The Witch’s Haven

03/26/2024

As a retired US Navy Sailor and Secret Squirrel, I will personally fight everyone who wants to spin the absolute tragedy the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is into some racism-fueled terrorist plot conspiracy theory.

I am willing to bet solid money that the issue is due to deferred maintenance because of scheduling. The pressure on our shippers is unreasonable, and maintenance ALWAYS is an issue on ships. (Always. Fight me.)

Additionally, ships hitting things is not uncommon. I will forever talk s**t about the USS McCampbell’s tendency to play bumper cars. Thankfully, accidents with this level of impact and collateral are rare, but that doesn’t mean lesser accidents are not occurring more regularly than you’re aware of.

This incident is a tragedy. I live here. I drove that bridge multiple times a week and sometimes multiple times a day. I can see the remaining incomplete span jutting into the air from my current job site. I have friends and colleagues working on rescue, cleanup, and disaster response. My professional field will be heavily involved in every aspect of rebuilding, assessing any other at risk structures, and retrofitting anywhere that needs it.

This is my home. We are shocked and grieving. Racism and conspiracy theories are not welcome and will not support us.

Photo taken by me from my job site; apologies for the low quality.

06/13/2020

A morning at The Haven:

Wake up. Decide awake is gross. Snuggle back into bed. Killian snuggles closer and resumes snoring.

Xander jumps on me and gets tentacled under the blankets for cuddles. The rumble of his purr almost drowns out Tessa fussing at the door to be let downstairs. Almost.

Damnit I need to p*e. I yell at Tessa that I’m coming and slowly disentangle myself from cats, dogs, and sheets. I shuffle to open the upstairs door, turning on fish tank lights and greeting cats as I go. Tessa rocket launches herself down the last few steps, almost taking me out in the process. She, Killian, Xander, and Misty all race outside. Killian and I argue through the storm door because he wants me to come outside and I am pretty set on p*eing first. I turn on the last fish tank light (three tanks total), the Keurig, refill the water tank for the Keurig, and finally get to go p*e. The cats have apparently decided to wrestle the bathroom mats, because they’re all balled up. I’ll fix that later, maybe.

The Mollies get their first meal of the day. The male betta is still sulking, but after I chase him out of his favorite upside down hiding spot, he eats a couple pellets when he thinks I’m not looking. I make a mental note to check his water again, because the pH has been runnning low. The female betta does happy zoomies as soon as she sees me coming. Gods, I love the personalities of these fishes.

Slippers off. Sloggers on. Let Tessa in as I head outside. Check the Koi pond as I walk by. Get screeched at by ducks for release from their run, but no, today is chicken free range day. Sorry babes.

Sander is a bouncy ball of excitement. MOMOMOMOMOM LOVE MEEEEEEE. GAH. No tackle dog. Damnit, you need a nail trim. Lock him up for breakfast. Guide MamaHen and her 13 shrieking puffballs to their daytime hangout. Spend a few minutes wandering around the property checking on ponds, plants, and feeders, while throwing the ball for Killie. So much mowing and weeding to do. Ugh.

Back inside. MAKE COFFEE. Grab Gypsy’s old lady food out of the fridge, feed and medicate her. Feed the yelling Draco and Innie their wet food. Dish up wet food for Misty, add her meds, call her inside, and set her up. Dish food for Xander. Let his yelly butt inside. Take sip of coffee. Rinse out catfood cans so the dogs don’t fish them out of the recycling. Get fussed at by Killian because he wants his food bowl moved so he can have it in between his legs while he lies on his bed and eat. Take my morning CBD/THC tincture. Put AirPods on charger. DAMNIT I NEED TO P**P.

Walk out of bathroom, Sir XanButt eater of everyone else’s food is sprawled out in the walkway because he wants to go back outside. Coffee is now lukewarm and has two fruit flies in it. Blarg. Lie on bed for a few minutes getting furkid love and scrolling FB. Can I go back to sleep now? No. Killie and I argue over if barking at motorcycles is necessary.

