News from the Barnyard
Repeat Retreat
Since the time that I moved away from this farm, I've always enjoyed
coming back for a week or two to relax whenever I can.
In dire need of a getaway, I drove up for an impromptu visit. I
wanted to spend some time with my parents, but I also had not yet met my
new little "sister". I hadn't been home in a while and was
eagerly anticipating the week ahead of me.
Coming from the more southern state where I now live, I was surprised
to see mounds of snow still lining the roadside curb. As I gathered my
bags from the car Jasmine greeted me first, braying a loud welcome. I
knew she would run away if I approached the fence, so I called hello
back to her and made my way to the house. My new "sister"
Gracie was so excited to meet me! She wriggled all over the floor and
around me for the first hour. My "other sis" Maggie remembered
me, of course, and brought me her favorite stuffed bears.
By the next morning, Mickey and Bobcat were waiting for me outside
the door. Mickey was the last stray cat I brought home as a teenager
while still in high school. Bobcat was not full grown the last time I
saw him. My parents found him injured in a field from a bad snakebite as
a very young kitten. He still has a small scar on one side of his face,
but I could barely tell him and Mickey apart. Despite the years between
them they look amazingly alike. The third and oldest cat Weasel didn't
make an appearance until the next day. Seeing him brought back memories
of he and his brothers biting my toes under the covers when they were
still kittens. Weasel is now 14 and the only one left from his litter of
three.
As usual at UniqueFarm, some natural oddities occurred that you
wouldn't see everyday. All of the birdfeeders on the balcony provide the
perfect opportunity to check out the feathered wildlife. One cardinal in
particular caught my eye as he repeatedly flew at the windows. My mom
explained that he was a repeat offender from last year and would often
bang himself against any window of the house. Sure enough, every day I
was here his incessant tapping was heard moving from one window to the
next.
One day my mom suddenly exclaimed, "Ladybugs!" Upon closer
inspection, we saw about twenty ladybugs clustered on a window inside
the house. For the rest of the week I spied them crawling around various
rooms. I'm still not sure where they all came from, but Gracie was
entertained by chasing them.
Gracie entertained me. She has definitely added a new liveliness to
the farm. She's all legs, and they never stop moving. Ironically, she
likes to cuddle also. The two don't always make for a comfortable
combination. I was amazed by her intelligence at such a young age, but I
imagine her to be the class clown when she does go to puppy school.
She's so cute, though, that one look into her sweet Border Collie face
would melt the hardest heart.
Spring is obviously well on it's way. There are already various ages
and colors of lambs scattered amongst the flock. The weather was warmer
than expected during my stay, and the bright sunshine finally melted the
last of the snow. The most convincing sign though was witnessing the
first blossoms of the year. The gardens were already peppered with
colors.
The peaceful house allowed for a comfortable writing atmosphere. A
few nights I popped in a Billy Holiday or Ricky Lee Jones album and
stayed up late typing away. I find my last night to be a soothing
environment to write in, while the rain taps out rhythms on the roof.
The sounds of Eyore calling out into the night and the ladybugs flitting
around the lights, reminded me the farm never sleeps. It's funny how a
place so full of life and activity can be so serene.
Our Sweepstakes Continue, Due To
Popularity
Don't miss the UniqueFarm
Monthly Giveaway. We are
giving away a Free Ty Beanie Buddy™ and Beanie Baby™ Pair, along with
other great prizes. The prize
will change each month, so you will have to check out the Front Gate (our home page) to find out. You can
enter daily to increase your chances, but no automatic entries
please. The Sweepstakes
Rules specify other limitations and conditions. So please read them
because by entering you are agreeing to those terms.
April 2001
