Almost Nightfall and Sweetie is Missing

Sweetie had an injured foot and was favoring it quite a bit.  I wanted
to keep her in that day, but Mr. Natural over-rode me.  Sweetie is like
the Speedy Gonzalez of chickens.  She's also the one that smoked the
pavement when sliding sideways into the driveway--the one with
aspirations of being a race car driver.  So I thought it was possible and
very probable that she hurt her foot showing off.   She wasn't limping
when she took off with her sisters that morning.  But she would limp
and not even stand on the affected foot when possible.  So I was
worried; the thing I am best at when t comes to the chickens.

Evening came, and only 5 chickens came back, eager to come in.
I can barely move from the most recent fall, but I did go on the porch
and called, and called, and called.  Nothing.  Mr. Natural went up the
road calling and searching.  No luck.  I started calling even louder.  I'm
not joking when I say the chickens can't help but help but hear me;
I'm loud and high-ptiched when calling chickens.  Just when both of us
had given up, here she comes just a running!  I called out to Mr.
Natural, then to Sweetie.  I have never seen a chicken run so fast.
She is seriously into breaking speed records.  I was so relieved.

The next morning she had a foot spa--she was scared and shivering,
but trusted me just the same.  And then as she got used to the warm
water and my cleaning her feet, she nuzzled into me.  I finished by
rubbing antibiotic ointment one each foot as a preventive measure.
I am going to start putting garlic in their water to strengthen their
immune system.  I am a believer in herbs.  But I never thought about
applying that belief to chickens.

I am currently reading several books on chickens and one broke my
heart.  It told how chickens that were raised on chicken farms--just
how horribly they were treated.  I'm not going to say anything further.
If you want the info, leave a comment and I will give the name of the
book. And I can assure you, I will be a good steward of this land
and of my chickens.  They will be cared for even after they quit laying
eggs.  They trust me, and that is huge.  I won't let them down.

All for now--

Kate Thorn

Re-naming of Chickens

This is a late post.  One chicken was re-named, then a second.  We'd
confused the two because they were the same size and very nearly
the same color--and they both pecked. And the other chickens steered
clear of both.  Blondie was the first to buck them.  Oneof them pecked
her ,and quick as a flash, she returned the favor.  That chicken  backed
off.  I started thinking about that and decided to change our strategy.
Blondie became the good chicken she is because she got extra treats,
extra holding and petting.  She blossomed.  We started with a re-naming
ceremony.  No more Pecky!  The darker one became Henny Penny.
She was nervous about being fed by hand at first, taking a quick bite and
running with it, like she didn't trust us or the other chickens.  I was deter-
mined to see that part of the problem changed.

The second chicken became Mercy,  She was the gentler of the two.
We worked together on this including them equally in the flock,
and what a change it made.  They both started seeking us out--
wanting attention from us and as that happened, they became nicer
happier chickens.  When Henny Penny was recovering from a
crop problem, she was quite irate towards the flock.  I simply removed
her, picked her up, and walked around with her, until she was calm.
She did have reason for her irateness. She'd been unable to eat for over
24 hours.  We kept her inside and she recovered.  Got her tail feathers
cleaned by me and had clean water always.  She didn't want to go
outside; she was so quiet, never made a sound.  Slept and rested all day
long.  She did drink plenty. Same thing happened with Mercy a few weeks
later.  She got the same treatment.

During that same period, some form of predator nearly got Henny Penny;
when the rest of the flock would go foraging, she would hide.  The entire
flock limited foraging for nearly 3 weeks, so whatever it was, it scared all
of them.  I tried to stay at home if he was going to be gone so that they
would feel a bit safer.  They all forage now but for as long or for as far
as previously.

All for now

Kate Thorn

No More Chicken Chasing

It finally happened.  I fell again.  A bad one.  Loose gravel on road
going up the hill across from my house,  I hit the gravel and the foot
on the ground went flying and so did I --up in the air--then falling
hard on my back.  The chickens came running and gathered all
around me.  They were making "keening" (distress) sounds.  I tried
to reassure them I was OK.  (I really wasn't) and they all wandered
off except for Blondie.  Me sitting on the road wasn't "normal" and she
knew it.  She stayed close by for about 15 minutes, and then she went
with the other chickens and I was alone.  And I tried.   to get up, but
couldn't due to loose gravel/sand.  I was stuck there--without a coat--
and it was quite cold.  So I cried--like that would help.  I could try backing
up the hill or moving down the hill.  Going up would be more difficult.
And more difficult to walk back down, assuming I was able to get up.

I chose to go down the hill.  I rationalized that it wasn't that far really.
True, it wasn't.  But this is how I had to do it.  Both knees were
sprained--or so it felt like.  I had to raise my body with my shoulders,
and move forward one butt-length at a time.  And rest after three of
these very awkward movements.  I finally made it to the corner; the
street sign was quite sturdy but if I missed, I would end up in a ditch,
one that was quite deep.  I prayed and went forward, then grabbed
for the pole the street sign was on for dear life.  I swung back and
forth for a while.  Just couldn't get my balance.  My knees wouldn't
work.  Finally, I re-gained my balance and was able to stand.  I made
my way slowly across the highway and down my driveway and into
the house.

I was quite shook up.  I probably will be for quite a while.  I've never
felt so stranded in all my life.  Settling into the recliner with my feet on
a warming pad, I took a pain pill which didn't touch the pain.  Even now,
two days later, my back and neck, shoulders, and legs continue to hurt,
and it's difficult to even walk around inside the house.

So no more chicken chasing.  I thought the walking was helping me
get stronger, but not so.  That is the worst fall I've had.  This is definitely
a "blue" Christmas.  I feel as though I'll never truly have a life again.


All for now--

Kate Thorn

New Cat Litter--Warning!

You know the new cat litter, the one being advertised as being so
lightweight.  Since I can't lift the litter box anymore, I really wanted
this, wanted to reclaim my ability to do some everyday chores.

And it is Lightweight--so light  you  (and I) can lift the entire
container with one hand.  I noticed a slight perfume type scent--
nothing drastic.  My daughter and I (mostly she) set up the new
and improved lighter weight cat litter box.  Of course, Daisy didn't
use it until the middle of the night.  Both of us immediately woke
up.  Mr. Natural got out of bed and promptly chose another room
to sleep in.  I didn't blame him.  It was beyond nuclear.  The blend
of perfume, urine, poop reminded me of a cross between a super
smelly litter box and a  super sleazy w*horehouse.  Never been in
one--but the perfume; it was beyond odious!  The litter box was
changed, back to her old heavy litter, the next morning.

Lightweight--Great Idea!!  Scent---Lose the fragrance and I'll be a
customer.  Otherwise, no way.

Oh--the worst part--I was cold that night and grabbed a fleece
sweatshirt.  That day I put on the same shirt thinking it was still
clean. Then  I went with my daughter and grandson to the
grocery store.  When I got in the car, my grandson said, "what's
that smell?"  My daughter asked, "do you have on perfume?" but
face was all screwed up--Yes, I said   fragrance a la daisy litter
box.  She died laughing--I died of embarrassment.

Just a heads up for those with cats!

All for  now

Kate Thorn

How To Operate a Stove

First, it is a fancy stove.  It cost nearly 800.00 new from Lowe's.
Someone returned it saying it didn't work.  Lowe's marked it as
 "fixed" and marked it for sale at 340.00. Mr. Natural and I both love
a deal, so he bought it.  It sat in our living room (honest) a year before
we bought this house.  Something was wrong was with the plug in
connection.  We called the company that made the stove and they
sent the missing part and we were good to go--except for the manual--
which we could access online, but no physical copy.

