The Peaceable Kingdom

Nov
5

Queen Clover with her royal court.
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Animals are a daily wonder to observe. Someone mentioned my farm being like a peaceable kingdom yesterday in the comments, and that is so true in many ways, even while there is some competition at times amongst them. There is head-butting between the goats. Some stomping from the donkeys. Chickens trying to beat each other out for a scrap of bread. There is not much funnier than a little hen running away with a piece of bread in her mouth with a bunch of chickens–and two or three goats and a donkey–chasing after her.






But, mostly, there is much love.

Goats snuggling up to take a nap.
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A rooster and a hen, side by side in the grass.
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And the ducks, oh the ducks!
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They cling to each other with an obsessive devotion. A few evenings ago, five of the ducks waddled into the chicken house for the night before realizing they’d lost one. She was in the goat yard and she was in such a panic, she couldn’t find her way out. Quacking. Desperately! The five ducks waddled back out of the chicken house, all astir. Quacking. Desperately! I ran into the goat yard and, perhaps due to her desperation, perhaps due to her wild panic, the lone duck let me pick her up and take her to her comrades. There was such jubilation. Such quacking! And they all ran into the chicken house together, their world set aright.

There are those, like Jack, who wish they could get more lovin’.
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And those, like Annabelle, who don’t know how to love the one they’re with.
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And those, like Jester, who don’t really want any lovin’ at all.
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We can’t forget the timeless love of Kitten and Little, of course.
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And Pocahontas will even put up with a chicken on her back.
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But her newest, greatest passion is for Coco.
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Well, perhaps the love is all on Poky’s part. The Giant Puppy isn’t sure how to deal with it.
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Poky drapes herself over her object of adoration.
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She nuzzles her huge lips all over Coco’s face.
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She chews on her ear.
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And chews on her ear.
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Coco tries to escape.
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Poky follows and she says….
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Let me go with you, Giant Puppy!
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Wherever you go, I will go.
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Wherever you live, I will live.
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Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
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Wherever you die, I will die, and that is where I will be buried. May the Lord’s worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!

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And Coco says….
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“Sheesh…..
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…. OKAY ALREADY!”

Comments

  1. Tina says:

    Too cute! I love the way that lil chicken was determined that no one was going to take her bread away from her! :chicken:

  2. Cindy says:

    This is the most lovely love story ever! I love your farm. And your animals. They make me smile! I am so happy that you share 🙂

  3. Janne says:

    You may have to change their names to Naomi and Ruth.
    Love your blog and read it almost daily – and have been voting for you every since I found out abou the competition.

  4. pamb says:

    ;;sigh;;

    Thank you!

  5. Patty says:

    Such a wonderful post. :hug: :happyflower:

  6. MissWiniW says:

    Oh my goodness, Poky and Coco = cutest couple fo the day 🙂

  7. trish robichaud says:

    i enjoyed the video clip.too funny! i raise dachshunds and there is always one in the bunch that saves thier treat only to tease the rest. i just voted and i was 16009. when is it over? the best of luck to you suzanne.

  8. Valerie says:

    Cute post! I love donkeys, have 5 of them, so this is just precious to me. My stud donkey, Hawthorne, makes a face just like Jack’s. Turns his head to the side looking pitiful, wanting a pat or a treat. OK, he want a treat usually! Alright, always! But I like to love him up when he does that forlorn look.

  9. KateS says:

    Awwww – to be loved like that….. :snoopy: :woof: :sheep:

  10. Tracey In Paradise Pa. says:

    Oh Suzanne!! What a wonderful kimgdom you have!! You are blessed!!
    :happyflower: :happyflower: :happyflower: :happyflower: :happyflower: :happyflower: :happyflower: :happyflower: :happyflower:

  11. Diane says:

    Love that the donkey and CoCo are the same size. No wonder that donkey loves Coco.

  12. mamawolf says:

    What a terrific start to my day. The animals are a joy in life. Love the chicken and her tenacity in hanging on to her piece of bread. Watched it twice just for the sheer enjoyment of it. When I voted this morning you were at 16076. Way to go. :fairy:

  13. carina says:

    I think i missed a day ( i only have computer at work m-th.) but…Who is’ Pokey???

  14. shirley says:

    That little red hen knows how to “git “er done” :chicken: That was hilarious!

  15. Jill from Spencer WV says:

    i have 8 chickens and it is so funny when one finds a worm and they all chase the chicken with it! :chicken:

  16. Chic says:

    That is just too darn cute….I hope when we get more animals they’ll get along like that. What a wonderful sight to see from your deck Suzanne…you’re a lucky girl. :hungry2:

  17. Lish says:

    Your blog is becoming an obsession of mine! It’s the first thing I read when I sit down at my desk! It now has its rightful standing over facebook. Can you believe that? I love your farm. I love your animals. Is there ever a “voyeurs” meet-up where all of us that peek into your life can come and see the Kingdom?? (=

  18. Rhonda Threlkeld says:

    What a fun place to live, and what a wonderful life for your animals. Thank you for sharing.

  19. Cecelia says:

    Today’s post is the best!! I love all of the pictures and your story is just wonderful. I will have a smile on my face all day thinking about your kingdom. 🙂

    Cece

  20. hermanle says:

    That video just made my morning–too funny!

    Thank you for all your great stories and pictures.

  21. Joycee says:

    Peaceable Kingdom? I’m saying Heaven on Earth!

