Rooster's Crow

If you have ever had chickens, you know how amusing it is when the roosters try to crow, well, at first; it gets kind of annoying after a while. We all have to start somewhere, don't we?

It is actually how I feel right now. I am more of an er-er-er than a cocka-doodle-do. So many things to do, judge yourself on and find out how much you really don't know; that is annoying too. But with a little practice, patience and persistence, it will fall into place.

As summer days are getting shorter and the feel of autumn is in the air, I look back and wonder what I have accomplished. I have to remember to look at what I HAVE accomplished, not what I have NOT. I have to keep in mind, what my goal was, what my goal is and am I moving in the right direction?

Practice, patience and persistence.

Vacation

Bruce and I went on probably our last real vacation for a while. The kids decided they wanted to stay home so as not to miss school and help by taking care of the animals.

The kids and animals survived just fine. Although I did have a good time, it was not the same without the kids.

We are back now and hopefully renewed mentally to get back into the swing of things. We still have to finish the goat shelter, clean out the greenhouse, butcher at least 13 roosters and order a few more for the freezer before the next month is out, fall cleanup in the garden and yard, finish the new rabbit hutch in the animal yard, etc...not to mention trying to catch up on the paying job, catching up the laundry that the kids didn't quite get to and try to create and stick to a realistic routine for the school year that doesn't have anyone in the household running down the road screaming-okay, just me. As SpongeBob would say, "I'm ready!"

Chicken Hawk?

Yesterday afternoon I went out to check on the animals water and make sure all was well. Well, there was not a soul in the chicken yard. Every chicken and rabbit was inside the house. It is such an unnerving site and sound (or lack thereof). In the middle of the yard there were a few feathers, nice tail feathers. My heart sank a little. Another chicken gone. Well, when I get inside the gate, the chickens come out slowly one by one and get back to chasing bugs and eating cracked corn. All but one rooster came out. After some coaxing he stepped out into the sunlight. Poor guy, he had a hole where some of his tail feathers used to be. At least he survived, he was one of the largest birds. Greedy hawk!

By the time I had gotten everyone fed, watered and checked on there were three more chickens on top of the blue barrel that holds their food. Apparently, they are the daredevils of the group, sitting up high in the middle of the yard, just shouting to the hawks, "Look at me, look at me!"

I think we will go back, at least after butchering day in a couple of weeks, and clip everyone's wings again, both sides this time, just to be thorough.

Goat Shelter - part I

Now that the goat fence is up, it is time to work on the shelter. Obviously, I want to have this done before we breed the goat, so we have a safe place for her, her kid(s) and a place to milk. Right now she just has a tarp to protect her and her food from rain (which is nominal at this point in time), and trees for the same.

I have left the planning of this building in Bruce's hands. This must require a lot of thought and sometimes calls for some backup. A couple of hours after hearing the saws and hammering, I went out to check the progress.

Why do I get the feeling this is going to take a little longer than I had hoped?

At least I am not contemplating breeding Suzy for another month or two....

Random Thoughts #2

This has been a busy time for me with my "paying" job. I have not had much time to "smell the roses," which I promised myself I would do. I do get little moments in the day when I have to stand up, stretch and walk. It is in those moments I try to remember that this is just a job, not a life and try to remain in the present. It does get hard when the stack of bills is right in front of me...maybe I should move those off to the side.

I do enjoy watching the hummingbirds and butterflies that land on the flowers just outside my office window. I have been able to enjoy the snowy egret and the majestic Great Blue heron that have frequented the far edge of the pond. But only in passing it seems.

And the animlas. Suzy is a bit lonely without Bella, but we are working on that situation. I have had to give her some water soluable vitamins to help with the runny nose that I am sure is caused by the stress of losing her friend. The rabbits are getting used to us coming in and out of their area. The chickens, oh those chickens, always entertaining. One evening, I went out to lock them up. They were already in their houses. It was just light enough to see four rabbits around the upside down water bucket. I wondered how long it had been flipped over. It must have been a while and those poor bunnies were so thirsty to gather around the bucket. I went in and lifted it up. Out ran a chicken...poor thing, ran into the chicken house as fast as his little legs would carry him. I had to laugh. He shouldn't have been trying to be the daredevil walking along the edge of the bucket...I wonder what the rabbits were really thinking? Were they laughing too? Ah, always entertaining.

Moments like that keep life in check. That is one thing that I love about homesteading-keeps life real. I have been in the fast-paced world, working 8-5,(really, is there a 9-5 job anymore), having the money but not the time or energy to enjoy it, eating out because I was too tired to cook, buying the kids techno gadgets to keep them entertained because I was too tired to listen. That, to me, is not life. It is a shell of a life. I am so thankful for the direction my life has taken. It's hard, oh, it is hard. I have neither time nor money now, but I have so much more treasure that can't be measured.

R.I.P. ISABELLA

Today is a day of sadness. I come in from burying Bella. Yesterday evening a large limb fell onto the new goat fence, giving Bella the opportunity to hop over. Unfortunately, we don't know what happened whether it was the dogs, or if the limb actually caused an internal injury. We found her in the driveway unable to move with one large puncture wound and several smaller lacerations. We put her in a quiet area, did what we could for her wounds and checked on her a few times throughout the night. Each time, although breathing heavily, she would move a bit, drink some water and cry. This morning at 5 a.m., however, we found that she had not made it. It is with a heavy heart that I write this morning.

The Greenhouse and Fall Garden

It is in my hands at this point. The greenhouse. Poor, poor plants. The kids separated the dead from the 'possibly still alive' plants. Sarah and I have been watering it daily to keep it going. It is actually more of a practice thing at this point. There are houseplants and hanging baskets that I will be bringing inside, so we are keeping those going.

I started a few more vegetables for the fall garden. I am still unsure of how this southern garden works, but from what I have heard, the fall is the best garden in these parts.

I had a run in with a mouse or lizard or something wanting my cucumber and zucchini seeds. I planted extra and am keeping them domed at night.

I have planted one row of green beans and a half row of peas. Nothing yet. I am afraid it was all for naught.

I have officially transplanted zucchini and tomatoes, and traditional fall crops (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, etc.) into 4" pots and 6-packs.

But the garden. I am trying to figure out how to deal with the garden. It was overrun with morning glories, weeds and grass and so we mowed it all down. Now what at this point? I am considering raised beds for this time of year until winter when I can revamp it. I could be acting a little too impulsively, but I really, REALLY wanted to have something to show for this fall. So, still "considering." But I guess I am going to have to officially decide something quickly. Time isn't slowing down for me. With the extra peace and quiet time with the kids off to school, that will help my thought processes. Hmmmm???