tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81812630930368159592024-03-13T08:19:39.903-07:00Your Daily Dose of DuckUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-35474276026203205742014-09-27T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-27T00:00:03.179-07:00dobby_the_duck on Instagram<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since 90% of what I post on Instagram involves ducks or chickens, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've decided to start posting on </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://instagram.com/dobby_the_duck" target="_blank">dobby_the_duck</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">instead of on my personal Instagram. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes Tasha, who posts on Your Daily Dose of Duck on tumblr, <a href="http://dobbytheduck.tumblr.com/">dobbytheduck.tumblr.com</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">will also be adding pictures to Dobby's Instagram.<br />Follow Dobby on Instagram and tumblr </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">o maximize the cute in your life!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--fFu_e87pjw/VCZBibRk8gI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/f5zVj19sBpM/s1600/IMG_20140926_202325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--fFu_e87pjw/VCZBibRk8gI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/f5zVj19sBpM/s1600/IMG_20140926_202325.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-5301128381647787902014-09-26T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-26T00:00:01.630-07:00Another Day with Ducks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out the cute rain boots my mom got for me!<br />Just in time, the rains have started and the yard is getting muddy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVf_EvEZWwY/VCRtiteVgpI/AAAAAAAAMdY/F2ohrtUL6qs/s1600/IMG_20140924_210959634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVf_EvEZWwY/VCRtiteVgpI/AAAAAAAAMdY/F2ohrtUL6qs/s1600/IMG_20140924_210959634.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that rain brought about the discovery that our Kia Sedona was designed with the perfect dimensions for carrying two bales of straw! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Usually we only buy one bale at a time.)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65st8CGKfSE/VCRtihFJyZI/AAAAAAAAMdY/fxtriupUf1g/s1600/IMG_20140925_095828961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-65st8CGKfSE/VCRtihFJyZI/AAAAAAAAMdY/fxtriupUf1g/s1600/IMG_20140925_095828961.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now the fun begins. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he ducks and chickens get to spread the straw </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">while looking for seeds.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ugy2TVA3gZE/VCRtisGDgFI/AAAAAAAAMdY/SlXfPXCHGlU/s1600/IMG_20140925_104031072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ugy2TVA3gZE/VCRtisGDgFI/AAAAAAAAMdY/SlXfPXCHGlU/s1600/IMG_20140925_104031072.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-4639125707924676492014-09-25T13:52:00.000-07:002014-09-25T13:52:50.674-07:00I'm For Ducks!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Creating crowdfunding campaigns has caused me to think quite a bit about people and what their giving says about them. The world is full of causes, from frogs to children to fandoms, from personal to global. Well, really, all causes are personal to someone. And what might be vitally important to me may not even be on your radar, which doesn't make me better than you or you completely heartless, it only means that we care passionately about different things. It may be that you don't know about my cause, but if you did you would become an advocate. It may be that even if you knew all about my cause you might still choose to put your time and energy some where else. That's not only o.k. it's a good thing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are too many causes in the world for any one person to care about them all, or even know about them all. And imagine a world where everyone supported the same cause, that would leave a whole lot of important issues languishing in the shadows. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's a meme that floats through my facebook feed now and then that states:<br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes I need that reminder. If other people have a cause that I don't support, even if it's a cause that I strongly disagree with, it doesn't really help anything if I get in their face about it. It's a rare day when doing so changes anyone's mind. And because people champion causes that are meaningful to them for personal reasons, people take it personally when I don't support their cause. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But back to the crowdfunding, which is what caused me to ponder these things. In 2014 my husband was raising funds to get a book published. The book, <i>Radical Family! Parenting: A Guide for Parenting with Compassion, Honesty, Respect, and Unconditional Love</i>, is now complete. You can learn more about it <a href="http://radicalfamilyparenting.com/" target="_blank">Here</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we had 15 days left in our campaign to raise $5,000 we had raised $1,685 in pre-ordered copies. That week I received an e-mail from Indiegogo about a campaign to raise $50,000 to fund the first sonic vibrator. Now there's nothing wrong with trying to get funding for a vibrator. The variety of causes on indiegogo is diverse and includes those heartbreaking, breath taking, and down right crazy. People fund all different campaigns, and that's great. People choose to fund things that inspire them, bring them hope, give hope or help to others, and that bring them pleasure. I'm not judging anyone for what they choose to fund. But as we struggled to raise $5,000, it was interesting to see that with 15 days to go the vibrator had been over funded. 507 people had contributed $68,842! And the least amount they had given, the lowest perk, was $130. