FRANCIS'S BLOG 04/29/2026
Kitty Capers and Doggie Doings! 🐴 (video 😺)
Good morning! My feet feel much better, so I only have a day or two more in the run. But that hasn’t stopped me from finding news for YOU! ❤️
Aren’t these pretty violets?
And here is Dukie, in Farmer Rich’s hay field, way down by the Hennepin Canal. She and Ann had quite a hike yesterday:
And what’s this? Is Tyrus lapping water off Greg’s head?
Let’s check out the video to be sure:
I think, for the indoor cats, running water is quite the entertainment. 😺
Rainy day, but I’m staying dry (video) 🐴
Good morning! It’s not too bad to be stuck in the run today. For one, it’s pouring and storming, with scary lightning 😿:
Also, Stormy can’t get to my breakfast:
And neither can Rose:
As you know from yesterday’s post, my ankles have been hurting, so keeping people from “helping” with my food is especially important, since I also have been able to eat all my medicine! 😺
Let’s watch Rose trying to get to my dish:
When the rain lets up, Rose, go out in the far pasture and eat some grass for me! 🐴
Guess who’s on lockdown now! 🐴 (and a Dukie YouTube)
“Good morning. You’re welcome to a bit of my breakfast (if you like canned chicken Little Friskies):”
Thanks, Buttons, I think we’ll pass on the cat food:
As you’ve noticed, I’m in the run this morning. Like Rose (who is better now), I’ve eaten too much sweet spring grass, and am foundering (my ankles hurt):
I’ll just need a few days away from the pasture, with just my regular feed and some hay, and some pain medicine. 🐴
Anyway, here’s our latest YouTube in case you missed it:
Happiness is a wet Dukie! 😺
With lots of visitors come lots of fun! 🐴
“Good morning, everyone!”
”I don’t think anyone can see us, Greg.”
“Yes, they probably can’t see us very well, Tyrus. We’re having to spend the day in the back room. . .”
“Because the house is full of doggies!”
And as everyone knows, when so many dogs are here, so are our Mary ❤️ and Mara ❤️!
That means Rose will get a ride. . !
And so will Stormy!
Lots o’ fun! 🐎
No one will be cuddling YOU today, Luna! 🙀
Good morning!
From my feed dish, you can tell we had rain overnight. . .
And it looks like more is on the way:
This teeny-tiny moth has a never teenier spider on it:
Now here’s something I haven’t seen before:
Goodness, Luna. . !
Those poopies are a little too fresh to be walking on. Please don't hop up on me anytime soon! 🐴
Dukie makes a splash! (2 videos)
Good morning! If our RC were facing the camera, this would be a much nicer picture!
All our pastures are dotted with dandelions. They’re delicious, nutritious, and picturesque! 
Goodness!—this one nest in the little coop was very popular last night:
And you’re looking at a very bad Marbles. He hasn’t been seen for two whole days! 😿 
We’re relieved you’re alright, Marbles. But you are in the ‘dog house!’ There are raccoons and coyotes out there that could eat you up! 🙀
Anyway, let’s cheer up with a video of Rose eating hearts:
And Dukie diving in!
Splooosh! 🐴
Good fences make good neighbors 🐎
“Good morning!”
“I see our two neighbors are out:”
We’ll say hello the next time we’re in the far pasture, Rose.
But this morning we’re checking out the mowing Ann did in the front pasture:
Soon there’ll be grass growing in its place:
Anyway, we've had swallows under the hay barn since Monday. . .
And today we have them in the stable (with many more to come)! 🐴
Busy morning! 😺
Good morning!
“Good morning, Francis, and everyone! I’d love to talk more, but I’m busy exercising!”
I don’t think laying on the treadmill qualifies as exercise, Tyrus. Anyway, when Ann gives us all a good brushing, there’s more hair in the cart than poopies!
We’re heading out to the far pasture, as Ann is mowing some weeds in the front:
The walk seems to have tuckered RC out:
“I’m not sleeping—I’m sunbathing.” 🐎
Oh, that Rose 🐎! And, the birds are back in town 🐦!
Good morning! How did you get out of the run, Rose (I’m in the background)?
Oh, I see. Yep, that’s a Rose-sized opening in the fence:
Baling twine is no match for the power of a Rose!
And look who are setting up house!
The swallows are back in town!
Before we know it, we’ll be hearing the chatter of fledglings! 😺
Anya’s “safe space” ❤️ (and an “Oh, that Onslow!” video 😺)
Good morning! I’ll be with you in a moment:
It was only 35 this morning, but it’ll be almost 60 by this afternoon:
Our Mary sent us this picture of little puppy Anya, when Mary first brought her home to Mason City. Right away she took a liking to this cozy chair in the backyard:
Today she’s a big girl, and the little green chair is still her “comfort zone:”
“It offers me a great view, where I keep a lookout for birds, rabbits, and squirrels!” 🐴
Anyway, if you listen carefully—there’s an “alarm” going off in the tack room. . .”
