We have multiple chicken coops, ranging from small and cozy to large with custom roosts and nesting boxes. Our chickens free range so they choose where to sleep. These (I think there are about 8 of them... I have no idea how many chickens I have total) have decided this tree is the snoozing spot.

This is Digger the cat. He has zero redeeming qualities. He is fat and ornery and claws furniture constantly. But he has decided that I am his human. Sigh.

Wanna know what's seriously cool? Financial literacy. Why? Because it will save you thousands of dollars if not tens of thousands of dollars. Learn all you can about interest rates if you ever intend to go into or get out of debt. If you can, *do not go into debt for anything*.

I love that there are beautiful things about every season. We are at the tail end of bounty from the garden but I love how fun gourds are. For decorating and eating.

I don't know anything about Ohtani or sportsball in general, but it has been so nice to log in and see people legitimately happy and excited about something wholesome. Thanks for sharing the joy. :)

While my birdbath is still *technically* operating as intended, these are not the birds I had hoped it would attract. My bad for free ranging the flock. I just really didn't realize they'd take to the bird bath so much.

I am in a state based wildlife group and occasionally people will post pictures to get help with IDs. Today a woman posted a picture of a spider who had taken up residence just outside her window. She had named the spider and was hoping to learn more about what kind it was. ...

There has been a lot of sadness expressed with the passing of Jane Goodall, but there has been a lot of beauty with that sadness as well. She was iconic and made an impact in some of the best ways. I hope her legacy is long and future generations point to her work as part of their inspiration.

I've been bugging my husband to trim the bush out the window in front of the sink so I have an unobstructed view while I do dishes. Today, I'm glad he hasn't yet because I was entertained by this caterpillar while scrubbing.

My daughter and I went shopping to do a rare wardrobe refresh yesterday. Today I wore one of my new dresses and found out that it had pockets! When I informed my daughter, she is old enough to understand what a unicorn that is and we jumped for joy. And then I got to share the poem Dangerous Coats.

This dude has been coming out of our small pond to sun on the rock patio. I'm assuming there's some kind of snacks involved too, but I don't know what they are. I wanna feed it so bad!

Really grateful to @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social for being a place for people to share their stories. Also grateful they gave me a chance to speak out a bit about Lyme disease research and the importance of rural hospitals. @lymenews.bsky.social ofthebrave.org/testimonials...

I have been suffering from memory loss, fatigue, muscle aches and more for over three years now. I have seen neurologists and specialists across multiple states and was met with either confusion, disbelief or even blame. I had given up hope on finding answers and got to a pretty dark place...

This shy lady didn't want to pose for pictures.

I had an emergency trip to my rural hospital after multiple seizures today. While I would of course prefer to not have had to visit, I am both grateful that I could and grateful for the quality of care I received. Doctor ordered multiple tests, and I was able to get a brain MRI right then...

A turtle took up residence in our small pond. I am more excited about this than I should probably admit.

Oh my goodness! I love when companies are passionate about what they do and how that passion can come out in the details. Set of books arrived from Discworld Emporium and just scanning the very shipping package itself has brought me a lot of joy and entertainment.

As we finish up the holiday weekend, my thoughts re: various ways I've seen people spend this time - For those who couldn't bring themselves to celebrate this year - I get it. Take the time you need, and remember to take care of yourself and loved ones. ..... cont.

When it is hot outside and I don't want a heavy meal, but I want to taste a bunch of yummy things a tapas platter is about as good as it gets. (Antipasto platter works to. Similar, but different contents and flavor profiles. This is husband's platter offer, formulated to lift my mood. It worked.

I did not plant a sunflower. I did, however, feed cardinals outside this window most of the winter. Looks like a sunflower seed volunteered. I could do with some beauty so it made me smile. Thank you, cardinals, for leaving me this one.

My husband had some packages arrive wrapped very carefully in bubble wrap. Tasty Greek food incoming for me!

It's sad that these are the best pics my phone could capture of a hummingbird out my window. But I'm sharing regardless because their little chirps are making me happy. Also, I need to wash my windows. I kinda knew that, but these pics confirm that.

