Piketon...9/12

I was the only French Angora Breeder there, but with 6 bunnies and 3 exhibitors I'm pretty sure BOB's got legs. Scott, Kat and I all showed French.

Show A -BOB - Somerhill Ti Malice (possible leg) ,

BOS- Somerhill Owen (probably no leg). Judged by Kevin Bogan

I entered TI as my Sr. doe since she is so close to that and made Sr. weight. If she gets a 2nd Leg in Painesville this coming weekend I may pull her down so she can get the Sr. finishing leg she deserves after she gets a Sr. coat. On the other hand with a triple she could very well get both her remaining legs next weekend.

Show B- BOB- Nutty Buckeye Mochachino (possible leg), BOS - Nutty Buckeye Hopscotch (probably no leg). Judged by Bill Rice

WOW!! Mr. Rice actually seen the same thing I do in this BEAUTIFUL doe. Out of Selma and Majesty she shows much promise as shown in Piketon (not just my imagination :-) ). We stayed for Best of Class 4 and Kevin Bogan judged that and gave Mocha a hard look several times but a JR?? French this young being chosen would have really surprised me!!

I helped write for Kevin Bogan, I'm getting a little better at it but I've got a long way to go to be able to get all the comments and not just some.

This was the first time I've experienced Bill Rice judging my French and I must admit I really like him. He is very knowledgeable and very through.

Scott and Kat (my daughter) had fun... she talked him into another breed, DARN IT!! I was tryin' to eliminate 1 or 2 from my rabbitry and she gets him into darned Mini REX!! (I was frustrated to say the least and told him I see Mini Rex as the lazy mans way to have a bunny, lol. You know, no grooming or anything!! REALLY!!) Well, I guess now they can have more fun showing those together, I'm not really interested in them at all. I'll stick to my JW's (2nd favorite), Lionheads, Polish and my Favorite French ANGORA!!

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this cute English Angora and his desire to stand up and be noticed. He just wanted to see what was going on, lol. He was doing this alot during show B.

9/11

Please see the new post.... "We will not Forget". For some darn reason I tried posting it for today and it posted for the 25th of AUGUST!! Darn it!!

DOA...

Well the long wait ended "peacefully" Saturday afternoon. I utilized many forms of herbs to help encourage Sunny's delivery. Ultimately it was Lavender that helped her along. The kit was larger than any I've had born in the barn before with full body of deep blue (or gray) wool. It was a sad moment for me but also a special learning time as well. Sunny was re-bred per suggestions of other "notable" breeders a couple of hours later. I also attempted a re-breed 12 hours later and I thought she was going to eat the poor unsuspecting (yet eager) buck for Lunch, lol. Flyer was all to happy to complete his duty successfully breeding to Sunny 3 times and falling off on Saturday afternoon. Sunday she just wasn't having any of that!! LOL. Well folks, stay tuned cause in 33 days from Saturday (the 29th) I'm sure I'll be posting something about this breeding... hopefully on a more positive note.

In the meantime this week stay tuned for updates on our very first Lionhead delivery by Trixie. I'm sure something will happen... Right now she's choosing to chill out and rest in her new found "sleeping" box,lol. Maybe by Wednesday it might be a nesting box... when she's "due" to deliver.

The wait continues...

UGH! :-(

I've emailed some pretty amazing people, I've also posted for help on some of the sites and groups I belong to. Not alot of success here. She (Sunny) was still pulling wool even in the wee hours of the night last night yet to my disappointment still no babies this AM!

The watched pot

NEVER BOILS... and the Watched doe never kindles!! That seems to be all I've done today is watch out my beautiful doe. She's been in labor all day I believe. Panting, and rearranging her nest. She's uneasy but still comfortable I think. I've placed a fan almost right on her hutch to try to help keep her comfortable. She's always delivered for me on day 33 but we're on day 35 now! I'm getting concerned. No actually I'm starting to get scared! I've given her the raspberry leaves fresh and dried, I've given her the tums (ground up in oats and barley and on bread soaked in milk ((which she wouldn't touch the later)). I don't know if I'm premature in my worry maybe some does with very large litters can go late like this, I don't know. I can feel the kits moving inside when I check her... GOSH, I wish I was a vet!! Then maybe I'd feel more confident and worry less. :-(

Patiently waiting!

Can a doe cross her legs? LOL :-) It may seem like that when I am trying so patiently to wait for a much anticipated litter. Now at day 34 and still no litter at 8:30 at night I'm certain that's exactly what she is doing and with a SMILE on her face she just seems to keep snickering at me! Can you believe this!! LOL...

UGH!! Just give me those Chocolates already... pretty please Sunny...

Have a herd yourself?

