I guess we didn't cover the hole well enough. This morning I went to water the baby chickens. It was actually the first night I turned the light off for them. Turned on the light and there was another big ol' king snake with a bulge in his midsection. Right next to him was a chicken just sitting there. Not injured or anything.
After a small fight with the stinky snake, which I won, I came back to count the chickens. There were three missing, but I could have swore, that there was only one in the snake. It was big enough that you could see the entire silhouette of the unfortunate chicken. I went ahead and watered and fed them. They all seemed to be recovering find. I moved the feed totes to get to the layer mash, there was a chicken still hiding in the corner. I put him by the food and he started eating just fine. Then I got the goat chow and saw another chicken huddled behind there. He was fine too.
The snake did only get one. I still have 15. It was a bit of a shock since I had not been missing any eggs. Guess my mothballs are done doing their job. I need to sharpen my shovel a bit. Got more of a workout than I expected this morning (especially since my treadmill died on me this morning too).
I guess I better go and see how the little survivors are doing.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
End of September
Really?? September is almost over? Where did it go? I had so much to get done...did I do it? Gosh, I am not sure. Better pull out that September list...
My greenhouse raised bed is doing okay. A windstorm blew off the back door of the greenhouse and it has not been repaired yet, which means animals, including rabbits can get in there. I tell you this because I had green bean plants blooming and ready to put out little baby beans. I waited two days because it had been rainy and cloudy so assumed that I could get away with not watering as much. Well, I ended up with one little stem. No leaves, no blooms, definitely no beans. All 6 plants that were blooming were gone! Poof! They didn't bother my cucumbers. They are faring nicely, growing up the small trellis. The basil I planted in the raised bed is beautiful. I see an Italian meal in my future. I made a bit of lattice work and put different lettuces, spinach and radishes in. They are coming along nicely too.
In the outside garden, the rain watered our turnips, radishes and broccoli . I still have three 4x4 sections to fill. Some kale and cabbage would be good, I think. I will be going through my seeds over the next couple of days and get that done.
I guess it is about time to pick my one little white pumpkin. I was hoping it would grow a bit more, but alas, it has not. It is still in the mid 80s in the afternoon though, so I don't want anything rotting. Then again, maybe I will wait a bit on that.
Why is it I want to wait on things that need to be done now and do what really needs to wait? Do they make medicine for that? Not that I would take medicine, maybe an herbal tea...
My greenhouse raised bed is doing okay. A windstorm blew off the back door of the greenhouse and it has not been repaired yet, which means animals, including rabbits can get in there. I tell you this because I had green bean plants blooming and ready to put out little baby beans. I waited two days because it had been rainy and cloudy so assumed that I could get away with not watering as much. Well, I ended up with one little stem. No leaves, no blooms, definitely no beans. All 6 plants that were blooming were gone! Poof! They didn't bother my cucumbers. They are faring nicely, growing up the small trellis. The basil I planted in the raised bed is beautiful. I see an Italian meal in my future. I made a bit of lattice work and put different lettuces, spinach and radishes in. They are coming along nicely too.
In the outside garden, the rain watered our turnips, radishes and broccoli . I still have three 4x4 sections to fill. Some kale and cabbage would be good, I think. I will be going through my seeds over the next couple of days and get that done.
I guess it is about time to pick my one little white pumpkin. I was hoping it would grow a bit more, but alas, it has not. It is still in the mid 80s in the afternoon though, so I don't want anything rotting. Then again, maybe I will wait a bit on that.
Why is it I want to wait on things that need to be done now and do what really needs to wait? Do they make medicine for that? Not that I would take medicine, maybe an herbal tea...
Monday, September 26, 2011
Chapter 4
"Learn from Kids as They Live in the Moment."
Yes, I have a big problem with being in the moment or focusing. Friends and family will ask me, "do you remember when..." No, no I don't. Sometimes it may be vaguely familiar, sometimes it does not ring a bell AT ALL. Often times I have felt that I might be losing my mind. But I know that it is my ability to "multitask" during stress that causes this problem. When I am in the middle of typing a "stat" report and the kids come in and tell me something I need to do for them at school...guess who forgets to do that.
There was one point in my life where I was so stressed with an outside job that I was forgetting important coversations at work and at home. Peoples lives were dependent on some of these details. It was at that point that I realized I had to lessen my stress. So I did quit (and began working at home eventually). There was a few weeks of decompression and it felt wonderful. I still have stress and yes there are things that I should do to help myself, but I am not ready to move forward on those for different reasons.
One of the things that I have picked up on, as many people have, is yoga. I took a few classes to learn the correct poses and get more of an insight to the practice. I now practice at home, sometimes. Not nearly as often as I should. I absolutely loved it. The focus on the breath and the moment, on each small fractionated movement your body goes through as you change poses and positions. Learning to relax different areas of your body. It is a wonderful, calm feeling when it is finished. And that feeling does stick around for a while.
I guess I had better unroll my mat and take some time to focus on the now...not fret about the past or worry over the unknowns of the future. Now is really all that matters, isn't it. (Namaste)
Yes, I have a big problem with being in the moment or focusing. Friends and family will ask me, "do you remember when..." No, no I don't. Sometimes it may be vaguely familiar, sometimes it does not ring a bell AT ALL. Often times I have felt that I might be losing my mind. But I know that it is my ability to "multitask" during stress that causes this problem. When I am in the middle of typing a "stat" report and the kids come in and tell me something I need to do for them at school...guess who forgets to do that.
