GOODNIGHT, CHARLIE.

Partially out of skepticism, and partially out of denial, we wanted to wait a little while to write this post. Because our beloved Charlie cat, mother of Scooter and the best mouser this side of the Mississippi, is gone.Right before the big cold snap, but right after those ten inches of snow, we let Charlie out to do her business and she never returned. The next morning, in the bitter cold, I followed her tracks through the snow to the end of our road, but got too cold to follow them further. Then again that night, she didn't come back.We have theories on what happened––predators maybe, maybe she went on vacation––but the truth remains that Charlie is gone. She was a great cat. She was sweet towards Further and a truly proficient predator. In terms of work animals––mousing being important work around here––she was absolutely tops. We loved her and we will miss her. She was a hard worker and a member of the family. So here's to you, Charlie. We love you. We miss you. We hope you show back up with a litter of kitties, but if not, know neither we nor our farm will ever be the same without you.- Jesse.

BIRTH WITHOUT FEAR.

I was lucky enough to spend a long afternoon last week with Charlie, watching her deliver her kittens. It was really amazing to sit with her, rubbing her belly through her contractions as she purred and, after a few minutes, popped out her first little one. She speedily cleaned off the kitten (and ate the placenta!) before moving into a nearby basket to make a nest. Over the next few hours, two more kittens arrived, and a fourth came during the night.As strange as it may sound, this was a very empowering experience for me. Watching Charlie purr through her birth is an image I know I will be drawing upon come December. Charlie didn't read any books or take any breathing classes. She didn't have years worth of visuals to draw upon, images of what a birth is "supposed" to look like. Nobody ever told her what she was supposed to do. But she gave birth - and although I know it was a little bit uncomfortable at times - she was never afraid.Jesse and I are planning a homebirth for our own little. Our midwife, Tracey, also delivered all these other wild and wonderful Bugtussle children, so it only seems fitting. But more than that - we believe strongly in the midwifery model of care. Tracey says it like this...Medical care is fear based, and midwifery is faith based. I think that pregnancy and birth are natural and healthy, not medical conditions. I believe in my body and my midwives and my husband  and my faith to carry me through childbirth.I will also add that we are absolutely not against heading to the hospital, should the need arise! In fact, we are trying to be prepared for this possibility, just in case things don't turn out as we hope. But I have confidence in our birth plan, and I know that in her own small way, Charlie helped me to gain some of that confidence last week.- Hannah.

THIS & THAT.

Some random photos from the past week.The quince is in full bloom. Charlie is in heat right now....so....this has been happening a lot. Mow and Hannah hanging out in the woods.We may be off-the-grid, but our handy radio lets us keep up with our wildcats. GO BIG BLUE! Transplanting lettuce before the rain.

THIS & THAT.

Some random photos from the past week.Gomer is helping us to plow up the garden.The greenhouse is already overflowing with soil blocks!Spreading compost in the big gardens with Eric and Cher.Chicken party on the front lawn.Charlie keeps bringing baby bunnies to the house and I keep trying to save them by warming them up on the woodstove and feeding them milk from an eyedropper.