by Bill Byrne | May 22, 2024 | Uncategorized
The early spring has accelerated the biological clock of many of the farm animals. The chickens, peacock, and turkeys are all parading around trying to impress the females of their species. In the case of our one peacock, which is a male, he has decided that our chickens and guineas must just be small peacocks, and so he spreads his feathers in an impressive display of beauty. When you spend time around the bird, you can easily understand the use of the phrase “proud as a peacock”, as they are not shy in showing off their natural attributes. If you get a chance when you come and visit the ranch, take the time to look closely at some of the peacock feathers in our office, or hopefully observe the birds themselves. There is tremendous beauty in the coloration and textures of their feathers, a beauty that makes one feel that they have seen a portion of God’s handiwork.
by Bill Byrne | May 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
“Guineas” are a type of fowl, similar to chickens but a little wilder and more independent. They are also called barnyard watchdogs because of the raucous noise they will make at any changes going on around them. Next to our peacocks people like them the best of all our “feathered friends”. They will greet you when you arrive, wait around and hope that you will feed them, and lacking that will run off together, always staying in a group. They range far and wide, up to a quarter mile or further away, and yet suffer few loses, because there will always be a several in the group who are “on guard” for any sign of harm to the flock. How those guards are picked is another mystery of nature, because they change thru-out the day. All of nature declares the necessity of the “group”, the us versus the them. The “self” is real and remains, but survives only in harmony with the “us”. Another reminder from God.
by Bill Byrne | May 1, 2024 | Uncategorized
Every winter I have the best of intentions and a long list of jobs around the ranch and the houses. However, I seem to cycle like the seasons, and have trouble getting motivated until the springtime arrives. At that time all the hustle and growth of the season inspires me also to start on the new projects for the ranch, to finish some of the old ones, and to do the maintenance necessary to keep everything running and in good shape. Of course the winter didn’t find me totally in hibernation, as all the animals still needed care and feeding, a much larger and time consuming job in cold weather. Through out all the physical demands of the ranch, we work hard at remembering that the ranch is people, not its physical buildings or projects. While wanting to put a “picture frame” around the beauty of Gods nature, we also want to be in the picture ourselves, be it nothing more than giving a smile or a chance to let kids feed the animals, or any other small interaction with the visitors who find themselves at the ranch.
