Starting the day....

So, the sun has not yet risen, and I am stuck in the house. 

Well, not stuck, literally, as I could venture outside if I choose to...but I am fearful that the Mystery Predator is out there, waiting.  And, assuming that it is the animal that we think it is, it will not run in fear from me.  Brave little b#st%rd.....

So, I wait in inside, knowing that time is wasting, but that the Feathered Ladies are safe.  I wish so very much that I could take advantage of these early morning hours by putting in some extra hours garden-side...but it just isn't going to happen.

My mind is trying to make a list of all that need to get done today, but it is just working through half-lists and then giving up.  Coffee has not fully hit the energy stream yet, and all is futile until that happens.  We are off to a baseball game today with the kids and some friends.  "Making the memories", as my husband says....which makes sense...and the kids are overjoyed at the prospect.

I do wonder why, however, my kids are always so eager to leave the homestead.  Most mornings are started with the question of "where are we going today?".  Often that question is answered by "school", "camp", "work"....and they aren't terribly picky.  They just seem to want to make sure that an activity is planned. 

I wonder if I was like that as I child.  As an adult, I yearn for time at home.   A week day that is not followed by an additional activity (i.e. errands) often seems like a race to the finish, where the reward is unplanned time at home.  The kids do not seem to like that reward.

But, that is all of no matter today, as an activity is planned, and I only need to garner the energy to rise from the couch and begin working through the day.

Maybe another cup of coffee will help.....

Laying in wait....

So, as I mentioned earlier today, the Mystery Predator (aka M.P.) is back.

And I really wish it wasn't.  I really, really, wish that someone had already taken care of it....but that wish was not granted.

So, we are once again huddled in the house, waiting for something to happen.  Traps are laid, "snacks" included.  And we can just hope that it works.  I feel bad saying this, but I hope that it comes back and we get it.  I am tired of being on edge, looking cautiously out in the back yard, scanning for suspicious activity or hideous carnage. 

My daughter used to love coming with me to let the Feathered Ladies out in the morning, but now I am fearful of what we might find.

So, now, we lay in wait, and hope that we succeed. 

It's back.....the infamous Mystery Predator!

Crap, crap, crap.

And literally, CRAP!

The Mystery Predator is back.

It sh#t on the yard...it broke in to the chicken yard in TWO places...it has royally pissed me off.

The Feathered Ladies are safe...for now...

But plans are underway....we are planning the counterattack.

Tonight, it's on!

The M.P. (Mystery Predator)

So, as my FaceBook friends already know, we have had quite the adventure so far this summer....and it all started with a little guinea hen. 

Well, maybe not so little.  I thought she would be little (I have no idea why), but she was big - big like a turkey and quite exotic (unlike a turkey).  She even had a horn!  Quite lovely in a charming, prehistoric way... 

We adopted her off of Craigs List (remember the addiction...) as her current home was in a smaller neighborhood and she had a loud squeaky call (once again, oh so charming).  We called her Carly...what can I say...I have a 7 year old...we watch ICarly...alot...

Anyways, early in the morning of July 9th, we discovered that we had had a predator attack. 

Carly did not survive.

So, it was on!  We had to discover what attacked, avenge our Carly, and stop further casualties.  This was the hunt for the Mystery Predator, aka M.P.

We built rock walls around the chicken yard, and locked the Feathered Ladies in tightly each night.  However, the M.P. tackled our walls and still got in.  Thankfully, however, the Feathered Ladies remained safe and secure in their coop.

We borrowed Loaner Dog, hoping that he was to be our alarm system (half beagle...seemed like a good plan).  Unfortunately, Loaner Dog was a great sleeper...

We spent many of night, huddled in the darkened house, peering out windows, chasing shadows.  

And one night, after spying the M.P. from the upstairs window, my husband came running down the stairs, ready to finally ID the predator...

We staged the scene.  He jumped out the back door, with a fierce Highland yell.  I hit the lights to illuminate the yard.  We stopped.  We searched.  We jumped up and down on the deck in case it was hiding beneath (I was wearing heels - not smart, I know - so it was a bit more of a clatter).  And then I SWEAR we saw him.  Halfway up the kids playground - but it was not to be.  Either too quick, or a mere figment of the mind...either way, we were left with no solid leads. 

Then we started trapping in our attempt to stop the M.P.  And we succeeded!

But not in finding the M.P.

We did become re-aquainted with a black feral cat (tiny, but fierce) and a skunk.

And yes - we did release both unharmed.  The skunk release was a bit more comical of the two...Picture it, me, in jammies and dress shoes (again, seriously bad planning) walking towards a trapped skunk, holding a tarp high in the air as protection, simply hoping not to trip and fall on the poor thing.  Thankfully, we did see that white stripe run off on its way into the back field moments later.

And then, it was over.  The drama carried on for exactly 7 days, and then it was done.

I did hear a shot or two in the evening, a few nights ago, and while I hope that someone else dealt with the M.P. (ruthless, I know, but, seriously, Carly...), shots in the evening are not completely unusual in our area....it's country, you know? 

So, we wait...