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That got me thinking about how people spend their money. What they are willing to back financially, and what they think is just a nice idea. It caused me to think about the crowdfunding campaigns I've supported, which include: top surgery for a transgender person, summer camp for a teen, a tasting room for a cidery, and a book of poetry. What caused me to contribute to each one? What did my contributions say about me and what I support? I suppose it shows that I support people in being who they are, following their passions, and having experiences that encourage them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all have different causes that speak to our souls, inspire us to give, change the way we live, or give us a reason to get up in the morning. Ultimately, it's my hope that we will focus on promoting what we love instead of bashing what we hate. We can support each others passions simply by being aware that there are endless causes in the world and each one is important to someone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My friend Jeff challenged people to post what they were for on facebook, instead of posting what they were against. I decided to write out a statement of what I am for as a reminder to myself. Here's what I came up with: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm for compassion, respect, and remembering that we are all in this together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm for recognizing that children are people, and people sometimes need support in getting their needs met. I'm also for remembering that other people's needs are at least as important as mine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm for crocheting, gardening, chickens, ducks, baking, music, spending time with the people I love, and solitude.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm for making mistakes, trying again, trying something different, and moving on when that's the best thing to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm for following passions, chasing dreams and not giving up on myself or anyone else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqkr8bjghBY/VCR2DZlkujI/AAAAAAAAMdo/cL7oVHMEWyo/s1600/IMG_20140919_162823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqkr8bjghBY/VCR2DZlkujI/AAAAAAAAMdo/cL7oVHMEWyo/s1600/IMG_20140919_162823.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">♥ What are you for?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Visit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dobby-find-his-dream-duck/x/1222152" target="_blank">Help Dobby Find His Dream Duck</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to learn more about #FundItForward Week </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and which campaigns Dobby has selected as his favorites.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Much of the content of this blog post originally appeared April 15, 2013, on <a href="http://withthefamily5.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-are-you-for_15.html" target="_blank">With The Family. </a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-69278937440925493082014-09-25T12:29:00.001-07:002014-09-25T12:29:33.362-07:00Ducktails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drakes grow a special curly feather, the drake feather. In breeds that are monomorphic, meaning that the ducks and drakes look alike, the drake feather can help you tell males and females apart. My ducks are dimorphic, which means you can usually tell them apart quite easily. However, the males will spend a few months a year with eclipse plumage. Eclipse plumage is generally less flashy than the feathers the drakes have during breeding season. For wild birds eclipse plumage plays a role in protecting the drakes while they are molting their flight feathers. Once they have their new flight feathers they are back to their usually dapper selves and ready to fly away from predators. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although many domestic breeds no longer have the ability to fly, they still go through the molting process and will display eclipse plumage.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />In the 1950's the Ducktail was a hairstyle popular with young men. The duck seems an odd symbol of masculinity. This makes me wonder who first came up with the idea for this hairstyle. Was it a young man who grew up on a farm? Or, was it a gentleman strolling by the town pond? I guess it's time for some research. </div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQJmHrheMiE/VCRlcNUhPBI/AAAAAAAAMdA/I1KI0kvCc3c/s1600/IMG_20140925_092134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQJmHrheMiE/VCRlcNUhPBI/AAAAAAAAMdA/I1KI0kvCc3c/s1600/IMG_20140925_092134.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-17974375430421645622014-09-24T09:15:00.001-07:002014-09-24T09:15:20.063-07:00Ducky Barnes at the Door<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sliding door was open just a crack</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra0L9sK5yGc/VCLtODk-98I/AAAAAAAAMTQ/ZPL4s6Bl9hM/s1600/IMG_20140923_143105178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra0L9sK5yGc/VCLtODk-98I/AAAAAAAAMTQ/ZPL4s6Bl9hM/s1600/IMG_20140923_143105178.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ducky Barnes decided to stop by and say Hi!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N7YoPz3nKHg/VCLtOAwxTDI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/0yApA8JhMjA/s1600/IMG_20140923_143633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N7YoPz3nKHg/VCLtOAwxTDI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/0yApA8JhMjA/s1600/IMG_20140923_143633.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-7695269782412990392014-09-23T08:48:00.001-07:002014-10-02T23:16:27.476-07:00Nap Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ducks are big on naps.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The challenge is taking a picture of them without waking them up.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10711658_949290205097368_1642199026_n.jpg?oh=38849ef16060849f03bdf9d1701d8906&oe=5430F226&__gda__=1412435830_fe5b5a8486be2d1e8d54e31371bd7196" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10711658_949290205097368_1642199026_n.jpg?oh=38849ef16060849f03bdf9d1701d8906&oe=5430F226&__gda__=1412435830_fe5b5a8486be2d1e8d54e31371bd7196" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They usually take a morning nap and late afternoon nap.<br />A duck's life is exhausting.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-73643808830040679272014-09-22T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-22T00:00:09.568-07:00Molting: A Harbinger of Autumn <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">The ducks are still in the process of losing their juvenile feathers </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">as they transform into flashy adults. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Well, the boys are flashy, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Herman is just her usual adorable self. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">The chickens are molting, too, as they do every fall.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rJXtIuGpkc/VB90af3jC5I/AAAAAAAAL_Q/U45mLUq3x28/s1600/IMG_20140921_161354577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rJXtIuGpkc/VB90af3jC5I/AAAAAAAAL_Q/U45mLUq3x28/s1600/IMG_20140921_161354577.