Thought for the day

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated..." -Mahatma Gandhi-

Fuzzy Wuzzy Was A Goat(?)

Nadean during her first snow 12/10/08

The sky is falling

December 10, 2008 is the day I realize that I'm truely a Gulf Coast Girl. Why do I say this, because it's snowing and it's cold. You must realize that this is Texas, and it's South Texas where it never snows (ok maybe once in a blue moon).

To prove this, see if you can spot the white rabbit in the snow

ok it you can't find it in the above picture how about this next picture

Here's a few more pictures taken:

When Pet Owners Officially Lose Their Minds

Many, many people treat their pets as members of the family, I'm just as guilty of this so don't think I'm casting the first stone here. When does this act of treating the 4 legged as a member of the family go too far, or is on the line of cruel and unusual punishment???

Could it be when it's time to have pictures taken with Santa??? Yes, you know who you are - you are the Pet Owners that have officially lost your minds and I love you for it!

**Daisy and Darby Hellyer

Reunited and It Feels So Good

There's nothing in this world that feels better than being reunited after being apart for over 2 months. Having to leave home because of a Hurricane and then having your mom and dad leave too. Don't get me wrong Grandma's house is great but it's not home. Getting home is much more complex then just clicking your heels 3 times and chanting "There's No Place Like Home".

AWW but now that I'm home, it's great, it's exciting - I've got a Chew Toy and now I'm pooped.

**Ladie Perez

Please Drive to The First Window

She'll take a #4 hold the onions, and I'll take a #3 super size with a diet coke.
Don't forget our hot apple pies.
That will be all.

Place Your Orders...Going Once...Going Twice

I make homemade dog treats that are all natural. I make up to 3 sizes perfect for any size dog: small, medium and large. I'm taking orders now for Christmas.
If you're interested or have questions, please feel free to comment on my blog and be sure to leave some way for me to contact you.

Driving Miss. Daisy

This is Daisy, Daisy Doodle that is. She's nearing 14 years of age and she's the senior of the house. She has many "senior" moments throughout the day. My husband is currently her hero since it was he who heard her cries in the rain storm. Daisy had gone into the little barn that covers our water well and in her deep sleep had rolled through a cut out in the floor for the well. She and I have been through so much and she's a part of me as a child is their mother. My husband tells me "she plays you" and I respond back to "I don't care". What she gives to me is pure unconditional love.

Squeaky is Special

Every once in awhile you hear of an animal that has done something remarkable, something that isn't of that animal's nature. I believe such acts are the signs that there is something more to an animal then eating and sleeping the day away. The link below, is a video of a remarkable animal that does so pretty amazing things out of its nature. Enjoy.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid960594369/bctid1716406566

Happy Halloween

All Aboard

Last weekend we celebrated my step-daughter's 6th birthday. Boy was it a party...of the wild kind. Family and friends jumped on a tram at the Bayou Wildlife Park (http://www.bayouwildlifepark.com/) and there on out all that could be heard was laughing. Wildlife from everywhere knew the sound of the tram met food in buckets. If you didn't hold on to your bucket tight enough, the animals with just the right amount of force that bucket was being dumped onto the ground. Everyone on the tram, had a wonderful time.

That's No Regular Cat

My cousins came in from http://www.weepingwillowfarm.blogspot.com/ a few weekends ago. As we sat and caught up on the time that had past since our last visit, my cat Pierre jumps up onto my cousin's lap. It's then I hear "That's no regular cat. He has to be crossed with a lion. I mean look at him." I believe one of her references was also The Beast from Beauty and the Beast mini-series not the Disney cartoon. My husband and I always knew he was a big cat, and I guess we dismiss it until people come over and see him for the first time. It must be like going to the freak show for some people. Maybe I should charge 25 cents to see the 1/2 beast, 1/2 lion cat called Pierre. He's a lover and not a fighter and his name fits him.

Clog in the Sink

*Spooky

Back to Themselves

Last night we had power restored - Big Yeas! I'm not bragging too much since I know there are many still without. Not long after Hurrican Ike, our critters started acting normal - um back to themselves again. Nadean must have enjoyed her short stay in the kitchen during the storm. Since we had to have the windows open, she found a lower window she could jump through to get back inside the kitchen. Once she figured it out there was no stopping her.

When You Get Bucked Off, Get Back In the Saddle

One week and two days after Hurricane Ike made landfall, my house is one of many that's still without power. Everyone here at Big Carms Farm made it through the other side of Ike and now that we're battling the Texas size mosquitos that would make any trophey hunter proud to have one mounted on their wall; my husband and I know that we are blessed.

The night of the storm went like this....

My 13 year old deaf cocker spaniel, Daisy- my 10 year old deaf cat, Spooky - and my husband, Mike decided their best defense was to sleep and snore their way through the storm.

