10 11, 2023

Flexibility

By judythemorgan|2023-11-09T08:56:06-06:00November 10th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Honor likes to sleep on my lap when I am sitting at my desk. At first, she could curl up and fit easily. As she has grown, it has become more of a challenge.

Last week, I looked down and she had put her back leg over her nose to make herself into a smaller ball. I was impressed with her flexibility.

We have a Veterans Day program at school this week and then we start work on Christmas music. Between now and the end of the semester, things are pretty chaotic.

I think I need to print out this picture of honor and post it in my room to remind me to be flexible.

21 02, 2020

TMEA Music Convention Purchases

By judythemorgan|2020-02-20T21:10:39-06:00February 21st, 2020|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|2 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I had an absolutely fantastic time at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention last weekend. I attended nine different workshops where I was inspired, encouraged, educated and reminded why I teach music.

Then there was the exhibit hall. Every imaginable music related business was there. I worked very hard to stay focused and only purchase useful items.

For example, I found googly eye rings. Given my love of googly eyes https://judythewriter.com/googly-eyes/ this was an absolute necessity.

Then there was the dachshund slide whistle. What self-respecting, dachshund-loving music teacher could resist such a useful instrument.

Of course I also purchased books, rhythm sticks and egg shakers. Overall it was a very successful time at the exhibit hall.

Next week I’ll share some of the songs I learned. Hint, hint – they are about something else near and dear to my heart J

26 07, 2019

Lost and Found

By judythemorgan|2019-07-23T08:04:43-05:00July 26th, 2019|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

One of the chicks I brought home from school disappeared last week. I looked everywhere and didn’t find nary a feather. I was concerned mostly because I was afraid the kids at school would ask about the chicks and I would have to confess to losing one.

The other morning Max was very intently looking at the pen where the chicks had been staying with the rooster. He started growling and I figured there must be something there.

I hesitantly entered the coop fearful that I would encounter a snake. I saw a bunch of white feathers under the coop and realized they were attached to a bird.

I carefully lifted the coop, thinking the bird was surely dead. I was wrong. The poor chick wiggled out from under the coop and stumbled over to the water.

I was pleasantly surprised. I kept an eye on it and made sure there was plenty of water and food. It seems to be none the worse for the experience.

I’m glad Max was insistent. He gets credit for saving a chicken. He only needs to rescue 6 more to replace all the chickens Bella has caught over the years.

And now I can honestly report that all the chicks are doing well.

31 05, 2019

Circle Dogs

By judythemorgan|2019-05-29T21:00:32-05:00May 31st, 2019|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

My collection of children’s books includes one with the title “Circle Dogs.”It begins “In the big, square house live the two circle dogs” then goes on to trace a day in the life of two dachshunds repeating this line at the end.

I could write a similar book.I would have to change the first line to “In the not-so-big square house live the six circle dogs.”

1 02, 2019

A Dog and His Raccoon

By judythemorgan|2019-01-28T07:53:02-06:00February 1st, 2019|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Tucker (first of our six dachshunds) loves toys, especially if they squeak. He has been known to pull the squeaker out of a toy in 5 minutes flat.

Rachel made it her mission to find a squeaky toy that can outlast Tucker. It looks like she has succeeded: Meet Raccoon-

Raccoon actually has two squeakers – one in the middle and one in the tail. Both are still working which can get annoying first thing in the morning.

Raccoon regularly goes outside with Tucker. He likes for someone to throw the toy but it doesn’t really go far.

Sometimes he leaves Raccoon outside and it rains and Raccoon has to get a bath. Tucker is quite distressed to be without Raccoon, so Rachel has several back-up squeaky toys that help distract him.

Tucker is always happy to see Raccoon again. He really didn’t understand why it had to be clean.

Now when he comes in without Raccoon we tell him “Go get your toy” and he goes back out to find it.

After all, a dog needs to have his raccoon with him at all times.

8 12, 2017

An Early Gift

By judythemorgan|2017-12-07T08:26:40-06:00December 8th, 2017|Friday on the Miller Farm, Holidays, Miller Farm Friday|4 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

One of the nice things about living in one place for a long time is maintaining friendships.