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shedding tired old feathers and growing in fresh feathers </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">can be pretty messy. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6IpSIXufKU/VB90aeMHkyI/AAAAAAAAL_Q/PmgypVHO33g/s1600/IMG_20140921_174553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6IpSIXufKU/VB90aeMHkyI/AAAAAAAAL_Q/PmgypVHO33g/s1600/IMG_20140921_174553.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">truly pretty mess.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Md2HPj8zKQ8/VB90abE8L6I/AAAAAAAAL_Q/cDiwunTPbC4/s1600/IMG_20140921_174343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Md2HPj8zKQ8/VB90abE8L6I/AAAAAAAAL_Q/cDiwunTPbC4/s1600/IMG_20140921_174343.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Treasures can be discovered across the yard</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> as we search for the best feathers to save</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLTicasiU_E/VB90aZAV7wI/AAAAAAAAL_Q/D8tTZyaf__g/s1600/IMG_20140921_174123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLTicasiU_E/VB90aZAV7wI/AAAAAAAAL_Q/D8tTZyaf__g/s1600/IMG_20140921_174123.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">for crafts, sharing with friends, or simply because </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">each one is a miniature masterpiece. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs7B0oYx3yU/VB90aa1Tp5I/AAAAAAAAL_Q/u_V_6xso3wg/s1600/IMG_20140921_161245074_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs7B0oYx3yU/VB90aa1Tp5I/AAAAAAAAL_Q/u_V_6xso3wg/s1600/IMG_20140921_161245074_HDR.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the molt well under way,<br />there is a dust bath in the shadow of my rain garden.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4LADT3FTM0/VB90aUvBwKI/AAAAAAAAL_Q/HaOBBz08xfY/s1600/IMG_20140921_161249587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4LADT3FTM0/VB90aUvBwKI/AAAAAAAAL_Q/HaOBBz08xfY/s1600/IMG_20140921_161249587.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ducks and I look forward to the autumn rain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10716249_948619381831117_1929361437_n.jpg?oh=aab7a21db99dc2a667328d234a24fcd1&oe=54218B99&__gda__=1411493641_c2004f4c0727e65f295ad232caf2822a" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10716249_948619381831117_1929361437_n.jpg?oh=aab7a21db99dc2a667328d234a24fcd1&oe=54218B99&__gda__=1411493641_c2004f4c0727e65f295ad232caf2822a" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The chickens will great the rain </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with disdain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-18440836664880065172014-09-21T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-21T00:00:05.257-07:00Feeling Hot Hot Hot<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been unseasonably warm here. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To encourage cool thoughts I'm posting a picture </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of Dobby and Ducky Barnes </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">playing in the sprinkler. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10706383_947943408565381_1171136021_n.jpg?oh=3259da77ea76c1578592594b80bf06fc&oe=542045DE&__gda__=1411402190_5dcaca515e4d88ee938356db98fe2716" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10706383_947943408565381_1171136021_n.jpg?oh=3259da77ea76c1578592594b80bf06fc&oe=542045DE&__gda__=1411402190_5dcaca515e4d88ee938356db98fe2716" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's hard to believe that this was only two months ago.<br />Dobby's head is now all green and Ducky's is solid grey.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-71159646232399244302014-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-20T00:00:00.994-07:00Mud Puddles<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I often say that ducks are the toddlers of the poultry family.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't you wish all toddlers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">stayed so clean while playing in the mud?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10714892_947004931992562_671395665_n.jpg?oh=12df54aab555e375c5bea99addb922d2&oe=541E5008&__gda__=1411332309_06de521fd59d910eedfd88c423ec0b2e" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10714892_947004931992562_671395665_n.jpg?oh=12df54aab555e375c5bea99addb922d2&oe=541E5008&__gda__=1411332309_06de521fd59d910eedfd88c423ec0b2e" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ducky Barnes and his well oiled feathers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">enjoying a mud puddle. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-39797765731960424132014-09-19T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-19T00:00:03.390-07:00More Crafty Duck Fun! <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I created another new Indiegogo Perk for </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dobby-find-his-dream-duck/x/1222152" target="_blank">Help Dobby Find His Dream Duck</a> campaign. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm having fun coming up with duck themed projects.<br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LXrUsdAVpw/VBusce2WnqI/AAAAAAAAL0A/zcjNQD1c8Pg/s1600/duck%2Bwashcloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LXrUsdAVpw/VBusce2WnqI/AAAAAAAAL0A/zcjNQD1c8Pg/s1600/duck%2Bwashcloth.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today's new perk is a child sized duck washcloth and finger puppet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been mentioned that the washcloth idea might be cute</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as a baby's hat. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay tuned to see what I come up with next!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-29867855357295030092014-09-18T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-18T00:00:06.572-07:00Fairy Wings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz_wt7392oQ/VBYma_k0wZI/AAAAAAAALLY/o26_6mvluRI/w982-h553-no/IMG_20140914_163421453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz_wt7392oQ/VBYma_k0wZI/AAAAAAAALLY/o26_6mvluRI/w982-h553-no/IMG_20140914_163421453.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feathers or Fairy Wings?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1kU-Y6RRZE/VAZi2K0fIzI/AAAAAAAAKbY/RaLMUZEs3E8/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140902_173723006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1kU-Y6RRZE/VAZi2K0fIzI/AAAAAAAAKbY/RaLMUZEs3E8/w311-h552-no/IMG_20140902_173723006.