Sunday 20 June 2010

Through The Gate

Photos Copyright: Maggie May

The grass is greener, the saying goes, on the other side.
In this case everything was more yellow because while walking round Westonbirt Arboretum, my friend and I saw the lovely sight of buttercups through a gate. I had to go and look and thought the field of yellow was a feast to my eyes.


This week I am looking after my granddaughters again while my son, Sam, returns to Southampton to do another week of fieldwork and to take an exam at the end of the session. He seems to be getting on well with it and Granddad and I are only too happy to help him out in this way.
I might be busier than usual and will get back to commenting as often as possible.
I am hoping that we are both in a much better state of health this time.

Ash the rabbit has obviously grown but is still smallish. He is a willful adolescent now of 10 weeks and can jump quite high. He seems a contented animal and is very friendly and likes lots of company.
We have had to alter our lives a bit to fit in with him. He has a rabbit playpen and because of his tendency to rip up plastic tablecloths that I put on the floor, we have had to buy a large piece of vinyl floor covering to protect the carpet. Obviously he likes to dig, being a rabbit.

I keep finding a huge amount of large feathers in the garden from collared doves that have been plucked and eaten by something, so obviously I will not entertain the idea of Ash going outside. The culprit is probably the fox because those birds were rather big for them to be the victim of cats, but you never know.
Ash has learnt to use his toilet tray all the time for a wee and a fair amount of times for poops. I am pleased with his progress. I am also relieved that I didn't get the rescue rabbit now because it would have been impossible to train an adult one to use a tray.



All things work together for good....... Rom 9 v 28 NRSV

29 comments:

Irene said...

I love a field of buttercups, Maggie. Pretty pictures!

Have fun with your granddaughters and, as always, enjoy Ash and his antics. Great that he is using the "toilet" now. What a well trained rabbit.

Hugs!

Sueann said...

What a beautiful field. And how delightful to hear of Ash. I am so glad he is doing well and that you are pleased with him. He is so gorgeous!!
Enjoy your grands
Hugs
SueAnn

Anonymous said...

Ash sounds like great fun... I am sure your granddaughters will love playing with him too :0)

Rosaria Williams said...

Wow, a rabbit who uses a toilet tray! You are a genius, Maggie. Having your grandgirls will be both tiring and invigorating. Pace yourself; they can be a handful.

CiCi said...

We saw feathers under a tree in our yard recently, someone caught a bird. Your Ash is so cute, I look forward to seeing the pics as he grows. I hope you enjoy your time with the granddaughters.

Casdok said...

Wow what a fantastic field! Have fun with your granddaughters!

Expat mum said...

Glad he's settling down. Could you send him over here and I can use hm as an example of good behaviour for you-know-who.

Jackie said...

Enjoy those beautiful granddaughters, Maggie....
Gifs from God!
I love the buttercups in the field...and YES YES YES...puhleeeze keep Ash inside.
Love and hugs to you my friend.
Jackie

Jinksy said...

Our cat once presented me with a dead pigeon half as big again as she was herself, so don't write off cats as killers!
Hope your bunny doesn't get you hoppin' mad!! :)

larkswing said...

Beautiful field! I had two rabbits for my sons when they were younger, but the rabbits were older and I never could figure out how to train them to use a box. They were quite ornery actually. Glad you are having success! I think that is neat that people can house train rabbits :)

Anonymous said...

Buttercups are so vibrant aren't they. Amy always picks one and asks each dog if they butter!

Maggie, it's so good to see you so well. Coming here to read your blog is like a breath of fresh air and gives many people a lot of hope. You are a true inspiration.

CJ xx

Bernie said...

A field of buttercups....so pretty.
I am enjoying hearing about Ash, hope for more pictures soon.

I hope you and your granddaughters have a wonderful time together, should be fun.

Be well my friend, keeping you and Harry in my heart and prayers always......:-) Hugs

Eddie Bluelights said...

Beautiful field of buttercups - it looked decidedly brighter on the other side of the gate.

I did not know it was possible to toilet train a rabbit. Great that you can. Ash seems an adorable little chap - must come and see him and you when all this work is finished!! with the home improvements.
Hugs to big sis ~ Eddie

Jeni said...

Don't you just love how the buttercups do such a great job of brightening up the landscape? On my walks about the village and especially, down to the ghost town of Peale, there are places that have just scads of buttercups as well as lots and lots of daisies too. So pretty to see them alone or together!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy the buttercups while they bloom. Gorgeous!

Brian Miller said...

yikes! yeah, keep ash inside...glad to hear he is doing so well...potty trining and all. hope you have an amazing day!

Akelamalu said...

The field full of buttercups is a beautiful sight. :)

Glad to hear that Ash is getting trained. All the feathers in the garden are a worry, you're wise not to let Ash outside. Your grandchildren will spoil him rotten. ;)

Reasons said...

Ash sounds lovely, do we get pictures, perhaps I should browse back and see...

Great shot of the field Maggie, really breathtaking.

Enjoy the energetic company of your grandchildren and take care. x

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Ah, yes...all things do work together for good...even the seemingly small and simple things...isn't it a comfort? I'm so happy for you that you will be keeping your grandchildren again...and pray it will be a WONDERFUL time for all of you!!! And those Buttercups are simply stunning! Your posts are always so happy and uplifting! It is always such a pleasure to spend time with you, dear Maggie!!! Love, Janine XO

Rose said...

What lovely places you go for your walks, Maggie! The sea of buttercups looks so cheery.

I am impressed with Ash's toilet training--well done! Oh, and a reminder if you didn't know this: don't let him near any cords. I had to buy a new mouse for my computer after Buddy chewed through the cord:)

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

What a pretty picture that field of buttercups makes Maggie. I do love to see them and used to let them stay (some of them) in my garden. Lovely to have your grandchildren for a while but tiring for you. I expect they are very taken with Ash too. He is being a good bunny from the sound of it. A x

Marguerite said...

Lovely field of buttercups! Glad that Ash has adapted so well into your household. Enjoy your grands! Blessings, Marguerite

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Great weather for babysitting Maggie, have a good week.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Just here to say, "Love you, Maggie!" Big smiles to you today! ~Janine XO

Joanna Jenkins said...

A field of buttercups! I haven't seen one in years. What beautiful childhood memories that picture brought back. Thank you.
jj

Lakeland Jo said...

that is a fabulous picture.I found it very inspiring X

RNSANE said...

We had a rabbit once that had, apparently, been abandoned in a parking lot. A friend brought him to us and he lived about five years, growing to almost twenty pounds. He was so pretty but, as I am pretty allergic to rabbit fur, I had to content myself to just admiring him. If I held him in my arms, I'd get a rash, start sneezing and my eyes would water!!!!

Mimi said...

Maggie, I love these pictures! The girst one just beckons you to go through the gate, and the yellow colour in the second one is, indeed, a feast for they eyes.
Glad to hear that Ash is coming along- strange though it may seem, I was surprised that our rabbit loved to dig- I thought as a pet, he wouldn't have that gene, but it's obviously hard-wired in their persona.

Hilary said...

That gate photo is a beauty. I love hearing about Ash. I'll bet the kidlets will enjoy his antics.