We read over it briefly.  Thought we knew how to work it.  But no, not really.
But we muddled through it.  Until last night.  I was very tired.  His being sick
for so long and my chasing after the chickens had exhausted me and
affected my brain.  So tired I couldn't remember anything but essentials, like
meds, food, getting chickens in and out.  And I couldn't get stove to
turn on.  I reviewed the process.  Still, it wouldn't come on.  So I had
to call tech support--that being my daughter.  She was in Asheville--30
minutes away.  But she came.  She couldn't get it to work either.  But she
knew what to do.  Cut the breaker off and back on.  (Why didn't we
think of that? Maybe the shingles?  Or his gall bladder attack?)  25
minutes later I got to finally eat my Amy's organic vegetable pot pie.

Then my daughter called, laughing hysterically.  Seems I had activated
the child's locks on the stove.  I didn't even know  it had a child lock.
Now I do.  I must download at least a basic set of instructions,or we'll
never learn how to use it!

All for now

KateThorn

Ginger Chicken Goes To The Vet

The last really cold snap we had, my neighbors were worried about
my chickens and their combs.  I had read to put Vaseline on them, but
since I'm anti-petroleom byproducts, I didn't use vaseline.  After
my neighbor told me her concerns plus the fact  that her sister used it
on her chickens, I was embarrassed about being amiss in caring for
my chickens.  They enjoyed my rubbing it on, sat very still--very proper
chickens.

I was more concerned about Ginger's comb than any of the others.
Her's was damaged when she was small, so I wasn't sure how she'd
handle the cold.  The end of the first day her comb looked a little
"rusty" in color, but I thought she'd just gotten some dirt stuck to the
Vaseline.  The end  of the even colder 2nd day, her comb was black.
The next day was Monday and I made an appt with a vet.  I explained
the old injury, etc to the vet.

My daughter was skeptical.   But Ginger went into Daisy's cat carrier
easier than I thought.  Seat belted into the back seat, there she was
and when the car started moving, she started cooing more than she ever
had.  Apparently, she liked to ride in cars!  Who knew?

When we got there, I was asked her name by the secretary.  I said
Ginger,  "And her last name?"  I didn't realize chickens had last names,
so I was quite flustered and said, Ginger Chicken".  I had forgotten
that Ginger Chicken was actually a dish made with chicken.  My daughter
said, "Sounds tasty."  But it was too late to change it by then. I was
horrified. Since these chicken came into my, I no longer eat chicken
of any kind.

Ginger and I went into exam room and I got Ginger out of cage and I
held her while vet examined her.  "I think this may just be dirt"  And the
vet began to clean her comb gently.  Ginger did great.  Vet was surprised
that she she didn't have to be anesthesized to accomplished this.  I was
indignant.  "My chickens have manners--they're used to being handled."
That would sound crazy anywhere but Asheville.

Went back outside after figuring out how to get cat carrier back together,
I went outside, sitting chicken on the floor, and gave my credit card to pay,
Didn't ask how much or anything.  I was trying to ask when I dumped my
whole pocketbook's contents on the countertop.  I  finally got it put back
together, and was told that the 10 minute cleaning of'comb cost me 63.00--
howeverI did learn Never to use Vaseline--that it prevented the skin from
breathing and actually made the chicken colder.  Live and learn  and pay
for the experience. 

All for now--

Kate Thorn

How to Meet Your Neighbors

Free Range Chickens is not a way I'd recommend, but that's how
I've met most of mine--and whether I've met them or not, they all know me.
I'm the "chicken girl".  The one who rounds the chickens up for the day.
Escorts them across the highway, stopping traffic for chicken crossings.
And when the chickens eyes are on me with complete trust, and they
are barrelling down a hill oblivious to the traffic, what can you do but
get in the road and say chicken crossing,  Or watch one who fancies
herself a race car driver slide sideways into the driveway kicking up a
cloud of dust.  People ask about the chickens.  I never knew chickens
were such a fascinating topic, but they are.  The chickens were Mr.
Natural's idea.  Now I'm looking after them.

All for now--

Kate Thorn

Late Night or Epiphanies

You know how it is.  You wake up after about two hours of sleep
and you just can't sleep.  And I have a new TV--one of those kind
impossible to figure out--a smart one--that most people that aren't
tech oriented spend hours trying to figure out.  So watching TV was
of the question. 

So I got out of bed and started washing dishes.  Would be done had I
not used the dishwasher.  These are modern conveniences.  The dishwasher
holds X amount of dishes, so I complete them by hand.  So much for
time-saving.

Have you ever thought about the time saving gadgets we now have
that takes  more time to operate than the plain ordinary variety--yet
they are supposed to be "smart"--so you can tweet, email, and text--
even while driving--and there you go weaving along--what road?
Oops--missed that red light!  Crash! And my daughter was was the
lucky recipient of a totaled car!

I went 5 years without a telephone and 15 years without a TV.  I
got a smart TV for Christmas--my daughter will have to teach me how to use
it.  My  goal and incentive for this TV is to rid myself of direct
TV and their high rates.  I only watch TV in the evenings--usually my
knees and legs hurt so badly that is the length of activity for thepart of the day.

All for now--

Kate Thorn

Big Red and Madellyne

These occurred fairly close together--and there had been so much
going on.  Big Red is/was deaf.  Took me a while to figure it out,
but I did.  I started trying to watch her more closely than before.

We had gone into town and came back to find the chickens out
roaming.  I got them some freeze-dried mealy worms--their
favorite thing--and started calling them.  Here they came down
the hill with Blondie in the lead.  No Big Red.  Big Red was not
only the largest chicken but also the most goodnatured one.
Pecky picked (and pecked) on all the chickens.  Only Big Red
could stop her.  She would fly at Pecky, chest bump her, and
knock Pecky to the ground.

Since she usually stays close to home, I wasn't concerned at
first.  It started getting towards dark, and still no Big Red.
We began to look seriously for her.  We  looked everywhere.
No Big Red.  That morning was the last time we ever saw her.

We were still grieving her loss when the chickens were choosing
the next leader.  They chose Blondie.  She didn't really want it.  But
she wasn't a bully.  Madellyne, by far the prettiest chicken,
attacked Blondie.  She put up with it for a while, then, she got
angry--and turned on Madellyne.  I don't speak Chicken, but
anger was obvious.  And Madellyne ran behind a bush and hid.
Blondie let her be and backed off.  Like I said, Blondie didn't
bully the other chickens.

Madellyne made one last attempt at leadership.  It was dusk.  And
she tried to lead the chickens across the road and up the hill,
but when they heard us call, they left her on the hill alone.  I stood
outside trying to get her to come down.  She had wandered out of sight.
Mr. Natural was sure she would com back as it was very close
to dark.

We put the rest of the chickens in the tub--they hunkered down in
the bottom close to one another.  None got on the step stool, the
preferred place to perch.

Blondie was now the official leader, whether she wanted it or not.
Madellyne never returned .

Kate Thorn

Falling, Health, and More

I am very much behind..  I've had 5 falls in the past 4 weeks.  Not good at all.
Plus Mr. Natural has been very ill--as in the hosp type of ill.  He was unable to
keep food or liquids down.  It turned out to be his gallbladder. Surgery is
scheduled for  the  seventh of November.

