19 Random Things

Random 1. Maybe we should finally name our farm.

We have been here two and a half years. It is time.

Everyone said, “A name will come to you.”

It hasn’t.

My husband and I were like that when we had a baby too.

We couldn’t come up with the name at the hospital. Abigail? Contessa? Rose? Victoria? The head nurse said, “You need to name the baby girl before you take her home. It is a paperwork nightmare if you don’t.” We thought and we thought and we thought. We did NOT want a paperwork nightmare. Anna? Lillian? Sadie? Trudie? How about earthy names, like Willow? Sage? Snowe? Fern? So much pressure. The head nurse came in my room and said, “How long have you known you were having a baby? Like, 9 months? You should have thought about this before NOW.” Oh, be quiet, Head Nurse.

Anyway, it is probably time for us to name the farm.

Random 2. We have an asparagus patch in the middle of the hayfield.

 

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“Well, that’s random,” a friend said recently when I pointed it out to her. Yeah, it is. That’s what started this whole post. The word stuck in my head. Random. I kinda like it. But no. I do not want to name my farm Random Farm.

Random 3. I went to a band concert at the local high school. This was written on the wall in the girls’ bathroom stall. bathroomwall2bathroomwall1

This is NOT what was written on the girls’ bathroom wall when I was in high school. Seeing this gave me HOPE for this generation.

Random 4. I have been asked about my chicken loss to predators. I haven’t blogged about it because I haven’t had any predator loss. ZERO. But I have them under maximum security. They are in a pen enclosed with wire. And this is the door to their coop at night. I really like the “Night Guard.” It is solar powered and blinks a red light at night. The red blinking light is supposed to look like a big predator at night. Animals like raccoons, opossums, coyotes are supposed to stay away, thinking it is something bigger than them. And, notice ALL the locks. I also lock it from the inside. Nope, no body is getting in there!

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Random 5. However, I have lost chickens due to illness. Two have died. It was horrible. Ugh. And now, I currently have an injured one. She hurt her foot a couple of days ago. I don’t know how. I am keeping her separated during the day, but put her in with her friends at night.

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Random 6.

Birds of a feather really do flock together. When I purchased my flock, I ordered an assortment of rare breed chickens from Murray McMurray Hatchery. (totally recommend them, by the way.) I received several chicken breeds in twos. This injured chicken is Lola, a Red Cap Chicken. I also received another Red Cap Chicken whom we named Lotta. Lotta has been worried SICK about Lola. When Lola was first injured, she could not jump up into the chicken house when they all went to roost. Do you know who was hanging out with her? Lotta. She was like, “Come on. We’ve got to go. Get up. What’s the matter with you? Come on…” Or, so I imagine. Lotta is never very far away from Lola. Same with the other pairs. They roost next to each other at night and hang out together during the day.

Random 7. Speaking of my chickens, looky what I found this morning.

blog4A stash of 27 eggs. They were hidden in the chicken house. I’ve been wondering! I’ve gotten one egg a day for several weeks now. I just figured they were taking the winter off. Confound. I guess I have to throw all these away.

Random 8.P1170252We have mice in our house. We caught 3 the other night. Here they are in the (live) trap. This explains a lot. A lot. A. LOT.

Random 9.

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When I bought this table many years ago, I bought all matching chairs to go around it. Then, when I started planning a party for Christmas, I came up with the idea of ditching the matching chairs and bringing in all the chairs I could find. I went to the garage, the barn, the storage house. I gathered all the old chairs I had. I’m really liking it. Home-y-er. And yes, that’s the tobacco basket I found in the barn hanging on the wall. I just gave it a good cleaning before I brought it in.

Random 10.

Polly’s (our Polish Chicken) Shadow in the Snow.P1140274

 

Random 11.

I don’t know what to say about this. It’s just so random. That is the tiny plastic baby that came in a King Cake. It looks like the wasp is eating it. The baby’s hand is gone. I just don’t know. Totally weird.P1150011.

Random 12.

I took this photo last year, about this time, in February. This year has been mild and not snowy. Yesterday it was in the mid-60s. I want snow. I want snow. I want snow.