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feather Bouquet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can receive feathers as a Perk from <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dobby-find-his-dream-duck/x/1222152" target="_blank">Dobby's Indiegogo</a>.</span><br /> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-35762444556022544862014-09-17T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-17T00:00:10.356-07:00Rescues and Sanctuaries for Domestic Ducks<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you've taken the time to visit <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dobby-find-his-dream-duck/x/1222152" target="_blank">Dobby's Indiegogo</a>, you may have seen that by spreading the word about Dobby's quest to find a mate you are also helping to educate people about ducks, heritage breeds, and the organizations that are working to keep them alive. And you might have noticed that one of the goals of the campaign is to raise funds for organizations that care for domestic waterfowl:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dobby realizes he's just one duck in a world full of ducks who need a mate, food, and a safe place to live. Out of every $100 contributed, a minimum of $10 will be donated to an organization that helps domestic ducks, such as waterfowl rescues and preservation centers. The organizations selected to receive these donations will be announced before the end of the campaign.<br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10694833_944685502224505_1931470923_n.jpg?oh=025255517d68167e1c9fb8f7619f9b58&oe=541B10D7&__gda__=1411124743_dc385a40217f174e3909225e750206bb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10694833_944685502224505_1931470923_n.jpg?oh=025255517d68167e1c9fb8f7619f9b58&oe=541B10D7&__gda__=1411124743_dc385a40217f174e3909225e750206bb" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are three sanctuaries from across the country that are working to help ducks in need and educate people about proper duck care. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.luckyduckrescue.org/" target="_blank">Lucky Duck Rescue & Sanctuary</a>, in California, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Like" them on facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LuckyDuckRescue?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser" target="_blank">HERE</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MajesticWaterfowlSanctuary?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser" target="_blank">Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary</a>, in Connecticut, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Like" them on facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MajesticWaterfowlSanctuary?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser" target="_blank">HERE</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FeatheredAngels?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser" target="_blank">Feathered Angels</a>, in Tennessee, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Like" them on facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FeatheredAngels?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser" target="_blank">HERE</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be sure to "Like" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DobbyTheDuck" target="_blank">Dobby The Duck</a> on facebook, too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having pictures of ducks in your facebook feed can be </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">an awesome way to have a better day. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10695015_944685505557838_859388840_n.jpg?oh=29b9a044f955ba34c950203bae747e52&oe=541AEAFA&__gda__=1411064551_a2c2f328042761e5fb756057374995ef" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10695015_944685505557838_859388840_n.jpg?oh=29b9a044f955ba34c950203bae747e52&oe=541AEAFA&__gda__=1411064551_a2c2f328042761e5fb756057374995ef" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-7285779342176394042014-09-16T00:00:00.000-07:002014-10-06T22:02:49.485-07:00Ducks That Don't Poop!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a lot of people who are asking you for money, I get that. And, an Indiegogo to raise money for a duck can seem pretty frivolous when there are people fundraising for much more serious reasons. A duck needing a mate and a safe place to live doesn't really matter all that much when compared to many of the stories that are in the news, or the life and death struggles that are being faced every day by human beings.<br /><br />Because of this, I want to make it clear that I'm not just asking you for money, I'm also hoping to offer you something you want in return. That sounds like a line, but it's true. I'm doing my best to come up with perks that you will want, and I realize that not everyone wants to hatch duck eggs or have ducklings. Today I added a perk for those of you who prefer ducks that don't poop. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A duck made from recycled sweaters! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jwVhg_IPNE/VDNz7b9h3NI/AAAAAAAANwY/JZv8CgqX9Vk/s1600/felt%2Bduckie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jwVhg_IPNE/VDNz7b9h3NI/AAAAAAAANwY/JZv8CgqX9Vk/s1600/felt%2Bduckie.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll be adding more perks in the next week. If you "like" Dobby's facebook page (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DobbyTheDuck" target="_blank">here</a>) you'll be one of the first to know when the new perks have been added. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A giant <b>Thank You!</b> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
to Susie, Kristin, Jen, Dan, and Adrienne</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for their contributions toward</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dobby-find-his-dream-duck/x/1222152" target="_blank">Helping Dobby Find His Dream Duck!!</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your support means so much to me and to Dobby, too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tomorrow's post will focus on organizations that help domestic waterfowl. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you then. :) </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-51461886938809941182014-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-29T14:51:46.792-07:00Duck Feet or Dragon Wings?