FRANCIS'S BLOG 04/23/2026
Mystery cat brings us her kitten! 🙀
Oh my goodness, who are you?
This cat must be your mommy, because her meowing brought you out of hiding:
Well, as long as you're here, you might as well get something to eat:
If this keeps up, the cat-cops will be spending more on cat food than they do on horse food! 🐴
19 degrees and windy! 🙀
Good morning. This is our first cold snap of the season:
Right now we all wish we were indoor kitties:
The chickens say, “We’re going to be indoor chickens today.”
“We’ll just eat, and talk among ourselves.” 🐔
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 (and a bucket of duck 🦆)
Good morning! You’ll just have to take my word for it that we all had carrots for Thanksgiving, but Jewel was first out of the stable:
The cats all had turkey cat food!
And our guest kitty had turkey, too!
The ducks and chickens aren’t too enthused about Thanksgiving (duck and chicken meat is too much like turkey).
Finally, here’s a video of something we haven’t seen before. . .
How did you squeeze into that bucket, Aoife? 🙀
A video of my endearing smiles! 🐴
Good morning! I know the cat food was put out before I saw the gray and white kitty leaving the garage, so I hope he got something to eat:
Walk around the cat-cops feet and let them pet you, like this kitty does, and you’ll get all the yummy food you can eat:
Cat-cops love attention! 😺
Speaking of loving attention, here I am on YouTube:
I love to smile, just for you! 🐴
What happened to you, Onslow? 🙀
Good morning! I’m in a bit of a mood this morning. It’s only 26℉, and I don’t want to go in for breakfast, out of the sun. I think I’ll just have some hay:
Tyrus, Tiger and Greg are having a drink of fresh water:
And now Greg is up on the sink!
Our friendly visiting kitty is having breakfast:
Come on out of the tack room, Onslow. You know if you get locked in, you’ll be meowing all day to get out:
Oh no! Onslow! How did you get this nasty cut under your cheek?
Luckily, Ann was here to put antobiotic salve on it. It should be healed soon. 🐴
Mystery kitty is making herself at home 😺
Good morning. Once again, I’m being used as a table for feed scoops:
But I’ll overlook it, since I’m getting a carrot.
The indoor kitties are having their after-breakfast “treats on the tree:”
And this kitty is friendlier than ever:
Here she is having breakfast, just like one of the farm family:
Well, if she’s not going anywhere, she’ll need a name. 😺
Iris is better, which makes everyone happy! 🐎
Good morning! I was just telling RC, I think Iris is better:
“I think so, too, Francis. I’m eating better.”
“My eyes are brighter and I’m making good-looking poopies!”
And remember, last Tuesday, when one of our visiting kitties showed up for dinner?
Well, she was back again for breakfast:
That whole can of food disappeared—hungry, hungry, kitty! 😺
It’s just Onslow! 😺
Let’s listen to Onslow say, “Good morning!”
The other sounds you hear are us eating breakfast (of course)! 🐴
We’re keeping an eye on Iris 🐎
Good morning. It’s still dreary, but a little warmer—and less wind!
Here’s a picture from last night, where (top to bottom) Tyrus, Tiger and Greg are having cat treats before bed:
And this morning (left to right), Betty, Onslow, Buttons and Eva are having breakfast:
For the past day or two, our Iris hasn’t been eating, and appears to have colic, which makes her stomach hurt. So today, after calling Dr. Daniele, we’re giving her medicine and keeping her in Jewel’s run:
We’re happy to say we think she’s feeling better, but for the next two days she’ll get the rest of her medicine and extra care. ❤️
Fabio says, “Good morning!” 🐓
It’s another morning of nasty wind; and, as you might guess by the gloves on my back, it’s cold, too.
The wind is so bad, the chickens are staying in!
While most of the chickens didn’t leave the coops, Tom made it to the stable:
Good morning to you, too, Tom Turken. But here’s a “Good morning!” from someone we don’t hear from very often:
It’s Fabio! 🐓
Rose and Iris are partners in Horse Crime! 🐎
“Good morning! Francis is busy.”
Yes I am, Dukie—busy with a carrot!
