The Dog Days of Summer

Where does the time go? I apologize for not updating lately. Spring turned quickly into summer and now we are all bearing the heat. It seems especially hot & humid this year and we are all miserable. Even the barnyard crew seem to be suffering and laying low. I find them in the shade or in the coop usually and I know they will be happy when it starts cooling off again. We have noticed an increase in coyote activity in the last month or so.... We hear them every night howling and sometimes it sounds like they are surrounding our farm. In the last week 2 of our 4 guineas have disappeared, and I assume the coyotes are getting them. So sad :( There is no trace of them, they are simply gone. The first one about a week ago, and the 2nd we noticed was gone this morning. I wish it was easier to get them into the coop at night with the chickens where they would be safe, but they are free spirits and turn their nose up at our protection (or they are just too simple minded to know what's good for them). Our sweet barn cat, Poe has also been absent lately. We are HOPING that he is off on a romantic adventure, the alternative would be very sad to even contemplate. I will keep you posted. Otherwise everything is business as usual. The garden is doing well despite my meager gardening knowledge. The corn did get planted (finally) and it is a couple inches high. The squash and zucchini plants are huge and leafy!! As soon as we can actually eat something I will really feel a sense of satisfaction! The kittens are growing rapidly and are getting quite playful! We have a total of 14 between the 3 mamas and so in another few weeks we will feel overrun I am sure! For now I am happy that they are safe in the sun porch, as I know that is offering them protection from predators and the elements. Anyway- that is all the news that is newsworthy... I miss the days where there were multiple blog posts running around in my mind... it just seems that there isn't much new to report. Hmmmmm..... maybe there will be more after we make it through the dog days of summer.