Single White Duck and Farm Goodbyes

Last week a single duckling hatched under a chicken. I thought they were all chicken eggs. This big guy hatched- no others did from that clutch. My hens will not raise a duckling. So into our house it goes. It thinks I am its mama now. So I am looking for some siblings for it. Not an easy task around here as most are geese and chickens in these parts.

This guy will be raised outside soon with a foster older mama duck. It will not be easy to do. But if I can locate some siblings it will be a lot calmer raised as a duck and not a pet.

Yesterday I helped our farm neighbors host a farm moving sale. This was bitter sweet. He just retired from AC repair to raise cattle full time, but his wife has Alzheimers. He sold all 800 acres to another cattleman. But the house and all had to be sold as well. Everything liquidated for when she needs full time care.

It cost $5 grand a month to house a person in a nursing home here. But she is not ready for that yet. So they are moving into town in a smaller home near the hospital and the nursing home. Their adult children are supportive but the husband is stressed. This was not the plan they had for retirement. She was so full of life and now with the drugs she is a zombie. The stress of moving away from home, new home and selling off everything has her very anxious. But it has to be done. Everything sold except for a tiny table, a bed and some chairs. The farm house has become empty even down to the last barn kitten. 

These were our best friends here. They came over in a heartbeat to help with farm emergencies. They will be greatly missed. Alzheimers is a horrible disease. It is taking away the thing that make us who we are. Our personality, knowledge and experiences until we become a vegetable. I have seen over 6 people in my life die from this. Each one was different, from different walks of life from people born in 1930's-1950's men and women. What is lost in incalculable. So I listen to those I love. I pay attention to their stories, foods and music. So when they are down I can pull up a memory they connect with. We are so lucky to have portable computer/phones now. We can share photos, music and more instantly. And just for a moment, make someone engage with us once more.