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Random 13. However, I must say. In this area of the country, hay is scarce. So the lack of snow this year could be seen as a GIFT. You see, there was a late freeze last year and it messed with everybody’s hay crop. I paid $50 for this round bale of hay. I don’t like round bales. I like square bales. But “you get what you get and don’t pitch a fit.” (Learned that from my daughter’s kindergarten teacher.) I am just happy to have some hay. Next year, I’m figuring out a way to harvest the hay that grows on our farm. Our farm with no name.

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Random 14. This is Banjo. He’s super cute and super stubborn. Half pony, half miniature horse. My husband babies him. He looks mad here, but he’s not. He’s hilarious and goofy and sweet.P1140273

Random 15. Save the monarchs!! This is a milkweed pod in my milkweed patch I keep for the monarchs. This picture reminds me of that saying, “They tried to bury us. They didn’t realize we were seeds.” Love that.

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Random 16.

Who’s to say why you fall in love? (Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, you know.)

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This is Merlin, the horse I love with every fiber of my being. Sure, I love all our horses, of course, don’t get me wrong. But Merlin? He is my Soul Horse. He is THE ONE.

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That plaque above him says “Merlin’s Barn.”

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I know when I have posted about him before, many of you have contacted me to offer help and advice and to tell me what you think about me and Merlin and the person who sold him to me. I know many of you seasoned horse-people believe the match is all wrong because I’m a newbie and fearful and he’s bold and vivacious and moody. I appreciate your trying to help me, really. I appreciate it big time. I love to hear what you (who know way more than I do about horses) think about us.

But. I have to say this: Merlin was supposed to come here, to me. He needed to come here. He needed the freedom and independence farm living has given him. He needed  time to recover from being a lesson horse. From being under-appreciated. From being messed with by young-uns all day long. He needed to be loved. He needed to trust. He needed to stretch his legs and run at full speed. He needed to experience what it was like to go where-ever he wanted to go, not just where someone told him to go. He needed to sow some wild oats. To experiment. When he came here, he was not wild. This farm made him wild. And bold. And vivacious. And I’m okay with that. I don’t want him to be bored or depressed. He lived in a 12×12 stall for many years. I’m lucky enough to have lots of land and pasture. I want to share that with him and let him lead a life close to that of a natural horse. I don’t want him to be spirit-less. I like him spirit-full. That’s just me. I honor your various opinions about horse care. These are mine.

And, I think the world of the woman who sold him to me. I am thankful every single day that she allowed me to buy him. If she had thought he was too much horse for me, she would never have allowed him to come to me. There were plenty of other interested buyers. And look what I would have missed out on. I might have wound up buying a dull, personality-less, boring horse that would do whatever I told him to.

I would not have my Soul Horse.

Do you understand? At all? What I’m saying?

Merlin has taught me more about horses and herd dynamics than any other horse in my pasture. Merlin has taught me about me.

Yes, he may be too much horse for me to ride today, but he is the perfect horse for me today in every other way. And one day, I shall ride him too. But even if I never planned to, he’s got my heart. Big time. That’s the way LOVE goes, right. Through thick or thin. Good times and bad. He’s here forever. No matter what.

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Random 17.

And this is me and Merlin, matching. His halter; my bracelet (in the middle.) haha. I know, I know. How obnoxious I am. Merlin just rolls his eyes at me.

As does my husband. And my daughter. And probably, my instructor.

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Random 18.

I took this pic of our farm with my phone one day last year. And then forgot about it.

Love the clouds, blue sky, green pastures. And red barn.

Just makes me smile.

And actually gives me a bit of ———–spring fever. gasp.

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And Random 19.

My old bear, Seddy, with a message for us all.

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Anything RANDOM going on in your life? Tell it!

Until next time, Friends, savor the flavor of life!
Lots of love, The City Farmgirl (done moved to the Country), Rebekah

  1. susana says:

    Rebekah `Riches! Random Smiles! I could think of a lot of titles for your ranch sign! I love your beautiful horse…he’s beautifully named…. Merlin the magician with your heart strings! He reminds me of my Candy….who was a palomino, that coloring of yours with spots! Why not call it…Merlin’s Mansion….because hes got your soul! Horses do that to you.

