Every Fiber of my Being - Cortni Frecha

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

lotsa predators lately

Our lovely silky hens have raised many sweet broods this year. Sadly the most recent was completely swallowed by predators. 4 chicks disappeared one at a time, heartbreaking. One didn’t know to go back in the house. I think the others were prey either to a visiting lone coyote seen by both Mark and neighbor Jen, but not with feathers on his lips, or the ever present red-tailed hawk. The hawk’s been a fixture in the trees above the silky house. That hawk killed one of the brown silky hens. I think a youth from this year’s brood, not the mama that just lost her brood.
All so sad. But also the beauty of this rich habitat for all is vital, even when it’s a little brutal.

Jane

on what I call the lady slipper path in neighboring conserved woods
She’s Pebo’s new buddy, they romp, share the comfy bed sometimes, disagree occasionally, both bark at the gate when I get home. She’s becoming a part of the family. Happy.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Rain Drums in North Bend, WA

We visited this favorite place outside Seattle today: Dad, Mary Anne, Tim, Conrad and I. A clear and cool day, we lunched at a nice cafe before going to the Rain Drum Courtyard at Cedar River Watershed Visitors Center, North Bend WA. Check out the description on the artist’s website.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Rudi Toot toute

May 1998 – October 21, 2010

photo taken January 2009 Mark Jones

Sunday, July 04, 2010

easily amused - sprouting

The colors of beans, light with little bubbles and rubber ducks. Well, it’s a hot day and I’m moving slow. Simple is good, even if the photo insists on being sideways!

Mr. P. in the pond environs

And the environs themselves:

Thursday, July 01, 2010

wildlife sightings today

Driving home from work, I had to brake for a red fox. Time about 6:45pm. A lanky youth by the looks. This was at the conservation/historical area in Lexington near the entrance to Hanscom Field.

Then when I stopped near home at a store, a pair of bluebirds flew right over my car and landed on a railing on the building. And hung around for some minutes looking around (probably for bugs).

Lovely!!

Mung bean sprouts with turmeric

Got some bean sprouts at the supermarket the other day. Not too sure of their freshness power, I decided a light sautée would be therapeutic. Oil and minced garlic in the pan, I threw them in and added some turmeric and dried oregano. Didn’t much more than heat them enough to discourage unwanted bacteria. And of course those 3 anti-pathogenic culinary herbs. It was yummy. I cooled them and added to a green salad for my lunch.
Ah, the joy of food.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

dining room peepers

We have four chicks in the dining room in a cardboard box. Soon to outgrow it, they peep all the time, their cheery commentary a backdrop to our day. They’re hard to photo, but here’s a shot at it....

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

shingling a wall

Ah, my other life. Or one of them. Here a photo of pump jacks and partly shingled wall on the carpentry project that continues to employ me. Happily. Yesterday I cut 75 balusters and sanded them. For porch railings to come. It was work I could do in the shade on the 95 degree F. day. Later this week, more shingles and more railings I think. Tandem projects.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Summer Hair Cuts

Aquila is a delight to work with. She is willing and calm. Here I am shearing her with no restraint to her at all. She knows what to expect and is relaxed.

JetLi on the other hand hates being handled. Although interestingly he was more willing to be brushed after I held up the brush for him to sniff. We didn’t photo the indignity of his shearing in the chute with a belly sling as well. He spits and kicks and is as uncooperative as he knows how. Here’s his finished look: not very short, especially I could have cut his belly plumage except the sling was in the way!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Another patient Mama Hen

Just hatched! This mummy started with 10 eggs. We had to candle them and give her only the good ones to finish off the brood. So glad it worked.

The longer story is that this pair of Old English Red Pyle Bantams are a bit small for the flock of standard hens they’ve been living with. This smallest of all our hens decided to go into the wild and nest under a bush. She’d come every day to the back door for some food and water, then disappear again. Finally I followed her and saw her nest and her greedy pile of eggs. We wanted to reduce the number she was sitting on because it was too many for her to effectively hatch, but how not to upset her? I was able to go over while she was on a food visit and swipe some eggs.

These babies must have hatched yesterday, because they are mobile today and have already been moved about 30’ from the nest. Mama brought them over toward our back door for breakfast.

6.20.10 Poor thing! Later the next day, Rudi lifted the gate off its hinges in order to get at the chickies. He killed three babies. At least the one remains. Mama and one baby are ranging around in the wild mostly. We put them in a crate for safety, but last night they opted for sleeping under the stars. This makes the dog-outside-the-fence dynamic a little trickier.

Friday, June 04, 2010

baby robin ready to fly

This little robin was sitting up as I walked by. The mama nested on a branch over our path to the back door. We’ve been stooping under the branch so as not to disturb the nest.
I got two photos today of a baby who watched me for a while, then flew to the nearby hydrangea vine.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

baby silky chicks

Hatched April 23, we have five silky chicks growing up with mama and the tan pair. It’s a pretty happy small flock. The tan pair don’t bother the chicks too much, an occasional peck seems all. The white mummy is a good protector though, they probably don’t want to mess with her!

Monday, May 17, 2010

going to montana soon….

Well really, Paradise City Arts Festival. Not the same!!

I am working hard on all sorts of things e.g. details: wardrobe, booth, hanging hardware, postcards to friends outside 1.5 hr. distance from show, etc.
And of course new ideas to create and finish in no time. literally. Well, I am excited and thrilled, grateful and energized. Right now.

This is certainly a moment I’d love to share with Mom. Well, maybe in the afterlife!

For now, this life is the place to be.
Gratitude attitude.