I knew Old Man Winter was coming. Last week meteorologists were predicting that he would travel through the Midwest and dip down into the southern states, arriving just in time for the weekend. Tapping into the resilient ways of my northern upbringing, I was prepared. FD and I had stocked up on deer feed, bird … More The Arrival of Old Man Winter
I have become a bit spoiled this summer, by seeing Daisy deer and her fawn, Spirit, just about every day. Often, before daylight each morning, I will catch two pairs of green eyes reflecting in the flashlight beam as I scan the grounds before letting the dogs out to do their morning business. Our girls … More Mutual Grooming
“Love is the flower of life, and blossoms unexpectedly and without law, and must be plucked where it is found, and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration.” D.H. Lawrence Spirit investigates the petunias. © Day by Day the Farm Girl Way…
I was up early this morning, hoping to tackle the chores I needed done before the scorching sun became too intense. I spent most of yesterday mowing – five hours on the zero turn, and another hour doing some push mowing. So today, I only needed to finish up mowing around trees and shrubs with … More Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
I had hoped for an early snowfall this winter. Like all mothers, I wanted to be around to photograph Daisy’s first snow. I wanted to observe her watching snowflakes fall for the first time. I hoped for photographs of her with snow on her head, and little snow crystals alighting her long lashes. I wanted to … More A Fawn’s First Snow…
Yesterday held all of the promise of being a banner release day for Daisy and Holly deer. Deer hunting season was finally over. The weatherman had predicted a warm start of 50 degrees in the morning, with rising temperatures to near 70 by afternoon. Of course, the Oklahoma wind had to throw a screwball into … More Run to be wild, my love…
In just a little while, FD and I will make our last run to the deer pen with the evening apple snack. Since early in July, we have practiced this ritual around 5:30 each evening. Initially, it was Daisy’s evening bottle but, after weaning, it became apple chunks. It was always a special time of … More Just One More Day…
When I was a child, a rainy day was always an unexpected pleasure. We would beg Mom to let us play outdoors, and after much nagging, she would usually give in. We would then don our red, rubber boots and run outside, tromping through the puddles. As the water receded, the thick, gooey, black mud … More Dance of the Swamp Donkey!
Looking out the window this morning I saw Daisy and Holly pacing the fence, puffs of steam billowing from their noses. It was mighty cold last night with temps dipping below the freezing point. The deer seem to flourish in the cooler temps. Thick coats protect them from the elements. Winter hair is hollow, filled … More Lazy Days with Daisy Deer
When I applied for my rehabilitation permit with the State of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, I was finally laying down the legal groundwork for the care of wild orphans. Over a ten-year period, FD and I have taken in numerous birds and small mammals. Each time I was a little nervous about having a … More Real Deer Rehabilitation
Early on in the raising of Daisy deer, I did not think much about my role as the mother figure. Our little orphan needed someone to care for her and I was here all day. FD and I had raised many orphaned birds and a squirrel, so I knew this would be another learning experience … More Being a Deer Mother…
Day by Day the Farm Girl Way... 