    I was always mystified by my horse who would con me for
    carrots every day, and if I didnt give him one, he would steal
    my candy in my coat pocket or from my overalls ( its how he
    got his name….stealing the candy from my pocket) . He had a
    sweet tooth.

    I think your photos are so beautiful….love the rainbow and the
    clouds, so picturesque.you stood really think f a name.,..hope I helped you decide….I love Soul Stowaway! You stoled my heart!

    As for your Banjo….he looks part goat! He must be hilarious. If you ask me…you should call your ranch … Soul Stowaway as you stowed my heart away …..your farm is so beautifully displayed with the rolling hills and all the funny characters on it….I would love to be a stowawy there on your farm, its so welcoming with all the different personalities of your animals….or should i say family members! You stold my heart , as I miss my farm days as a child.

  2. susana says:

    P.s…..love the milkweed… I would grow an acre of it if I had the space…. milkweed attracts the Monarch Butterflies….how about Milkweed miles! I could just see the butterflies hanging out on your farm….its so peaceful…. Peaceful Pastures! Or even Monarch Miracles! Or just…Random Paradise! Love it! Good luck naming your place a name that emulates its beauty!

  3. Sharon says:

    Hi Rebekah:

    Just wanted you to know how much your blog means to me – always makes me smile – your pure honesty and thoughts are so uplifting – thank you for sharing your home and life with all of us!

    Give Merlin a big hug for me!

    Sharon (from South Carolina)!

  4. Dori Troutman says:

    Dear Rebekah, farm names are so hard. We named ours sort of in a hurry because we needed a name in order to register our farm under the green belt tax stuff, etc.. We had all of a few days to stew over it. Probably could’ve delayed it another season but my husband never lets the grass grow under his feet. So, it became Southern Greens Angus Farm and I guess it’s okay. Anyway… I’m happy that you can take your time! It’ll come to you! I LOVE the tobacco basket. I’ve been wanting one for years. They are terribly expensive here in Tennessee. It looks great on your wall. Oh, and I also love the mis-matched chairs! And Merlin. Glad you have such a sweet story for him and such a special bond. And the good thing is? You don’t ever have to ride him if you don’t want to… you can groom him, walk him, hug him and baby him! Happy February! – Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

  5. Cathy says:

    How about Clarity Acres because you took a situation you weren’t really experienced in and have made sense of it all. That’s more than most people can boast. Love your posts! They make me dream.

  6. Adrienne says:

    Well, I have two suggestions on a name for your farm based on what I’ve read over the years. You already have a magician, Merlin, in residence so that makes it a Magic Farm. The other suggestion is combining the acreage with the name as in FortyAcres Farm (or whatever acreage you have).

  7. Bonnie Ellis says:

    random love for all things alive, especially my husband, kids, chickens, cows, pigs and horses; in that order. Random farm is a wonderful name. You wouldn’t have come up with it unless you were struggling with naming. Your farm is beautiful and you are a delight to hear about. Happy Valentine’s day (should be called love day).

  8. Marcie says:

    What an inspiration you are, Rebekah. I was feeling down in the dumps when I started reading your story and the more I read the better I felt and when I read the part about how connected you are to Merlin, I was high. You’ve written about this before and each time I always think, ‘how great is that’? The link and bond that you share with this beautiful creature is magnificent. He knows who he can trust and I’m sure he appreciates it every time he runs wild and free across the pastures of your farm. Maybe your spirit is running with him. You don’t EVER have to explain or apologize to anyone about your feelings for giving Merlin a ‘home’ or any of your other little furry or feathered ones. I love it.

    Have you checked Lola for bumblefoot? It is a chicken thing that you can read about online. A couple of times one or two of our chickens just bruised a leg or foot but soon healed, but I always had to look at the bottom of their feet just to make sure they did not have an injury.

