Neither the chickens nor Cat will make the move. At least for a few months, we’ll be between Texas and Missouri. We aren’t going to sell our place right away. I don’t see us ever deciding to move back to Texas. Stop laughing! After all the begging and pleading I had to do to get Vince to move back to MO, no . . we won’t move back to Texas. Ideally, at some point, we’ll find a little hobby farm type place, maybe on a stream (because there are lots of those in southern MO) and have a weekend place where we can go to fish, maybe have a little garden, have a small camp type house but even there, if we weren’t living there full time, we wouldn’t have chickens but, as you can see, we’re pretty unsettled about out future plans. I suppose we need to look at our ages and cool our jets! 🙂
The Chickens:
I know I’m going to miss having chickens but I’m also not going to miss having to put up with them. We’ve had them probably 13 years now. At least for a while, we want to be free of so many responsibilities. Even with the automatic doors, we can’t be gone more than a day or so. This time of year, when it’s so hot, we refill their water containers several times a day with cold water but even if they had warm water that sat out in 110+ temps, they can turn it over or one of the watering containers could leak and run dry. We keep multiple water containers for them but still . . having chickens that are pets requires more commitment than we have to give right now.
Cat:
If I thought there was any way I could tame that cat enough to let her be an inside cat, I’d do it in a heartbeat but I don’t think that is ever going to happen, certainly not in the amount of time I have here before we leave, even if it’s not a full time move just yet.
I haven’t asked but the lady taking my chickens might also take Cat. Otherwise, there’s a lady not far from here that would take her, but I’m just guessing she’d still come back to our house til she realizes there’s no one coming out every morning to feed her. We have a food container that will dispense food at a certain time each day and I think I can put 14 days worth of food in it. I’m sure a mountain lion or something could get into it though.
We’re going to have to put more thought into what happens to Cat, but I don’t think she can come with us.
Boots:
Boots, of course, will come. I’ve been asking Vince to let me bring him into the house for a long time. I think Boots is going to struggle with the adjustment. He doesn’t adapt to changes but maybe that’s just how cats are. He is not going to be allowed in the kitchen. I couldn’t handle cat hair in their nor could I deal with a cat on the countertops. My guess is that he’ll find himself a nice window seat in the basement and claim that as his area.
There is no door to close off the basement, nor is there a door to close off what will be the sewing room so he will pretty much have the run of the place but I’m not concerned about him. He’s so sweet and we’ll work through any issues we have with him becoming a Missouri house cat.
Rita:
I’m sure no one is even wondering about Rita. She will come. We’ve found a little “fence” contraption (not like a baby gate) that we will order to keep her from falling down the stairs. As long as we’re close and she has her bed, she’ll be fine. It will take a while for her to adjust to her new surroundings but we’ll be there to help her.
Sara Fridley says
Once you are settled in you can always get just a few chickens if the location allows it and you miss them too much. My guess is you will spend more time gardening in a more “hospitable” environment and not miss your chicken chores.
Elle says
I like this general rule of thumb: when adjusting to a big change, don’t add anything back on for 1 year. Then I’ll know if I genuinely miss it!
Nelle Coursey says
I think things are coming together nicely for you. I bet you don’t have a problem finding Cat a place to stay. Especially if they have a barn.
Cheryl Lorence says
I so enjoy following along on your moving, not moving, moving, not moving life! I will admit I laughed out loud when I read that you so quickly found and are buying this house!! I figured it would eventually happen. The draw of being close to family and especially grandkids is just a very strong pull. I speak from experience on that.
I don’t envy you the packing and moving process. Ours five years ago (lots of fabric, a longarm, etc) is still pretty fresh in my mind. I’ll be anxious to find out where in southern MO you have landed since that’s the area I grew up and lived most of my life until 1990. I Pray a smooth transition for you. It’s amazing how God works all these things out!
Susan Nixon says
I wondered about that open area to the downstairs. I’m glad you’ve already found a solution. I’m sorry for Cat, though.
Rebecca in SoCal says
I was thinking about your animals today, wondering if “re-homing” Cat before you leave would be good. There is a likelihood she will return. If you’re still there, you could (maybe) return her to her new home, but she will probably get savvier each time you trap her. Plus she would stick around if you did! Hmm. A place that’s kind of close might work, like you said, once she realizes no-one’s going to feed her! If only she doesn’t have to cross a highway!
A barrier for Rita is a good idea. I was thinking that you might restrict her area until she learns each room, but she does like to be with you! Still, I think introducing her to the fewest rooms possible might ease the transition.
Decisions, decisions!
Judy Laquidara says
She doesn’t wander for from us. Here, she sits on her bed in the living room if we’re in here, she goes into the kitchen for her food/water but she never goes off down the all or to our bedroom. I want to be sure she can’t fit through the spindles around the stair opening. I’ll probably keep her food/water just inside the breakfast room or maybe even the sunroom so she only has to learn her way from the family room to the sunroom. Downstairs, she’ll have water but she’ll probably want to be familiar with the sewing room and the basement family room.
We’ve taken her several times to my uncle’s house and to his lakehouse and she always seems to remember her way around after having been there once.