That seems to be the opinion of my wonderful doe Sunny! A beautiful Chocolate tort and an exceptional mother (and foster) she has wowed me with her previous litters (12 last time); but this time I'm starting to get nervous, I must admit! She is big, I mean like huge! And this is the nest (larger than last time) that she has built... see a pattern here? Larger nest with her could very well mean a larger litter. That seems to be her pattern! Check this bad boy out! I'm scared and I've dealt with alot in my life, lol! I'm sure others have seen does that are bigger but she has little wool right now, it's all belly! Bred with Celtic Hare Flyin' High (REW) I'm shooting for those creamy dreamy Chocolates (which Flyer carries in addition to Sunny)! Next to the Brokens they are I do believe my favorites.

GREAT GNATS!

I've done the fly strips and the disposable fly bags but to my wits end they still kept comin'! Those darn gnats, no flies, just pesty annoying gnats! So I've tried it all and was beginning to think I'd lose the battle when I recalled an email from Annette about this jar thing. So I figured I'd email her and see if it was working with flies, after all aren't gnats just little flies? Well I must admit she'd had success with the fly treatment jar thing so what could I lose? $6?! Heck if it worked I'd be in the clear! So I ran (yeah right, drove) on down to my local TSC and snatched me up one of those bad boys that promised relief! WHAT joy I've found! No annoying odor, and the gnats are loosing their ground/air and I'm winning mine! Yippee!! I'm expanding my hutch area into other "parts of my barn" (Lisa, you'll laugh at that, huh?) so I'm going to get more of these little jarred miracle things! OH! What a relief!! Here's to the Starbar Captivator Fly trap!!

Saddened Polish

The only color in my "barn" I'm working on in Polish is Black. So I was elated when I (Matthew handling) did my re-breed check for her to tell me "Look witch, I'm already preggers". lol But since she too (like my DH) thought she had wings and jumped out of Matthew's arms she delivered 2 still born. Today (less than 24 hours after delivery), her hutch will be stripped down, nest box removed and she will be re-bred. Cross our fingers that this time she'll have a nice LIVE litter of babies.

Jersey Joy!

Patiently I've waited! Third time is a charm ya know. Penny my "unrecognized color" doe (Broken Orange) finally delivered live kits for me today. I was so excited squealing "I've got Jersey babies" at 4:45 am today! She has a "beautiful body and head, but her color is not recognized" quoted Brian Hartzell before his unfortunate early death. I have high hopes that her body will carry through to her young. I've counted a lovely 4. A broken Black, a black? and two I'm not sure of yet. Gosh, it's a hard job waiting to sex and color id babies!! I'm glad I'm not "delivering" them all as well! lol :-)

Mountains of PA

What a trip, and I'm glad to be back. Ankles swollen and tired it was an adventure! But anything with me is always an adventure! Deliverring Buns to make their home with a new French breeder & Exhibitor in Rhode Island was exhilarating. Jenna, Her hubby Keith and Mom (Debbie) as well as Scott and I enjoyed a bite to eat (at Cici's Pizza, they don't have any in RI) before she took her new herd home. We met 1/2 way between her and us landing us smack dab in "Rabbit Transit" York Pennsylvania! I couldn't believe it, How totally appropriate was this. The rains finally subsided after dinner and allowed Jenna to look over her new herd.

The journey was truly breath taking and provided me an opportunity to stop and view the tragic site of the United Airlines Flight 93 (now a memorial). It left a feeling of sorrow and yet at the same time peace. I could never imagine the emotions of the passengers or crew when they made their decision to not let that flight become anything more for the terrorists! To this day my heart still goes out to the families and friends that lost loved ones on that day! The flag in this picture represents the point of impact of United Airlines Flight 93.

Climbing to the highest points and enjoying the view along the drive home I was breath taken by the beauty a single burnt tree could provide when on a mountain.

$1 a dozen

Driving home after a long Friday and Saturday adventure in Bunnies we came by a wonderful find! Imagine in this day and age finding FARM FRESH dozen eggs, brown at that for a single dollar a dozen! Well, we did and we'll make that drive back. Eggs, fresh from the farm, will keep for an average of about a month so it'll be worth the hour drive!

We will not forget!

A time ago awestruck our nation sat glued to our televisions and radios. For on this faithful day our lives were forever changed! Out of the souls of devils we sat trembling while our country was at the hands of terrorists! Lest we not forget that many loved ones gave their lives willingly to protect our country and our freedom both here and abroad. Many innocent men, women and children lives for ever gone and changed. Today please HONOR their sacrifices with a moment of silence for those who perished on 9-11 and never forget the price of those Angels in Flight 93 willingly protecting us.

Selma delivers MAGIC!

Oh the Bliss of new babies! How exciting when a little Miracle happens! Somehow (amazingly) Celtic Hare Flyer managed to successfully breed (despite his very small size) with Somerhill Selma (she towers him in body size). What a spectacle as for the first time I witnessed a doe lay on her side to allow a buck to breed with her. I wasn't sure it'd be a success as that's a first for me! BUT I guess ole' seasoned Selma knew just how to make sure she would take. Today she delivered 6 beautiful babies (I hope I have another delivery soon from one of my other bred does! just in case I need the foster.) Pictures below... show... 2 REW's (I'm almost positive), 1 Black, 1 (or 2) Steel ( I think) and 2(maybe 1) Chocolates I think,(GOSH I HOPE!!, come on dice give me a buck!! LOL).