In the meantime, I was looking after the chickens alone. Not a good idea.  Thus
the first fall when one of them got under my feet.  And down I went, shoulder
(the still injured one from a previous fall.).landing on a huge flattened rock and
my head landing on a border timber..  The chickens ran and began making
loud "keeninig"  (distress sounds) .It really hurt..  Rest of me landed on concrete.
 (Was I lucky or what?) 

Skipping 2 falls, I had trouble sleeping due to pain in hip joint--It was hurting
worse the next morning..   Since I had fallen several times and always landing
on that hip, I thought I had hairline fracture, so I went for an X-ray.  Soft
tissue bruising--that was all.  But not really;  I was in so much pain--and I
have a high pain tolerance-but this was  worse than having a baby, so I went
to the clinic,  And I have shingles--and 2 more falls to count.  I am on
flexeril now.   My last fall was last night--I had just got out of bed; my left
knee went out and down I went, but I had just stood up and was still facing
the wall.  I was in a tight spot, but I managed to scoot to the end of the bed
and then pulled my way back to upright..

Kate Thorn

One of the white squirrels

One of the 4 white squirrels seen on my deck:  Sorry about the poor picture quality.
 I was at my desk when this one came on the deck.  My desk chair is beside the
desk window.  So I took these 4 pics before he left. (The blurriness is
from windows in need of cleaning! )

                                                                                                 

The white color is not a recessive genetic quality.  But rather a dominant gene.  The
gray squirrels are normally seen in this area.  In Brevard, about 20 some miles
down the road, a mutation occurred.  The whites were dominant over the gray.
Some are mixed gray--one seen around myhouse is gray, but the last 3/4 of his tail is
snow white.  Normally, more white than gray is seen..

Chicken and Laptop

Daisy Chased by . . .

I was talking to my daughter via telephone when Daisy cat went
streaking by--chased by something.  She was moving so fast,
faster than I've ever seen her move, so I couldn't tell what was
behind her.  And she was yowling and growling!  I told my daughter to
hold on while I went to investigate.  She was sitting on bed
eating the string on an old balloon of my grandson's.  Daisy has a
"pica"  habbit,  But a balloon?  I slowly, carefully removed the string;
she had swallowed a good bit of it. And she was free, and
very relieved, of the dreaded monster chasing her.


All for now,

Kate Thorn

Chicken House Comng.

Finally!  Mr. Natural has had enough!  He has ran after the chickens
today until he's exhausted.  Not even snacks deter them from flying
over the fence going for a walkabout.  He went to Lowes this evening,
and put orders in for the chicken house materials plus the materials for
the retaining wall.  He has the plywood, but the chicken house both of
us really liked was much bigger than the small ones we originally looked
at.

Blondie now wants to be handfed--Sweetie caught on.  So she wants in
on that too.  They have my number; that's for sure.

The white squirrel is still here.  It's a bit fatter now which is good.  And not
pest at all.  The other squirrels have driven us crazy lately.

I am having computer problems as of late.  I was lucky to be able to get on
online at all; I had been trying all day.


(End Note--Mr. Natural  became sick after this, so I am still without a chicken
house.  He ended up in the hospital after being sick for weeks.  He couldn't
keep anything on his stomach.  He goes back to the doctor on November 1st
to get results of blood work, ect-and hopefully a name for what caused this.)

All for now--

Kate Thorn

Adult Chickens, Plants and Other Stuff

The time has come.  Not only are all the chickens laying eggs on a
daily basis, but they're asserting their bossy hen attitude all the time.
Fences--not a problem.  They fly over them.  Their favorite nesting
place is on the downstairs back porch--which is really an outside
screened porch.  Mr. Natural still yet has to clean up driveway where
he emptied out contents of garage.  So the chickens have run of the
place again--and I am still trying to grow a winter garden on the deck.
That means I am on house arrest since someone must watch the
chickens all the time.  The minute he leaves for even 5-10 minutes,
chickens come up the steps and head for deck and baby plants.  To
say I am frustrated is an understatement.  I would have done something
different  by now. But I am not able to do so.  But I can buy a chicken
house.  And I think I will.

But the chickens are adorable.  They refuse to be in "the bus", container
used to carry them in; now they walk in.  Luckily there is no carpet in
the area from door to guest bathroom.  They hen strut their way to it.
They don't put themselves in the tub.  They want a home, complete with
roosts.

My little tiny tomato plant that lived in the sun room until large enough to be
transplanted is quite large now.  Needs spraying again.  I plan to do that
today.

Spotted a rufous humming bird--they are gorgeous.  And my very first
waxwing.

And we have a new critter here.  A white squirrel.  We let him/her eat as much
as it wants.  These are not albino squirrels--but a genetic mutation of the gray
squirrel.  There are a large number of them in Brevard--about 20 minutes from
here..  A small number have drifted northward--and our feeder drew it to our
house.

All for today--


Kate Thorn

Chicken Love and Seedlings

Well, it happened.  I have  a chicken in love with me.  I spent a great
deal of time holding her when she was very young--she was flighty
and very much a "nervous nellie"  Now she is in love with me.  Makes
ga-ga eyes at me.  If am in the bedroom, she stays in the front yard where
she belongs.  If I go to the sunroom, over the fence she sails with the greatest
of ease.  Mr. Natural says he saw her flying dead out and over six feet
high.  Then she climbs the steps to the deck and announces herself.  She
has even laid her eggs downstairs beneath the deck.  She loves to be petted
and will close her eyes in pleasure when I pet her.  She makes these cooing
noises when I pet her that turns me to mush.  Why didn't someone warn me
that chickens were not lifestock, but pets.  They have us both just as
enamoured of them as they are of us.  Vacation?  I really want to go
on one, but what about the chickens?  It used to be the cat--until we
folded.  Now she goes with us.  Oceanfront rooms mandatory.  Daisycat
can sit and watch the ocean and the gulls hours on end.

Back to the chickens:  They forage in the front yard, and call for frequent
snacks.  They get grapes, blueberries, fig newtons, and freeze dried  mealy
worms. (And they are hand fed). Best fed chickens around--but
anything but natural.  Pampered like pets.  (They also get calcium  and grit
along with their laying mash feed.)

Mr. Natural and I woke up at around 0400 this morning.  He was talking
about how he used to be--"I was trouble--born to raise hell"  And we both
said at the same time, "Now I'm a chicken keeper."  "I've always wanted
me a flock."  We were both laughing ourselves silly.  Then he said, "these
chickens don't have to catch worms, not with as many as you give them."
True words.  

The seedlings sprouted quickly and shot us just as fast.  Yesterday, I trans-
planted 11 plants--6 squash (3 different varieties) and 5 tomato plants
(also 3 different varieities).  But these plants have to survive Blondie, who
refuses to lay in the laying boxes, but on the downstairs porch beneath the
sunroom. 

While I was planting, a hummingbird lit at the nectar feeder.  Beside it, a
downy woodpecker on the suet.  At the bird feeder was a fufted titmouse,
a young nuthatch, and a chickadee.  A young bluejay lit on the railing
eating sunflower seeds.  The rabbits in the yard dont even run when we
walk by.

Well, Blondie has been to the deck 3 times.  She's proclaimed to have laid
an egg--maybe she did upstairs, but not on the bench downstairs.

All for now.

Kate Thorn 

Ba-Wack! or I laid an egg!

