"Tigger, A Dear Friend"

Howdy Folks,

 

We lost a dear friend and avid Coffee Clutcher yesterday ... Our sweet little Tigger crossed the rainbow bridge to frolic with her pal Sweetness.

 

Tigger and Sweetness loved laying on our bed together ...

Tigger loved the Coffee Clutch! Most mornings she'd beat me to the barn and either march about telling me it's time to sit with Kessy, or hop into my chair ahead of me and anxiously demand, with her squeaky meow, I sit. Once I'd settled she'd curl up tight on my lap. Only the coldest mornings found her unwilling to join us for our morning routine … For about the past month she'd been too weak to be part of the Coffee Clutch most mornings, then last week she began scarcely leaving the house. She did wander out on the warmest afternoons to lay with Kessy at her hay, she loved doing that, and Kessy loved it too.

Tigger was a Charter Member of The Coffee Clutch ...

Our daughter, Abbie, found Tigger roaming the streets of State College, PA a few days before graduating Penn State in '98. Knowing the tiny kitten had nowhere to go, she brought her along home. Abbie moved on to her first big gig pretty quickly, Tigger stayed with Ravishin' Robbie and me. I named her Tigger, because we almost always name our cats after Winnie The Pooh … and because she surely could bounce! And if you're a Pooh fan too, you know, "That's what Tiggers do!"

Ravishin' Robbie and Tigger were particularly close, and for many years Tigger seemed glued to her. Didn't matter much what Robbie was doing, Tigger would be there snuggling and supervising, either laying on her keyboard in the office, or on her kneepad in the garden. Ravishin' Robbie loves her walks in the woods, and Tigger never missed one of them. Some days they'd be gone for hours.

Over the years Tigger helped welcome and make feel at home several cats, dogs and horses. Her best friend for over ten years was Sweetness; who also came to us homeless. To some degree Sweetness stole Tigger from Robbie! Those two ate together, slept together and surely roamed the world together. Sometimes watching Tigger and Sweetness trot off into the woods made me think of the movie, "Homeward Bound." … The day we laid Sweetness to rest, Tigger came and sat with us as we wept.

Saturday and Tigger sunning together - just outside of this picture is Kessy, sunning with them ..

Tigger, like Saturday, adopted Kessy too. The three of them made quite the "2 acre wood roaming team." And Tigger not only loved our Coffee Clutch, but loved hanging out with Kessy. She'd lie on Kessy's hay inviting Kessy to eat around her. She'd rub on Kessy's face as Kessy munched her hay, and rub on her legs too. That bond got increasingly tight after Sweetness crossed the Rainbow Bridge last year. If we wanted to find Tigger, we looked for Kessy!

Kessy and Tigger taking in the sun together ...

Tigger loved evening TV time as much as I do, too. But for this Ravishin' Robbie was her first choice – whenever Robbie sat still enough for Tigger to settle in ... You know Robbie, always doing something!

 

Tigger always had a flare for adventure ... Here we are, (a lot of years ago,) when Tigger was first learning to ride, River, my strawberry roan TWH, who carried me the last years of my endurance riding adventures. Tigger did manage to master the saddle seat on the lunge line. I thought she sat River better than me!

We laid Tigger with Sweetness last evening, together they will romp the fields and woods again.

Ah, Tigger, you've been a great friend, brought us many smiles, warm laps – and leave us with sad hearts, but buckets of memories, too. Kessy will think of you as she munches hay and basks in the sun. Saturday and Miss Kitty will do their best to fill in taking care of Kessy and managing Coffee Clutch … Robbie will miss your gardening advice and walks ... It will be a long time before Coffee Clutch feels normal again ... Bless you, Tigger and say howdy to Sweetness for us.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Splendid Morning"

Howdy Folks,

Whippoorwills' calls drifted through our bedroom window rousing us even before the roosters began their morning crowing and cackling ritual. I chuckled when I surmised they'd decided to sleep in today but were awakened by competing Whippoorwills. From the bedroom window I can see the skyline begin to brighten behind tall trees, it hadn't yet.

Fumbling about I made coffee and got myself ready for Coffee Clutch with Kessy, the Whippoorwills encouraged me to get a move on, for a few more moments, then on cue, as the sky grew alive with color, they stopped. But the roosters were by then in full cadence. All 7 of them!

As I did my morning barn chores the Wrens who have nests in the chicken house accompanied me with a combination of scolding chatter and alternating flute like song.

Settled in my chair next to Kessy, Saturday at my feet, Tigger on my lap and Miss Kitty next to Saturday, I poured my first cup of steaming Folgers, gazed skyward and thanked God for a splendid morning. Something I do each morning, sun, rain, snow or wind. For isn't every morning splendid?

The Coffee Clutch Gang

 As Kessy munched the Wrens continued to sing, a hummingbird visited the feeder, and the Phoebes "chipped" as they darted here and there snaring insects to feed their nest bursting brood. Their nest is on a ledge in the rafters in Kessy's stall and those youngins are only days away from taking flight.

Doves and a Towhee joined the chickens at the scratch. A Yellow Warbler added his airy tune to the morning's glow. The woods around Kessy's barn are thick now with shining green leaves, giving a feeling of almost being swaddled in nature's beauty. Far distant in those thick woods a Wood Thrush's melody floated on crisp air, weaving between the thick leaves to surround the barn with the clearest notes of a most perfect background singer.

I hope you are having a splendid morning too!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"One Of Those Perfect Mornings"

Howdy Folks,

Still air, crisp and cold, but still and quiet greeted Saturday and me as we strode from house to barn. Kessy stood watching us, her breath steaming upward. She's funny in the morning, not much of an early riser. She will on occasion come right to me for a scratch and a hug, but she has her share of mornings when she'll stand back a few yards and watch all sleepy eyed and content. This was one of those mornings.

