Of Bubblegum Kisses and Smiling Donkeys

(Artwork: Lisa McCue)

It seems our little girl, Abby, is under the weather. I noticed the other day that her eye was watering a little. It didn't look like a big deal though, so I made sure to keep a closer eye on her just in case.

The next evening I noticed her cheek beneath that eye was swollen. She still acts okay. She's still eating. Her behavior and appetite hasn't changed at all, so I guess she encountered something like a wasp or scorpion... (We have those everywhere and Abby loves to befriend everything)... or perhaps an ant while rock hunting. (Abby is an avid pet rock hunter. I'm always the bad guy with her favorite game though, because I won't allow her to gnaw on them or bring them inside the house. I don't want her damaging her teeth and if she brings them inside she obsessively hoards and guards them from underneath the bed).

My grandmother's husband used to be the head of the large animal clinic at Texas A&M University, and he told us once that it's okay to give dogs the tiniest bit of Benadryl, so we did. To my surprise, Abby loves it. She thinks it's a treat. I guess she likes bubblegum flavor.





In other news, we received some MUCH NEEDED rain Thursday afternoon. (Although all week a few rain showers have passed us right by, which is really becoming irritating. I don't like being teased with rain when we need it so much). We really need more, but it was glorious while it lasted. It was extremely humid out, but seeing rain again was a welcoming sight nonetheless.



I think the cattle would agree with me, but I can't say the same for "Hugs" the donkey. I think she's a bit of a diva, not liking to get all wet. What do you think?







The "grin" that Hugs does in that last video reminds me of the donkey in Shrek. It's hilarious! I've never seen her do that before.



More Hummingbirds!

I really need to give them names. There are 3 or 4 of them. These first three photos were taken from the kitchen window. (With me trying to look invisible while standing on a chair).

I also managed to snap a couple pics of Diana Cottontail.


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And more...

I took these from the front porch.


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Roadrunner!

We've seen two near the house so far. I think they have babies, too.







In unsettling news, the snakes are still coming around. I'm really growing tired of them. I really hope this isn't the norm, but since we've moved here they're everywhere. They shouldn't even be here because we do keep the yard mowed and clear of debris.

I'm terrified of stepping outside or even in the garage. Between the poisonous snakes and black widow spiders, it's life or death out there! Maybe this is just country living, I don't know. But honestly... we're not that far into the boonies. We do have neighbors on all sides of us.

And quite frankly nothing has turned out as planned.

We wanted to make these 2 acres a showstopper, but thanks to the heat and the grasshoppers eating everything in sight, the gardens are nonexistent and the grass is dead or just simply won't grow no matter how much seed we put out or how much we water it. All this slaving in the heat has been for nothing.

We also don't have our crafting shed/barn yet. My mother and I both NEED that barn since in this house there's no room to be creative. Compared to our last home, this one is like living in a doll's house. It's a little claustrophobic and there's no room for storage. We gave up a bigger home for the 2 acres, but so far we haven't been able to enjoy it.



Thank you, poisonous snakes. Thank you, black widow spiders. Thank you, scorpions. Thank you, grasshoppers-practically-carrying-the-house-off-to-Neverland.

Thank you, one and all!

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