The kiddos got to have playday. The cousins visited, and got a taste of the off-grid country-kid life. They found a few things challenging to get their minds around — “you don’t have running water? Like at all?” “Sure we do. The pump is over there. If you want running water, carry the jugs faster. It can ‘run’ as fast as you can.”

“It smells bad in here” (the ‘here ‘ in question being the animal part of the barn.) “It’s a barn, kiddo. Animals poop here. What were you expecting? We’ll be cleaning it out today. Want to help shovel?” “No thank you. I dont want to touch poop with a shovel”

“Is there a bathroom in here?” “Yep, right in there.” “Where?” “Right there, six inches to your left. That bucket.” “How do I use it?” “Like a toilet. Open it, sit or stand, and do your thing. Woodchips are right there if you do something stinky.” “You dont have a toilet?” “If you mean a flush toilet, nope. We don’t poop in drinkable water here.”

They walked the goats for fresh browse, built a snowman, tackled each other into the snow, and basically made a heckuvalot of noise. But they had fun. Cousin 2 took a stab at spreading new bedding for the goats (AFTER the poop was already shovelled out).

Mom played bodyguard while I mucked the chickens out. Chocobo the Roo is ‘spring fever’ing to the point we may well have to eat him. He’s been a good boy for the last couple years, but right now he is determined to be a butthead. I do not keep nasty birds. I have some prety severe rooster- based trauma memories and I just won’t do it. There are too many nice birds out there who end up freezer camped simply because they are unable to be homed to keep a nasty roo. I’ll give him a month or so. Let the major spring mating season calm down. Either he settles himself down or we replace him. Choq au vin, dude.

All in all, a good day. My kiddos crashed hard and fast tonight. A bit of whiney-complainey, but alseep almost as soon as the covers were drawn up.