Tuesday, June 4 - WE DID IT! GAZEBO COMPLETION! & ANIMAL TOUR!!

 Today began with another breakfast of champions!  Stepping up to introduce the meal in Gordon Ramsey style was Master Chef Caleb Cuthbertson, it included: delectable cereals, scrumptious yogurts, divine eggs & sensational salsas.  And of course the adults are ever grateful for the opportunity to begin our days with a variety of options from the Keurig machine every morning for a strong start to the day!

Following breakfast we returned to The Old Poor Farm and finished the Gazebo! We were happy to bring this project to a successful completion.  The finishing details included; rain guttering, ridge caps & cupola.  We then carried Cathy’s new picnic tables down the steep hill to their new home in the cool shade overlooking the beautiful Nebraska cornfield and blue sky horizon that seemed to stretch on forever.  As we wrapped up we noticed the pheasants were slipping into their safe harbors inside the barn and we learned this is one of the old farm weather indicators marking that rain is on the way.

Pizza Lunch was generously provided by Cathy under the shade of the newly minted space and we had time to relish in our good work.

The entire group was treated to a tour of the Old Poor Farm, we learned the farm is zoned as a petting zoo to allow accommodations for more rescue animals.  Caleb, Corbin & Zack gathered farm fresh eggs which went calmly at first until the hens became agitated.  They made a quick exit with a dozen still warm eggs for tomorrow's breakfast. The animal tour consisted quite the collection of creatures including; a prematurely born blind calf, a rescue pot belly pig, blue & white peacocks in full regalia, carrier pigeons, donkeys, geese, a grey fox (Russian blue), Ricky the albino raccoon, an alpaca and a room with late 19^th century artifacts.

We picked rhubarb and Egyptian onions. We observed beautiful native catalpa flowers that reminded us of irises and orchids.

One of our favorite parts was visiting all the many animals that Cathy has rescued over the past 2 decades.  Many of these animals were pets that people took on before realizing how much work they'd be and then abandon. Others were farm animals with birth defects or could no longer work so owners surrendered them. They included those listed earlier plus abandoned rabbits, over a dozen blue-white blend peacocks, Chinese pheasants, chickens, donkeys, dogs, ducks, geese, homing pigeons, bull snakes, garter snakes, miniature horses, kittens, and a cow named Bubbles.

Everyone enjoyed seeing the animals frolic and play. One of the funniest sites was watching the fainting goats attempt to make one another pass out with a quick flick of the head or twist of the hips. 

Before leaving the farm we all laid our hands on Cathy and prayed over her. We gave thanks to God for her calling to the work at the farm, the way she is educating people, the way she cares for all creatures great and small, especially the outcast ones, and that God would continue to bless her as the beacon of hope she is for people and the rest of creation. 

     This evening the dinner team went with Tacooooo Tuuuuuesday! It is always a crowd favorite so the expectations are high. Gene, Melanie, Cora, and Jinhee's meal did not disappoint and bowls were licked clean.

A   After dinner Pastor Tyler, Caleb, Anna, Zack, and Cora introduced Barb to a new version of the card game Golf. They expected it would take time for her to catch on. Turns out she's a natural and thoroughly trounced them with a ending with a score 2 under par. 

Melanie, Tyler and Rob processed the rhubarb, Melanie made it into a delicious strawberry-rhubarb crumble dessert utilizing the crop that Anna, Corbin, Zack and Caleb had we'd freshly harvested. It was enjoyed by all as a special treat during devotions.

All in all it was a truly great day!