Hummingbirds have been hitting the feeders hard, but they are impossible to capture on my camera phone. So, here is a picture of some other animals around - unidentified bird on top of bridge, fish in our small pond (I call them my Kentucky koi), and one of GP pair who is remarkably bad at posing.

It's been a rough day with our black cat Raven suddenly exhibiting pretty bad lethargy and loss of appetite. Husband and daughter ran him to the Vet and it sounds like it was very good they didn't wait. He has Bobcat fever. news.okstate.edu/articles/com...

View from my front window right now. Truly free range chickens aren't for everyone, but they are great at pest control, produce *amazing* eggs and provide hours of entertainment. Oh, and I don't really have a lawn. It's more of a meadow at this point. I'm cool with that.

Another successful night shift in the books. Time for the last few booming barks to warn any predators to remain away and then it's time for some well earned sleep. I actually find it soothing to hear their barks through the night. Allows me to truly relax knowing they have things handled.

I was a bit too late to capture the mist this morning, but my goodness it is a lovely morning with plenty of bird calls, blossoms, and vibrant greenery.

Forgive the weird angle. The painting is about 16 feet up the wall and I am short. But! My 2nd painting is done. I know it isn't unique, but it does give me a sense of accomplishment and is a very relaxing hobby. Plus pretty artwork to hang at the end.

Finally found some morels this year! These guys are already pretty dehydrated, but should rehydrate nicely. Now to decide how to cook them. Top choices are omlette, pizza, or simply sautéed.

Had a spinal tap today that was ... not fun. However, to keep my spirits up I'm sharing this song that gave me a good laugh. youtu.be/HJ8qGOe2K0o?... (Yes, yes, I know AI, but this seems like appropriate usage. Plus song is surprisingly good.)

Surprise chestnut mushroom fruiting! Hoping I can convince my husband to make omlettes. Yum!

First hummingbird sighting of 2025 for me! I have one lone feeder out to greet early arrivals, but it's time to get the rest of the feeders ready.

Some green is finally starting to creep into the landscape! My bird visitors are still the ones who overwinter here, but I'm feeling hopeful that hummingbirds will make an appearance before too long, so there is one solitary feeder for them until we get sightings.

Small homemade hydroponic system is kinda blowing seed starting in soil away. I am pretty convinced this is an awesome way to get seeds growing in a small space. We've done hydroponics and aquaponics for a while now, but this is the first time we used this system for seed starting specifically.

Seizures are not fun (not that anyone says they are, but it's still true). The small silver lining to the one I had today was that it happened to occur in a Doctor's office and was witnessed by a full medical team. Hoping I get released from the hospital before too long.

Peach tree blossoms made an appearance this morning!

A male cardinal (real one, not a painting this time!) helping himself to some seed. And free range chickens photo bombing on the birdbath behind him.

It took me forever (well... quite a few months) but the painting is finally done. Now to send my husband frame shopping. Slow and steady doesn't always win the race, but it usually gets you where you want to go.

I can't go anywhere without getting mobbed by my adoring fans.

Another sign of Spring!

Green is still staying scarce in the landscape for now, but the fountain has thawed and the solar panel is gamely keeping water flowing.

When it's still too early for the rest of the garden, it is really fun to get mushrooms fruiting. Fresh produce year round is pretty great.

The jug on the left (with blue) is a handcrafted piece that I am beyond thrilled to add to my collection of stoneware jugs. If you can, support artists! Not only is art important, the sense of having truly beautiful, unique pieces is priceless.

Our Great Pyrenees and black barn cat are best buds. They have a tall job keeping animals safe and ridding us of pests, but they do it well.

Male cardinals bring pop of color.

Titmice in the snow.

Oh my, the smells from this package are DIVINE! If you've never had the pleasure of smelling fresh vanilla beans I can recommend it heartily. Now to get ready to start extracts.

Power went out from pretty heavy wind storm. It's times like this that I extra love our homestead. We have a fire to keep warm, lanterns to light the house, and a tractor to grade the road.

Getting ready to try something new! We do not have sugar maples to tap, but we DO have shagbark hickory. And shagbark hickory bark can be used for making syrup. How cool is that? These are cleaned, but still need to be roasted, and then we make a "tea" that has sugar added to make the syrup.