FRANCIS'S BLOG 10/06/2025
The emerald forest (and a video) 😺!
“Good morning! It looks like the front pasture’s open today. I’ll be sure to say ‘Hello!’ to Francis and the gang when I have my walk.”
“Say the same for us, Dukie!”
I must admit that some of our weeds are very pretty, even though they crowd out our grass and clover:
I like the wild mustard:
Oh! Look at Tails’ kittens coming out to see us:
They like the weeds, too:
It must be nice and cool...
And be a good place to hide:
Here’s a kitty that came out to see me...
Or maybe it just wanted to play with my tail! 😺
We had a guest last night (and have a couple of kitten videos today)! 🐴
Good morning!
A skunk paid us a surprise visit last night:
We’re sorry the pictures aren’t the best, but we didn’t want to get too close and startle it:
The cats were just a few yards away:
We’re glad that their innate curiosity didn’t get the best of them. 🙀
Let’s watch Eva’s babies playing in the sun:
Oh, don’t chew that, gray-and-white baby!
That can’t be good for your tiny teeth! 😿
We have a visitor 😾
Good morning! It’s that time again:
Looking good, Rose:
RC says, “Stormy and I have a bet.”
“Right, RC. I bet I can lose my mask before you lose yours!”
Oh my, there’s a raccoon in the hay barn:
Please don’t start a family. We have seven kittens running around here. We don’t need your kits, too. 🦝
No news is good news (2 videos) 🐴
Good morning. Oh, Tails, I’m slipping up. I don’t have a thing to show our wonderful friends:
“I’ll try and think of something, Francis.”
“We could watch this older video of my babies waking up. . .”
“And from just this morning, here is one of Eva’s babies ‘falling out of bed. . .’”
“We're replaying it a couple times because it’s very short. But it shows you where they spend the night, up over that floor board under the shed by the hay barn. My babies used to crawl up in the same place.” 😺
You did pretty good, Tails. Thanks! 🐴
We’re hard to see! 🐎
Dukie says, “Good morning! Tyrus and Tiger would say ‘Good morning,’ too; but, as you can see, they’re ‘busy.’”
Momma Eva is keeping watch while her fluffy gray baby explores:
Betty is having a drink of duck water:
And we’re already out grazing. . .
Far away in the far pasture! 🐴
I’m on lockdown, yesterday was moving day, and a video! 🐴
“Good morning. Francis’s feet are hurting, so I’ll be handling the blog today.”
Thanks, Rose. True, I’ve been laying down more than usual. But, if I get back on my diet for a day or two, I know I’ll feel better:
If you want to know more, you can search for “foundering horse.”
“Well, let’s see. . . It’s getting to be fly mask time, so the cat-cops are getting them sorted out and cleaned.”
“Yuck! Somebody laid eggs on this one! Judging from the color, it can only be the work of an olive-egger!”
“And Eva moved her babies over beside the hay barn. Here we are, waking up.”
“What lovely eyes!”
“Let’s watch them have breakfast. . .”
“Under Mother’s watchful eye!” 😺
We have our favorite visitors this weekend! 🐴
Good morning! It’s a dreary, damp morning—but that can’t dull our delight!
Dukie’s here!
And so are Anya and Sophie!
Anya has the zoomies!
A zoomy dog is a happy dog!
That makes us happy, too! 🐎
Eva’s kittens just get cuter and feistier (video)! 😺
Good morning to you. . .
And to this opossum, who spent the night under the chicken coop, who says, “Good morning, everyone. Did you know there are baby cats under the coop?”
We know all too well, little ‘possum.
Anyway, Eva’s gray-and-white baby has been eating solid food for about a week, as I’ve shown you here and there:
Now its siblings are eating, too:
Finally, let’s watch this video of them “fighting:”
“Hey, we’re still cute and feisty, too!”
We know, kitties. . .
You make us smile, every day! 😺
Pretty horses, kittens, roses…and me (and a video)! 🐴
Good morning! RC, Rose and Stormy welcome you to today’s post:
What lucky kittens! I wish they made heated pet-pads in “horse size.” We’re pets, too! 🐎
Aren’t these pretty roses? They formed a wreath all on their own:
Finally, Sophie, Anya, and Mary will be visiting us this weekend. We can’t wait! Here’s our most recent video of Anya, in case you missed it:
Don’t worry, Willow is normally a friendly kitty. She just wasn’t in the mood to play. You and Sophie can zoom at the farm with us, Anya! 🐎
Mini and Tails are back (and 2 videos)! 😺
Good morning! This is the only place I can roll. Everywhere else is mud or soaking-wet grass:
“I’m glad you’re back from ‘extreme vetting’ Mom, whatever that is.”
Mini’s back, too. Both cats are doing fine.
Oh, look! Here are all three of Eva’s babies:
“You two go nurse. I’m a big cat now, eating solid food!”
“Just watch me and Mom eat:”
Finally, here’s Mini, “babysitting:”
😺
Kittens, way up high (and a video)! 😺
Good morning. It’s rained so much in the past two days, that the goldfish have had a complete change of water—how refreshing!
