Last year about this time I posted a photo of two silly Romeos, mugging for the camera with their blackberry-stained faces. I had kind of forgotten about that incident, until they reminded me with this. Yes, they thought it would be a real hoot to paint the baby.


Never fear, the cat will protect the chickens. See? She means them no harm.

Finally, I'd like you all to observe a second of silence to remember our pet duck who died tragically last week at the claws of a raccoon. We never set out to have a duck for a pet (I mean, really, who does that?), but this silly duck managed to wiggle his way into our hearts. Poor thing seemed to be confused about his species. When our dog was in the yard, he would run full tilt to chase him, nip at his neck, and kind of bark like a dog. When the turkey was his companion, he would follow his every step. When it was just him and the goats, he would cuddle up to the kids. And the chickens always made room for him at the feed trough. We miss him.