One is ours

On September 22, 2022September 19, 2022 By CarynIn Cats

As I was tending chickens, I saw my neighbor’s tuxedo cat easing over toward the coop. Then I spotted Sophie (who is the only one we pay vet bills for) crouched behind the water fountain, and saw her run out to confront the intruder. Meanwhile, Mr Tom (from the neighbor’s house on the other side), is laying low, watching the shenanigans. If Sophie had spotted him first, she would have run him off as well. Sophie has the privilege of coming inside our house, where she is most of the time. I think the other cats are easing into her territory because she does hang out inside. I would rather she be an inside cat and not fight. All cats pictured have been spayed and neutered.

Winding

On September 21, 2022 By CarynIn Craft

I filled my first spindle of Clun Forest wool while walking the neighborhood. Rather than ball up the singles, or put them on the niddy noddy just yet, I used my vintage spinning wheel to wind the yarn onto a bobbin. I used the hooks at first, but was not pleased with the way the yarn kinked between sections, and I was afraid the flyer was putting in more twist.

Single ply yarn wound from spindle to bobbin using hooks

I transferred the yarn to a different bobbin, and this time I locked down the flyer so it couldn’t add twist, and just let the wheel spin the bobbin. I didn’t use the hooks, but guided the yarn onto the bobbin with my hand position to make a smooth transition all along the bobbin.

The resulting wrap is much more pleasing to look at. My plan it to add on the singles as I spin them, then ply everything using the wheel.

“Helping”

On September 20, 2022 By CarynIn chickens, Coop

We renewed the salad bars in the chicken’s run by moving the frames, adding new seed (wheat, mung beans, and alfalfa), and topping off with potting soil. The hens “help” by cleaning up the seed that doesn’t make it down through the welded wire. They think it is great fun.

Chickens trying to eat the wheat grass seed

They also really enjoy scratching through the old, now exposed, salad bar areas.

Makeshift fountain

On September 19, 2022September 16, 2022 By CarynIn Cats, Garden

I needed to shift the pots and water dishes in the future moss garden (big dreams), so I could trim down the scraggly grass. As I stacked I like the look, so deliberately arranged so I had a cascading fountain of sorts (very crude, but it is the beginning of an idea).

Pots, dishes, and stones arranged into a cascading fountain

I left one dish on the ground because the cats like to drink from it. It turns out Mr Tom prefers a raised water dish.

So now the question is, was it really my idea…?

Giants

On September 18, 2022September 15, 2022 By CarynIn Wildlife

Within a day of each other, I was able to capture photos of a giant moth and a giant butterfly. I’ve digitally captured this kind of moth before, but never this butterfly. These are both as wide as my outstretched hand (about 7-8”). Neat.