We’re still on our way up to breakfast:
Oh!—here’s a picture, from yesterday, of me photo-bombing Stormy’s schnozzola shot:
Here’s a kitten, up on the tractor. . .
Here’s a kitten, even higher!
Oh, my goodness! They’re up on the garage door!
Be careful, little cat—it’s a long way down! 🙀
Two of Eva’s babies are outside right now...
Eva’s under the coop, waiting to nurse them.
Finally, look at what this kitty is doing!
Goodness! This kitten is starting to eat solid food early! 😺
Extreme vetting! 🙀
Good morning. It’s rainy and muddy. I’d love to talk, but right now DHS Security Chief Onslow has something important to report:
“Thanks, Francis. Mini and Tails are not with us this morning. Last night, they were apprehended by the cat-cops and escorted by pet-carrier to Atkinson, where Dr. Dana will subject them to ‘extreme vetting.’”
“I know I look serious, but this is a happy moment because when Tails and her daughter Mini return, they will be official citizens of Ann’s Horse Farm, and members of our family, as if they were born here.” ❤️
“I see the kittens are looking concerned. They want to know, ‘What is extreme vetting?’”
“It means they are getting all their shots and being spayed. What does spayed mean? Well, it means you'll be having no more brothers and sisters or nieces or nephews.” 😺
It’s a jungle out there (and a horse video)! 🐴
I’m smiling because I have a lot to show you!
First of all, Tyrus says, “We ran out of toys to dump in our water, so today we’re using a tag that we pulled off a sock.”
It’s rainy and a little chilly, so Ann turned on the heater. Get away from it little kitty, before you burn those delicate baby paws (don’t worry, it won’t get that hot):
Remember that 13-lined ground squirrel we mentioned in two previous videos (here and here)? Well, it’s back, playing possum again, we hope (we’re not so sure it’s an act this time):
My oh my! Just look at how the front pasture has grown up in weeds. I’m getting lost in it:
Stormy says, “Come over here with me, Francis. . .”
“The clover is delicious. We’ll have it mowed down in no time.” 🐎
Fowl deed 🐔 (and a cat fight video 🙀)!
Good morning! It’s nice and crisp today!
Mini is doing some wall climbing:
What is it with the indoor cats putting toys in their water?
Martha’s decided, “I’ll lay my egg in the duck garage this morning. . .”
“And make it very hard to reach!”
Now, let’s watch a vicious cat fight! 😾
Viciously adorable, that is! 😺
Not much to show you but kitty capers (and Mini vs. ground squirrel video) 😺
Good morning. It’s chilly this morning. I was on lockdown overnight because my hooves have been hurting, but I’m feeling better. So, I’ll be let out as soon as “management” gets here:
In the meantime, RC says hello. . .
As does Rose. . .
And Stormy:
Have you seen so many cats in your life?
And that’s not including Gray-Stray. . .
And Eva’s 3 babies that we showed you in the past two posts (links here and here). 😺
Let’s finish up by watching that clever 13-lined ground squirrel play possum. . .
The great escape! 😾
Let’s roll, people! 🐴 And oh! those babies (video)! 😺
Good morning! Pardon me while I have a roll. . .
And then enjoy a peppermint treat!
The kittens just keep coming, and the cat-cops are having trouble keeping up. They still haven’t named Patches’s three sisters (but in their defense, nobody can tell them apart, including me):
I’ve been told that when they go to the vet next Monday, there will be some good, identifying pictures take of them, and then they’ll get named.
And, of course, we have Eva’s brood. Here’s the little gray one taking a look at the great wide world:
If they could talk, they’d say “What’s Aunt Betty about to do with that sparrow?”
“She’s just ‘talking’ to it,” is what I’d say. 🐴
Anyway, let’s finish up with another video to let you know all three are doing ok!
How can anything be cuter (other than me)? 🐴
Here’s a big surprise-just for YOU (videos)! 😺
Good morning! Our peonies are perfectly pretty. . .
And my breakfast was late, but it was hard to be upset about it. . .
Because Eva brought out her kittens (more after video)!
We had been pretty sure she had kittens, but only yesterday were we able to see them:
One is all-gray, one’s black and white, and one’s gray and white! ❤️
Time to keep cool 😺
Good morning! If you’ll pardon my dust, I’m about to roll:
Our irises are lovely, aren’t they?
Mini invited a sparrow to breakfast:
This kitty has decided it’s a little too warm for her:
“Under here it’s cooler. . .”
“And the shade is easier on my delicate kitten eyes.” 😺
Two kittens here; two kittens there (and a video)! 😺
Good morning! Let’s start off with the video. I’ve decided that I just love peppermint treats:
For the record, I DID NOT think that rock was a treat (the cat-cops are so quick to think I'm not as smart as they are). 🐴
Last Sunday we were visited by our Mary and Mara, which means we were also visited by a lot of doggies! ❤️
Here’s Sophie and Anya and Nixie. . .
And Calla!
Finally, where are the other two kittens having breakfast?