Yes, the chickens are laying eggs--in boxes on the front porch. 
They carry on until Mr. Natural goes out and picks the
chickens up and pets them for awhile--then they quieten
down again.  They are enamored of each other other.  It's
touching .. .and funny.  It really is funny to hear him chicken
talk and baby talk to these chickens.  At least he got the
yard mowed--finally dry enough to do so.  We have been equally
crabby lately.  I am coming off the Prednisone--do not tolerate
it at all. I am at 20mg for another week, then down to 10 mg
and then 5mg.  Hopefully by then, my sugars will be normal
by then, and my BP.  No weight gain.  I've actually lost a
pound.  Seriously, I have no appetite.  On a positive note,
my seedlings are are now present.  I need to separate them
in individual containers soon.

All for tonight

Kate Thorn

Morning Rituals

I used to have rituals that I followed daily before I started my
travel life in nursing.  So I'm starting afresh with my morning
ritual of drinking a cup of hot tea with a touch of agave nectar
in it.  Tea drinking, for me, is a time of solitude, time to pen
thoughts to paper (or computer in this case).  And a time to
loosely map out my day.  My daughter is coming over today
to help me plant my seeds and replant plants that have grown
out of their containers.

If I get anything further done--well, dealing with auto-immune
diseases that leaves one exhausted all the time--so I try to keep
my goals small and not over-reach.  If I get more done, that's a
bonus.

I bought 2 mugs yesterday.  The one I'm drinking from has
"Embrace Each Day" on the front.  And a picture of a
chicken.   I declare myself hopeless.

 I have been looking for my father's family members to see
if clues regarding this auto-immune process might be held
there.  I truly didn't give the lack of a father  in the home much
thought until this auto-immune stuff wreaked havoc on my life.
Now I know a great deal about my mother's side of my family
but nearly zip about my father's side.  I am going to re-do the
search based on his last marriage and last child.  Maybe that
will shed some light on his family.

All for now.

Kate Thorn

"Do You Take This Chicken. . ."

Life is moving right along now.  I have the very first flower on my
Fuchsia bush.  Plants that nearly died of powdery mildew did
make it back to the land of the living after treatment was given.

About the chickens.  Seems Mr. Natural has a suitor.  Yep.  You
read correctly.  One of the chickens is in love with him--even
tried to get in his truck.  Follows him everywhere making
inconsolable distress noises and acting really ditzy.  The power
of hormones.  She was the first.  Now he has others making
ga-ga chicken eyes at him.  Well, they understand he is a male,
but a rooster he isn't.  So now he spends even more time
rounding them up, giving them treats.   And overnight, they
none like me.  I'm the competition.  So I steer clear of
interacting  with them.  Like, he was the one that brought these
chickens home to be "natural" chickens--right?  Nothing natural
about these chickens.  He even buys them grapes and blueberries.
I am serious.  Natural chickens don't receive this kind of
treatment.  I told him he was leading them on.  He just wants
them to have optimal nutrition.  That's his story.  He buys Daisy
cat fresh red salmon.  So do I--but mine comes in a can and
states it is cat food.  His is high dollar people food.  Since I
can no longer eat fish or shellfish, he buys it for Daisy. 

This hormonal thing is a problem.  I hope he gets the shed
moved soon.  It continues to rain sometime every day.  The ground
has stayed very wet.  We keep hoping for some dry weather.
Not yet.

I did get to eat my one squash.  I am planting more tomorrow.
I'm determined if nothing else.  I am planting more tomato plants,
squash, eggplant, zucchini.  I'll wait 2 weeks before planting
the fall garden. 

All for now--

Kate Thorn

Papa Bluejay and Junior

I watched from my desk as Papa Bluejay schooled his son.  They were
about 10 feet from me.  It was fascinating.  Son was wanting Dad to
feed him.  Papa was having none of that; his goal was getting Junior
self-sufficient.  It was priceless.

Yesterday one of the pileated youngsters came around to the deck.
He was strutting his stuff on railing--oblivious of me sitting here,
motionless and watching.  He visited the suet feeder, ate a while,
then left.

My Natural was telling me about me about seeing the "Western
Cardinal" (Pyrrhuloxia)--he'd never seen one either.  I showed
him the picture  and he identified it also.  I have seen both the male
and female now.  The male has a red face--the female doesn't.  So
we have at least one pair of them.

Hummingbirds?  Still no ruby throats.  But every kind of western
hummer.  The latest identified by both of us is the Bumblebee
Hummingbird.  It is so tiny and looks as though it's missing tail
feathers.  It's beak is also much shorter than the usual hummers.
The one we have been watching is watching is male with a
magenta gorget.  It's breast is a whte with peach or rufous
on sides.  This bird is also found in Mexico.  What's it doing here?

Also there are more  hummers than I am spotting. Two weeks ago
we filled their feeder 2/3 full.  Now it's only 1/8 full.  That's a lot
of nectar for the few actually seen.

To the chicken-birds:  They now know the sound of Mr. Natural's
new truck.  They run for the gate when they hear his truck.  Their
running is humorous and endearing.  Company is coming in 3 weeks,
so their bathtub days are nearly over.  I ordered sheets, bedspreads,
and blankets for the 2 spare beds.  They are twin size, but great for
guests.  We have 3 extra beds, and room for still more.  I love this house.

All for now. 

Kate  Thorn

Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis Sinuatus)

Seen 1 hour ago!!  Amazing and unmistakable!  Native to Mexico, Texas, AZ.
Could the lack of rainfall and fires in Colorado be driving them eastward?

There is absolutely no doubt about what kind of bird I saw.  What a strange
bird year this is!  Kate

Rain and Truck Love and New Birds

Of course it's rained!  Wasn't even supposed to!  I'm beginning to
wonder if it's ever going to stop.  The yard is mush.  The butterfly
blooms are feeling it--some are turning brown and flopping over
as if to say "I give up."

Mr. Natural has left the house 2 nights in a row and slept in his
truck.  Think he likes it?

He has been working downstairs and has found so many structural
mistakes that most of the siding will come off of the back of the house
in order to properly insulate and replace siding with new siding.  I
was unaware that you can get concrete siding--all for it.  Even if
the cost is such that we only do one side at a time, think how
indestructible they will be.  Combined with a steel roof--well,
this house won't need any more of that sort of maintenance in our
lifetimes.

The downstairs porch is at the top of the list.  Especially with all this rain
this year.  The porch is screened in.  There are mildew and mold and rot
problems,  So that is where we are starting.  They had carpet down on that
porch.  That is going.  He is going to redo the concrete floor and stain it
to match the house.  Double paned windows are also going in where
only screen was.

Meanwhile, while dreaming of all the projects completed,  the sky
is gray and threatening rain again.

We have some new birds--members of finch family, at least one of
these are out of place birds.  I thought at first it was a pine
grosbeak--but now I think it is a rose finch.  Neither bird is found
here natively.  This has been an unusual year birdwise.  I have seen
many species here not native to this area.  I think I have identified
the soft gray bird with white front that looks like  a tufted titmouse
minus the tuft.  I believe it is a gray vireo.

All for today.

Kate

Pine Grosbeak

Rose Finch

House Finch

Purple Finch

Grey Vireo

I actually think I am seeing the rose finch, not the pine grosbeak.  I will re-check beak
color today.  These new red birds all showed up together. 