There was one point in my life where I was so stressed with an outside job that I was forgetting important coversations at work and at home. Peoples lives were dependent on some of these details. It was at that point that I realized I had to lessen my stress. So I did quit (and began working at home eventually). There was a few weeks of decompression and it felt wonderful. I still have stress and yes there are things that I should do to help myself, but I am not ready to move forward on those for different reasons.
One of the things that I have picked up on, as many people have, is yoga. I took a few classes to learn the correct poses and get more of an insight to the practice. I now practice at home, sometimes. Not nearly as often as I should. I absolutely loved it. The focus on the breath and the moment, on each small fractionated movement your body goes through as you change poses and positions. Learning to relax different areas of your body. It is a wonderful, calm feeling when it is finished. And that feeling does stick around for a while.
I guess I had better unroll my mat and take some time to focus on the now...not fret about the past or worry over the unknowns of the future. Now is really all that matters, isn't it. (Namaste)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Out of the Brooder
Jake and I officially let the birds out of their brooder box. One brave bird had escaped and others were sitting on top of the waterer contemplating. So we opened up the front of the box and let them have a bit more freedom, not enough to let them out into the fenced yard yet. I will probably give them at least 1-2 more weeks. (We have to finish putting up chicken wire along the bottom so we don't have to chase them back in.) They seem to be enjoying their new found space. There are a few that seem to like staying by the door so we have to open it gently. It won't be long little ones. It won't be long.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Cherry's Road Trip
No, it was not for pleasure (per se). I thought she was in heat...well, she probably was...yesterday. Okay, I was ignorant to the fact that it only lasted 24 hours. I told the lady with the buck that Cherry's tail was wagging like crazy. I mentioned it was yesterday, not today. I had put the buck rag out this morning with
maybe a little tail twitch, but she was more excited about the branch of leaves I had for her. Well, we tried anyway. Nope, not interested in the least. I need to watch in 10 days, but usually it is 21 days between. Oh well. At least Ch
erry got to take a little road trip. And maybe I was mean on the way back and turned on the back window wiper just to see if it scared her...it did. 
maybe a little tail twitch, but she was more excited about the branch of leaves I had for her. Well, we tried anyway. Nope, not interested in the least. I need to watch in 10 days, but usually it is 21 days between. Oh well. At least Ch
erry got to take a little road trip. And maybe I was mean on the way back and turned on the back window wiper just to see if it scared her...it did. 
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Random Thoughts
I didn't go to church this morning. There were physical reasons, but probably more so prideful reasons. Nonetheless, I spent the morning with God. I could see him in the trees blowing and feel him in the warm sun on my skin. I could hear him in the birds singing their songs. I saw his beauty on the pond. No, I didn't go to church, but my spirit was renewed (must be the Indian in me). 
Friday, September 16, 2011
Change of Seasons
Don't you love the lightness of the air when fall is on its way. The cool morning air puts a little bounce in my step. I feel myself breathing deeper and slower. It is still 90 degress in the day, but it is in the 60s when I wake up.
As fall approaches, I once again turn to my to-do list in my head. What needs to be done over the next couple of months to make sure we fare well through the winter.
The well is insulated to ensure we have free flowing water. We should insulate the pipes in the greenhouse, however. All the animals have decent shelter. I do need more hay and straw for food and insulating the shelter. There is still some fallen trees to be cut and split to have ready for the fireplace in case we need heat, or just want a warm fire crackling with our hot chocolate around January. The garden can still be tilled and planted with cool crops and cole crops. I also want to have a cover crop on some garden plots. I need to be thinking about what trees or bushes I need plant for our food, bee food and soil improvement.
Of course, it is my favorite time of year to decorate. Time to think about setting some mums on the porch and pumpkins here and there. I do have one small white pumpkin that survived our summer. It grew by the porch. The rest of the plants burned up in the heat. (I will be planting them elsewhere next year).
It is deer season for bowhunters. Maybe I will have a chance to clean out my freezer and rotate some new venison and even hog sausage.
There is a lot to do in the fall, but for some reason, it just does not seem as hard as the summer chores in the heat...
As fall approaches, I once again turn to my to-do list in my head. What needs to be done over the next couple of months to make sure we fare well through the winter.
The well is insulated to ensure we have free flowing water. We should insulate the pipes in the greenhouse, however. All the animals have decent shelter. I do need more hay and straw for food and insulating the shelter. There is still some fallen trees to be cut and split to have ready for the fireplace in case we need heat, or just want a warm fire crackling with our hot chocolate around January. The garden can still be tilled and planted with cool crops and cole crops. I also want to have a cover crop on some garden plots. I need to be thinking about what trees or bushes I need plant for our food, bee food and soil improvement.
Of course, it is my favorite time of year to decorate. Time to think about setting some mums on the porch and pumpkins here and there. I do have one small white pumpkin that survived our summer. It grew by the porch. The rest of the plants burned up in the heat. (I will be planting them elsewhere next year).
It is deer season for bowhunters. Maybe I will have a chance to clean out my freezer and rotate some new venison and even hog sausage.
There is a lot to do in the fall, but for some reason, it just does not seem as hard as the summer chores in the heat...
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