Saturday, March 22, 2014

Rest in Peace, My Feathered Friend

Poor Duckin' A. (Or Mother Ducker...I never could tell them apart.)

I went out to feed the horses Friday night and saw him/her/it laying on the ground, all tucked up. After saying "Oh nooooo" and making a sad face, I rolled it over and didn't see any blood or ruffled feathers, so I think (I hope) it was a peaceful passing.

I remember getting those little duckies...it was during a first date. I had seen an ad on Craigslist for two free ducklings in the town where the date was, so I asked him if he wanted to go with me. The relationship didn't work out, but at least I had the ducks.



I also remember letting those little duckies swim in the pond, and then being unable to get them out, wading after them, forgetting that my cell phone was in my pocket.



One of them got trampled by Jax, and one of them got a weird injury (it may have been the same duck, I really can't tell them apart.) Both times I thought the affected duck would die, either from infection or from being eaten because it couldn't get away. Both times it/they survived.

The ducks weren't super friendly to humans, but they loved each other. They would go right up to the horses and steal their grain. Skitters could approach with no problem. And they really did start to warm up to me this winter. I would randomly hear quacks; they would come all the way up to the porch if I hadn't gone out to feed yet.  Sometimes they'd be in the garage, just chillin'.  They wouldn't panic if I got too near. They almost bowled Casey over when she was crouched down in the stall.  They even let Audrey chase them.


The barn just isn't the same without the background music of a duck duet.

Farewell, Duck #1. I hope you didn't give up on life because you thought spring will never come. I feel the same way, but I get by. 

Duck #2, you don't seem too affected right now, but I hope you don't get despondent.  :(  I'm gonna try to force you to be my friend.

And then there was one.


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Still Alive

I know I've been neglectful of my blog these last couple months, but I feel like I'm in a snow-induced coma! There seems to be no spring-smelling light at the end of the tunnel, especially with the 15+" we got yesterday and today. Add to that a hand injury and subsequent visit to the ER because of snow (and a fair amount of stupidity), and hot diggety damn I am so done with winter.

Re: the hand...long story short, I got my car stuck in the driveway as I was trying to leave for work. Knowing full well it was a terrible idea, I used the F-Bomb to pull my car out. Car started rolling back, Kelsey ran to get in car, open car door hit back of truck, squishing Kelsey's hand that was still on the door between the two, Kelsey drove herself (in her now-unstuck car!) to the ER.

Thank jeebus, it missed everything important and they just had to stitch it up. My hand may have looked like a multi-colored inflated latex glove, and it may have been inconvenient to lose the use of that hand for a couple weeks, but considering the lack of damage done (to my hand AND the vehicles - minor dents in those), I'm okay with that.

In other news, I am an official member of Maine Mounted Search and Rescue! The last few steps towards total certification include a Basic Search and Rescue practical exam, first aid / CPR renewal, and horse certification.

Once spring FINALLY arrives, it's gonna be an amazing spring/summer.