Rest in Peace Willie Will

Our young man Will passed on yesterday at almost 16 years old. 

The Husband and Lester found this little 2-lb kitten out under one of the apple trees back in 2008, a whole year before we started building the house. I was vacuuming and cleaning up the Dump when they showed up at the door with a bag full of apples and a tiny hungry kitty.

As we were ready to get back on the road to New Jersey, we didn't really have anything to feed him, so I gave him a piece of leftover chicken from the cooler. He thanked me by biting my finger. 

Will travelled from NY to NJ and back to NY again when we moved in 2010. He was a companion to Lester, Dave, Sophie, Woody, Monkey and Cyrus—in that order—I think.

Monkey and Will spent the most time together and were probably bonded the most, although Monkey had to divide his time between Will and his buddy Woody.

The Monkey is missing both of his boys almost as much as we are.

Goats, Midnights and Starlights

The goats came out for a visit on this sunny day. The recent wet weather has been keeping them in the barn to avoid the mud.

And while we are talking about something other than ornery dogs—I made a run up to Tractor Supply when I heard they had something other than the usual chicken breeds.

Midnight Marans lay a dark brown egg, and the Starlight Green Eggers supposedly lay an olive green egg.

My previous experience with Green Eggers (a different kind) produced not a single green egg, but

I really don't care all that much what color they are.

Aunt Mabel's sofa

For a change of pace (and because Jessie is doing so well these past few days) we are offering some red clouds over the old homestead at sunset tonight, and the sofa story.

Our favorite Pottery Barn sofa was battered by years of wear and tear. I have been looking to buy a new one since this one lasted a good 18 or so years of abuse (see below), but the new ones are about $3,000.

So when a friend of ours posted her Aunt Mabel's sofa on Facebook, I jumped on it. Not literally.

It is a bit flowery in competition with the rug, and several inches shorter, but very well made and very comfortable.

We'll see how it works out.

Janet says Aunt Mabel would not be horrified by the presence of (sometimes) obnoxious children on her beautiful sofa.