Oh, over by the hay barn:
Next Monday, they’ll get their first visit to the vet! They’re too young to get fixed, but not too young to get vaccinated and de-wormed! 🙀
Mini has a guest for breakfast 😺
Good morning. I’m finishing off breakfast with a peppermint treat:
Wake up little kittens! Big sister Mini has something to show you. . .
She’s caught a 13-lined ground squirrel. We’ve seen them in the far pasture, but never around the buildings.
And we didn’t know they could also play possum. As soon as Mini put it down, it ran across the yard.
“She won’t catch me again!” 😾
Our hearts are broken 🐴
Yesterday, Saturday, our dear Jewel had to leave us:
She had developed fast growing tumors in her throat, keeping her from breathing and eating. She was becoming so thin and tired:
Everyone loved her, of course, but she and I were always together:
Enjoy your high place in Horse Heaven, Jewel. We love you. 🐎
Turn down the decibel level, Turken (video) 🐴
The Wyandottes are having a discussion around the “water cooler:”
A swallow has a mouthful of lunch (bug):
And here’s Turken saying “Good morning!” in only the way a rooster can. . .
Nice and loud! 🐓
RC’s winter coat is on the floor 🐴
Good morning! Just a few wispy clouds:
It’s such a lovely day, chickens—come outside!
“The chickens can take care of themselves, Francis. Tell the cat-cops I’m ready to be let out.”
Apparently RC got a good brushing—look at all that hair!
“Tyrus and I have no idea how the TV remote and laser pointer got on the floor.”
“Greg’s telling the truth, cat-cop. . .
“Would those eyes lie to you?”
Slow down for your picture, please! 🐦
Good morning! I’m so glad our friend, Travis, is coming this weekend. . .
My hooves need trimmed. See how long they are?
Speaking of friends, our friend Devon is cutting our grass today, and the kittens don’t like the noise. Don’t hide in the grass, Patches, go hide in the garage:
The big cats aren’t afraid, of course, and neither are the ducks. They’ll just move out of the way when the mower comes near:
Finally, today’s beautiful, clear blue sky is full of barn swallows:
But we could only catch a picture of two! 🐴
I’m a music aficionado (plus 2 videos) 🐴
Good morning! It’s a great day for breakfast “al fresco!”
Will this be the first morning someone lays an egg in this feed bucket we hung up as a nest? The chickens have been “always window shopping but never stopping to buy” (the lyrics from “Georgy Girl” 🎶):
Yes!
Finally, here’s a video of Patches driving the tractor. . .
And cuddly kittie wrestling:
So industrial-strength cute! 😺
They’re always back with us by May (videos)! 🐦
“Good morning! Francis is inside, waiting to have a word with “management.”
That’s right, Jewel, they need to clean up these poopies, please:
Other than that, let’s watch Ferdinand, Paschal and the chickens:
And look who’s back. The swallows!
They will have at least two generations of babies by autumn! 😺
What do you have to say, Rose? 🐎
“Good morning! I’m not used to doing this, so I’m afraid I might not have too much to show you.”
“Let’s see. . .this was supposed to be a picture of all four kittens eating breakfast, but Fabio photo-bombed it.”
“Patches may be eating dry food like his sisters. . .”
“But they’ll still nurse if Momma Tails offers to.”
“And in case you missed it, here’s our lastest YouTube video.”
“I don’t think Anya knew what we horses, or Francis, were.” 🐎
(You did fine with this post, Rose! 🐴)
Lazy Sunday (video) 🐴
Good morning. Let’s look around and see what we have for you today:
Well, the chickens are already laying eggs:
And the kittens have yet to get out of bed:
Everyone knows babies need more sleep.
Oh—I’ve just been told that the indoor cats got a new, brighter laser!
Zoom zoom! 😺
Sunny Saturday with 3 videos 😺
Good morning! We have a lot going on in the next picture. . .
See the legend under the picture, please:
1. Gray-Stray is finishing Betty’s breakfast. 2. Baby cat is watching the chickens clean up everyone else’s breakfast. 3. Our friend, Jake, has moved the yellow lawn mower and got it ready for mowing. 4. The cats got nice clean water this morning and the ducks have already made a mess of it! 😿
The cats get a full hour to eat before the chickens are let out, so the babies have plenty of time:
After breakfast, of course, everybody plays!
And the indoor cats are getting pre-breakfast treats on the cat tree:
Inside or outside, the cats around here are very, very spoiled! 🐴
Those poor mice never learn (and another baby-cat video)! 🐭
Good morning! Put some breakfast in my bowl, please!
Oh, so sad. Two mice drowned in the duck bucket today:
Patches poses prettily:
And so does his sister:
We promise we’ll name them, as soon as we can tell them apart! 🙀
Finally, we can never get enough of watching them play:
They hop around like bunnies. 🐰
Release the hounds—uh, I mean the HENS (and 2 videos)! 🐔🐓🐔
Good morning! Oh great, more mud!
Well, at least it’s a short slog to the front pasture:
The grass is clean and easier on our hooves:
Here come the chickens:
And, oh, those kittens!
Could they get any cuter? Every day they explore someplace new! 😺