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you ever noticed that duck feet look remarkably like</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dragon Wings? </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10706412_944685508891171_860508429_n.jpg?oh=226d3ff92dfad7826c5e1c7001cbff27&oe=542C8955&__gda__=1412173384_f74daddd59102f326a38496b25adb762" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10706412_944685508891171_860508429_n.jpg?oh=226d3ff92dfad7826c5e1c7001cbff27&oe=542C8955&__gda__=1412173384_f74daddd59102f326a38496b25adb762" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-21002045521347623982014-09-14T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-14T00:00:03.889-07:00Broody Hen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Meet Broody Hen</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10685045_943957818963940_1707239260_n.jpg?oh=4de900cc338b156cb58129e99cf09b51&oe=54167A69&__gda__=1410808569_e1558377b15b2ee59bda4be50d08185a" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10685045_943957818963940_1707239260_n.jpg?oh=4de900cc338b156cb58129e99cf09b51&oe=54167A69&__gda__=1410808569_e1558377b15b2ee59bda4be50d08185a" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every year Broody Hen wants to sit on eggs and hatch chicks. Every year I have to try and convince her that chicks are out of the question. She's on old hen, one of the two remaining from the hens I rescued from my neighbor. He thought being a backyard farmer would be fun. He liked the idea of going out and collecting eggs. He didn't like doing the work involved. Fortunately, the chickens were between our houses. After he let them go five weeks without food or water (don't worry, I was giving them kitchen scraps, grain, and water) I took over their care permanently. I moved them from their cramped little run to our backyard. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently his wife told me she'd never liked eating the chicken eggs because they were dirty and it grossed her out to think about eating them. While sometimes an egg will get dirty, when you don't give your hens bedding, and keep too many in a small space with poor drainage, dirty eggs are the result. Well, one of the results, sick chickens and nasty smells that bother your neighbors are another. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Properly cared for chickens provide you with beautiful eggs. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/996131_905709762788746_6705781399200042572_n.jpg?oh=83876ed664d3ce86583011f7797fef8a&oe=54CA7557&__gda__=1422988987_07c6df75428393890e3ea6416a01a8ed" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/996131_905709762788746_6705781399200042572_n.jpg?oh=83876ed664d3ce86583011f7797fef8a&oe=54CA7557&__gda__=1422988987_07c6df75428393890e3ea6416a01a8ed" width="112" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
But back to Broody Hen. This year she was persistent in wanting to hatch eggs. I failed to notice just how weak she was getting and, by the time I did, she was suffering from vitamin deficiencies and quite wobbly. I've learned my lesson and will pay much closer attention in the future.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The above picture was Broody a month ago. I had to separate her from the others because, due to their natural instincts to establish a pecking order, chickens will pick on a weak or sick chicken. Sometimes with fatal results. I ended up hand feeding Broody and giving her water several times a day to ensure that she was eating and drinking. For a week or so I would go out each morning wondering if she would still be alive.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is Broody Hen today!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10699062_943955078964214_986596093_n.jpg?oh=cb01643337c1e3bfdcbe43844f63a6fd&oe=54176E7D&__gda__=1410807648_be9aa56f63dc3f4e25b8c42b19876515" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10699062_943955078964214_986596093_n.jpg?oh=cb01643337c1e3bfdcbe43844f63a6fd&oe=54176E7D&__gda__=1410807648_be9aa56f63dc3f4e25b8c42b19876515" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday, I let her out with the other hens for the first time. I was worried because she was still a little unsteady on legs that hadn't been used much for a month. The chickens accepted her without incident. It probably helps that she was previously one of the dominant chickens in the flock. Having her in a run where the other chickens could see her while she recovered also helped with the easy re-entry.<br /><br />The ducks were not as willing to accept her back into the flock. I kept an ear on the yard all day, checking if I heard any excitement. Twice I went out and redirected their attention. Today she is avoiding the ducks more easily. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10579050_943955122297543_1909621302_n.jpg?oh=14287a169aa35efcf1d49a2cd0978f76&oe=54166F4E&__gda__=1410750366_caaf1e839bf6ea5a27f2b8ed797d6505" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10579050_943955122297543_1909621302_n.jpg?oh=14287a169aa35efcf1d49a2cd0978f76&oe=54166F4E&__gda__=1410750366_caaf1e839bf6ea5a27f2b8ed797d6505" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is Broody Hen, with her sister Buff and Rapunzel (in front).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We call Rapunzel our exploding chicken. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She's molting and does it most dramatically. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hen house is full of feathers! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rapunzel is used to being the lowest hen in the pecking order, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and I think she's enjoying having more company as </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Broody shares some of her favorite hiding spots. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buff has been sticking close to Broody.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I promised Broody that if she recovered she could have some duck eggs to hatch next year when she inevitably goes broody. If you would like some duck eggs to hatch next year, too, be sure to check out <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dobby-find-his-dream-duck/x/1222152" target="_blank">Dobby's Indiegogo</a>. We will have an extremely limited number of duck eggs available and the Indiegogo campaign is the only way to reserve them. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dobby-find-his-dream-duck/x/1222152" target="_blank">Help Dobby Find His Dream Duck</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-76003887636677664022014-09-13T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-13T00:00:07.185-07:00Herman Has a Request<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Herman</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10485920_943702732322782_7144344140689769779_n.jpg?oh=0972daa3719b8cafed7bd7a4f60550f2&oe=54A17881&__gda__=1422845623_a3cf747819a027cf92f0a0228d4535a7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10485920_943702732322782_7144344140689769779_n.jpg?oh=0972daa3719b8cafed7bd7a4f60550f2&oe=54A17881&__gda__=1422845623_a3cf747819a027cf92f0a0228d4535a7" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love this face</span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t34.0-12/10668558_943673508992371_1769159872_n.jpg?oh=fb6fb63bdbb3a540d4a0e9f36bcf9839&oe=54169A15&__gda__=1410715573_29e676e7bcb405bbaa4fa4ca233758c2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t34.0-12/10668558_943673508992371_1769159872_n.jpg?oh=fb6fb63bdbb3a540d4a0e9f36bcf9839&oe=54169A15&__gda__=1410715573_29e676e7bcb405bbaa4fa4ca233758c2" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's Herman with her boys </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">before their head feathers had changed all the way. