richard

Well, I haven't written much these last few days, mostly because I really haven't done anything. I did get the wire for the electric fence up, but still need to tag it so people don't run into it, and also put the unit up. I found a copper pipe by the little chicken coop that had a ground wire attached to it, and think it might have been for the phone line that had been there. Or it does look like there was an electric fence that had been attached to the coop at one point, so maybe it was for that. Regardless, figuring that part out has been taken care of. Now it's just a matter of attaching the wires to the unit and plugging the thing in. Gulp.

On to Richard: there has been an interesting development in the fate of Richard. Amlan is concerned that there will be too much of Richard to consume without any of him going to waste. It is so interesting how the way we think about these things changes when we are connected to our food sources. There is way more to think about, actually. We are taking a life, and in that taking, one of the ways we show our respect is by making sure there is no waste. I love this.

If Amlan can't get any partners, he has committed to adopting Richard. This is awesomely cool. I have found myself growing increasingly fond of Richard now that Flower has her own pen and he isn't taking nibbles off her wool or harassing her for her food. He's turning into a kinder, more gentler, Richard. This afternoon I went outside and found the 2 little chicks sitting on his back roosting. He was just looking at them, and didn't move a bit. I think he really liked them there. I tried to get a picture, but by the time I got back with the camera, they had jumped off. But it made me like him even more.

So I'm hoping that Richard stays. And if the girls truly are pregnant (Amlan told me I can give them a regular pregnancy test to find out), then this means he can continue to be the farm stud and Isaac can become a wether. I like this idea. Flower will have an ideal companion, and we can love on Isaac when he gets older without smelling like a billy goat. Hate the thought of the process, but I think it will be worth it. I'll hunt up a pregnancy test this weekend to make sure, and then I'll call the vet to get Isaac taken care of. I'm thinking the sooner the better.

Well, I didn't get much work of any kind done today, and it was supposed to be one of those days! So goes it. Now I'm heading for bed with the fan on so Vanna can't hear the coyotes. It's the only way to get any sleep these days.

Oh, and the guys come home from their vacation with Tim on Sunday. Woohoo! I've sure missed them, as have all the animals.

I have to remember to take a picture of Rufus. (Remember him? He's the little chick that got his beak ripped off who fell in love with Dan. He's been hanging around the house these days. I really like him. Except I forgot how we spelled his name, originally.)

Anyway! Goodnight!