I know, that like me, you are feeling wretched about Daisy, sadly soothed by Big Dogs gentle slide into the after world and in a killing rage about the mink murdering so many chickens that night. I read all your loving comments during the following days. This Fellowship we have is such a wonderful place to be. You have my heart. Thank you.
In amongst all that sadness, I have news that might hearten you. You will be pleased to hear that a mink met its end when it came back in broad daylight the other day and tried to drag off another of our chickens. I was inside, in the kitchen, which is a hard place to be because the kitchen window overlooks Daisy’s field. But I was cooking when Boo and I both heard the awful sound of a chook fighting for its life inside the chook house.
Boo had the kitchen door open before I knew what I was hearing and we ran at full tilt straight through the garden, across the drive, into the corridor paddock and straight at the chook house door. I realised I was carrying my boots, how useless, I thought. Boo and I streaked through the door – I heard the fight going on behind the door and screamed Siccum BooBoo! Ksk-Ksk!. I threw my boots through the door trying to hit something. Boo’s whole body went fluid as he shot through the door and leapt into the air, ears up and eyes wild. Seeking the predator. In that instant of seeing it, he stretched up, turned his whole body in mid air, like a dancer, a Russian dancer, kicked up his back legs and slammed down onto the mink. The chicken shot out from under him straight at my feet and as I stumbled, I heard a dreadful scream from the mink and then smelt its nasty smell. Boo streaked straight back out into the field leaping, galloping, whipping his head to and fro and they were gone.
So from now on Boo sleeps in the hen house with the chickens. I hang his collar on a nail so he does not jingle and he watches over the remnants of the flock. he is only put to bed in there after all the chooks have gone up high to roost. Just to be sure.
He takes his new job very seriously.
I have another piece of news that you might like to hear.
A while back one of The Fellowship, an artist and writer who lives in Milan suggested a collaboration on a childrens book. “Can I bring the farmy to Milan?” she asked. She is an illustrator and her work is marvellous. So we have been working on a book about the animals catching a plane to Milan to look for miss c because Mama is about to have her cry baby lamb babies and miss c has gone off to buy red gumboots. (not really but Queenie is a little hard of hearing and got the wrong end of the stick) And – here is the good bit – in the book is Mama, The Duke of Kupa and Daisy, all with starring roles in this adventure – and they all speak. It is very cute and very funny and we are having a wonderful time creating it. We began even before Mama died.
There is still a LOT of writing to do and months of painting. But I am heartened by having Mama having lambs again and Kupa and Daisy along with Sheila and Marcel and Marmalade and Ton, who is pulling a red wagon, catching a plane to Milan. Daisy is wearing her best bra too.
Here is an excerpt:
“Have you seen Miss C?” Daisy asked a huge white horse with a man on top, blinking her long cow lashes in the Italian sun. “She is our farmer, and we have lost her.” The tall horse looked down his long Roman nose at the cow, opened his mouth then shut it again then said nothing very much at all. So, being a polite cow, Daisy politely thanked him and turned to go. “Rude horse.” she said to The Duke of Kupa. The Duke ruffled. “Ciao Cow,” said the horse with a horsey grin. Daisy turned her head, looked back at him and swished her tail. Her mother had taught her never to swish her tail at strange horses, but really he was rather handsome. Pity he was a horse of course. ….Nothing is finished yet but it feels like the right time to tell you. And creating a childrens book with our own farmy characters – well it feels even more right to me now!
Tui and Pania are still laying eggs and trying to hatch them. So I have put some (hopefully) fertile chickens eggs under them. That will keep them occupied until I get back. And Alisons chook still has her nine chicks in the Peacock Palace. They can stay up there safe and sound until I get back too. Jake will feed them for me.
Tima is trying out her new big girls field. This is where she will be when I am away, but with Stalkers Garden, the walled vegetable garden, open for her too, she will like that and hopefully will behave herself.
I leave for New Zealand in eleven days. And I have a dent in my head, my eyes were teary blurry the last few days and yesterday I was stacking hay and swung around and wacked my head on a rafter in the loft of the barn. It left a stupid abrasian on my forehead. That better be healed before I have to play the role of mother of the groom. Typical!
There now. That is me back on the horse. Better. Crappy but better.
Your friend – still on the farm
celi
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The Kitchen's Garden 
61 responses to “Good Boo Hunting”
What size are your Red Bands?
You are going to need them. I know Northland is far from where you will be, but I can’t help thinking its great that you will be home, NZ is so small – too small for you lovely lady. I am thinking how nice that for a bit at least, you will be close – for a wee while.
The book sounds wonderfull.
