Still no eggs from our sole female duck- Penelope. As I'm still learning about ducks and their weird ways, I have discovered that it's quite normal for a female who is in a predominately male flock to stop egg production. I can't say I blame her. She's decided to be one of the guys and though I've not seen any physical changes, she could become a transexual duck. I'm still not sure what to do about the unbalanced nature of the flock. If this weren't my first flock, and I didn't consider them pets, I would probably sell or slaughter two of the drakes. But they ARE my pets and I don't see them as anything else- unlike the chickens. So things will have to stay as they are for a bit until Aaron and I can expand the duck habitat on the farm and make it big enough for a few more. And when the time comes, I'll take any adult female ducks! Well, at least 3 but I think 5 would be better. Those drakes are better off when they are outnumbered. And the ducks are better off when there are extra ladies for the guys to "give the business to"; if you know what I mean. Drakes are total kinky swingers. They have been documented in partaking of gay, necrophilic rape.... so... yeah.... They look so cute and silly but beneath that adorable exterior; they are megalomanic assholes with a mildly evil streak to them.
Most of the newest news on the farm is that Aaron is re-building the greenhouse and aquaponic shed. He's really excited about it and almost done getting all the equipment and supplies he'll need to proceed uninterrupted. I have volunteered to stain and paint the wood he'll be using, so I'm glad I can be helpful in this stage.
Other than that, I've just been doing a lot of painting and drawing and writing. I've learned how to make terrariums (so easy) and now I'm having to stop myself from filling my house and Aaron's with all sizes of glass containers filled with tiny plants. Last winter I learned how to bind books. I wonder what I'll learn next winter?
The painting I've been doing has been a mix of just whatever strikes my fancy- whimsical trees, rainbow feathers, birds... always birds for me; and illustrating some of the funny stories and events that have happened here on the farm with my animals. I am writing down whatever I can think of and then illustrating it later. Hopefully I'll be able to create an illustrated book about Three Oaks Farm and the creatures that live here. I don't see it as a children's book, though some of it could be. I just see it as some sort of illustrated guidebook for friends and family to look at.
A few days ago Wiley had surgery to remove a lump in the crook of his arm. It wasn't cancer or anything, but it was in a location that could not be easily ignored and it was getting bigger. So out it came. He's recovering really well, but I can't let him run around the farm off leash till he's more healed and so now he's super bored. He's got his pain meds and his antibiotics, but it's still hard to stay indoors on a sunny day when your big doofus of a best friend (Atticus) is running around having a blast and you can only watch from the sidelines.
As always, here are a few recent photos: (remember, if you click on the photos, you'll get a bigger view)
Peter addressing his minions from my porch.
At my Parent's house: Callie waiting for the big boys to finish having a drink of water so playtime can continue.
Barely visible Atticus resting his head on Wiley during a napping session on Aaron's couch.
In my Mom's sewing room: Finishing up the baby quilt for my dear friends, Jessica and Russ Krokoff who are expecting their first baby- a girl!
Sunrise from my Parent's back deck.
Callie visiting Wiley and me at the studio.
Callie having a sleepover with Wiley and me.
I am all bundled up for walking the dogs.
Atticus looking unusually intense while sitting in Aaron's lap.
A frosty morning in the back fields.
And now for some art updates:
A silk painting I did recently. It's not for any person or particular reason. I just wanted to play with silk painting because it's been such a long time.
The following series of photos shows the progression of a poster I created for Three Oaks Farm New Year's card.
Not quite finished rainbow feather pattern. I think this would be a cool fabric to quilt with.
Just started tree painting.
sketch of Carl.
Sketch of The Himalayan.
Sketch of Chairman Meow.
I had a lot more of these sketches and a few other paintings, but they won't upload to the side. They're probably too big, so I'll fix them and include them in the next post.