Kate

Mr. Natural gets a New Truck

2013 Chevy Silverado Z71 Fully Loaded 4x4 with bells and whistles

Add caption

He has driven a 2001 Chevy S10 for 9 years.  We bought it in
2004.  Paid 6000.00 cash for it.  No air conditioning.  But it
was in great shape and would prove to be a very game little
truck.  Mr. Natural caught this commercial on TV regarding
if you had an older model truck and came in and traded the
older truck for a newer truck,  they'd give you  a 7500.00
cash incentive.  Of course, it was too good to be true.  The
deal was even sweeter.  He came back and woke me up--
so I went to the dealership  and bought a 40,000.00 truck
for the equivalent of 28,000.  Sweet or what.  He's in heaven.


The truck is a Z71--pic follows.  Have to admit it is a sharp
looking truck.  Mr. Natural talks only truck now.  Has to have
a bed rug--on its way.  Then it will be ready to function as a
truck.  It has bells and whistles--we haven't even read the
very thick manual yet.  Maybe when he comes back to
earth. 

The chickens are not happy.  Today around 6pm the sun
finally did shine.  Had been cloudy, humid all the day long.
But it did not rain today--which was a very good thing.

I am losing still more plants to powdery mildew.  I've
treated them, but their tender age and the fact that I
didn't recognize it at first did not improve the situation.

Seed that I ordered via Johnny's Select Seed came
today.  I planted over 3 plantings all my Zephyr
squash--and lost it all to powdery mildew.  Not to
be deterred, I am planting again.  I love that squash.

The replacement cord to my Kindle arrived today.
I'll find the old one now--but I had searched and
searched for it.  It has been charging all evening.
Be glad to have it working again.

And I've edited 10 plus chapters of my book.
Editing is tough.  I am a perfectionist and I feel
every mistake.

All for tonight.

Kate Thorn

Quick Note regarding Yellow Finches

I was reading in Birds and Blooms today and found a curious tidbit
about finches.  They eat only seed, no insects.  I thought all birds ate
insects.  It said they preferred thistle.  My thistle feeder was empty
most of the time--they liked the sunflower seeds better.

Kate Thorn

Call me Ellie Mae--and Where's the Ark

Chickens were uneasy tonight.  People have been setting off
fireworks anytime it quit raining long enough for them to do so.
They are now fenced in the front yard.  That's better than letting
them run loose.  The neighbor on one side, he's a cool guy. Don't
mind if they come to his house--He'll get eggs for free!  The other
neighbor, well,  not so friendly, and though Mr. Natural
has been close on  their heels each time.  A bird dog has been
unleashed twice but he was there to rescue them.  It's difficult to
put up fencing in these torrential downpours we've been having
daily.

Seriously, he had a 5 gallon bucket to put the raspberry bushes
in--said to put the roots in water.  Overnight was several downpours
ago.  It was overflowing this morning.  He emptied it this morning.
It rained several times in the day--saved the hard rains for
tonight.

Considering building an ark!  Luckily, we aren't in a flood plain.
Anyone that's ever been through a few hurricanes will understand
what I am about to say--We have had hurricane level rains for
weeks.  Just no winds.  And our gardens are full of powdery
mildew.  (Can be killed by Neem Oil products)  Recommended
that you trash the plant and remove from vicinity of other plants.
Deadly and spreads that easily.

The chickens were sitting on the railing of the porch tonight
waiting to come inside.  They will be traumatized when they
are no longer allowed in the house.  Right now, I think they
think we all chickens, including the cat.

All for tonight.

Kate Thorn

Calling Mr. Natural

I couldn't find him,  Mr. Natural . . . anywhere.  The chickens were
waiting to come in to their bathroom  tub roost for the night.  They
were impatient.  So when I opened the door, one walked in.  I
scooped it up and carried it to the bathroom.  Then another, and
and another,  Three walked inside on their own and I picked them
up and carried them to the tub.  (Poor chickens--no coop yet for them.)
 The 4th walked in and evaded me and promptly escorted herself to
the bathroom.  Mr Natural showed up and took care of the final four.
It will be a shock to them to discover they really don't live in the
house with us. 

Both of us have felt so badly lately that nothing has gotten completed.
His truck is in the shop.  Still another unexpected bill.

Butterfly bushes are starting to bloom.  Except for the new one, which is
heat stressed.  I have tried to get them all together.  All that I truly
accomplished was sending my neck, back, and shoulders into muscle
spasms for 2 days straight.  Obviously, the dose of prednisone I am
currently taking is not helping me that much. My daughter came and helped
--she watered the worst of them.  And carried the ones on the porrch
around to the back yard--except for the ones not needing direct sunlight.

Mr. Natural didn't water them, so that is up to me I suppose.  Or maybe
my daughter can help me as she's coming back tomorrow.  I am very
determined.  If I have to buy a coop and hire someone to paint the house,
but I will buy the scaffolding first.  I'm hoping he'll feel better soon.

And that is where we are at the bird house.

All for tonight.

Kate 
  

Midnight with the Chickens

Mr. Natural sometimes sleepwalks.  And he did last night around midnight.
Only this time I didn't know he was asleep.  He looked totally awake.
He went in the bathroom--the chicken's bathroom--and proceeded to
gather them all up and put them in the container--to take them outside.
He thought it was morning--until I woke him up--before he reached the
front door. 

Then it really got funny.  He was apologizing to the chickens for waking
them.  I think he speaks chicken because they seem to understand
everything he says to them.  He cooed and fussed over them and I
tried not to laugh too hard.

This is truly a "bird" house!

All for tonight

Kate Thorn

Life

First, the chickens.  They are are now regular visitors to the deck.
They have even flew up on the railing and eyed the birdfeeder.
but so far, no accidents.  My deck (and  front porch) leave a lot
to be desired.  But, on the positive side, they are on their final molt.
Once they finish this molt, they will be adult chickens and ready
to lay eggs.  So Mr. Natural is talking more about their new home.
(You know, with heat and air conditioning and hot and cold running
water--I am joking--but I think if we could afford it, he'd do it.)

My butterfly bushes are going to bloom out this year--soon.  One is
nearly as tall as the tree I want to get cut down.  I bought a gorgeous
vibrant purple one at Lowes and both hummers and butterflies have
been visiting it.  My orange trumpet vines are nearly ready to plant
at the base of the tree.  I have 2 more butterfly bushes but they had to
be treated first. 

I changed my mind regarding as to where to place their birdbath.  It
is definitely going in the front yard in view of the bead room.  Speaking
of, he repainted it--it is beautiful--a nice neutral off white with a whisper
of pink in it.  Lovely. 

Daisy's old perch--is getting the same color, only
in semi-gloss and the top will be covered with similar shade of carpet.
This is to help  her from falling off--having one eye gives her depth
perception problems, so this will help her.

The bead board which will cover a goodly portion of one wall is
also painted the same shade, though you won't notice that when all
the beads are on it.  And maybe I'll be able to bead enough to
strengthen my hands, which are incredibly weak as is the rest of my
body.

When I went to Doctor on the 14th,  he added to my diagnoses.  Just
what I needed.  More autoimmune stuff to deal with.  He added
hypothyroidism  (Hashimoto's I believe).  I haven't started on any
thyroid meds yet--He started me of 20 mg Prednisone.  I see him again
in July for a recheck.  I looked pretty horrible by the appt.  Mr. Natural
went with me--I was having problems focusing and knew I would
forget to tell him.  Still look horrible.  The Prednisone did alleviate
the pain that was body wide by then--but I only feel good for a few
hours.  The pain has been greatly helped, but the lack of appetite
and difficulty swallowing continues.  I go nowhere now.  Exhausted
all the time, so there will be lapses in this blog until he gets me remission.

