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.