It was another busy day on the farm today, but the results were worth it.  I cleaned bunny cages. No pictures of that. Just use your imagination!

Daniel and Dalton, both seniors at Farmersville High School, joined us about 11:30. I hired these boys with a few specific tasks in mind. They blew through those, and then did even more! And they said “Yes, ma’am” to me all day. I sure wish I was spoken to so well by the freshmen I teach! I was very impressed with these young men overall, and their work ethic in particular, and I would recommend them to anyone.

They put up my shelves.

They cleaned up a very disorganized stall in the barn, including moving in a new cabinet (donated by The Welder), and securing it so the goats couldn’t knock it over.

They dug a trench to drain off some water, which also involved busting up some concrete that was in the way.

They also made a new door for the young chickens’ coop, and helped me clean out the shed (which included moving 2 pieces of furniture and my stainless steel dye sink)!

The Welder was here, too, doing his roofer impersonation. I still have a roof leak, but it’s moved to another part of the roof. I’m afraid this is one of those times when I should have just replaced the roof in the beginning instead of trying to patch it. Live and learn.

Dudley looked on, nonplussed, and a couple of cows dropped by to see what the activity was all about.

Mom was here, and even she worked, bless her heart.  Between the cats snuggling in them and the dust, my sock yarn was being used and abused. Rack by rack, she got it all organized into plastic bags for me. Stanley still managed to get himself in the basket, but I think he found it was not quite as comfortable as it had been! Do you suppose this might convince them to use the high dollar cat tower I bought them?

Of course, Ken worked with us too, supervising, fetching tools, and keeping everything running smoothly. My heartfelt thanks go out to Ken, my Mom (who thought she was going to get to rest and relax), and particularly to my brother Bennett (The Welder), and the team of Daniel & Dalton who all even worked outside in the rain.

We’re getting there!

Tonight Ken disassembled, stacked, and packed all the cages, carriers, and other gear that had been temporarily loaned to us with the arrival of Stanley and Dudley, our “barn cats” living in the Bunny Barn Workshop.  Tomorrow Peggy of the Barn Cats organization will pick it all up to use the next time someone wants to try out one of her captured, neutered, healthy cats on a “trial run” basis.

Our new additions, Stanley and Dudley, have definitely made themselves at home, and their performance has been great.  Although we love most creatures, there are a few four-legged critters, most notably little gray ones with long tails, that we would prefer live outside. Stanley and Dudley have the responsibility to make sure that rule is followed, on penalty of death!

Still, there are a few “kinks” to work out.  Dudley and I are experiencing a difference of opinion about his sleeping quarters.  He seems to favor one of my bottom baskets of yarn, despite the fact that he has to flatten himself out substantially to get into it! The squished “nest” of sock yarn was a definite clue that he had found himself a cozy spot.

He knows I’m after him for it, too! You can almost hear him say, “You can’t keep me out!”

Dudley is probably right, too, and it will probably be me who will alter my yarn storage system long before I am successful at convincing Dudley to give up his yarn basket!

That’s ok, Dudley boy. Just keep on showing the mice who’s boss!