She stood about ten feet from the barn, and by the looks of the frost on the ground all around her, except for the circle of frost free dirt where she must have slept, she hadn't taken three steps yet. She watched patiently, well sleepily, as I went about the morning routine of calling the chickens and scattering their scratch (the Juncos beat the chickens in today), feeding Saturday and fetching her hay and 4 ounces of grain. When I called her and rattled the grain can, Kessy managed a stretch. One of those giant, legs way out in front, dip all the way down low with eyes clenched tight shut, followed with an entire body, dust flying shake, stretches.

Trying her best to, and pulling it off quiet well, look only mildly interested in me or breakfast, she strolled in a most dignified manner into the barn. She carried with her the air of a movie star walking down the red carpet in practiced steps making sure everyone had time to admire. I pretended to snap photos from every angle and called out, "Autographs … Autographs please!" She pretended not to notice, but I discerned a head tilt as if to say, "Yes, lovely aren't I?"

It was one of those mornings where Kessy could not be bothered with hugs … So I gave three. Big ones.

I settled into my chair next to Kessy, as she munched her hay, Saturday lay at my feet. The chickens had all come and gone. Juncos, Cardinals, Chickadees and Doves now controlled the chicken scratch. Oh and, Miss Kitty and Tigger had stayed in the house, too chilly I reckon. The train whistled far in the distance. It was one of those mornings I could even hear the rumble and clickity-clack.

It was one of those perfect mornings … We hope you have one too!

God Bless & Gitty Up.

Dutch Henry

"A two act play staring juncos, chickens, squirrels and Miss Kitty"

Howdy Folks,

He was darker than most, that proud junco. He sat on a twisted branch just a few feet above the hustle and bustle that is the morning gathering of chickens fussing about their scratch. I know that little junco was only waiting his turn but, from my perch in my very worn and tired chair beside Kessy as she munched hay, it sure looked like he was directing the circus beneath him. He moved only inches left to right as he searched for an opening among the chickens. The cracked corn and barley must be deliciously tempting, enticing him to risk all and dive right in amongst fowl ten times his size. But he decided to strategize a bit longer. Soon he seemed to bob and weave in time with the roosters beneath him!

With Tigger on my lap, Miss Kitty and Saturday at my feet, Kessy munching away, we took in the show. It's a normal routine each morning, and it always guarantees at least a chuckle, or three, as each morning someone will be the main character who stands out and steals the show. That little junco had the first act.

The second act we must give to Miss Kitty. As the scene opens most of the chickens have wandered away to begin their daily "search and devour" missions, leaving the spoils of cracked corn to Mr. Junco and his friends. Soon what had been a cast of domestic fowl was replaced with the sparkling choreography of juncos, cardinals, doves and chickadees.

Part of the second act was the squirrels, too. A few always show up and end too soon, the musical I've come to call "Twitter On The Litter." The squirrels really add nothing to the show, in fact they usually bring it to an end. And they did today.

Now apparently the actions of the interloping squirrels did not sit well with Miss Kitty. A few seconds after the squirrels took center stage, Miss Kitty stalked her way into the scene, stopping just on the far side of the waterer from a happy, corn chomping squirrel.

After a brief pause she charged, sending the terrified squirrel scampering up a tree … But Miss Kitty wasn't ready to give up the spotlight.

As Mr Squirrel leaped from branch to branch, tree to tree, Miss Kitty dashed trunk to trunk reaching as high as she could to claw on each trunk, ever driving the poor squirrel farther and farther away. 

Eventually satisfied, Miss Kitty turned, took a bow and gracefully accepted my applause for a great show. Now Dancing With The Stars it wasn't, but our little 2 act play was just perfect for a birthday present today!

Tigger missed the whole show deep in sleep on my lap. Saturday did wander over to see what all the dancing was about. Kessy? She enjoyed her hay. … We all send you wishes for a great day!

Gitty Up

Dutch & the Coffee Clutch Gang

Afternoon friends!! … Sorry I'm late today, but I had an important appointment this morning. I needed to leave just after Coffee Clutch, which was a perfectly cozy clutch today. The chickens scampering about scratching here and there, well after they woke up, Tigger purring on my lap, Saturday stretched out alongside my chair, and Kessy munching her soft hay.

The woods this morning were full of bird song. I think they were loving the crisp cool morning after yesterday's heavy rains. Seemed everyone wanted to be part of the tree top choir today. Several Cardinals were lead singers while Chipping Sparrows, a Towhee, a few Phoebes, Chickadees and an Ovenbird sang backup. Beautiful music to sip coffee in the barn to. But we had to depart before the final act.

The grass was still wet and cold as hooked up Kessy's trailer. Today was the day I was finally getting it inspected. YeeHa! It's a sturdy 2 horse, built in '86, and in great shape, needed inspection and a thorough going over as it had sat a while before I got it. We were scheduled to get it road worthy last month, but Kessy's Lyme treatment used up our budget!

I'm happy to report all repairs came in on budget. Needed brake work, a little wiring and bearings repacked, 2 of which needed replaced. Floor great, spring shackles all sound, and of course all the lights work now .. I've always been an advocate of having horse trailer bearings repacked once a year. Even the newer trailers. But happily we are ready to roll! Almost. Still need to replace the tires, while they have plenty of tread, they are very old and not safe for any kind of distance. But we can do short easy trips, and now we can get back to Kessy's trailer loading and traveling education. I had told her all about it at coffee this morning. I'm not sure she cared or not?

Kessy and I are headed out to play with her trailer a bit, loading and unloading, and perhaps even take a short ride. It's a beautiful afternoon here today, and we'll have a lot of fun with it!

Have a great evening!