Put coffee in microwave. Test male betta’s tank water. pH has gone from too low to too high. Profanity. Toss almond leaf in the tank. Decide to add a couple tourmaline balls to the mollie/snail/shrimp tank while I’m in the box. Mollies do the “bitch you didn’t feed us enough” shark swarm. More food. Happy fishes. Gods these little s**ts are adorable.

Go to grab yogurt out of fridge but open freezer instead. Stare blankly because couldn’t remember what I was doing. Sigh. Yogurt. Coffee. Head back to my room and Tessa is now sleeping on my pillow. Jerk. I crawl over her and snuggle with Misty, who is on her pillow. Yogurt. Meds. Coffee. No, Killie, I don’t want to play ball.

Dogs outside. Spend a little time watching the various fish tanks. Go to let dogs in...no Tessa. Slippers off. Sloggers on. Retrieve naughty girl from trying to get at the tasty duck p**p. Flop onto bed. Debate going back to sleep. DAMNIT I HAVE TO P**P AGAIN.

Good morning!

10/15/2019

Hi Folks!

I have been on a bit of a hiatus. If you’re interested in seeing more pictures from The Haven, I recommend finding me on Instagram.

I’ll be back soon! Maybe...Eventually.

XOXO,
Bunny

12/15/2018

Why is it important to support those of us who pasture raise our birds? Here are the legal requirements we have to meet to use that label.

HERNDON, Va., Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) announces new standards for products that are labeled Certified Humane® and either "Free Range" or "Pasture Raised." There is currently no legal definition for "Free Range" or "Pasture Raised" in the United States, therefore...

12/15/2018

We will never seek the organic label, because we believe our birds deserve the amazing quality of life that being pastured offers. Happy, healthy hens > Bulls**t performative labels

A rule change under the Obama Administration, required egg producers using the label “USDA Organic” to provide real outdoor space for hens, rather than enclosed porches. The Trump administration just reversed that. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has long required organic egg producers to giv...

11/05/2018

Have you ever wanted to adopt a chicken or duck? Now is your chance to do so, and you won’t even have to clean up after them! Score!

The Haven is home to over 50 chickens and 21 ducks, many of which are rehomed or rescued birds. Some are special needs, disabled, or “not useful,” and would likely have been put down if they had not found a home here. Every single one gets to enjoy free ranging on a full acre of grass and gardens, and will live out their days with no fear of culling, being eaten, or being unwanted.

As winter comes, any laying birds naturally slow down their production, and all birds increase their feed consumption in order to keep warm and healthy. Because we do not do anything to artificially increase egg production, it means that any income gained from egg sales also decreases. This has created a need for assistance with covering the feed costs.

Chickens consume 1/4-1/3 a pound of feed, daily. Ducks consume .37-.83 pounds of feed per day. Because many of the birds at The Haven are laying birds, they always consume the higher amount of feed. (Even when not actively laying, the jerks. 😂) Right now, The Haven’s flocks go through approximately 500 pounds of feed a month, which averages $200. (This doesn’t include any treats, special supplements, etc.)

What does this have to do with adopting a bird? Good question! Feeding one single laying hen for one month costs less than a grande mocha. No, really. $4/month will cover all standard food needs for a hen. $10/month will cover a laying duck. Most of the special needs birds cost $7-$15/month to feed. Oh, and if you adopt one of the 11 roosters on the property, you can do so for only $3! We also have babies, small breeds, extra large breeds...

Here’s how it works: Send a message with what kind of bird you would like to adopt (baby, laying bird, rooster, duck, special needs bird, etc.), and we will let you know what options for sponsorship are. From there, you can choose monthly payments, or a one-time donation. You’ll get pictures and updates on the bird you have adopted, a public thank you (if desired), and have open rights to visit your feathered baby. We also have the option to donate for naming rights of some of the birds, just ask!

Thank you to everyone for the ongoing support! ❤️

07/18/2018

The Haven’s youngest human is a year older today! To celebrate his birthday, we are offering all new monthly prepaid subscribers a $5 discount for their first month! That’s $25 for as many chicken eggs as you want in a month (capped at 12 dozen). Delivery is available.

Happy Birthday, Monster!

07/05/2018

*SIGH*