    The only random thing we are doing right now is waiting for spring … got lots of chores to do and we need warmer weather to do them, but each day is a day closer to spring.

    thank you for the positive notes – I needed that. I feel great now!

  9. Cindy says:

    Ok! Once again your hilarious ! I too. Am having a hard time naming our farm! We built our farmhouse 1and a half years ago on our 26 acres! I love love wizard of oz! I wanted to name our farm Over the Rainbow farm! My husband thought it was gay! Ha! No offense to anyone! So we think we have settled on Flew the Coop! I thought you would love it! Oh! And he wants to name the road to our farmhouse,dairyair lane! Get it! I told him we need some jersey or Holstein cows out front for show! He said if we get one will eat it! Yikes! Can’t eat Bessie! Well! I am finally getting my horse dream this year! Oh my wanted a horse my whole life too! Where to go? How to know if it’s the right one? Oh my! Got my work cut out for me! I think I want a paint! Well ! The goats,cat,dogs,husband and my dear old Dad are all fed! Whew! Time for a nap! Ha ! Soon to be chicks too! Take care! Cindy

  10. Mary Rauch says:

    I came to this site to offer you a farm name …and unbelievable as it seems…Adrienne has offered the same name! How UNCANNY. Let me offer a quote from “Sleepless In Seattle” that could apply to the Farm and to Merlin. Here goes: “It was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together…and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home…only to no home I’d ever known.
    I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like…
    Magic.”
    So, Magic Farm should cover all the love and the meant-to-bes and all the magic this has brought to you and your family.

  11. Kristy says:

    James Hilton wrote a book called Random Harvest. It was made into a movie with Greer Garson. I kinda like that name for the farm. It doesn’t lock you into anything, like a certain crop or endeavor, and yet it almost summarizes your experiences of the last few years. It seems to me that this whole thing has been one of the most enriching parts of your life.

  12. Nancy Couden says:

    As for a name–I know the right one will come to you one day. But, you always talk about Merlin your horse. I always think of the movie “Excalibur”–one of our favorites. And after that I always think of Merlin in the movie saying he is a dream to some and a nightmare to others. So name for thought “Excalibur” and/or “Dreamland”.

    • Illoura says:

      My life is in transition now and not as wonderful as when it felt and seemed so similar to yours.
      Thanks so much for sharing what’s wonderful in your world, and how the magic of it touches you. It touches us too!

      I did want to alert you to one aspect of naming your farm. That is, maybe do a google search on it first. Not that you can’t have the same name or title as another- but sometimes there can be an association you may not want.

      For instance, there’s a popular radio show (also podcasted on youtube) hosted by Whitely Streiber, called “Dreamland”. It’s about aliens and related stuff. Just thought you would want to know that.
      From Wiki: The United States Air Force facility commonly known as Area 51 is a remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base, within the Nevada Test and Training Range. According to the Central Intelligence Agency, the name Area 51 was used in a CIA document from the Vietnam War.
      Other names used for the facility include Dreamland, and Paradise Ranch (among others). So, Area 51 = same as Dreamland.
      *I named our last place Paradise Ranch… had a sign at the entrance and everything, but it was far from an original – I found that it’s a very popular name (and no one associates it w/ Area 51).

      Good luck to you in finding that perfect name!

  13. WendyLynn says:

    LOVE your “random” column! Keep up the blogging & the lovely photos!

  14. katie barbarossa says:

    aside from the Asparagus Patch you mentioned in your post, the name “Soulace” (a variation of solace) came to mind.

  15. Susan Abernethy says:

    Soulful Farm….It has filled your soul with an abudant love.

  16. Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says:

    Hi Rebekah,
    I am not going to give you any names or advice. That is my theme for this year and what ever years I have left. “Do not give advice or poke my nose in where it is never welcome”. That is my theme. You know what you are doing. Thank you for rescuing a beautiful horse.
    Have a nice healthy life,
    Kay

  17. Pam deMarrais says:

    Rebekah, I love your random post! The tiny doll just cracks me up. You have so many wonderful, random things in your life. And you are so great at telling about them!
    Here’s one of the random things at my farmette:
    I have a funky little country house with some really low ceilings and tiny doors….fit for a hobbit. I have a cistern below the kitchen that used to be accessed by a hole in the floor. My husband always tells people that if he disappears that someone should make sure that I didn’t put him in the cistern. Would I do that? Hmmmm.