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Herman would like to request that you go check out the Indiegogo<br />to<a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dobby-find-his-dream-duck/x/1222152" target="_blank"> Help Dobby Find His Dream Duck</a>. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It's not just about Dobby</i>, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it's also about Herman, every day the boys are getting more assertive. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soon being the only girl duck in the yard</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">won't be a happy healthy life for Herman. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It's also about you! </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are awesome perks waiting for everyone who contributes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-87358304014230133602014-09-12T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-12T00:00:06.488-07:00Duck Feathers<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favorite aspects of raising ducks </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is watching their feathers change as they grow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/q81/p417x417/10273607_883640784995644_4297598003046957053_n.jpg?oh=4491dc62b932f3b9fbcf8158dbfcb1e9&oe=54996E77&__gda__=1419909473_c5d2971b9d6e3592d32f1be8ef6b037b" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/q81/p417x417/10273607_883640784995644_4297598003046957053_n.jpg?oh=4491dc62b932f3b9fbcf8158dbfcb1e9&oe=54996E77&__gda__=1419909473_c5d2971b9d6e3592d32f1be8ef6b037b" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their wings are so tiny at first.<br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10463997_893584044001318_7740118857068385053_n.jpg?oh=832f70bb3d6136fdb113b1db1ec53cfb&oe=5496C9C7&__gda__=1422583213_e8d0e1187e5596e0f19963e287895b9c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10463997_893584044001318_7740118857068385053_n.jpg?oh=832f70bb3d6136fdb113b1db1ec53cfb&oe=5496C9C7&__gda__=1422583213_e8d0e1187e5596e0f19963e287895b9c" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the wings are the first feathers to grow.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10489671_893584087334647_3485138247936224328_n.jpg?oh=929ff3bb80d2fa04637913c676cb8059&oe=548FD026&__gda__=1419730607_2d55644315dc3b9e8ae138df57e61668" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10489671_893584087334647_3485138247936224328_n.jpg?oh=929ff3bb80d2fa04637913c676cb8059&oe=548FD026&__gda__=1419730607_2d55644315dc3b9e8ae138df57e61668" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every day you can see a difference.<br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10463049_903198376373218_4146308367927214175_n.jpg?oh=4510e548f4998d8369310e216eb1056f&oe=549786F9&__gda__=1418984048_b1370d8e9e3825884e5f33da513ffbde" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silver Appleyard Ducks have an amazing variety of feathers.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10574352_912713115421744_3956401008615832807_n.jpg?oh=402da82bcd3e2c6477f47e68c17f237a&oe=54852A32&__gda__=1418702168_697304bd3e20d609410a5bd8df3a930b" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10574352_912713115421744_3956401008615832807_n.jpg?oh=402da82bcd3e2c6477f47e68c17f237a&oe=54852A32&__gda__=1418702168_697304bd3e20d609410a5bd8df3a930b" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-71581714583647330662014-09-11T10:59:00.001-07:002015-05-09T20:25:56.194-07:00Duck TherapySome of my favorite people are affected by depression. It claws at them, dragging them down into a dank swamp of despair. It clouds their minds with thoughts that they aren’t good enough, they aren’t significant, that no body cares, because why would anyone ever care about them anyway? Depression doesn’t just suck the joy out of their lives, it makes them believe that they really weren’t worthy of joy to begin with. It gnaws away at their hopes and dreams, the happy memories, the good parts of life, leaving them hollow. Feeling like a shadow rather than a person.<br />
<br />
Don’t mind me, I’m just going to curl up in the darkness.<br />
I don’t expect anyone to care or notice, just go on with your lives.<br />
<br />
My struggles with depression have always felt situational. When my girls were ages 4, 17 months, and 6 weeks of age the midwife asked, “Are you feeling depressed?”<br />
“Nothing a few good nights of sleep wouldn't help,” I responded<br />
(It would be at least another decade before I returned to a goodnight of sleep stage of life.)<br />
<br />
The last few years have intensified our family’s financial challenges. When dark thoughts swirl in my mind I think, “It’s nothing a week of vacation and financial stability wouldn't help.”<br />
<br />
When my introvert soul is worn thin from living all.the.time with four other people, and being the emotional support person for four other people overwhelms me, I tell myself, “It’s nothing three days alone wouldn’t help.” <br />
<br />
I get more sleep now, but financial stability and time alone are still hard to come by. We have never gone on a week long vacation just as a family. <br />
<br />
As my girls say, “The struggle is real"<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<b>The struggle is real </b>A (generally) ironic saying often used in place of the saying,"first world problems." Has slightly more urban undertones than "first world problems." Denotes a situation where the user wishes to express that they are encountering some sort of undesirable difficulty, but dealing with it. With irony, it has a comical effect of dramatizing a non-critical, yet undesirable situation. (From the <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=The%20struggle%20is%20real" target="_blank">Urban Dictionary) </a></blockquote>
<br />
<b>But, I have ducks!</b><br />
Which seems like a non sequitur, so let me explain.<br />
<br />
When life becomes too much it can be helpful to escape for a little while. Escapes include things like going on vacation, getting a pedicure or massage, eating out at nice restaurants or going on a retreat. All of those escapes are beyond my means, but I have ducks.<br />