  22. lizzie says:

    i am determined to own a donkey now, and i will dress up like coco and be snuggled and loved and obsessed over. lol!

  23. Janean says:

    For sure the funniest post! :happyflower:

  24. Linda in New Mexico says:

    Coco and Poky are so adorable. This morning I just had to show your blog to my Grandkids before they left for school. That may have been a boo boo on my part because my five year old has said Sheesh at least a billion times and hasn’t even gotten on the bus yet. Too funny. Just shows to go you that your humor amuses all ages, you’re the best. Linda in New Mexico

  25. Letha says:

    I want a minature donkey!!!! But is has to be just like Poky!!! She is so sweet!

  26. Lisa says:

    Thanks for my morning smile and even my morning giggle!

  27. Nancy in Iowa says:

    Oh, the chickens! The chickens! That hen did a great job of carrying the “torch” and staying ahead of the rest of the group. They were all so funny! And Pokey must think Coco is just a white miniature donkey, but with more hair!!! It must be wonderful to look out from the porch and see the interspecies love…

  28. Sashas says:

    Good Morning…

    I am so enjoying your blog, found out about it on another site..

    Anyhow, I made the Grandmother’s bread, using what I had on hand…

    2 cups whole wheat flour, and I needed about 6 1/2 cups unbleached white. Then I let the whole thing rest and to proof in the fridge overnight. I took out half of the recipe yesterday, and made a loaf and four buns…wow, is this ever great bread. This am, I just finished off some great toast, and ham & eggs.

    I am really enjoying your site….(I grew up on a farm)

    Thanks for all the great info, and tips that you most generously give out..

    Lynn

  29. Brenda says:

    Your litte donkey is just the cutest~love the innocent face!! I read your blog before leaving for work just to see the title of the post then when I get to work its the first thing I do when logging into my computer. Its become the highlight of my work day! :sun:
    Thanks so much for sharing your life on the farm with us.

    I voted today (and everyday since hearing about it)
    Brenda

  30. Ms E says:

    Oh my, those fur babies are beyond PRECIOUS!!! You’re at 16,000+ votes – woo hoo!!!

  31. Joanna Wilcox says:

    apparently, donkeys love to cuddle. At another site, they have two donkeys and you never see one without the other.

  32. Marty says:

    You need to write a cookbook. Pioneer Woman and Steamy Kitchen both have, now you need to do it too.

  33. lonestarqueen says:

    That’s the first time I have smiled all day. The post was adorable. Love that picture of Jack and the giant puppy and CoCo story is halarious. Thanks for sharing.

  34. catslady says:

    This is my favorite kind of blog :snoopy:

  35. Shirley says:

    The video is absolutely hilarious. One thing for sure, none of your animals have missed any meals. They are so fat and healthy looking.

  36. Miss Becky says:

    I just love you, your life, and your huge family. thank you so very much for sharing, that I may live it vicariously through your photos. it really gives my day a big push.

  37. Just B says:

    Suzanne,
    You do realize your top picture creates an image of a barnyard cross, right?
    -B

  38. Yvonne says:

    Great post Suzanne. I’m so excited about how far ahead you are in the contest! WIN! WIN! WIN!

  39. Monica says:

    I am curious….. Are the cookies you feed the animals “people cookies” or “animal cookies”? Jack and Coco are my favorite! :woof:

  40. mirela says:

    I voted for you (almost) every day! I am so happy to see that you are on top of the list!!!!

  41. Kathleen H from Indiana says:

    I had so much fun watching the chicken and bread. And Coco and Pokey are too cute. Thanks for your blog. I look forward to it every day. You are now over 17,000….way to go!!!! I haven’t missed a day.
    You are a definite winner! :woof:

  42. mary says:

    :happyflower: Ok, now I’m really upset! I thought the critters were fed only HOMEMADE treats!!Just kidding! Vote #17,100!! WIN< WOMAN, WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :devil2: :purpleflower: :snoopy: :sheep:

  43. Linda in San Diego says:

    I wish there were some way for us to tell them why we think you deserve the job. I, along with, many others, read your blog each morning as part of our morning routine because you do make us feel good. :happybutterfly:

  44. Spruce Hill says:

    That is the cutest thing I eve saw! :happyflower:

  45. auntbear says:

    way cool post ! Love that Jack the donkey picture. :happyflower:

  46. Nancy from Ohio says:

    I came upon your blog and have had a wonderful time wishing I was your neighbor. I am quite a bit behind the times we just got our first computer about 6 months ago. My husband has MS and so life has taken us on a detour we hadn’t intended to take. But my dream is to have a burro and a couple of pygmy goats to go with my other four legged kids. You put a smile on my face which is more difficult to do these days. And the chicken stories reminded me of my growing up in the country many years ago. I too had mean rooster, given to me as a cute, fluffy, white ,ball of fuzz from my well meaning sisters. His name was Hubert.God bless my dear friend and continue to do what you do so well.

  47. P.J. says:

    These are adorable animals and you tell such an adorable story–it really seems like the words absolutely fit the situation. Anyway, I love your writing and your pictures.

  48. Milica says:

    Wow… I love your blog, your way and your life. It’s amazing and so familiar to me. Most of all I mean on a farm life and all the joys it brings to the people who understand the beauty of it. Say HI to your lovely goats and all the rest inhabitants 🙂

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