This beautiful young lady is my granddaughter Cara.  I'm in Washington state for about a week and a half in order to babysit while her parents are working defending our nation. Both mom & dad are in the Navy - Mom is in the reserves and Dad is active duty. I am so proud of the kids!  This little one was born on Veteran's Day 2009 - very appropriate!

Kevin has been keeping me updated on the happenings at The Funny Farm.  There was a huge storm Thursday the 15th of July.  Unusual for Southern California.  Kevin came home late from work and people were on the streets with flashlights, power was out.  The chickens were all on top of the rabbit cage and didn't want to go into their coop.  They didn't even go in for scratch - the treat they get each night to entice them to go to bed.  Rex was behind the wood pile - his favorite hiding place - and was afraid to come out because in addition to wind, rain and falling branches, people were also setting off fireworks.  It took a bit of coaxing, but he finally got put to bed.  George of course was in her cage already.

There was a big scare last week!  Kevin was coming home from work across the mountain and there was a lot of smoke coming from our neighborhood.  Fire engines could be heard.  He knew it was our house!  He'd forgotten to turn the heat lamp off before going to work and it was over 100° outside.  (It gets cold at night in our semi-desert environment.)  Luckily for us, it wasn't our place.  I'm sure he's either remembered to turn the light off each morning, or hasn't turned it on at all.

I received a call from Kahoots the other day, the ducks I'd requested had come in.  A mating pair of Khaki Campbells.    I had gone in to inquire about ducks and they said they needed to order 10 at a time.  I didn't want 10 ducks, so I had them put me on the 'list'.  I had no idea if or when I would actually get some.  So a phone call to Kevin and he went to pick them up on Saturday morning.  They were under $20 for the pair, a bit expensive?  I have no idea what ducks run.


The reason I'm wanting them - other than that I've always wanted ducks - is to eat the bugs, slugs, and snails - and to just be cute.   Kevin says that they definitely are 'cute as hell'.  He sent me a text asking if it was okay for them to eat earwigs.  They are already earning their keep.

Rather than being annoyed at adding two more animals to the farm, he was excited to go get them.  He cleaned out the container we had the chicks in when we first brought them home and got everything set up.  But he's keeping them close.  He tells me that last night he fell asleep with them snuggled up next to him.  One in his armpit the other next to his chest.  This morning I got more pictures and video.  

They had their first swim in a bowl of water, then into the wheelbarrow once they graduated from the shallow end.  They follow him everywhere and he loves it!  I think these guys are his - and it's nice because neither of us likes to eat duck - they were bought for insect control - not food, so it's okay to grow attached to them.  He sent a text asking if it was okay for them to eat earwigs - they are already earning their keep.  Good ducks - oh, and the boy duck's name is Buster.  We haven't named the girl yet - any suggestions?


Take care friends - and remember to try to eat organic.  Pesticides are bad news!