"Gift" is an understatement

He's an enthusiastic plumber. He's the road superintendent of miniature towns built around our yard. He can tell stories filled with such creative use of words that your brain is left spinning.

A package arrived here Monday, with his name on it.



We only told him was that it was something very special, and that he had been specifically chosen to receive it. I knew what it was, but thought I must be dreaming. And when he saw the picture on the front of the box...

His look of confusion and disbelief matched my own.





But there it was. And it is real. Somehow of all the deserving children who were nominated to receive this, Autism Care Team chose him (and four others).

We are blessed.



I can't even begin to imagine how this is going to change his life. It's a motivator, a reward. It will calm when anxiety is too much. It will be a positive distraction when all else fails. And more.

Already it's been so interesting to watch how he reacts to this device.



I should really have something clever and interesting to say about all this, but I'm still just in awe. I mean, why him? Why us? And knowing the background of why this charity was formed, I'm so stunned that this flood of encouragement and support has rolled all the way down to us.

Our struggle doesn't feel as lonely.

Amazing Arnold

This is Arnold. He wants to join the circus and be a famous flying trapeze artist.



Does he seem a bit intimidating?

Sort of powerful?

Maybe like he thinks he's the man?

Don't be afraid. He's really just a harmless tiny little squirt.



Look! Clown feet!

He's ready for the circus!

One yellow claw on each foot!

An extra toe in the back instead of a sharp spur!

(The ladies will thank him later.)



I don't remember why Arnold was in the house that day. I'm sure it couldn't have been purely for entertainment purposes. Ahem. I mean, that never happens around here.

He came from an itty bitty egg. Remember these eggs that I asked permission to take only after I stole them?

I'm so classy.



All we managed to hatch out of those were four of the smallest small eggs. Two are (very) little red hens, one is a beautiful soft white hilarious Silkie hen, and one... well, one is Arnold.

The Silkie has blue earlobes. I loooooove her, but I can't tell you about her until she has a name. And don't beg. The stress of having to come up with a great name for sweet little thing that looks like she stuck her toe in a light socket... well, let's just say I have enough to deal with right now.

Arnold is a little bitty rooster. He can crow, and it's good for your health to hear Arnold crow. He's a little squeaky toy rooster. Imagine picking him up and squeezing him a few times. Yep. There you go.

When our big Red rooster crows, it echos off all the buildings and a quarter mile down the road.

Arnold's song may be a bit lacking, but besides being such a handsome guy, the bird does have another talent.

Are you ready?



People, if only I could post video.

Alas, my satellite internet majorly stinks.

Once upon a time Several weeks ago (yes, I've been holding out on you) I walked into the barn to put my birdies to bed for the night... although it seems to be entirely unnecessary because we have a gigantic Chesapeake Bay Retriever who has taken it upon herself to keep these chickens safe at any cost, and ride the school bus occasionally...

I opened the coop door and was surprised (to say the least) to find a chicken standing on top of the door. You know who it was. On top of the door. Not the door frame. Does this make sense? No. Not at all. They just, those birds can't... well, they just can't be there.

He looked at me like I'd really bothered him.

They can't be there.

It defied the Laws of Physics.

Not much truly surprises me around here. After all, this is a funny farm. But the Laws of Physics? They must not be defied. So I grabbed the video camera the next evening.

This time I looked before I opened the door. And see? He's levitating.



Notice the girl peeking at me from the roost. Obviously, something is up.

When I opened the door, it bumped the cord, which is normally up near the ceiling where electrical cords should be. The cord slid along the top of the door, and because I did it verrrrrrry slowly... Arnold didn't have to suddenly and silently jump from his electrical wire roost to the top of the door, which is what had me so confused then night before.

Because there is no way on earth a chicken (even a tiny one) could fly up and land on a cord that was (past tense) only inches from the ceiling, without pulling it out of the wall or causing all sorts of destruction. No way. Trust me.



And if he could do it, how could he ever find such a slippery swinging unstable sort of roost comfortable?





It's a good thing I took video too, because even though I can't share it with you, it turned out to be valuable because my husband would never have believed me otherwise. My only mistake was not continuing to shoot video as I attempted to close the coop door with Arnold still on the wire.

He ended up on top of the ladies on the roost. Briefly.

Me. Another excuse. What's new.

My lack of regular posting here again? I have a really good excuse for that (again). You'll never ever guess... I'm in the midst of a monitor crisis. Crises? Yes, plural. Hopefully we'll get this figured out before I rip all the hair out of my head. I'm going to owe a very helpful person in Australia a virtual beer before this is over. Or more likely, a keg. You think I'm kidding, but really? I'm not.

I may also sell all my digital photography gear and go completely to film just to avoid the whole issue. Anyone interested in a Canon 70-200 2.8 IS? But you can't have the hood. I cracked it completely in half with my shocking good looks.

And prices are dropping like crazy on the 5DII, one of you make me an offer and get a great deal so I can switch to Nikon.

Did I just say that out loud? No. Film. *cough, cough* I meant film.

Well, yes, I am feeling a bit out of sorts. Thanks for asking. And yes, I have several other much better things to write about here.

But it's been awhile. The blog was lonely. So there you go.

Better luck next time.

I'll tell you all about Arnold then. Promise.

Late to the party

Scavenger Hunt at Ashley's!

1. What is it?



It's Arnold, the flying-trapeze circus chicken. That's what it is.

2. Children or Fur babies sleeping



3. Joy

This one only comes out of hiding when the house is very quiet.



4. Window

Taken through a wet window. Oh, MalWart, how I love to hate thee.



5. Half

When selfies go bad

When Christmas-is-almost-here weather does not feel like Christmas is almost here...



When blazing direct sunlight fires the remote shutter release camera's timer randomly...



When I'm confused because my camera seems demon possessed...



When helpers are very... ummm, helpful...



When I realize a gigantic bruise on my thigh is just a bit sore...



When one second per frame on an animated gif doesn't render (or whatever the correct term is) properly...



That, my friends, is when selfies go very very bad.

December 10 on 10

I'm gonna put each of you dear readers in charge of reminding me of something on my schedule. That way I'll never forget anything ever again. I'm guessing all of you who reminded me on the 9th that tomorrow was the 10th... you were maybe hoping I'd post these? (and thank you)


7:43am
You know I went back out again after coming home to warm up.


8:38am


9:25
Like father, like son.


10:22am
Still trying to warm up from watching the eclipse. But that ceiling fan? It's the reason we bought this house. Try not to be jealous. Oh, and the mess all over the kitchen counter? I know you want that too. And the doors! Who paints doors like that anyway? (yuck)


11:28am
When lizards attack the walls...


12:35pm


1:48pm


2:47pm
Selfie with the grumpy old man.


4:05pm
There's a safety lesson here, I think.


5:00pm
My Bean was dancing on the counter until she got caught and was told to sit. So she sings instead.

Lunar eclipse

I'm ashamed to call myself a North Dakotan after how intolerant to the cold cold cold I was today. I was lucky enough to be woken just in the nick of time by a two year old. I was even more lucky that it was Saturday, which meant her Daddy could snuggle her up while I grabbed what I needed (but not enough clothing, apparently) and took off across a cold cold cold field.


{composite of six photos taken between 6:45am to 7:03am central time}

I struggled to take a few more pictures and then ran all the way home because I couldn't move my fingers.

It was an awful shame because the sky was just getting interesting.

And for real, it wasn't even that cold out.