Farm News 04-01-07

Sunday morning, after chores, 46°

Ad Astra

This morning it is not only April Fool's Day, an important day for one who currently presides over the office of Chief Fool, having been properly elected to that office by the membership of the FOOLs, the Friends of the Oskaloosa Library, or, at least, a majority of those present and voting, all of whom were bossy old women and I was the only male target available; it is also a day in which the sun and moon pass through opposition. A Chief Fool is responsible for taking note of such occasions and muttering the proper incantations to keep the collection safe.

The FOOLs worked their way up to April Fool's Day by holding a book sale on the preceding three days. The sale was a success, bringing in over $500 to the treasury, most of which will be used to purchase folding chairs for the Community Room. Those folding chairs will, during the next election of FOOL officers, probably be occupied by the broad beams of bossy old women, thus assuring my continued tenure in this very important office.

Bunnies, Chicks, Goslings, and Kittens

Friday evening both Bebe and Beth were sitting on their nests, setting their eggs. If successful, the should walk off their nests around the first of May with little goslings. The chicks, now down to 24, are growing rapidly and eating about a pound coffee can of feed twice a day. The kittens are also growing and their mother is probably eating close to a pound of cat food every day. Every time I see her she is either eating or drinking. The bunnies are growing and their mother is eating and drinking all the time, also.

The Fragrance of Spring

It smells great here, most of the time. There are peach and cherry trees blooming, daffodils and hyacinths, and Weasel. In the spring the things that have been lying dead and frozen all winter start to thaw out, and dogs like to roll in the remains. Weasel has found something, somewhere, that has a horrible stench, and she has covered herself with it. Yukk!

What does one do with a stinky dog? Hope for a return of winter? That will take too long. Weasel doesn't notice there is a problem and is her normal, cheerful, friendly self. When I go out she trots up, tail wagging, expecting a pat on the head or a scratch behind her ears. Touching her anywhere makes one want to run for the nearest soap and water.

Geese, fortunately, do not seem to have a sensitive olfactory sense, for the nest in which Weasel sleeps at night is also the nest in which Bebe lays her egg each morning. The nest smells so bad that you can almost see colored waves of stink rising from it.

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