I really don't think they are moulting - the feather loss is complete but only on their lower backs above their tails. It's a big old patch right where that doofus jumps on them. Dh is going to move him to the smaller pen this evening because he is just OVER Arkie's misbehavin'. And there are those three (straightlaced) ladies who haven't lost any feathers. I've seen their reaction when he tries to jump them - NOT welcoming AT ALL. (GO GIRLS!!) I love the idea of the cabbage. LOL! Chicken pinata! Dh said he does give them green stuff every day since they can't get out and pick for themselves. And we have always wanted to get a container of bait crickets to pitch in there. That ought to be fun to watch! I carry every grub I find around to their pen and they go nuts for those. But I still think they have just cleared their space out way too well. Looks like fencing more area in is not in the budget right now, though, (tornado damage still to pay for) so we'll see if giving the girls a rest from old Arkie will help. Nelda, what are you thinking of when you say "junk food"? Is there a problem with the things I mentioned? I hope we aren't giving them anything unhealthy! They get their laying crumbles plus a bit of cracked corn a couple of times a day. That usually means there is food in the pen all the time. Then we pitch weeds and grass we pull up in the garden and flowerbeds over the fence for them and we give them any veggies that are about to go over in the fridge (like slightly browned lettuce or peppers with a soft side - not really rotten stuff...that goes on the compost pile...but just the stuff that isn't really A1). They seem pretty thrilled about it - not picky at all. Later on they will get the extras from the garden - they especially loved the melons last summer. We couldn't eat them fast enough and they really loved to help!

Yes, guides with arrows pointing to field marks aren't the ultimate in identification. Guides with notes about other birds with similar characteristics and then explanations about what to look for the tell the two apart are helpful. I have found that in most cases where IDs are difficult it's really beneficial to research more than one resource. We really have some tools now that weren't commonly available even fifteen years ago and that's access to the internet and cheaper digital cameras. I keep a digital right by the regular birding window. I take rapid frames of the birds in question from as many angles as I can. Sometimes you don't have time to focus and be fussy. Getting a less than perfect picture is not always a failure. If it helps you to catch the target sitting next to a known bird, immediately you have a handle on size. I also prefer real photographs I find on this forum, because painted representations just leave too much to artistic license. LOL. I sometimes wonder how many really cool sparrows I missed by logging them as something common? So many folks just causally dismiss them because they look similar. This is where you sometimes find your lifers! Keep a notepad handy to your observation station to mark down anything you notice on field marks. I have a good memory but the image in the brain can play tricks on you quickly. Draw a pic if you must, and try to catch some photos. Document, document and document.

I feel for you. We sometimes talk about what it would be like without the other. I don't know how I would handle it. We are close and do everything together. I can't imagine the loneliness one feels. I saw my dad live like that for 3 years after my mom passed. Other than times in the hospital is their later years they were together every minute of everyday for 66 years. He tried to hide it from us but we could see how lonely he was even with our huge family around. You never get over it, somehow it just gets easier and you are able to enjoy the memories with a smile instead of the heartache. I know it's easier said than done...but take some time for yourself. I'm glad your seeing a counselor.

I have no experience in your climate so cannot be too specific, but lamium can be planted at any time of year in mine :-) And we do get cold in winter! It is an extremely cold tolerant plant and quite adaptable to a shady location, even rather dry shade. And fall is a recommended planting time for most very cold hardy plants.......I think you should be fine.