Our great dane, Sully had a past experience with Hurrican Rita before we adopted him and it wasn't a pleasant one. We knew we had to get him in the house as soon as the winds began to pick up. Well this left the goat, Nadean outside for the time being and as Sully would look out the window, Nadean would see him and cry so loud. This left me with the "do I bring her in now or wait" question in my head. Knowing I wasn't yet prepared for a goat in the house I waited until it at least got dark. At 11:30pm - poof lights and power is out, the winds are picking up and the rain is falling. I decided now it's time and as I bundled myself up to go out and brave the storm, my husband awakens to only say "where are you going?", in which I reply "I'm going to get Nadean." Not thinking of the whole situation, I run outside - in the dark - no flashlight. Searching and running through 1 1/2 acres, I finally see a beacon of light coming from the small uncovered part of the window - Mike shining the flashlight into the yard for me like a lighthouse sending the signal to the ship out at sea. I find Nadean, put the dog collar and leash on her and we're off. Once inside the safety of the kitchen, Sully and Nadean, best friends reunited. **This isn't the first time a goat of mine has been in a kitchen to ride out a hurricane. Hurricane Alicia in 1983, my father braved that moment to "save" Tammy. My brother and I loved the fact that the goat was tied to the leg of the kitchen table. Same situation, just a different time. **

Mike, Daisy and Spooky once again back asleep. Landfall was expected between 1-2 in the morning, the time was getting close to that and there was no way I could sleep and neither could Pierre. Pierre, my yellow/orange tabby cat that is truly a lover and not a fighter; couldn't seem to get close enough to me. Laying in my lap wasn't an option, no he preferred the position, that of like a baby being burped. Picture the circus tiger trainer, where the trainer would have the tiger up and across his shoulders - yeah something like that. There he stayed until the next morning.

Both Bunny and Rabbit and all 12 chickens made it through as well. Like I said, we're blessed!

Good Moment #423,561 of Life

That last little bit of yogurt

**Gracie Appleton

The Cat and Mouse Game

Our house has two hummingbird feeders set up. One in the back near the kitchen window, the other in the front under the front porch. With hummingbirds buzzing about, it's almost like a Nascar race is happening with pit stops being at each feeder. As I cooked dinner last night, I watched a hummingbird right outside my kitchen window. I tried over and over to take a picture of this hummingbird and wasn't having much luck. I would watch him - watching me - then as I would move in, he would fly off. He would fly to the pine branch just barely out of camera reach.

It was the cat and mouse game that was being played. A few more times of him sitting there all pretty and me moving in slowly - then him zipping off to the pine branch. It was at this time that I hear in my head the theme song of the Wicked Witch, and myself saying "I'll get you my pretty".

I give praise and kudos to all the nature photographers of the world for capturing the beautiful pictures of the animals. For their patience and more patience because I was losing mine inside my kitchen until finally - I got you. Look just left of the feeder and you'll see him.

Cue Wicked Witch music now............................

The Weeping Willow Farm

My cousins have beautiful longhorns in East Texas. If you think my farm is full of crazy stories, check our http://www.weepingwillowfarm.blogspot.com/ and see how that compares.

The Story of Bunny Rabbit

My husband and I, have a rabbit that we call "Bunny" and have decided to let run loose in our fenced 1.5 acres. We both felt like if something was going to happen, at least she would have felt the soothing green grass under her feet once instead of a cage. Bunny's home used to be right under a window where I could open it, call out "Bunny" and throw her a carrot or celery. Bunny became quick to know hearing the sound of the window opening soon meant a tasty treat was coming her way. So when her home went from a 3x4 pen to 1.5 acres, my husband and I tried to keep some things familiar to her by opening the window and still tossing her a treat. This lasted until she found where those few oats had gotten away from the goat and other little hidden treasures.

One day I get a call from a friend that volunteers at the Galveston Island Humane Society (www.galvestonhumane.org) telling me what a cute little white bunny was there at the shelter. My friend did a good enough job convincing me that I needed this bunny. So after work, box in hand, I go check out this bunny that I knew would soon call 1.5 acres home. My husband tells me that we should put the new bunny "Rabbit" in the pen until our Great Dane gets used to the new face. I agreed and we set Rabbit up in her penthouse. Nadean, the diva socialite of a goat she is, would have nothing to do with this arrangement and decided that Rabbit must be out with Bunny and the rest of the crew. If my husband and I hadn't seen it through the window, I don't think either one of us would have believed - seeing Nadean work the latch of the pen and pulling a total prison break for Rabbit.

As we stood there in disbelief, we watched to see what would happen next. Nadean being so proud of herself - left the scene of the crime. Our Great Dane, Sully could have cared less and from the far distance comes running Bunny. We're happy to say Bunny and Rabbit are the best of bunnyrabbit friends they could be.

Sesame Street Days

In honor of my step-daughter starting kindergarten this week, I thought I would spring a pop quiz for everyone.

Sesame Street would have the viewers do this....come on I know there's someone out there whose favorite was "One of these things, isn't like the Others" game.

Look at the picture below and tell me what is the one thing that isn't like the others.

If you answered Nadean sneaking inside the chicken pen for corn - you get a gold star!

Sign up now for Classes

Mowing Classes will begin Saturday between the hours of 8am-11am

All in a Day's Work

You do your job regardless of outdoor conditions

Stamina to not stop until the job is done

Don't mind that your job consist of pushing around a lot of bull

A true cowboy of the land

A job well done at days end, derserves a chauffeur drive to the drinking hole

Ode to Cow Dog

Whachalookinat

It's Monday and someone out there needs something to smile at.............don't we all!

No More Splish Splash

Some would think summer isn't over, I disagree. Our summer began with my husband buying a pool. Unlike our stolen pool of Summer 2007, this was a small pool. You inflate the sides which would help hold in water. Your water fun would be over if something was to happen to the inflated sides. Need to say, our water fun came to an end when we believe our beloved deaf cat "Spooky", took the pool as her most exquisite drinking fountain.

With this, the pool would only hold a certain amount of water before rushing over the sides. I had this brilliant idea to move the half useful pool to the backyard for our Great Dane, "Sully". I figured, it's hot and this might be an enjoyable place for him to cool down. Not long after we set up his cooling spot, I look out the window and see ......(* please note picture taken through window since Sully is scared of the camera)

No More Splish Splash, hence summer is over.