Boy, what talent!

 I'll hear them ring a ding when there's no hay in the manger and when there's no breeze.  Yes, I have to wonder if the donks are musically inclined.