All for tonight--

Kate Thorn

Painting

Mr. Natural painted my bead room today--pink even.  Actually it was much
pinker than the paint showed on the can or the colorstrip.  We were going
for a pale beige with a hint of pink. So we we got more pink than we
bargained for.  I plan to tone the whole room down by adding light beige
accents.  (I think!)  And some lacy ivory curtains.  After all the beads
get in there, you won't even notice the a bit too pink walls.   

The above pics were snapped as we looked out the window and saw
the "Girls" rolling in the dirt.  The leaves are pretty thick; that's why
there are so few.

We were visited by the pileated woodpecker, and while he was busily
throwing seeds he didn't want on the deck, the chickens were climbing
the stairs to get the discarded seeds.  They were noisy.  I thought they
would disturb the woodpecker, but he paid them no mind.  Chickens
and a pileated woodpecker on the deck at the same time.  It was quite
a sight.

All for tonight

Kate  Thorn

Dust Bathing and Siesta Time

"Ain't Misbehaving"

The chickens were as good and even endearing as they were
maddening and frustrating the day before.  Maybe they picked
up on our feelings and decided to mend their ways for a day or
two at least.  .  They stayed very close to the house while we were
gone to look at the mobility cart--which I didn't purchase.  It needed
new batteries and not much power going uphill.  Since we have a lot of
hills here, it would be useless.

I saw the slender black hummer today.  Wish  I could get a really
close look at it and ID it--still think it is a Lucifer at this point.

All for tonight

Kate Thorn

Chicken Chasing

Today began much as yesterday, but the chickens pushed Mr. Natural
a bit too far this time.  He spent most of day chasing them, keeping them
in the yard and out of the neighbor's yard, and they found their way to
the fig trees that have been petted as much as they.  Then he couldn't
get them back to front yard.  And the water hose was brought out.  That
did the trick, and they behaved for hours. 

But only for hours.  Then their older teenage behavior began.  He was so
frustrated by around 5 pm that he actually said they had to be moved to a real
coop--he had to get some relief.  I crossed my finger and prayed.  I really
like the chickens--a lot more than I thought I would--but not free-ranging.
He left for an hour and I fretted about them the entire time--I can't walk
fast enough to get them if they decide to roam out of the yard and into the
road.

I felt great the first 5 hours this morning (I'm on a new medication), so
it is working--but it didn't last very long.  All for tonight.

Kate Thorn 

Baby Birds

Today I saw a baby downy woodpecker.  Beautiful!  And about
the length of my middle finger. (And I have small hands.)  I love
having birds hanging out here.  And Daddy Pileated woodpecker
made an appearance today.  Such a truly gorgeous bird.

Wonder if the birds told the chickens what suckers we are!

Ok--truly all for tonight.

Kate Thorn

Late teens and Timeouts

Anyone that's raised kids knows the scenario--slightly rebellious
in early teens, but late teens, true pulling hair out time.  That time
has come for the chickens.  The leader, of course, is Blondie.
I cannot  tell you how many times Mr. Natural chased down
the chickens--but that was all he really accomplished.  Each time
he started one of many projects, the chicken had all gone missing.

This fiasco culminated in Mr. Natural putting Blondie in a timeout
in the small coop in the front yard for one hour.  A chicken in a
timeout.  I am serious--do you think she got the message?  I doubt
it.  She is a chicken, and being such, is governed by rules of nature
that have nothing to do with human standards of behavior.

Last night he forgot them.  I just happened to realize it was 2100,
and I hadn't hear him bring in the chickens.  He was asleep--that's
what happens when you get up with the chickens and spend the
day chasing said chickens.  Lots of exercise makes you go to bed
the same as the chickens. It was so funny.

The sisters were waiting politely, one on the porch, and the others
lined up in single file outside the gate.  And they filed in, one at a time,
to be brought into their "coop", the bathroom.  They don't like
to be outside after dark.

Had Doc's appt today, so that is it for tonight.

Kate Thorn

Mr. Natural and the Natural Chickens--And Daisy Cat

My partner decided to mow the yard today; he is Mr. Natural.  He
had to start and stop several times due to the chickens.  Inside, watching
the chickens run towards him, I was helpless with  laughter.  Chickens,
observed closely, are funny creatures with uniquely different personalities.

There is Blondie, who misses no detail and the first to lead the others
into trouble.  Then there is Red.  Red, is much larger, but she has got
to be the dumbest chicken ever.  The others will be running after Mr.
Natural while Red is looking around and when she finally figures it out,
here she goes, half running and half flying  as she tries to catch up.

I am glad I have had the opportunity to get "to know" natural chickens,
but I worry about them not adjusting to being in a henhouse.  They are
accustomed to our voices, TV, music--they come up to the gate wanting
to come in for the night.  And their time inside is coming to an end. Home
to them, is the guest bathroom.  Just not right at all. 

Mr. Natural is like that.  He tried to teach Daisy Cat to hunt.  But she would
space out and walk off from the intended prey.  He got frustrated and gave
Daisy to me.  She was made to be an indoor cat.  The reason she was spacy
was epilepsy--just no seizures while a kitten, but no concentration either.
But she is incredibly smart and rule oriented.   She has NEVER scratched
on any furniture.  I have this "scratch mat" made from rope that I bought
at a flea market.  When we moved in this house,  I put it in the sunroom
and made a big production of scratching on it several times a day.  Within
2 days, she was using that to keep her claws sharpened.  And both of us
praised her. After the first scratch, she knew that was her spot to scratch.

I used to trim her claws; she wasn't fond of that.  She started biting them
off when they got too long.  I have never seen a cat do that. She is a great
cat--follows me to whatever room I'm in.  I couldn't ask for a more loyal
cat.

All for tonight--

Kate

Sneaking Out

My partner needed to go to town today--grocery store thing--and
he literally had to sneak out the back door and down the steps so
his children, oops, chickens, wouldn't see him,

He went to mailbox the other day and all the chickens were flocking
after him,  It was so funny.  He turned around to come back and
the were 8 chickens staring up at him.

It came a thunderstorm last night--and they were peeping in a very
distressed manner.  Blondie was the first to fly over the gate
on porch .  By the time he came to rescue them, there were two
waiting to come inside.  They couldn't wait to get inside.  I can
picture it now--him hanging out in the chicken coop every night until
the chickens go to sleep.

He calls them his "hippie chicks" because of their odd "Tie-dyed"
coloring.  He told me they are fans of the Dead. 

What next?

All for tonight

Kate  Thorn

Chickens, Plants, and Birds

My partner named the chickens as a group when they were
quite young--the Poopy Toed Sorority Sisters.  I call them
the "Girls".  The are inventive and figured out today that even
though there is a gate  preventing them from getting on the proch,
they learned they could fly through the slats on the low side--this
is where all my freshly potted plants were sitting.  I was nothing
but a caricature of Peanuts's Pigpen after one hour of planting.

So I went straight for a shower--no choice really.  That dirty.
And I was showering my head, my hair is fairly short now,
but still thick as a hot blanket in the summer, and down dropped
this really ugly beetle, followed by a loud scream from bug-phobic
me.

That same evening my partner had quite a time getting the chickens
back inside.  They were the teenagers again with Blondie leading
the resistance.  He captured 5 and I babysat them in the bathroom
(Will it ever be a bathroom again?  He is very attached to these
chickens and they follow him around like little puppie dogs.).  Then
he got the privilege of convincing Blondie to come to him--Once she
did, the others followed.  But it was raining.  10 minutes standing in
the rain can be a very long time.

