If you haven't checked out Sugar Creek Farm at the right side in my links you simply must to over for a visit. Scroll all the way down to the post titled The Bachelor and then scroll back up, reading along the way. You will not believe your eyes.

And, in other news........

As usual, you never know what you get when you have a day out here at the Crazy Cow. A boring day progressed (I even took a mini power nap) and we all just lazed around in a day like all the others. And then it was like, "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

I was outside looking towards the south pasture when I noticed a bunch of birds on the ground following one of my hens. Then I realized they weren't birds, they were CHICKS!!!! Real chicks! Hatched right here on our farm! The first! I hollered at the kids and grabbed the camera (I remembered to take the lens cap off this time) and we went out to check them over. The hen hatched 15 little ones in a mix of colors and breed and man is she protective. Holy toledo she went after Jack, Moo, me, and even one of the horses when they got to close! I've seen roosters try to flog people but I've never seen a mad mama hen until today. She makes her point quite clear. I took the chicken waterer out there for them and she taught the all to drink, making sure each one watched her and then dipped in on their own. I watched her call them all under her wings and then take a nap and then watched her point at the ground - they all came running and scratched right where she told them to.

No sooner had I gotten my pics (I'll post them tomorrow) when Brian arrived bringing feed for his horses. After helping him do some bathing he mentioned putting a saddle on Smoke and off we went. We saddled her up and got no reaction. So we walked and he lunged her a little - with no reaction. So we added a 50 lb. bag of feed and still got no reaction. So Brian tentatively asked, "How brave are you with your kids?" We discussed the situation with Kenny and he jumped at the opportunity to be the first to ride his horse, and that's just what he did.

Brian lifted his up and gently put him down in the saddle while hanging on to him ready to pull him off in a flash - and we got no reaction. So we stood for a few minutes and then started walking - and we got NO REACTION! Brian still maintained a good hold on Kenny and we walked him around for about 20 minutes or so then switched to Vincent. The only thing Smoke did was when she caught Vincent going up and over her back she widened her eyes - but still, she never flinched a bit. Brian had Kenny rein her in and she did just awesome! I think I was the most nervous of the entire crew, truth be told. It won't be long and she'll be ready for adult weight.

Now THAT was an exciting afternoon!