Security Chief Onslow is on lookout:
And after breakfast, it’s a nice day for the far pasture:
But what are Rose and Iris up to, by the fence?
Oh, they’re grazing in Farmer Rich’s field:
Horse Crime #1: Not respecting property lines. Horse Crime #2: Bending down fence wires. Punishment: None. Horses will be horses! 🐴
Another mystery kitty! 😺
Good morning!
“Good morning, Francis. I’ve had breakfast, and am snacking on these hotdog buns before the chickens discover them. I love bread.”
Remember, last Friday night, a gray and white cat made an appearance for dinner?
Well, look who we treated to a can of Friskies last night:
Like the other stray, we’ve seen this cat before, but she’s friendlier; she let the cat-cops put the food right in front of her.
Let’s watch her eat on such a dreary night:
Just like the other stray, we hope she gets friendlier and becomes part of the farm family!
Dukie's paws are not cat toys! 😾
Hello. It’s going to take more than one carrot to brighten this day:
It’s a good day to stay inside:
Let’s cheer up with a video of Greg and Dukie:
We know you’re just playing, Greg, but your nails are sharp! 🙀
I’m missing something! 🐴
It’s a horrible morning! My right ear came off! 🙀
November fool! It was there all the time!
It’s a good morning and the temperature isn’t bad, about 60. Tom Turken is showing off his autumn colors:
Aoife says, “Good morning—but good gracious! Don’t look at me—I look a fright!”
“You caught me in the tub!”
“When I get out, and have time to preen, I’ll be my lovely self.” 🦆
Mystery kitty! 🙀
Good morning. It’s chilly and windy. At least the hay is fresh:
Betty meets Tiger:
And who is this, looking for leftovers? 
Don’t run away, kitty!
Be part of our farm-cat family, and you’ll be fed twice a day! 😺
I have a feather problem! 🐴
Rose says, “Good morning, everyone! Time for breakfast, Iris, get up.”
Onslow says, “It’s none of my business, Iris, but you need to find a less muddy place to soak up the sun. An enormous horse blanket is hard on the washing machine.”
“On a positive note, Betty, Buttons and I are happy that Eva is having breakfast with us on a regular basis. She’s now one of the family.” ❤️
As for me, pardon my tongue. . .
But I just can’t get this feather out of my whiskers! 🐴
RC 🐎 inhales a carrot! 🥕
Tom says, “Good morning!”
Eva is joining the other cats for breakfast:
It’s a cloudy morning, so were getting some “crunchy sunshine!”
And now, RC will make a carrot disappear!
Where did it go? 🐴
Security Chief Onslow to the rescue! 😺
Tyrus says, “Good morning! I’m visiting with Dukie!”
“Now, Greg and Tiger are supervising the cleaning of the litter boxes, and I’m getting a tickle!”
Oh no! It’s breakfast time and there’s no alfalfa pellets! Shame on “Management!”
“Don’t worry, I’ve found a bag!”
“It was hiding in the back of this very junky car.”
“I’ll ‘meow-meow-meow’ the heck out of the cat-cops, and you’ll be eating in no time! 😺
Good morning, Tom Turken! 🐓
Tom has two cock-a-doodle-do’s, just for you!
Stormy and I are chatting as we eat:
The twine bucket by our feed cabinet has become the “trendy” place to lay an egg:
The front pasture was closed for a few days to let the grass grow:
But it’s open today! Yum! 🐎
Quiet Monday 🐴
Good morning! Time for a drink after breakfast:
“I’m not quite awake. Ask Buttons if she’s ready for breakfast, then I’ll come down with her.”
“Ask Onslow if he’s ready to eat, then I’ll get up.”
This chicken is getting a good look at her reflection:
“I really need to grow back my feathers. I look a mess!” 🐔
Kitty in the window 😺
Good morning!
Calla, Nixie, Sophie and Dukie say “Good morning” too:
Eva is eating one of the chickens’ bread crusts (Ann brought a bag of crusts this morning):
“I licked the butter off, first. But the bread is tasty, too!” 😺
Finally, who’s that meowing “Good morning?”