<br />
This summer we were given three ducklings. Having ducks has been pure therapy for me. When I'm stressed out, exhausted, feeling discouraged or needing a break I go outside and watch the ducks. They are silly little creatures who get excited about fresh water in their "pond" and try to eat the water spraying from the sprinkler. When they run the sound of their feet slapping the ground is adorable. When I’m inside, and the windows are open, they call to me and we talk back and forth until I go outside for a visit.<br />
<br />
Outside! The ducks get me outside. The last few summers I have had health issues that left me with little energy for yard work or outdoor activities. I stayed inside a lot, and yet I have always been happiest outside. Having ducks means going outside to clean out the water dishes. It means being physically active as I rake up the yard or change their bedding. The ducks have encouraged me to be more active while helping me get more Vitamin D.<br />
<br />
The ducks have also given me a reason to get up every morning bright and early, because poultry don't sleep in and their present house is a dog crate that's really too small. I feel guilty if I don't get up and let them out ASAP. And once I’m up and outside, wandering the yard in my bathrobe, getting out of bed was totally worth it. I open the ducks’ door and they waddle past me with enthusiastic quacks. They run laps around the yard, flapping their wings with joy.<br />
<br />
I have decided that ducks are the toddlers of the poultry family. But they are all the good parts of toddlers, along with the need to put everything in their mouths. They are the splash in the puddle, chase the butterfly, look at the world through bright and curious eyes parts of toddlers.<br />
<br />
People warned me that I should not get ducks. “Ducks are messy!” I was told.<br />
Well of course they are!<br />
If you expect ducks to be quiet, stay out of the mud, and not make messes,<br />
then you are expecting them not to be ducks.<br />
It’s the same with toddlers, and I like toddlers.<br />
Some people think having ducks in your backyard sounds a little crazy,<br />
but for me it is sanity.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My ducks are my therapy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UylSjBsF1lI/VUft9p3byLI/AAAAAAAAcoM/k-r-yAzYeK4/s640-no/IMG_20150504_150757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UylSjBsF1lI/VUft9p3byLI/AAAAAAAAcoM/k-r-yAzYeK4/s640-no/IMG_20150504_150757.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If you need duck therapy but don’t want to deal with the messy parts follow my blog,<br />
<a href="http://dobbytheduck.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dobby the Duck: Your Daily Dose of Duck</a> and follow my daughter’s tumbler <a href="http://dobbytheduck.tumblr.com/">dobbytheduck.tumblr.com</a> and don't forget to "like" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DobbyTheDuck/timeline" target="_blank">Dobby The Duck</a> on facebook.<br />
<br />
If you are so inclined, you can help support my duck therapy with a donation to: <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">dobbytheduck@gmail.com</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-68452827365163834532014-09-11T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-11T00:00:04.262-07:00They grow up so fast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10402925_925943320765390_2918656300271454317_n.jpg?oh=47faeb75f0850640a7216e1298bfa9d5&oe=549C1AC7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10402925_925943320765390_2918656300271454317_n.jpg?oh=47faeb75f0850640a7216e1298bfa9d5&oe=549C1AC7" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">August 14, 2014</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/v/t1.0-9/10639461_931590816867307_5951392835979200192_n.jpg?oh=6108dbb39b3442d13358ced794986fd3&oe=548A6527&__gda__=1419628564_7765c564f25955983713811bf75223e1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/v/t1.0-9/10639461_931590816867307_5951392835979200192_n.jpg?oh=6108dbb39b3442d13358ced794986fd3&oe=548A6527&__gda__=1419628564_7765c564f25955983713811bf75223e1" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">August 23, 2014</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10671433_937674866258902_1944787682078667616_n.jpg?oh=44157ed1fe99335c0f524105019a5a0a&oe=549C6FE4&__gda__=1419360604_e396ce8a141e6c517fdafa7eabbbed15" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10671433_937674866258902_1944787682078667616_n.jpg?oh=44157ed1fe99335c0f524105019a5a0a&oe=549C6FE4&__gda__=1419360604_e396ce8a141e6c517fdafa7eabbbed15" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">September 3, 2014</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10622869_942108569148865_7824665581544946141_n.jpg?oh=8d653dfda9def3c0103b0694418eeff3&oe=548F666B&__gda__=1418142178_9e1fd2d6f168ad9150bce5987772c282" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10622869_942108569148865_7824665581544946141_n.jpg?oh=8d653dfda9def3c0103b0694418eeff3&oe=548F666B&__gda__=1418142178_9e1fd2d6f168ad9150bce5987772c282" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">September 9, 2014</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-61257345336971903322014-09-10T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-10T00:00:00.698-07:00Help Dobby Find His Dream Duck<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Single Silver Appleyard Drake </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seeks duck to share puddles, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fresh greens, and a cozy house.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10689714_383967625085401_2907997766373667077_n.jpg?oh=0e5d8d90fb6bd1f07e3b31ed8300eef9&oe=54A013F2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10689714_383967625085401_2907997766373667077_n.jpg?oh=0e5d8d90fb6bd1f07e3b31ed8300eef9&oe=54A013F2" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dobby needs a mate.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10628410_383967671752063_2971606194241170147_n.jpg?oh=5402203b8f02f566c4cd2447dfd2010f&oe=548AC4C7&__gda__=1420107291_43ddb7c4208843fe321b482b7356d4b5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10628410_383967671752063_2971606194241170147_n.jpg?oh=5402203b8f02f566c4cd2447dfd2010f&oe=548AC4C7&__gda__=1420107291_43ddb7c4208843fe321b482b7356d4b5" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Herman wants you to know that being an only duck in a yard with two drakes can be very trying.<br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out Dobby's Indiegogo</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to see what you can do </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dobby-find-his-dream-duck/x/1222152" target="_blank">Help Dobby Find His Dream Duck</a>.