Onslow, you can’t blame the cat-cops for getting locked up all night—it’s YOU that keep running in there and hiding. Just be thankful there was water—and a litter box! 🙀
Happy Birthday Ferdinand! 🦆 (and a video 🐴)
“Good morning! Francis said I should show you the biggest kitty smile I could.”
That’s a lovely smile, Luna. 😺
It was 84 last night but only 39 this morning! Quite a storm had blown through, leaving the weather sunny and crisp. Here’s a video from the front pasture, of Stormy, Rose, RC, and (saving the best for last) ME (more after video):
Finally, here’s a picture from way back on April 18, 2014, 0f three tiny ducklings fresh from the Farm and Fleet:
One of them is Ferdinand:
It’s been so long, we’ve forgotten who was who:
Today, the 18th, we celebrate Ferdinand’s birthday:
You’re as handsome as ever, Ferdinand. We love you! ❤️
Sign of spring! 🐎 And a stricken chicken? 🐔
Good morning! For the first time this year, we’re eating in the front pasture. “Management” made us wait until the grass and dandelions had grown green and sweet:
We’ll stop eating hay so we won’t get too much sugar (you already know that too much glucose can give us sore feet and ankles).
“We’ve still got over fifty bales left, Francis.”
Thanks, Buttons. We’ll still need a couple bales for Rose overnight. . .
Her ankles are almost better. We posted back on Monday, April 6, that she was foundering a bit.
Finally, oh no! Frizzle! Did you break your wing overnight:
“Don’t worry, Francis. I’m just relaxing. I know it looks strange to see me sticking just one wing out like this, but it’s a way to keep cool.” 🐔
Slow news Thursday 😾
“Francis, get up! Our friends are here!”
Oh, I’m sorry, Onslow—I overslept. Hello, everyone!
Seeing all of you has perked me right up!
Hmm, what news can I find for you? Oh, I know—the poopies in the manure cart are growing mushrooms:
They pop up with all the recent rain. 🐴
Baby raccoons are LOUD! (video) 🦝
Good morning! Here I am last night. I have my front feet up on the concrete, which I think makes me look rather dignified, like I’m a mighty mountain goat:
This morning I’m feeling and looking clean and smooth, as Ann just gave us all a good brushing:
I’m sure Rose, RC and Stormy will go roll in the mud any moment now. 🐎
Anyway, this raccoon fell out of the hollow in one of our trees:
Needless to say, that noise was screaming “Come and get me, cats!” But that didn’t happen—it was put back in the tree and its mother kept it quiet. 🦝
April showers are here! 🐎
“Good morning! Francis is out, checking the mud.”
There’s a lot of it, Rose.
Stormy’s trying to horn in on RC’s breakfast:
The horse equivalent of “Stop and smell the roses🌹” is “Stop and smell the poopies💩:”
Speaking of poopies, I did not make these:
At least, not all of them. 🐴
Black labs are water dogs (video)!
Good morning! Stormy and I want to hurry up breakfast before the rain starts. It’s sunny right now, but it won’t be for long:
We’re still glowing from our visit over the weekend with Mary, Sophie and Anya. Here’s a picture Mary snapped just as they got into Mason City last night:
We’re glad they had a safe trip. Mary said it was raining so hard they had to stop at an Arby’s 🙀.
Anyway, here’s a video of our lovely creek, with our lovely Dukie deciding to jump in!
Splooooosh!!!!! 🐴
I know I shouldn’t, but I just can’t help it 🐴
Good morning! First, I’ll show a glorious tulip on this Greek Easter Sunday:
“That’s a lovely tulip, Francis. I suppose I better get out of bed and get breakfast. . .”
That’s a smart move, Tux. It looks like the place settings are going fast:
“So when do you think they’ll open the front pasture, Francis?”
Oh, it doesn’t much matter to me, Bart, as you know. . .
I just slip under any time I want. 🐴
Hello from Beecher, Illinois! 🐎 (and borzoi videos! 😺)
“Good morning! I suppose I should get out of bed and get breakfast, because it’s about to get very ‘doggie’ around here.”
“Dukie, Sophie and Anya are nice dogs, but at times they can be nosey.” 😼
Nosey is right, Juno. You’re getting a little personal, Sophie—but I understand it’s a “dog thing.” (more after video):
You should be running in the field with Anya (more after video)!
“Hello from Rancho La Joya, Beecher, Illinois!”
Hello, Iris! We’re happy to hear from you, and see you looking so beautiful:
Wherever you go, you make friends:
We miss you as always, but we know you’re happiest when you’re close to your Mommy Mara! ❤️
Rain all night, clouds this morning (plus a chicken video and my latest YouTube)! 🐴
“Good morning! I’m so happy that I get to greet you. I’d love to chat more, but I’ve got an egg to lay. We 26 hens have been laying an average of a dozen a day!”
Good job, Mac. It’s pretty muddy out today. Onslow and Tails are stopping by to clean up their paws:
I don’t really know why Greg has that look on this face:
Maybe a cat-cop asked him to move; the indoor cats think they own that sink. 😾
Anyway, here’s a video from yesterday, of the chickens peacefully dust bathing (until someone picks a fight at the very end):
And here is my latest YouTube:
My hee-haws reach to the heavens! 🐴
Lots of news, just for you! 😺
Good morning! Let’s make the most of today—because, for a change, there’s no wind:
“Let me out, and I’ll give you a kiss ❤️!” (Please put your lips and nostrils away, Rose—you’re about to get let out anyway.)
