Coons and Blooms

Gotcha!

It took 4 days, but the masked raider is in the bag (err...trap).  I may not be the fastest trapper in the west, but I am patient!  I think he's giving me the evil eye...

 

Not a happy boy!  I don't think he appreciated the scenic ride down to Deep Creek.   Now he's giving Sami, my niece, the evil eye!

 

 

Sami is quite the city girl and had a blast documenting her rural adventures for her family and friends!   She took pics by the hundreds and then videod the coon release!  If only I knew how to upload videos!  It's kinda like we're on National Geographic or something!  I found myself narrating the whole event...so, on second thought, I am now glad I don't know how to upload videos... don't even try to imagine it.  Just happy that Mr. Coon has a new home and no one (meaning me) was injured in the very, very, dangerous release manuever!

 

And then, to make the day even better, look what surprised us out under the oak trees...

 

 

Spring has been sneaking up on us!

 

I've just been too busy perfecting my trapping skills to notice...

 

 

Fair Iris heralding the Spring parade,

you offer the sweetest worship this Sunday hallowed.

 

 

And this my prayer for you, dear ones,

May your worship be graced always

by the simple and utter loveliness

of all He has created just for you...

 

Always,

      Jane

 

They're Back!

Just when you thought it was safe to go out at night...

Or the morning...

Really!  You never know what can happen the minute you step outside your front door.  Especially if you're Katie and you're house/pet-sitting for your happy goat-herder parents!

We received this hilarious picture from her and a rather high-pitched garbled phone call once the danger was passed!

Yep...that's a raccoon in the feed bin!  Someone (not mentioning any names...Leroy) didn't get the lid latched tight and the party was on...We've been there before with our Masked Raiders, but have never "caught" them in the feed bin!

Katie said she was just going about her business getting ready to feed when she raised the lid and found herself manicured-fingertip to whiskered-nose with this surprised coon. 

She screamed...

He hissed...

And she dropped the lid on his head and ran for the hills.  Well, ok, she just ran out of the feed room, hyperventilated a bit, and then pulled on her Big-Girl panties.

She grabbed a scrap piece of board (we questioned?)   She said it was to hold in front of her in case the coon attacked (I feel better...NOT).

Concerned father said the rifle would have been his choice ( I feel nauseous).

Katie got indignant.  And said she was just gonna "shoo" him out.  ?????  But it didn't work.

Because when she finally raised the lid to "shoo" him, this is what she saw:

Fuzzy, fat thing trying to burrow into the corner...I do believe he's been helping himself to the all-you-can-eat-buffet!

So, our sweet, animal-loving daughter decided to prop open the feed bin for him so he could get out when he was ready, cuz really, he probably was pretty traumatized and all...then she left for work.

And didn't even need her morning cappuccino :)  Nothing like a little excitement in the morning to get your adrenaline pumping.  But she doesn't recommend it for the faint of heart.  She has been kind of jumpy all day....

May your day be filled with surprises of the most happy kind,

but preferably not the fuzzy, potentially rabid kind!

 

A Smile for Today

Racoon count rises to 37 with this "ferocious" little coon caught during the night!

Sweet baby coon going all Hulk on us!  Very impressive to say the least for the itty-bitty 2 lb thing!  We must look like some kind of scary monsters to her.  But oh, so much spunk and grit. 

Don't you worry little one.  You're on your way to meet up with all your brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and your worried mamma.

Deep Creek Bridge Reunion coming up!

Things are Just Heating Up

Time for a medical update x 2!

First, Dad's pneumonia is improving (that's what he says), but the doctor increased his steroids and put him on another antibiotic this afternoon. Not sure who I believe, but I'm guessing that dad's idea of improving isn't the same as the doctors! He does feel sort of okay. As long as he's relaxing in the recliner and taking his meds! No hiking around Texas (or the Gaylord) for another week or two (or three...)

Mom won't be hiking anywhere for awhile either. Her left ankle has ballooned up again (never actually went down from last week), and started turning a suspicious shade of red yesterday. And it was getting painful. Enough reason for a trip to the doctor today.

It definitely is something, but the doctor's just not sure what. Looks like a case of cellulitis, but he doesn't think it is, but then said there's really not much else it could be. So after some chin-scratching, he put her on antibiotics too.

And this is after a crummy two days with the typical Gemzar reaction. Fever, flu-like aches and fatigue. So, no, I think hiking anywhere right now is out of the question.

Not that we'd really want to go hiking anywhere anyway. 103 in the shade and nary a breeze to be found. Ahhh, summertime in Texas. Remind me come January.

The heat may be addling the raccoon brains too. We're up to lucky #13 as of this morning. Where are they coming from? We're even catching them without bait. No joke. Last Thursday I had to leave the house early to get mom to chemo, so I decided not to bait the trap the night before. Lo, and behold, what should greet me when I woke up? The rattle of the trap door and one onery coon. I think she was madder than most, because after all the hype from her friends, she fell for the trap and didn't even get a treat. That stinks.

We talked all the way to Deep Creek. I tried to impart some age-old wisdom. If all your friends were jumping off a bridge would you jump too? I think maybe she would...

The Little Red Fox

Little Red Fox visiting the Schraceo Farm for Sunday Brunch!

It's the Law of Nature. First it was snakes, now it's foxes! You remove one predator and another quickly takes its place! Little Henny is in constant peril!!

This gorgeous fox brazenly appeared in our backyard Sunday morning. And she is definitely looking with longing at the chicken coop! So, what's a farm girl to do?

Set up a big 'ol live trap that's what! And bait it with canned cat food. So far we've caught lots of ants and one, angry raccoon! Fortunately for little Miss Attitude, I can't shoot cute, fuzzy animals. She got the catch and release treatment! And not even a thank you as she scampered down into the brush at Deep Creek Bridge. Tomorrow maybe we'll outfox the fox - one never knows...

But now, really, on to more important updates! Mom continues to improve and is recovering nicely from the gall bladder surgery. Meals are so much more fun when you can enjoy them! She still has to keep portions small and watch her fat intake, but over all much improved. Her energy is best in the morning and takes a slide in the afternoon, but she's able to be out and about, and that beats laying on the couch hands down.

She has an appointment with Dr. Davis tomorrow morning. After blood work and check-up, we believe he'll start her back on the Gemzar chemo. Will update on the medical front sometime Friday. Between now and then, mom is focused on relaxing and enjoying summertime in Texas (in the air-conditioning)!

Sincerely, Trapper Jane