Having had a mink absolutely DECIMATE my flock before, I’m glad I now have 2 dogs that will not tolerate them or any other threats to our critters. Junebug and D-O-G are the only reason our flock free ranges. Having lost an old dog before, it doesn’t matter how old and ready they are. They leave such a hole. I’m sad to hear o your losses. Daisy was such a huge part of your farm. Still, chin up and all that other blather, you do great job on your farmy and I love reading about it.
I wonder if the old dog’s death made Boo step up to the adult plate. Like, he thought to himself, it’s my turn to act like a grown up. I am so proud of him! Your spirit continues to awe me. Deep breaths. Let the tears flow when they must. But no more head injuries. You don’t want to have to wear one of those awful Queen of England hats to cover the dents and dings.
Good Boo! What a fighter. What a wonderful tribute to all the animals who thrive on the farmy, both past and present. It will be great to hear what you feel about the end result of a children’s book…easier or more difficult than adult writing? Oh the places one’s imagination could go with animal adventures. 🙂
Well done Boo! You and your animals are in our hearts too. I hope your head mends quickly. The book sounds dilightful 😉
Boo you are a hero. Not only a gentle nursemaid but a fierce avenger. Celie that is wonderful news about the children’s book. I look forward to tuying it. My review of “Letters for…” is up on Amazon, but I couldn’t do one for Amazon UK and fr, which is a pity. They don’t seem to know you exist. I want to buy another copy, as I’ve lent my remaining one to my English pupil (the pig specialist vet!) but not via Amazon USA. What do I do?
Love,
ViV
I will send you another Viv.. I still have your address.. another box of books just arrived! There has been a lot of mending out of copies so far! I love the idea of them being welll read and falling to bits..
Much more of this and we will have to set up a UK base.. goodness.. I will send your next copy today.. c
c
I knew Boo was going to be such a good boy once he moved past being a naughty teen!!! He is still a baby being under 2! Hard to believe he is so young!
I’m sure the ‘goofball’ times will show up now and then!
How’s Ton? Love the book. I had tears welling up as I read snip-it…. I will be ordering a few of those books for family members and of course one for myself when y’all are done.
11 days! Time is flying….. Have a lovely day P
So much life here! Murderous mink meets its end. A new job for Boo. Another book collaboration. All good (except for the mink, whose time had come).
Oh Ce…..what a week you have had. You are in my thoughts and prayers. The children’s book sounds lovely. I know that it is going to be a fabulous creation. Everything that comes from The Farmy is wonderful. Hope your head wound heals up. quickly. Can’t have you all banged up when you go to that wedding!!!
Good lord! How did I miss the bit about the mink getting into the chickens?! Insult to injury for sure! So glad Boo is on the job.
The children’s book will be a hit, I just know it!
Of course you scraped your head right before a wedding. Aren’t we always covered in bruises and scrapes and dirty fingernails? I hope you are able to get it healed up or at least cover it with hair (bangs).
I’ve been thinking of you so often the last days Celi and sending loving, healing energies your way. So happy to hear about Boo and his protector of the chickens role! He’s turned out to be a very good dog indeed! And thrilled about the children’s book! Just love the excerpt! No doubt the book will be wonderful! And, I’m looking forward to us traveling with you to New Zealand! That will be a fabulous time, for sure! xo
Well done boo! What a good dog. You really don’t need to knock any more sense into your head so desist ! 😀. As other people have said arnica is very good. X
Forgot to say what a fab idea the book is X
Good job Boo, that’s a good dog. What a great idea writing a children’s book about the farm animals going to Italy. Take good care of yourself before your trip.
I am glad you are a bit better, dear miss c. It has been an awful week here as well. One of my daughter’s friends, a beautiful smiling 16 year old beacon of light took her own life and the world seems to be spinning the wrong direction just now. But we do have tomorrow. And I love the Revenge of Boo.
Oh honey, that is indeed bleak. Some spirits just cannot be kept tethered to the earth. They leave fast. How deeplyruinously sad – and suicide always leaves the ones left behind feeling so guilty. I know this kind of guilt. It is completely unwarranted. Your poor daughter. Even in our darkest moments we know that tomorrow will probably be a bit better, I hope your daughter knows this. Tell her about the Sadness Box in her head so she can build one, and when she is ready, gently place all the memories of her friend in there for safe keeping. It is easier to keep them in a box than in your eyes. Poor girl.. All our love.. c
Thank you, miss c. I will share the concept of the Sadness Box with her. Knowing her, it will appeal.
It will be a while before she is ready to do it as you know, first the rage! take good care of each other, this will be a rough ride.. feel so sorry.. c