It’s Tyrus! He and the other farmhouse kittens (Greg and Tiger) love sitting in the window, chasing ladybugs, and greeting anyone passing by! 😺
Look who’s here! 😺
Sophie says, “Good morning! It’s great to be visiting the farm with Mary and Mara! Calla, Nixie, and Dukie are here, too!”
And last night, I got to know the kitties!
I love them and they love me!
Betty caught a sparrow (don’t worry, Mr. Sparrow is playing possum, and is about to fly away):
Eva is almost a full-grown kitty, and eating “big cat” food…
And Tom is enjoying her leftovers:
Waste not, want not! 🐓
Sunny, with a chance of visitors (and our latest YouTube) 🐎
Jewel says, “Good morning (pardon my tongue, it’s just how the camera caught me)!”
There’s still a mess of mud outside the stable (I better move before RC makes a poopie):
But it’s a little drier here, isn’t it, Rose?
Anyway, the kittens won’t have the run of the house today. . .
They are on lockdown in the litter box room, because our Mary ❤️, Mara ❤️, and Cheyanne ❤️ are expected for the Memorial Day weekend:
Aa you know, with Mary and Mara come doggies! Sophie, Calla and Nixie might scare Tyrus, Greg, and Tiger! 🙀
Of course, the kittens are used to Dukie:
They love her as much as the rest of us! 🐴
Naming roosters takes a lot of thought 🐓
Good morning! Don’t worry, I’m ok. I just haven’t gotten up yet:
Here I am about an hour later, wide awake and having breakfast:
We’ve been calling our turken “Turken,” but his official name will be “Tom.”
This rooster is officially “Fabio,” because he looks fabulous!
Maran is still “Maran,” until we think of something else:
Oh, I forgot, it’s also a carrot morning…
Iris can verify that! 🐎
Wednesday potpourri! 😺
Iris says, “Good morning! What’s it look like outside, Francis?”
It’s not pretty, Iris—more rain, more water, more mud:
One thing about mud, though; it brings out the raccoon tracks.
And finally, Tiger is in the sink:
Oh, the trouble kitties get into once they learn to jump! 🙀
Jumping kitties! 🙀
Turken and I say Good morning!
I’m heading into the stable so our friend, Travis, can trim my hooves:
Now my feet look and feel great:
Other than that, the kittens are now jumping up on the kitchen counter:
Let’s watch a video of them in action. Have you heard the expression, “Curiosity killed the cat?” Well. . .
Our curious kitties won’t get “killed,” but the cat-cops might lock them in their room! 🙀
The front pasture is open again 🐎 (with videos)! 🐓
Iris says, “Good morning!”
“There’s water and mud everywhere.”
But the ground’s not bad on the front pasture! The chickens are out there…
And so are we!
Good grass! 🐴
Let’s spend some time with US! 🐎
Dukie says, “Good morning!”
Good morning, Dukie! It’s raining, so we’re having hay inside:
Let’s take about a minute to watch this video of us. I think it’s calm and relaxing:
We like the sound of soft rain on the roof. 🐴
What good friends we have! 🐎
Iris says, “Good morning! We’ve had breakfast, and are ready to enjoy this crisp, sunny day!”
I wish we had more news for you, but everything is nice and normal, which is always good news!
Oh, I know! Our friend Jake is fixing the hinges on our feed cabinet:
If you recall, Mr. O’Possum dug a big hole under the feed cabinet, which warped the floor and caused the hinges to detach:
We’re pretty sure he’s still under there…
“Wake me up when it’s spring!” 🙀
November already and 34℉ 🐴
Good morning! Hmm, what to tell you today?
Well, Jewel is someplace she shouldn’t be, but that’s nothing new. She says, “I go where the hay is, Francis.”
I’m glad it will at least get into the 50’s this afternoon. So many of our chickens are molting. Mac says, “I look a mess!”
Finally, here’s a chick that has just come to live with our Bill ❤️ and Sierra ❤️. What in chicken-land is that girl wearing!?!? 🙀
It’s apparently not for the cold, or for fashion. It keeps the other hens from pecking her until she becomes part of the flock (which won’t be long). 🐔