The new baby girls, 5 reading up on what's happening on Wall Street, the other 2 on the other end, keeping track of the sports scores.
I forget, from one time to the next, just how fast baby chicks grow. It's amazing. I have been missing in action for a few weeks, I know. It's been an interesting March. I bought 8 chicks on St. Patrick's day. Husbandman (who's not the boss of me) said 5. I (the Queen of quite a lot) said 10. So, I (ever the perfect wife) compromised and got 8. Within 24 hours, 2 of them were dead. I called the Rural King and they said bring them in and they would replace them. So I did. I was keeping the tiny babes in a large cat carrier, (cleaned and sanitized, of course), until I could get the big cage cleaned and disinfected and moved into the office. Husbandman (who is often wrong about things) said they could live in the garage, it would be warm enough with the heat lamp. I gently disagreed (ever the perfect wife) and reminded him that we have had issues with raccoons getting into the garage, even with the door closed. And IT WOULD NOT BE WARM ENOUGH. Usually we use the guestroom for the chicken pen, but, alas--it is occupied at this time. So, I generously suggested that we move them into my office and all would be well. He wasn't particularly happy about that.
Another chick died. I have never lost a chick before and this was starting to worry me. It occurred to me that perhaps the cat carrier was trapping too much ammonia for their delicate little bodies to process, even though it was ventilated...So, out to the garage I went and finished disinfecting the pen and with the help of my roommate, we two wild women carried the monster into the house and into the office and got them all set up. So...7 chicks, pullets, happy as clams. The minute I set them down in the cage, they started running with joy, 'round and 'round, jumping over the little 2x2 divider that runs down the center. Such a fun thing to watch. The cats are not particularly impressed by them. 2 of the dogs pretend they don't exist. But Miss Molly McGee, the Jack Russell Terrorist---another story entirely. She is obsessed. Tries to get in here every time the door opens. Sniffs around the bottom and sides of the pen. Stands there, staring, every muscle in her body quivering 50 mph. I don't think she wants to eat them. Husbandman disagrees. But she's never been a bird eater/killer. I think she wants to mother them and when she hears them peeping and cheeping, she thinks they're in distress. I let her come in and sit while I'm in here sometimes...constantly reminding her to "get back...back up"... until I can't take it anymore, then I have to put her out. lol
Since last I posted I have done some canning...chicken breasts at 1.69/lb. Barbeque sauce. Dehydrated 10 packages of celery (.69/package). Made 5 dozen meatballs for the freezer. My sister-in-law had surgery for her recurring brain cancer. I made lasagna and soft garlic breadsticks and a big salad and we went down and spent an evening with them. I have attended 3 funerals. I am having some goofy issues with muscle weakness and visited the doc a couple of times. Started some dental work.
You know--the usual stuff.
But I feel like I am coming out of my winter doldrums (I HOPE!!!!) and things are looking up all the time. We had a few days of some incredible weather around here, but then it started yo yo-ing and this afternoon had some snow flurries. I am so ready for warm weather. But at least all the snow has finally melted and if it will stop raining a while, we might be able to get out into the garden beds and get some stuff done. I made a seed and potato order and the seeds came , but the spuds are back ordered and should be shipped mid-April. A little late, but we are always late planting anyway. Did get the garden journal ready and made decisions about what to plant and what not to. Went through all the saved seed from last year, and we actually did alright. Yay !
All in all, we have survived the winter and life is good at Honeysuckle Hill. The grass is greening up, the lilies are about 3 inches tall--crocuses and daffodils are everywhere. Can't wait to eat some yard salads--dandelions, violets, chickweed, plantain--yum.
Trying to finish up laundry tonight, as I have a busy day tomorrow. Going out to the La Vista Ecological Learning Center at 4 for a movie, potluck and an evening under the stars for Earth Hour. It will be a very nurturing event. Husbandman is leaving for Southern Illinois for an Area Assembly and will be back late Sunday night.
Sounds like the dryer has stopped. My cue to say...
Namaste.
