My holiday wish list is short this year. Gift certificates to my two favorite seed shops, a pot/pan holder to put in the kitchen above the old stove, a couple of ornaments for the tree (a goat and a goose), a gift certificate to a local greenhouse for us to get some fruit trees in the spring, gift cards to the local feed shop to help us with rabbit food expenses, and a credit at the vet under our account so we can afford to get Gypsy spayed as soon as she is old enough. I also added books on wild-crafting in Minnesota, and herbal remedies, since I know my mom likes to buy books as gifts (the gift of reading and education is great). Honestly, I'd be happy with a single gift. I hate when people over-buy and then I feel like a heel because I can only afford to give one gift per person (and then I have to be selective with who gets gifts).
Today I am especially thankful for family. I know there are folks out there missing loved ones this time of year. My mind wanders to the old schoolmate that died in February. This will be his family's first Thanksgiving since he's passed away. It's got to be a rough day for them. And there are so many more families just like them out there. The holidays can be a great time spent with family, or it can be heartbreaking to be reminded of the family that isn't there with us. I am so fortunate to still be surrounded by my loved ones this holiday season. I recognize the blessing, and I am grateful.
When we finally gave up searching, and brought the shelved kits back in for the night, #3 grabbed the bird identification book and found three predatory birds that winter in our area and are big enough to have taken a 6 pound rabbit. Two types of owl, and a hawk. We haven't seen or heard any of these in the area lately, but admittedly we try to spend as little time outside as possible once it starts to get cold. Aside from going out for chores twice a day, we tend to be inside if it's below freezing outside. It's possible something got her, but I can't imagine the other animals would be so calm. All birds are accounted for (three roosters and three hens in the coop, two roosters, four ducks, two guineas, and a goose in the bunny barn), and both kitties were seen safe and sound. Lady Mo is the only one missing.
We will go out tomorrow when it's light out to see if maybe we're missing something. Until then, I closed the coop up for the night, so if Lady Mo is alive and out there somewhere, she's on her own for the night. We will have to see what tomorrow brings.
Tony works open shift for Black Friday. He's got his alarm set for 3:45 am and needs to be out the door no later than 4:45am. He's looking at a 12-hour day, but most of it will be overtime, so it's not so bad.