Today--no planting for me--just watering.  And helping him keep an eye
on the chickens.  You see, he wants the chickens to experience life as
natural chickens.  So they are running loose in the front yard.  A
natural chicken--with 2 humans checking on them frequently so there
are no predators to worry about--Now what is natural about that??
If you're not laughing, I am!  And he is a very macho kind of guy--never
dream he'd get this nutty over chickens.

Remember the pileated woodpecker whose prospective mate turned him
down because she disapproved of his house?  Well, he has 2 "kids" now!
They come to the feeder and suet now.  They aren't shy like Dad, so maybe
I'll get a pic of the juveniles.  Still young, they are approximately 12 inches
long, as opposed to Dad's 19 inches long.  Still big birds though.  The one
I saw was a male.  I don't know about the other one. I have only caught
glimpses of it.

I thought this was our house--but the young pileated has claimed it as his
territory.  My partner found this fact out:  when the pileated woodpeckers
make a drumming noise when the peck, they are announcing to all that this
is their territory.  Wonder if he wants to live inside like the chickens?


After planting the nearly 3 foot  Golden Raintree--still in a container--but
a gallon size one this time--I brought it back inside in fear the chickens would
get on the porch and start eating its leaves.  I have cared for it since it was
leafless twiglet.  So it is indoors until the "Natural Chicken " phase has passed.

One last thing--a hummingbird ran a hornet off from the porch today.  Too
near his feeder.  That was something to see.

All for tonight!

Kate Thorn

Family members and Front Porch as a Roost

 

Here they are--no fence or anything.  Blondie actually came up to the front
door and looked inside.  They definitely know where home is--but they think
it's inside the house--not the coop!  You think maybe we've mothered  them
a little too much?

It rained really hard last evening.  My partner had the job of bringing them
inside.  They were peeping for help.  Thunder was rolling and the chickens
were under the shelter.  When he tried to get them out, they went nuts.  In
short, both he and chickens were soaked.  I got a huge towel and proceeded
to dry each one off carefully.  Their voices are changing--so they start out
with a sort of hen clucking noise, but it ends up as a peep.  Yes, they are rather
large to be peeping, but any critter let in this house is going to be spoiled rotten! 
And these first chickens are more like family pets in the way they are treated.

Same with plants.  I ordered from a nursery I knew nothing about.  I received
barely alive plants.  Maybe 2 inches tall when we got them.  They are looking
healthier, putting on new growth now.  Of course they have a constant
temperature and live in the sunroom--plenty of sunlight and watering.  All they
have to do is grow.

One of the twiglets (tree), the Golden Raintree, is nearly 3 feet high and ready to
go outside.  But only to the porch until all the poisoning for the fungus, bugs, and
bacteria we have.  This land was just used as a summer place--and I'm a great
believer in organic--but this is out of control.  The plants we are growing are doing
great--but they are all in containers. We have 4 apple trees, 5 blueberry bushes
(plus one I ordered) .  Three paw-paw trees that are sticks with roots right now.
And there are 4 redbud trees (translation--sticks to nurse into growth!) coming.
All the butterfly bushes and trumpet flowers are showing growth--so they'll be
able to be transplanted soon.  I am creating a small hummer garden around the tree
they like so much that is mostly dead.  If it is pink, red, or bright orange, I am
planting it for the hummingbirds and butterflies.  I don't hang out in the living room much.
But I will do the front yard.  First the retaining wall.  We have called so many people
and they all booked up.  So ... what can you do?  Be patient.  Oh well!

All for now--

Kate Thorn

Teenagers and their Umbrella

The Umbrella

We have an old nearly discarded blue and white umbrella,
When the chickens first started going outside, we put this
umbrella over their enclosure.  They've  become accustomed
to it.  Now even though we have a tarp to shade them, they
run towards the umbrella.  It's funny and yet touching.  This
is something they've seen since they were days old that they
associate with safety. Who would think they hold any value
toward such a thing?  But they do.  It's a part of their childhood.
And though 7 weeks old now--they still remember the umbrella. 
I'm amazed and hooked on chicken raising.

Our plans were to get the coop started today--but the winds
were too heavy to do so.

And then the truck quit working.  My partner can fix anything,
but this is the second time this has happened.  I think it needs
diagnostics run on it. But he is stubborn (as much as I am)--
so that will never happen.

Only one hummer here now--a male ruby throat.  At least that
is one that is supposed to be here now!

All for tonight.

kate thorn

The Teens and Growing Things

The Teens (baby chicks) are not so much babies anymore.  They are
not grown--only 6 seeks old.  And comical.  Interesting chicken facts:
A chicken has a normal body temp of around 102 degrees.  Its heart beats
between 280 and 315 times per minute.  Average lifespan is 5-7 years,
although 20 years is not unknown.  (this info courtesy of Backyard Chickens--
Gide to Coops and Tractors.)  My favorite tractor is the A-frame, but doubt
 it is the most practical.

Back to the teens--one escaped from the tub and was found in the sink,
looking at itself in the mirror. Later on, in the same night, 2 escaped and
were found looking in the mirror.

What they saw was a juvenile red jersey hybrid--with yellow peach fuzz
all over their face.  They should be living outside by now--kinda hard to
build the chicken tractor with daily deluges of rain.  Yesterday it didn't
rain--but the weather called for it, and it threatened nearly all day.  We
are supposed to get some good weather for about 3 days.  One person
in the book about chicken coops had this to say:  "I went to Lowes and
came home with about 800.00 worth of building supplies for 14.00 worth
of chickens."  We are slightly ahead of him--only because my partner is
always on the lookout for a deal.  The wood was uncured--then, 3 years
later, it's ready to be used and part of it will be for the coop.  All we need is
a few dry days.  And the the teens will have their own cedar house--Yay!
And he gets the honor of cloroxing and sanitizing the bathroom!!  Several times!

We are growing creasy beans (green beans, these are the old fashioned variety
that taste wonderful.)   Soybeans, African daisies to keep pests out of
the garden.  Zephyr Squash (delicious) and summer crooked neck squash.
More tomatoes than a body could ever eat.  I have one (Black Krim) growing
right off the porch--it literally was rained out of its container.  Yum-Yum pepers.
Bok choy, which I love only second to leeks.  Cucumbers, Sugar Snap Peas,
and  some maybe cauliflower--which is green! Lastly in the first of 4 trays is
Orange Butterfly Bushes.  There are also 12-24 sunflowers planted--of the giant
variety--and one row of the smaller sunflowers. There are "long beans"
which my partner wanted to try, a row of peas, a row of watermelons, some
scarlet runner beans, and some black cherry tomatoes--and last of all, some
hummingbird mix--a row.

That isn't counting all the lettuce, radishes,  and carrots,  Another blueberry
bush and 4 redbud trees are on their way here, and a few other things.  Last
year we grew everything in containers, and by the time we got everything
moved, some didn't make it.  However, the lavender did and is blooming out
now!

I fell asleep while watching TV.  I have Raynaud's disease and polymyosites.
Both are autoimmune diseases--activated when I was injured at work.  Both
can be serious.  Both cause you to feel as if all energy has been drained from
your body.  I hate when this happens--but the Mayo Clinic says to rest more,
sleep more, try not to worry, and eventually, it will pass. (Easy for them to say!)

I woke up at 2AM--and now I'm going back to bed.  GoodNight all!