We have beautiful daffodils, glowing in the sun:
Excuse me, Martha, you left one of your eggs behind:
It looks to me like bath time has given Patrick the frizzies:
And, once again, we find Juno on the manure:
In his defense, the manure is old enough that it barely smells at all; and as it continues to decompose, it has probably become quite soft and warm (but we’ll take your word for it, Juno). 🐴
Let’s go to the (food) chart 🐎!
“Good morning! It’s breezy, but the temperatures will be in the 70’s!”
“As of last night we’ve each been put on a specific diet. Only my diet stays the same: 2 heaping scoops of sweet, high-calorie senior feed. But from now on, Stormy gets 2 cups each of Safechoice and hay pellets, and 1 cup diet balancer; Rose gets 2.5 cups of balancer and 2-3 cups of pellets; and Francis gets only 1 cup of balancer and 1 cup of pellets—poor Francis!”
That’s ok, RC—I make up for it with your leftovers and peppermint hearts! ❤️ 
Anyway, Juno is stretching out on the manure pile in the stable:
I’ll remind the cat-cops NOT to snuggle with him tonight. 😿
WHOA, Rose! (video)🐎
“Good morning! The cat-cops have been referring to our new friend as “my Dad.”
“I’ll admit there’s a resemblance, but pretty black cats with touches of white aren’t uncommon.”
“Every time I think about asking Mom, she preemptively gives me one of these looks:”
I would say Momma Eva will tell you when she’s ready, Tux. Other than that, it’s turning out to be a nice, but chilly, morning:
The raspberry bushes are pushing out leaves:
We mentioned yesterday that Rose’s ankles were hurting, so she spent last night in the run:
She’s feeling better. She will still be let out today, but spending the night in the run will keep her from eating too much grass. 🐴
Finally, here’s a video from a couple days ago, of her and Stormy running in from the far pasture:
Hit the brakes, Rosie! 🙀
It’s that “careful” time of year 🐎!
“Good morning! Francis asked me to do the honors today, because he’s having a bit of a yawning fit.”
Thank you, Buttons. We were all up late last night:
We’ve all been eating too much sweet spring grass, and that gave Rose sore ankles. Ann put her in the run and gave her some Banamine (it’s like horse ibuprofen):
So Ann is keeping an eye on us all—but once we start eating that delicious grass, it’s hard to pull us in from the pasture (and staying in the stall all day makes us just too sad). 😿
Chilly, windy Easter 🐰🥚 (2 videos)!
Good morning! Today is Easter for almost everybody, but it’s Palm Sunday if you’re Greek Orthodox. I’m glad I have some winter hair left, because it was only 36 this morning, and windy!!!
Despite the cold, we have pretty hyacinths…
And the azalea is in bloom:
Here are some videos. First, we have Bart, battling the wind on his way to the stable:
And here he is, wishing you a Happy Easter from all of us!
🐓
Wacky waters (2 videos)! 🐎
“Good morning! It rained all night. Francis is right behind me.”
I hope they’re holding breakfast for us, Rose:
All the rain has turned our peaceful creek into the “grand rapids!” 🙀
Here are two videos, one from each direction:
I wish we could get down to take a drink, but heaven forbid anyone should fall in, they’d be washed into the Hennepin canal! 🐴
Lots of options on the menu (and a Marbles video)! 😺
Good morning! A nasty storm blew through Geneseo last night; but, other than a popped circuit breaker in the tack room, things are ok! Let’s celebrate with hearts all around!
Eva and “Tux’s Dad” are having salmon cat food:
We don’t know if the chickens will eat parsley. . .
But it they do, waiting for them is a feast! 🐔
And in the tradition of all the cats at the farm, Marbles is trying mealworms:
Save some for the ducks, kitten. 🦆
Sophie and Anya have a new toy and a fun video for YOU! 😺
Good morning! I suppose I should let this yummy spring grass grow a little before I “mow” it—but I can’t resist!
Tux and Marbles spent last night in the tack room to fully wake up after their operations:
But this morning they are out, fixed, healthy, and having fun!
And our Mary has a new toy for Sophie and Anya:
Don’t hog it all, Anya—let big sister play, too! ❤️
We are all “Chilly-Willy” this morning! 🙀
“Good morning! It may have rained yesterday, but at least it was warm. Today it’s cold and windy. Come on, Patches, stop grooming and let Francis and the horses have their hay.”
Thanks, Mini. We’re having our hay inside so it won’t blow away:
Despite the weather, these poor little hyacinths are trying to convince us it’s actually spring:
I see that Tux and Marbles made it to the vet:
It breaks our hearts to see you worried and afraid, but before you know it, you’ll be fixed, vaccinated, and home by dinnertime:
You’ll be rewarded with all the Goo-Tubes you want! 😺