Mrs. Dunn frets about weather but then let's go

 

I hope I'll see some of you at our October 7 event! I learned that you have to get to at least 5 day forecast before you really worry about weather report and actually 2 days out is the most accurate. Looks right now like a few 'sprinkles' at 'some point' in the day. Come on Universe can I catch a break this year with my timing?

But then I thought, no, we shall just have Plan B's in action-we have The Lovey Mobile ready, the barn will be open, and the trailer whicjh I might make into a Peso love hut and put Harry elsewhere so we can sit in trailer.

I still think the weather might just be fine, overcast and 65 and maybe a sprinkle but i am going to remian excited and optimistic.

The Teapot is ready for some girly stuff

 

Saturday, as in tomorrow June 17, is our Love Day here at the farm. I'm trying a new set up in the front gardens, rather than letting people parade around the farm and barns. That was then, this is now. We have a little paddock we built out front by the Lovey Hut/Gallery where The Teapot and Stink Cartwright will be. Stink will also be doing some Flower Power work, handing out English daisies. Harry the llama will be in his trailer for greetings and the Lovey Mobile will be open so people can sit in her and enjoy the views, look out at the goats and horses in the fields, and learn more about our farm and mission and what we hope the Lovey Mobile will become. Peso will be brought in too.

I'm happy The Teapot will be helping, especially since she is in charge and obviously provides a calm role model for little Stink. The Teapot had two little girls that loved her and took care of her, but as happens, they grew out of her and wanted 'real' horses and The Teapot got put on the back shelf. She also gained a lot of weight. So we took quite a bit off on her early months here. But I bring it up because when I groom her, or do her hair up all girly, I can tell she really likes it. It makes me think she remembers being the centre of the hearts of those little girls. So I like to do that for her-give her girly days.

I hope we get some visitors. When we did our first two open farm events pre-Covid, the turnout was great-it was in October. I'm wondering if I should have done it then. But, I wanted to get Stink out there and start working with Lovey mobile. Getting volunteers is getting harder and harder. Two of the four volunteers became ill, one with Covid, so I was able to snag a new one yesterday. I lost my most loyal volunteer, Polly, a year ago to cancer and I miss her a lot. She would have loved Stink, and Lovey! She was so loyal and enthusiastic to what we are doing. I hope she'll be with us tomorrow.

I've never had a 'bad' event. Somehow something magical always happens with the animals and it all works out. I hope tomorrow will be like that.

Mainly, I want it to be a positive experience for Stink, Teapot, Harry...and Peso the old donkey who I plan to bring in. And of course, we are looking for donations. This area has so much wealth, a lot. I have worked hard to get our work out there-by writing articles for the paper-and I feel I just haven't cracked the lid on that -yet. I do have some loyal larger donors and it is so helpful to the health of our farm. We appreciate small donations too! But the larger ones help provide a cushion. Still, I get donations for locals, often they read my articles and it makes me feel like someone is noticing. In the meantime, we go about our work!

So maybe I'll see some of you there!

Stinkin' good day

So I am feeling skinkin’ good because today I followed through with Plan B and brought Stink Cartwright out with The Teapot into the front paddock. Firstly, she was a calming influence even from the get go and even though Stink could hear Oliver squealing in the distance, he just kept walking and watching The Teapot my cues and not one squeal, not one head toss. He was his stinkin’ cute self. 

He was calm in the paddock as was she. The Teapot did let out one little bunny hop kick at Stink-but it was basically her saying, “Hey, you're short and cute, but not my type, but I’m happy to be in charge so just call me Auntie Teapot.” I left them in the paddock while I worked in the Lovey Mobile and gallery preparing for Saturday’s event. 

I am feeling relief because I thought, “Mrs. Dunn, are you going to have a wild pony show here or what?”. I knew The Teapot would be thrilled to get out and would not care one bit about leaving the barn. She’s on dry lot so the fact she got to eat three bites of grass was thrilling for her.

I also am really loving the vibe of the Lovey Mobile. 

I’m also going to bring Peso out. I’ll have him in the lower paddock, where I can easily retrieve him, and return him if gets tired. I think he will love the attention. Peso is a lover but when new people come into his paddock he often does a bunny hop away and then waits to sniff you out. I do think he has some sight/hearing issues, and his former family explained how the past home Peso lived as a youngster had a bull who would cause trouble and the farmer tossed things at the bull [and I guess Peso] so he might be upset to this day if someone tossed something. I haven’t seen that with him, but if he’s with me standing I think he will like the love. 

We had two of the four volunteers cancel due to illness and one of the remaining two is iffy since her husband is home on chemo. But I was able to snag someone today and Girl Friday and Martyn and me will be fine. The weather was good, then cloudy, then light rain, then no rain till 4, now its back to some drizzle but only .1” over 6 hours. For me, it is perfect as I don’t like heat! 

 It’s Love Day! Stink will have daisies! Harry will have His Haircut! The Teapot will get some beauty tips!

Love Day at Apifera Farm is Saturday June 17, 2023

Love Day will share our mission with you [helping old/needy animals but also sharing them with elders in the community for mutual love and healing], let you meet many of the animals, tour the garden, and also meet our new Lovey Mobile which will allow us to share more animal love around town. 

For the event, the Lovey Mobile will act as a pop-up shop and Katherine's art and illustrated books will be for sale. Pastor Char will do a blessing of the animals sometime during the event. Stink Cartright aka Stinkin' Cute Short Guy [pony] plans to also make his debut, as do the other ponies, and the old donkey Peso. And of course, Harry the llama!

 If you read the Lincoln County News, you might have read Katherine's monthly "Tails & Tales" column where she writes through the voices of the many characters on the farm. Pickles and Puddles the trouble making goats, Peso the old donkey, The Goose and others will be wandering in the paddocks.

Martyn Dunn is a landscaper and the event will be held in the front gardens.

 

Parking will be limited on the actual property, overflow parking will be on the road and there is ample area for that. 

 

PLEASE DO NOT BRING PETS. 

 

Children must be well chaperoned. Do not feed animals unless permission is given. 

 

Donations will gladly be accepted but the event is free as long as you bring and share love.