ruby tuesday, wednesday and thursday...

so, so pleased to be able to say Ruby is still with us. after living in a box in the kitchen for a week, he decided he was ready to tentatively rejoin his girls.

at first, he needed lots of help.... we lifted him into his house at night. rescued him from being stuck between rocks and trees or upside down having fallen off a step. but he is managing, healing and stronger day by day.

he is changed. used to venture far. king of the land. but he's a home bird now. sitting outside the back door, sunning himself and helping himself to our fresh crops of chard.

he's still looking battered but who wouldn't after such a close encounter with the intrepid kind? he's learnt to walk, even run again, even if it is more like a leaping jog! cock a doodle do-ing to his friends across the way and chatting softly with us. inquisitively watching. it's a quieter life.

and he makes us smile. and we feel grateful xx

saving ruby red shoes

not so fantastic mr fox is on our minds, muchly.

you see, i'm currently working on a collection for one SMALL soul aptly inspired by the girls' favourite fairytale books by the fabulous Lauren Child.....

lots of red wool ... capes and wraps with little patch pockets, pointy hoods, snugly hats and cosy scarves, all with wooden buttons and jute ribbons.
it's supposed to be for our autumn/winter 2012/13 collection but there might just be a sneaky peak coming soon since our favourite customers down under have requested warmer but versatile pieces for their baboos now the weather is changing. to be honest after an extremely unusually hot spell, this spring weather here in the uk feels mighty chilly.

along side all this furtive activity, sits Ruby Red Comb propped up on a fleece in a box, recuperating from his close shave with dinner time activities around mrs fox's kitchen table. this once proud but protective (and vicious) cockerel might actually be a cat as i'm sure he's on his fifth or so, life. saved from other close shaves... once after a very long night swimming in the toilet, oh another when he out run a fox and that was post recovery from a broken leg after being attacked by next doors' dog, this mighty fellow is slowly but surely returning to his former glory.

young ruby and family

but we really didn't think he would pull through. found him lying semi conscious in the dark surrounded by our cats sitting in wait. we wrapping him in a blanket. fed him australian bush flower emergency essence and homoeopathic adrenalin and oxygen. tentatively waiting for him to attack us once he come around enough to remember. but he was truly exhausted and having given mr fox a run for his money and a huge mouthful of feathers, was shaking violently.  we sat for a couple of hours secretly hoping he wouldn't suffer, feeling pangs of guilt that we hadn't manged to live up to the levels of responsibility that he set for himself in protecting his family. finally saying our sweet but inevitable goodbyes before climbing the steep stairs to bed.

somehow three days later, still in his bed, he sits besides me shouting to his friends across the way. i know it sounds bizarre but i've found a friend in this beautiful creature in a way i never thought possible. and learnt some powerful lessons in life (yes from a bird!)..... his strength, his will to life, resilience, ability to adapt and except, to understand his limitations, his cooing with both us and his girls outside, his  awesome beauty, a multitude of iridescent red colours, his connection with the ebbing and flowing of the planet and unceasing responsibility to his girls to get them fed, keep them safe and put them to bed, are all insurmountable. he sure sets the bar high.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

yesterday evening, humongous  mr fox returned once more, casually sauntering through the yard without a care in the world. until he almost reached the kitchen door. ruby sitting on one side of the glass peering out and mr fox nonchalantly glazing in. oh the irony. and then i'm afraid to say the gang (my girls) gave him a stiff lesson in not being at all welcome around here and chased him off to timbuktu.

and in between learning to walk, well even stand, again and sleeping, he sits chatting softly. to me. to lose this friend now would be so sad. but i can honestly say i am honoured to have spent these days in this true hero's company. i am so grateful to have known him. and wish him the best what ever that might be.

we are just loving him xxxxxx