  18. Marji McDonald says:

    Well, I have to put my two cents in. “Avalon Hills Farm” to house all your magic and magical creatures that you invited to live there.

  19. Pat says:

    Hi Rebekah!
    I love reading about your farm. My grandparents from generations back have all been farmers and I loved….loved spending time there. I would live on a farm in a “city-heart-beat” but I married such a city-boy. : )
    I can see why you fell in love with Merlin. The little “pony” would steal my heart away. But I wouldn’t like any mouse in the house!
    I love the pictures of the farm, especially the one with the “buttermilk” sky over the farm. Just transports me out of the heart of the city here and puts me right where I would like to be living open and free under God’s own sky.
    I’m so happy that you are able to be living YOUR dream!
    More power to you Farm Girl.
    And I hope your little Chicky’s foot is better now.
    Happy Heart Day…

  20. Beverly says:

    Thank you, as always, Rebekah for your wonderful posts about your life on the farm!! I especially want to thank you for mentioning the plight of the monarch butterflies who’s population has decreased 95% in the past twenty years. I’m trying to enlist any gardener who is interested to plant milkweed seeds(I have even purchased them to distribute to my friends). It is a cause near and dear to my heart. I love your beloved Seddy. He looks like he’s been loved and cherished for a long time :-). I know the perfect name for your beloved farm will come…it took me awhile to name mine 🙂

  21. Donna says:

    Good Morning ,
    Merlin was a great wizard , soul mates can be in any form yours is a horse . your name shall come , It needs to come from all of you, your husband your daughter your horses your chickens , it is good you can reach the souls of all your animals not all people can do that. take your time with this.

  22. Sharon says:

    Merlin’s Meadow Farm? Anyway, loved the pictures. My favorite was the wasp and baby. Very odd combo. Guess that says a lot about me!

  23. Linda says:

    Too many comments to check, but did anyone suggest Dream Maker Farm? It would certainly fulfill my dreams! I had my soul horse at one time, and another that was “just a horse”…so I entirely know what you mean. A famous trainer once said not to let anyone tell you what to do with your horse. So if you never ride, just have them to enjoy in the pasture (pasture ornaments) that is wonderful. I would love to have my horse again; she has passed on but is still in my dreams.

  24. Linda says:

    Oh, a p.s. about the chicken…had a hen one time who got stepped on by the horse and broke her leg above the foot. I “splinted” it with sticks and tape (popsicle sticks?) and although she had a small bump, I don’t remember that she even had a limp!!

  25. Rebecca says:

    Your farm is a blessing! I have no advice on names since I’ve never been good at that. I’m too indecisive. I love what you are doing with your Soul horse, though. All creatures, whether two legged or four, need that freedom at some point in their lives.

  26. You can always float test your eggs! My hens were always hiding them and I would stumble upon stashes of 40 or more eggs at a time. Floaters are bad. Sinkers are good. Google it! Especially during the winter.. I bet they are all good!

  27. Brenda Fish says:

    Nice collection of your thoughts. Thanks for sharing, you made my day.

  28. Diane Van Horn says:

    I randomly love your posts!

  29. Christiane Berry says:

    Love your posts, I understand the Soul mate horse natural free spirit thing going on. I also see the sparkle in the animals you have rescued or taken under your wings, and let them be free souls and self-minded spirits. Suggestion to farm name
    should relate to all this…FREE SPIRIT FARM or SPARKLED SOUL FARM…yes let your spirit and soul run free and eventually you and Merlin will connect, horses do sense the true spirit of humans, that’s why they’re so special loving creatures.

    Keep on blogging.
    Christiane Berry

  30. susana says:

    I’m wondering if you named your farm yet….how about… Heavens Haven?I hope you let us know what you name your farm and get a ranch style sign to hang at your front of your farm. Susana

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