Kate Thorn

Teenagers and Blueberries and Ducks

Just when I think I have my yard figured out . . . not so.
At this point I think half will be in poultry, ducks, and
quail. The other half will be garden and orchard.  So far,
we have 4 apple trees, 3 kinds of grapes and fig trees
and blueberry bushes (3 types).  Blueberries are
exceptionally good  nutritionally speaking. And so are
quail eggs.  And duck eggs! Won't be much yard left
to mow!  There is small bank below the house that leads
to a road--that's where the sunflowers will go!

There are these runner ducks that are blue, or black,
(and other colors).  Not only are they pretty, but
they enjoy being OUT of the water--truly ducks out of
water--and as a bonus, one can turn them loose in
a garden and they will weed it as well.  They will eat
all but what you have planted.  Amazing.

I am really new to all this.  It has been a very long time
since I planted a garden.  And most planting is done
in the jiffy pots that can be planted directly into the ground.
(I didn't know this at and destroyed one squash plant
when getting it out of the tiny flimsy container.) But its
pouring the rain--I hope this batch of seedlings doesn't
get destroyed by too much rain.  Weather-wise, this has been
one strange year. 

About the teenagers:  I am referring to the no longer little
chicks--oh yeah, they are definitely teenagers now.  They
have graduated to outside--but only in the daytime. At
they come inside--yes still.

The electric fence arrived 2 days ago; it's not hooked up
yet, but my partner set it up in the yard so they could have
more freedom.  They ran everywhere; exercised their
wings, flew around a bit--only 2 feet off the ground.

The next thing they did was walk through the fence--they
are still small enough to do that.  Thus began the battle of
my partner trying to keep them inside the fence and their
teenage determination to do whatever they wanted to do.
And they wanted to peck the carefully nurtured tomato
plants--and that went back and forth between him and the
chickens-- hysterically funny.  He finally gave up (around
noon) and put them in the smaller fence, with the umbrella
over the top .  Trust me, these are spoiled chickens.  Any
critter/plant we have is spoiled.  Example:  the trees I
obtained via the Arbor Day Foundation are STILL in the
house.  He finally said the one that is 2 feet tall now can
go outside on the porch.  The tree is a Goldenraintree.
I have a Washington Haw tree nearly as high, so I'm
going to push for it more freedom later this morning.

Out of what appeared to be twigs, all have made it but
1--a redbud tree.  I haven't given up on it completely,
but I am getting at least 2 more redbud trees. I have,
from twiglets, 2 crabapple trees, only the one redbud,
2 Washington Hawthorn, 2 white Dogwood tree, 2
Goldenraintrees, and 2 Crepe Myrtle.  All for sum
of 10 bucks--but after lots of babying, I can see them
as trees in the yard.

I didn't want quail-until I ran across this site--
(Furbelow Farms) and read just how nutritious their
eggs were--and I was sold! 

I just went outside and rescued the 4 trays of
seeds just planted a few days ago,and were they
ever flooded.  Hope it clears up today and sun
comes out today.  Morning birds are singing,
Rain or no, it is a wonderful day!!

kate thorn

Once again--the racoon wars

We set a trap for the raccoon--live catch of course.
About 10:30PM. it caught one--only it was a really
small female possum.  TJ woke up to check it around
midnight.  We turned it loose.  It was really cold outside.
I personally think we are skipping summer this year,

Around  1230am the trap went off again.  I couldn't
believe it.  We caught the same possum--only my
partner was sound asleep and I couldn't get the trap
open.

Morning came.  He opened the trap.  The possum
was so scared that it took it an hour to get up the
nerve to leave.

I saw 2 male birds that I have not seen since 1978.
Two Scarlet Tanagers.  The aren't seen often here.
Maybe they were blown of course like the 2
hummers.  The females look nothing like the males,
so it's possible that they were in the trees and
neither of us noticed them.  The scarlet tanagers
aren't just a red--they are brilliant red--my partner
described the red as a neon red--and with bleck
wings.

It is pouring the rain outside--a very cold rain.
The heat is on in side and it May the 5th.  I'm
beginning to think I am in CO or some other
western mountainous state.  This just isn't NC
weather--especially for May !

All for now.  I'm going back to dreamland.

Kate Thorn

Raccoon War

Once again the raccoon war continues.  It managed to reach the
hummingbird feeder and yanked it down for spite.  I was told this
racoon was a large male.  I didn't ask my partner how one could
tell male from female.  I really didn't want to know; however, I
did note that the males had a nasty attitude whereas the females
did not--unless they had their babies with them.

I didn't see the "black chinned" hummer today--of course now
I am doubting the black chinned part and have begun to think
ir is a Lucifer, a really rare one, because of the amount of purple
I saw on it and the hunched way it sat and it did have a notched
tail.  Unlike the ruby throats, this hummer was shy and ranged
far and wide searching for food..

The chickens continue to fledge--soon to go outside.  On warm
days, they stay outside all day.  If one stops and looks at you, all
eight do the same.  I can tell them it is time for them to sleep and to
quieten down--and they get quiet.  I didn't know chickens were
trainable!

Still working on the retaining wall.  It's a tough project.  Maybe,
weather permitting, it will be done today.

All for now--Kate

Days of the Racoon Wars

This is night 2 of the Raccoon Wars and once again I am
awake around midnight trying to fight off the racoons from
raiding food and destroying bird feeders.  Last night after
being thwarted from bird feeders on front porch and on deck,
one came back and pulled down a pretty glass hummer
feeder, but it got caught under the railing, so it was saved.

Don't get me wrong.  I am scared of raccoons.  They carry
rabies--and I dont need to know anymore than that.  And
I'm not supposed to go out on the porch at all--especially
since I fell, but I had an aluminum ball bat that made a really
loud noise when I hit it over the wooden deck.  So they
thought I was big and brave--not so, just bluffing and trying
to protect my food, I mean the bird's food.

It has rained all day here.  Projects halted while the weather
has its way with us.

All for now

Kate

Chicks Outside!

My partner took the chicks outside yesterday for the first time!
He hovered over them like a Mama Hen.  It was so cute and
sweet.  Amazingly, they listen to him.

They were out today also--only this time he dropped some worms
in with them.  At first they didn't recognize them as food, but soon
they were fighting over them!

He also got the rest of the retaining wall down.  So now starts
the spending of major money--ACCKK!!  And the retaining
was is one of the cheaper items on our long list!

Kate Thorn

Two out of Place Hummers!

The black chinned hummer I wrote of previously was still here as of today. 
A local birder came to take a picture of us--except it was a different bird.

My little Tux (short for Tuxedo) truly appeared to be a jet black hummer
with a tiny band of white (like a skinny tie) around his neck.  His purple
gorget only appearred purple in sunlight, and he seldom stayed in one place
for very long.  The bird of today was more of gray-green, with a fuschia
gorget in a scalloped pattern--nothinhg like yesterday's bird. 

Early afternoon he was here, skinny and black;  there was no sunlight, so his
gorget appeared black also.

A birder came to photograph Bird One (Tux)--he asked me if I was sure
if he was skinny because the bird he was looking was quite plump and
looked ready to continue his migration.  I thought there was only one bird
here.  There were two--both males, but different kinds of birds.  I think Tux
visisted once--before he got his camera set up, but then the other bird started
zooming in. We both got confused.

He may come back tomorrow to try to get a better photo.  I hope Tux is more
cooperative--if he is still here.

Kate Thorn