by Mark | Sep 25, 2010 | Setting Out
There are similarities
Ever since the research was released from the prestigious Science journal that the modern chicken is related to the fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex, I have been monitoring our rooster a little closer.
It would be easy to dismiss the findings if this were some fringe scientist trying to make headlines. But the research comes straight from one of the most respected organizations, The American Association for the Advancement of Science, which by the way was formed in 1848.
I guess if you listen to some of our fringier types, there were men walking around with the dinosaurs so we may find a record somewhere some day. But until then, I am going with the science guys and keeping a close eye on Tootles.
It’s not just their history that concerns me, it is their demeanor, their cock-a-doodle-do attitude, the talons, and the freaky beardy thing they wear about their chin and head.
Did you know they can fly? And we all know what that means, they could swoop out of tree for a blindside attack or just fly right into your face talons first. I know my imagination is getting the better of me but after reading the study, those thoughts are there.
Mr Tootles
Okay, Mr. Tootles and I get along pretty well. I feed him, close up the hen house to keep the fox away and even stand side by side as he feeds on the bugs scooped from the pool. I wouldn’t call us friends but he has not tried to assert his dominance, which I understand roosters are prone to do so we coexist nicely and I have to admit he is interesting to watch .
Whether or not you believe chickens and dinosaurs are related, when you are up close, you must at least consider the science.
by Mark | Sep 22, 2010 | Setting Out
As previously mentioned, we are enjoying our first caretaking (or house sitting, if you prefer) job here in rural Western North Carolina. We signed up for a two-month stint, which is ending October 2. We found this opportunity via the Internet in a listing posted on Caretaker Gazette. If you’re interested in house/pet sitting or caretaking, this site has published since 1983 and provides a great place to get started.
The variety of opportunities are pretty amazing. Some are as short as a week or two, making for a nice mini-vacation, while others provide long-term placement. Positions are available both domestically and internationally.
We are amazed when we hear back from advertisers about how many responses they receive, which just tells us that many people are interested in this somewhat esoteric but growing lifestyle.
For this position, we went through a series of get-to-know-you emails, a Skype call, providing references, and finally a personal visit with the owners to see if it was a good fit. While the latter is not always possible, we both felt better having taken that last step.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. It is unlikely that we would have ever spent an extended stay in rural North Carolina without becoming caretakers. We have wanted to explore North Carolina for quite some time and this opportunity to do so has been priceless.
by Mark | Sep 20, 2010 | All-Time Favorites, Setting Out
We have been house/pet sitting at a beautiful cabin home in Western North Carolina for the past 6 weeks. It is our first caretaking “job” and was found via the Internet. When we arrived, the household included two dogs, three cats, four roosters and a hen. More on that later…
Yesterday when many were tuning into NFL pigskin games, we had our own unique lineup. About midday while enjoying a typically quiet rural Sunday, we were startled to hear some cussin’ and swearin’ coming from the woods near the end of the drive. It sounded like a serious ruckus. Unnerved a bit, we slowly made our way down the drive to find the neighbors in a sweat with visible scratches.
Before we could ask if they rather be left alone, we noticed this humongous pig slowly and laboriously making its way toward us.
Jubilee introduces herself
Come to find out, the neighbors were trying their best to convince Jubilee to come home. From what we could tell, there really is no way to move a pig when it is rooting and having fun. The pig was having no part of their plan no matter how hard they prodded and/or cajoled. So after tempers cooled down a bit, wiser heads prevailed and the neighbors decided to go home and see if Jubilee would eventually follow.
Being unexpectedly left to babysit, we decided it would be best to ignore the pig and enjoy a beautiful September afternoon at the pool. Did I tell you the cabin has a pool?
View of the pool from the deck
You can guess what happened next. Jubilee seems to be a people person pig so sure enough just as we got comfortable, we heard an unfamiliar clamor and bizarre snort-like noises coming from behind. Not being pig people we were unnerved by being one-on-one with Jubilee. She did her best to put us at ease.
Jubilee making friends
Maybe if we had grown up around pigs or had picked up some knowledge about the potbellied pig along the way, this sight would not have been quite so stupefying. What we now know is that they are huge, have big hooves, are single-minded and may or may not have teeth. So sharing the pool with this beast seemed absurd on the one hand and inevitable on the other. Tootles the rooster was on hand to witness the scene.
Jubilee took to rooting and then seemed tired from all the commotion. What could we do — we got her a drink of water and shared the pool.
Jubilee taking a pause to refresh
Jubilee finally took up a spot on the cool cement to enjoy her Sunday afternoon. The neighbors tried one more time Sunday evening to coax Jubilee home. She decided a sleep-over was in order. The following morning we found Jubilee sleeping under a tree.
The neighbor came over with apples, grapes and pig goodies. Maybe we were not hospitable enough for the pig. She decided it was time to go home for breakfast.
Pigskin Sunday will never be the same.