My friend Greta and I have known each other since our oldest children were in elementary school. These “kids” are now 24. We have laughed and cried together many times. We still do.

Greta has gotten chickens from us and supplies fruit and vegetable scraps to both flocks. I bring surplus food to her from the volunteer work I do.

Last Saturday, upon returning from an early morning meeting, I discovered that Greta had dropped off a bag but not for the chickens.

It was a gift bag and in it were two pair of slippers – one for me and one for Rachel. They are wonderful!I love the slippers especially now that the weather has turned cold. However, I value the gift of friendship most of all.

1 12, 2017

Full Up at Miller Farm Inn

By judythemorgan|2017-11-29T14:38:26-06:00December 1st, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|2 Comments

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

A fellow teacher at my school shares our love of dachshunds. Not quite as much as we do – she only has one. Her dog’s name is Elvis and he is not fond of being put in a kennel. His mom asked if he could possibly stay with us when they went out of town. He came for a play date and everyone seemed to get along so it was settled.

Elvis came to stay over the Thanksgiving Holiday. He arrived on Tuesday and seemed to be excited to join our 6 pack at Miller Farm.

Then Beekeeper Brian got a text from Miller’s mom. He needed a place to hang out also. Had Brian not said anything, I might not have noticed. After all what’s one more dachshund.

Miller arrived on Wednesday bringing our total to 8 dachshunds. It went remarkably well.

I decided to do an intermittent mop of the kitchen floor. I put everyone in the back yard but they began to bark so I brought them back in. A neighbor who works nights has asked us to try to keep them quiet during the day. That seems reasonable even if it is difficult.

So I put them all in the living room so I could mop the kitchen without help. They didn’t mind that at all. In fact they all climbed on the couch for a nap. Elvis and Miller, the two black and tans, nearly blend into the sofa in the top right corner.

Rachel missed out on all the fun. She was pet sitting for a couple who have 3 Great Danes.

She sent this picture with the largest who weighs in at 180 pounds. I think I’ll stick to large numbers of small dogs rather than small numbers of large dogs.

16 10, 2017

German words in our English Language

By judythemorgan|2017-10-06T08:57:05-05:00October 16th, 2017|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

My ancestry contains German DNA. That’s why I enjoyed this infographic by Jennifer Frost at GrammarCheck.

Some of the words like daschshund, lager, and frankfurter I recognized. Others were a surprise.

Check the list below and see how many you recognize.

Source: www.grammarcheck.net

16 06, 2017

Natural Habitat

By judythemorgan|2017-06-10T12:19:14-05:00June 16th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|2 Comments

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

It is interesting how each of our six dachshunds has their own personality. Add Miller, the one we keep when his owner is out of town and we have general chaos.

I tried to get a picture of all seven on the couch and planned to name them after the seven dwarves. Even with Rachel’s help, I gave up.I have all new respect for photographers who work with animals.

Our dogs are much happier in their natural habitats.

For Penelope that is in the chair on the back patio. I think she considers it her throne. I call her Princess Penelope after a book by that name.

I bought it for Rachel.

Sadie likes to sit on the window ledge and watch lizards. She has been known to slip off and get stuck.

Bella prefers to watch the chickens.

Tucker, Max, and Coco have not chosen a particular place but rather prefer to be with a person. Max and Tucker are partial to Brian and Coco is my baby.

When people first meet all our dogs they ask “How can you tell them apart?”

I suppose they are similar in appearance but their personalities are completely different.

12 08, 2016

Welcoming Committee

By judythemorgan|2016-08-01T14:56:31-05:00August 12th, 2016|Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

In the summer, I go to the pool a little later to swim. This means it is light when I come home. I don’t mind so much in the summer. Walking from the car to the house in my swimsuit and cover up makes sense. In the winter, however, when I am wearing my pink fuzzy robe over my suit, I am glad it is still dark when I get home.

Because it is light, the puppies are up. They don’t know how to sleep late.

Brian and Rachel put them outside and they are watching for me to get home. They are usually sitting at the gate while I hang up my towel. This morning, Penny was overcome with the temptation to jump on her brother.

They are quite the pair. They chase each other all around the kitchen until we put them outside where they have much more room to run. And they do run. And run and run and run.

Until they collapse.