Marcy's Cats

 Our cat population began innocently enough several years ago.  A cat came to us, we don't know how, but we all were secretly feeding her in the barn and not telling anyone else.  When it finally became confession time a funny thing happened...we had all named her Barnie!

We needed cats for the outbuildings so Barnie did not take long to supply us with many.  The funny thing about cats is if you have one many more seem to wander in from somewhere.  Then you have even more.

I am not much of a cat person (GASP!) but I have always had cats.  Growing up the rule was the cats stayed at the barn and the dogs did not bother them.  If they crossed an invisible line, they disappeared.

We began the same rule here.  The dogs knew not to bother the cats in the barn and the cats knew the dry creek was the line they could not cross.

Rules change.  The cats became friends with the dogs and there was no more segregation. Cats, chickens and dogs became one big happy family...all on their own.

We never actively brought cats in but cats came to us.  One after the tornado was blown in from God knows where.  He nested in the rafters of the barn and hissed at us when he walked under him but he stayed.  He had a huge cut from neck to chest.  We imagined from the tornado.

Then I, who prefers dogs to cats, brought one home.  A bob tailed kitten we called Orange then Agent Orange.  He disappeared I suspect into a house somewhere in the neighbor hood.  We have orange kittens now and then and just this year we have two bob tailed kittens so Orange lives on as does Barnie.

Don't ask me how many we have.  I have no idea.  Marcy is the cat keeper and feeder.  There are only one or two you can pet because they are a farm tool just like a tractor (I know, HORROR!)

Nature keeps things in a good balance and we care for the ones that are here.  Every now and then one will show a bit of Barnie lineage and we are happy all over again that she chose us for her family.

Obsessed or Possessed...

Help!  I can't stop.

The fig won the draw

along with the plum trees

and a few other sprouts.

Plants sprouting every where.

I guess you're wondering what is wrong with me.

Remember last year Hubby almost died?

I didn't do much trimming then.

Well, I'm playing catch up.

The Lady Bug posed.

Found a vacant nest from last year

and have baby figs!

Does it look like I did any thing?

Fig straight  ahead, plums to the left,

minus the dead limbs and stray trees.

The tools wait for another job.

Cleaning The Junk Drawer...

Admit it.  We all have one.  You know the drawer where every thing goes that we don't want to put away or don't know what is.  Yep, that drawer!  In most of my homes, it has always been in the kitchen.  Here I have more than one.  There's one in the mill chest, one in the kitchen and one in my sitting area.

I've been working on one in the kitchen today.  Inherited from my parents added to by all of us, it was quite the drawer.  I wish I had thought to take pictures before I began but don't worry I have other drawers waiting for the camera.

The Drawer after two thirds is gone!

I neatly gathered all my empty plastic containers, labeled them, nails, screws, bolts, washers, brackets and water things...things that have to do with plumbing or repairing anything that carries water.  I always have one labeled Things I Do Not Know. These containers will be combined with or join the ones already carefully labeled in my tool-construction-things you always need-closet. 

It's not completed yet, too many interruptions, like laundry, dishes, feeding the guys, but I'm closer than I was.  I now have enough keys to be a janitor.  Who knows what they fit but I can snap them on my belt and feel important anytime I need an extra picker-upper.

The drawer next in line.