Respects and Thawing Out

First of all, a fond farewell and Rest In Peace to my Red Bourbon pet, Lex SuperTurkey. A large predator, most likely a mountain lion, picked him off the night before last. Lex was a seriously goofy bird who made me laugh for one reason or another every single day that he resided here. He lived with Sheza and Napoleon from the first day he arrived, and though perfectly capable of flying out over the fence, or merely jumping out the other side each morning from his perch on the pasture gate, he stayed with his little herd til the end.

Lex and Napoleon

Lex always gobbled back if you talked, or whistled, or really made any sort of noise. I regret not getting a video of the pure hilarity that was the horses cantering up the pasture and Lex running at top SuperTurkey speed across the pasture behind them with his wings up and flapping. He had a pretty good sprint on him, and even tolerated the occasional hug. 

Losing pets is always hard, and when it comes at a time of upheaval it's, well, kind of like a kick in the gut. Luckily I am fortunate to have loving friends and family, and a very special Rippie star who will finally come home to me very soon. I was with him again yesterday and am, if possible, more enamored with him than ever.

Yesterday saw sun, wind, rain, hail, and a wee bit of snow up here in the foothills. I opened the curtains this morning to a sparkling frosted yard and frozen water troughs. The high is only 40 but that winter sun sure felt good on my back as I mucked paddocks in the thaw today.

 All the critters are in various states of recline and repose in the sunshine. Here is momma D, supervising her paddock mucking. Bless her, she shits like a brontosaurus but with a face like that I suppose it's forgivable.