Faster than a speedin' bullet!!!

To catch a thief it takes persistence, determination, cleverness and sometimes speed. I have some of those qualities, but with this Ole' beat up body I LACK SPEED. Smart; yes, I am that but Matthew (my youngest son), HE HAS SPEED! He's got it all actually and tonight (7/24) he proved just that as a shoplifter tested Matthew to his fullest! I can't help but to brag just a little! He's been out of detention 2 weeks this coming Monday and he did an amazing thing!

HE caught the thief and aided the police in the final apprehension ~ I'm left in awe and gleaming with pride!

Yep, he's a little crazy but really a good kid! And he can make me laugh!!

Anybody want the whole story ~ shoot me an email and I'll be more than happy to share with you the chain of events...

Phoenix for sale

Well the time has come for Miss Phoenix to find a woolers home to live. Yep, booting her out. No babies from her and I've got to make room... If you're interested in lovingly having Miss Phoenix come home with you shoot me an email...

"Rescue" gets a new home...

Troy Ohio, in the early morning hours of June a very sad thing happened. Left alone and abandoned behind a judges table was a lonely Netherland Dwarf buck (obviously a Sr.). Scott had spotted him as tables and such were being disassembled to be put away for another show. Responsibility and concern flooded him as he took the little guy around trying to find an owner responsible enough to claim him. No tattoo or marking was present. I simply could not believe someone (a responsible exhibitor or breeder would NEVER do this!) would just "dump" a bun. Scott even went to the show secretary and they done an announcement asking for anyone to come forward to claim him, but NO ONE did! How sad that this kind of thing would happen at a show. But with our loving nature we could not just simply leave him so we brought him home. Neglected and alone, With his coat in shambles, his front nails curling towards his rear due to length and teeth so long they almost penetrated the opposing jaw we took care of him and reconditioned him as well as monitored him for any potential heath issues. With this coat coming back in nicely, his nails cut to an acceptable length again, and teeth cut down (boy that was an experience!) he was ready to go to a loving home. A very loving and docile bun he would be a wonderful pet. So he was listed to go to a loving home. His opportunity came when a young girl inquired about him. I'm proud to announce that RESCUE went to his new home last night where he'll receive lots of love and attention from a special teen girl (and her friends & family). Miracles do happen for all if we just believe!!

WOW,Don't PUSH anybody...

Yesterday I went to bat, Not at a ball game, but for Matthew. He had been detained since May (59 days!) for a probation Violation, and allegedly pushing down another student. He's smart but challenged. His consequences MUST be kept short otherwise his ability to "see light at the end of the tunnel" becomes clouded and closed off thus his behavior gets worse. That was still the case in Juvenile Detention, where you can get a write-up for belching (he had 22! write-ups in 10 days). Frustrating though as it may seem (hoping we are ready to have this child back at home), I spoke in court yesterday expressing how this as well as boredom can easily influence Matthew's behavior to get worse, of the safety plan and services we've put in place for him as well. It was really a triumph when the Magistrate chose to NOT SIDE with the probation department (and continue to detain him) but to release Matthew until his trail. The Magistrate told Matthew "DO NOT DISAPPOINT HIM and make him regret his decision". Hopefully the child can "hold it together" long enough to be proven innocent and if he doesn't get that verdict maybe, just maybe he'll simply get "time served". The maximum sentence is 180 days!!

Winter has long gone...

Regardless, my Mom's love for her backyard is present no matter the season! She is constantly rewarded from her dedications to our fine feathered friends and insects alike. One day in early January I took this picture out on her back porch to share (she thought I did this). Look carefully...there are NO FOOT-PRINTS to the area. The birds had left her a message!!!!! I LOVE this picture and simply had to share it.

Not to be outdone...she has put alot of hours into her gardens (just like years of past).

Her sunflowers abound with beautiful large heads.

Her beautiful Purple Cone Flower attracts many bees, and they work hard to complete their duty of pollinating her gardens.

This year she added a new area of garden...and (of course) it took Scott's' masculine body to finalize her new additions...

Mom's lost her Marbles...

Well... not really. My Mom is a very unique person. She is always willing to try new things (although she still remains gadget challenged). Last weekend she handed Scott a soda bottle she'd purchased from the Easton area. After she drank this soda (from China if I remember right) she wanted this marble out of it. Pretty unique in itself since the Marble is released inside the neck once you open it. Well darned if she didn't want that marble out to keep it! So she waited till we came and asked Scott to retrieve it... As he finally came up with how to do it (over the dumpster) the marble comes popping out (and you guessed it), right into the dumpster! LMAO!! So he had no choice but to go get Mom's "lost" Marble....