Fun Times on the Ranch!

The weather has over the past few days been less than perfect, the clouds have been heavy and grey the rain almost consistent but around the ranch the sun has been shining in the smiles of our newest house guests!  Alicia and Daniel our nephew and niece from sunny New Mexico are with us until Friday and are clearly determined to fit a lifetime of experiences into their short seven day visit. Together the siblings have validated that a brother and sister really can work and play together and still remain friends......not that we really work around here ...? Cow poop, sheep poop and off with the creaking wheelbarrow to all the pooopy delights of Rodney's cave before getting down to the real fun stuff. Daniel has demonstrated that he can move as fast as streak lightening.....in the chicken pen and in the cookie tin. I believe I have baked cookies for some of the most voracious cookie monsters in the USA but Daniel is unequaled in his cookie munching capacity. In the chicken pen, the young White Leghorn pullets were being relocated, our crazy little road runners have graduated from the nursery to the big girl's pen but those girls were not going to be evicted without giving the Sikora team a workout.....and they did!  Typically, Mother Nature didn't co operate with the relocation party, muddy puddles and slimy chicken poop weren't the ideal conditions for a chicken roundup but, with an over excited Bran the Border Collie supervising the operation all the indignant white pullets were introduced to Tux the rooster and his aged harem. Tux apparently thinks all his Christmas's have come at once, the older ladies were less than impressed by the new arrivals with the top heavy bright red combs but peace has once again descended on the chicken roost after a few minor squabbles and a considerable amount of squawking and feather flying. Alicia and Daniel have, with Uncle Greg been repairing fencing in the lower pasture....in the rain and  constructing a calf pen for Misty's long awaited and eagerly anticipated calf in the barn. Both have been here before and friendship's have been re kindled with Lady, Quest and palomino Charm, Misty has made two new friends and Daisy Mae has more back scratchers. Chance and Alice always available to accept a carrot morsel have had to compete with the cute and cuddly lamb brat pack for attention and Bran is enjoying two more subjects to share his home and ranch with.
Time constraints as usual have curtailed my brain dump but I don't want to close this entry without welcoming our new GREAT nephew born in Holland to Nadine and Coen, a grandson for sister Trish. Congratulations and best wishes to the new little family. A visit from son Matt and our grandsons Brennon and Cameron must also be mentioned....it was great to see both boys astride Lady the big Shire and heading off up the trail with proud granddad Greg. It has been a fun week. Time to go...Take care, keep safe and dry, M