Dog. Barking.

.

.

I was still quite asleep.  I still need to be asleep.  I heard the barking.  It was very close, aggressive.  Out of bed, as fast as I could.  Dressed and downstairs.  It still probably took five minutes.  Out the door.  No dog.  The barking had just been for an instant.  The ducks were all in.  But, that they were all in tells me that, yes, there had been a threat.

Everyone looked good, no blood, feathers, or guts... that I could see.  Still, better safe than sorry.  It was just getting dark.  Usually they would just be near the hutch, not in it.  All good.  Safely, or as safely as possible, stowed for the night.  Can't see Herc at night.  He is mostly dark, with few flecks of white, mottled.  Invisible, almost, unless you have night eyes and a visual scent to go by.  He is nearly a thirty pound bird.  So, yea, well camoed.

Oh, but it hurt to wake.  I am still dead tired.  Rising so quickly, for defense, leaves me with a terrible headache, aches everywhere, and a harsh stomach ache.  I ate rightly, but too rightly and too well.  Can't go, yet, but it's brewing.  Which is why I hadn't been eating... digestion takes forever.  I'll... remember that with my next meals.  Smaller bites, fewer of them.  Oh... diced onions, in the casserole, too.  Yes indeed.  A regular rectangular pan will provide enough squares for two meals a week.  Cheese melted on top of some of it, as I warm it in the oven... on broiler if I want a cheese crust.

Now to settle, perhaps 'go', then get back to bed.  There is no way I am in shape to stay up.  Sleep!