It has been a very sad half of the week here at the yardstead.  Last weekend we harvested the apple and speckled swan gourds.  Jason was able to prepare the garden for a late summer crop of squash and some fall vegetables we need to plant.  All of this was accomplished before Tuesday.  On Tuesday evening or Wednesday early morning a stray dog killed our four ducks and the goose.  They had been enjoying an opportunity to free-range for a day and were not in their pen.  This tragedy has led to a very sad and quiet rest of the week.