<br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-88308957657391891632014-09-09T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-09T00:00:03.428-07:00Duck Wings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ducks are adorable</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but their wings are</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">magnificent</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw8trCg0jNk/VAsroM1HgtI/AAAAAAAAKgo/ub5HCpxp_lg/s1600/Ducky%2Bwings%2Bwide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw8trCg0jNk/VAsroM1HgtI/AAAAAAAAKgo/ub5HCpxp_lg/s1600/Ducky%2Bwings%2Bwide.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97jCUiq-D8k/VAsrn7Cn5lI/AAAAAAAAKgk/6jjgBZv8PwY/s1600/Drakes%2Bin%2Ba%2Bflap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97jCUiq-D8k/VAsrn7Cn5lI/AAAAAAAAKgk/6jjgBZv8PwY/s1600/Drakes%2Bin%2Ba%2Bflap.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wt5wCMhkOAE/VAsroCGa5eI/AAAAAAAAKgw/IFiKpM5k4hU/s1600/Duck%2Bwalking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wt5wCMhkOAE/VAsroCGa5eI/AAAAAAAAKgw/IFiKpM5k4hU/s1600/Duck%2Bwalking.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wt5wCMhkOAE/VAsroCGa5eI/AAAAAAAAKgw/IFiKpM5k4hU/s1600/Duck%2Bwalking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-79236893544448889742014-09-08T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-08T00:00:10.865-07:00Ella the Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ella the Cat has been living in our backyard for a couple months now.<br />We are hoping to find her an indoor home, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but she seems to take pleasure in tending the poultry.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the morning she greets me and leads the way to open the duck house.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At night she goes along to help close the door.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_qy8Bw8OS4/VAspW9MHe_I/AAAAAAAAKgU/n4i9QX9humA/s1600/cat%2Band%2Bduck%2Bmeeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_qy8Bw8OS4/VAspW9MHe_I/AAAAAAAAKgU/n4i9QX9humA/s1600/cat%2Band%2Bduck%2Bmeeting.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes I wonder what they might be talking about.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-38882480904908876222014-09-07T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-07T00:00:05.562-07:00Adorable Ducks<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you've raised chicks you know that chickens </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tend to go through an awkward adolescent stage. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ducks some how magically avoid that </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and are pretty much always cute. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10489671_893584087334647_3485138247936224328_n.jpg?oh=0b5a82e448913f3532efd8b8fef56265&oe=54684326&__gda__=1417138607_91e261c466e008854a3c0fb3beed570b" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10489671_893584087334647_3485138247936224328_n.jpg?oh=0b5a82e448913f3532efd8b8fef56265&oe=54684326&__gda__=1417138607_91e261c466e008854a3c0fb3beed570b" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dobby and Herman at four weeks</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-20746706343299480482014-09-06T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-06T00:00:00.461-07:00Little Drakes Growing Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10671433_937674866258902_1944787682078667616_n.jpg?oh=b9e53b51714540525617429403e658f1&oe=5474E2E4&__gda__=1416768604_e37d2c4d1af2a4b43d85b6a4f34ad4f5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10671433_937674866258902_1944787682078667616_n.jpg?oh=b9e53b51714540525617429403e658f1&oe=5474E2E4&__gda__=1416768604_e37d2c4d1af2a4b43d85b6a4f34ad4f5" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dobby at 15 weeks </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10273607_883640784995644_4297598003046957053_n.jpg?oh=e8e7eb275cba0d389ff5ff1d3eac025f&oe=54801BEA&__gda__=1416551808_9297c7d62b899a282f3b6fa2c2ad7cab" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10273607_883640784995644_4297598003046957053_n.jpg?oh=e8e7eb275cba0d389ff5ff1d3eac025f&oe=54801BEA&__gda__=1416551808_9297c7d62b899a282f3b6fa2c2ad7cab" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dobby at two weeks</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10354805_936392813053774_6518073234145856001_n.jpg?oh=2fb74731a1c5800d590255eeb518e4f7&oe=547C4E72&__gda__=1417156120_25d64086212c226f35123ff2a0fefc72" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10354805_936392813053774_6518073234145856001_n.jpg?oh=2fb74731a1c5800d590255eeb518e4f7&oe=547C4E72&__gda__=1417156120_25d64086212c226f35123ff2a0fefc72" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ducky Barnes at 15 weeks</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10402673_883640814995641_857950770366358904_n.jpg?oh=5bd1a7f849671af8bd32576ae6c4ac4d&oe=54703383&__gda__=1415733570_e03bcc32c5b9e06c13dd887ab35e14ae" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10402673_883640814995641_857950770366358904_n.jpg?oh=5bd1a7f849671af8bd32576ae6c4ac4d&oe=54703383&__gda__=1415733570_e03bcc32c5b9e06c13dd887ab35e14ae" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ducky Barnes at two weeks</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8181263093036815959.post-27937125349420024702014-09-05T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-05T00:00:13.036-07:00Herman the Cute!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Names have no gender, case in point, Herman the Duck.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She's possibly the cutest Herman you'll ever meet.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10360246_883640831662306_3986440645455391806_n.jpg?oh=53208997b7094f4ba08d28e2cbb1ad72&oe=5462DEDA&__gda__=1415345328_d4545895fdd41bfbf65782242260286d" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10360246_883640831662306_3986440645455391806_n.jpg?oh=53208997b7094f4ba08d28e2cbb1ad72&oe=5462DEDA&__gda__=1415345328_d4545895fdd41bfbf65782242260286d" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Herman at two weeks</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10410214_900432103316512_6523948873990508548_n.jpg?oh=68b4570c318a86f237beaaf13a50c04e&oe=547C3352&__gda__=1417438776_cc8d94d9c2f19123748fe1afff35c779" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10410214_900432103316512_6523948873990508548_n.jpg?oh=68b4570c318a86f237beaaf13a50c04e&oe=547C3352&__gda__=1417438776_cc8d94d9c2f19123748fe1afff35c779" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Herman at six weeks<br /><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0