R.I.P.

R.I.P.

 "Big Boy" aka "Mr. Rooster".

Big Boy died this morning. He had been doing poorly these last few days.

Most of you, my blogging friends, knew Big Boy. I've posted about him many times...

He will surely be missed, as he was always by my side whether up at the garden or down near the pond.

Big Boy was the kindest, sweetest rooster in the neighborhood. He was always the first one out to greet a visitor, or anybody getting out of their car here in our driveway. 

and was especially fond of our neighbor Ann as she brought him bread. Most of the time I had to tell him to "move back" so she could shut her car door.

 He was a friend to the duck and to the guineas..

He waited patiently for me as I fed the other animals.

He fathered and helped raise many baby chicks here on Henny Penny Lane.

Then...once upon a time Big Boy became famous, and got his picture painted by an artist from way out in California...

Yes, Pam saw Big Boy on my blog...

in 2013, painted his picture and sent it to me. We love the painting and see it every day as it is displayed in the bookcase in our living room...

It will be even more appreciated now. Thank you again, Pam. 

Better go now. Thank you for listening.

It won't be the same around here without our friend, Big Boy.

Love,
Henny

Patches

We had wonderful sunshine yesterday but temperatures low enough for wearing my old soft, patched flannel shirt.  I've got to buy a new flannel shirt but can't find one I like.  Speaking of patches, that reminds me of the gift the ladies gave me when I retired in 1999.  Everyone in the office knew how excited I was to be staying home to garden and care for animals, hence the overalls...

Each patch has the name of a designer in the department.  I was their secretary.  The top patch, John, was our boss.  My complete outfit...flannel shirt with rips, frayed cuffs, and patches...

Anyway, the sun felt so good yesterday I carried the bantams with me to the garden to pick greens, and let them have free range.  How much harm can two tiny bantams do??  Actually, they did nothing but lounge in the sun, as cute as can be...

A little shade...

Then, of course, "Big Boy", being the show-off that he is, strutted around crowing...

and ruffling his feathers...

Remember the oil painting of "Big Boy", done by the Artist, Pam?  It sits beautifully in this bookcase in the living room.  Love this painting...

Okay, again, as mama would say, I've simply got to get busy!  Hope to be back real soon!

Love,
Henny Penny

A Happy Blogger

Back in February when Lynn said, "mama, I think you would enjoy having a blog, you could post about your chickens and goats".  Imagine, me with a blog!!!  I know so little about computers...but here I am, loving it!  I was so embarrassed after my first post; I almost went back and deleted it...in fact, I did delete one whole post.  It embarrasses me to read what I write, so thank you for reading and coming back!  I have three people following my blog and I am so excited!!!  As Poppy would say, "imagine that"!  Thank you!!!

Through my blog I met Pam, the artist, who did this most special oil painting of "Big Boy".  My photography does not show the beauty of this painting.  The flash makes a glare and without the flash, too dark.  Pam captured "big boy's" expression, his coloring, and his size perfectly!  Thank you, Pam. 

Jen, thank you for the recipe for "Fresh Tomato Vinaigrette".  Last night was salad night; Poppy's night to work late.  I mixed the tomato vinaigrette.  It was delicious!!!  There was one small Basil plant growing in what used to be the herb garden so I had the fresh Basil needed for your recipe.  I now want to work on the herb garden.  Wonder if it's too late in the season to start a few herbs?

After all my complaining, here is what the little garden gave this morning...

The squash vines are blooming again!!

Thursday evening the sky was a pretty pink and blue.   Seems to always be something man made getting in the way of the beauty God gives us...

 As I put the last clothespin on the line I noticed a cloud in the background...Looks like a sprinkle of rain coming.

Thank you for looking at my blog.

Love,
Henny Penny