Living In The Sticks

Got no check books, got no banks.

Still I'd like to express my thanks -

I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.

~ Irving Berlin - from Annie Get Your Gun

I'm thankful for being retired up here in the mountains.

Iphoto is being weird today and hiding the photos I took today in yesterdays group and leaving today's date group blank. By the time I found out what happened I had already loaded some other photos from days gone by. I think the date thing got messed up when I charged the battery. This is another lookout view. I'd like to see some snow on those mountain tops in the distance soon.

I like gate pictures. There is something about gate, path or road photos that capture my imagination and bring back memories. I've made up a few stories about them. Sometimes I think that bloggers are writers at heart and blogging is a way to soothe the need to create.

I took this photo this morning after another light rain. I was trying to capture how the rain had caused the leaves to reflect their true colors instead of the dusty brown I usually see. Lots of pine show up in this photo, but the oaks are there. They are just way taller than the pines. I cut out most of the underbrush and still need to carry away fallen branches. I'll do that when they stop falling out of the trees.

Kristine brought home a big bag of organic chicken feed that will hopefully provide better nutrition for the molting hens and help them grow their feathers back. The organic feed is over twice the cost of the regular lay we usually buy. The feed store must have just started carrying the organic feed because we have asked for it before. Hope the chickens like the new feed. The instructions recommend feeding only the organic feed. So, we'll try that and see how it works.

[4 eggs today]

Their pumpkin is in small pieces.

Smiles

~:>

Pumpkin?

I went to check on the hens before I left for the dentist to see how they were adjusting to the new ground cover in the pen. Wow! No muddy feet. Pretty neat. But they were unhappy and wanted out even though it was raining off and on. I told them they were good girls and I'd let them out when I got back, but they weren't impressed. The molting Light Brahma is in the upper right corner. Poor thing. She doesn't look any better.

On the way home I took this photo of the clouds moving through the canyons.

Pumpkin? The hens are not too sure what to do with the pumpkin I got them. They would peck at it and then go away and then try again, but they finally gave up. After they left, I poked some holes in the pumpkin so they would get a clue about it being a food item.
The hens were more interested in being outside than playing around with the pumpkin. Pumpkin was left all alone. Morgan was glad to get out of the house. She doesn't like it when we leave either.

[5 eggs today]

Very glad to find eggs today.

They were clean!

I usually find muddy eggs when it rains.

Smiles

~:>

What Did You Say?

This Orpington followed me talking chicken cluck and coo language. I think she wanted me to go back the other way and put out some more lettuce and carrot peelings. She is a sweet hen and I wish she had a name, but I can't tell the Orpington's apart unless they are standing next to each other. The myrtle has made it through the summer heat waves and only looks a little fried. Tom locked up the chickens and collected the eggs today.

This was rather a slow day as far as photos go, so I went back and got another photo from last week. It was clear today, but not at all windy like it was in this photo. I worked on the kitchen some today cutting trim boards and smearing joint compound around over the sheet rock. I was going to post a photo but it was too scary. The joint compound is pink and dries to white, so it all looks a bit goofy because I now have a pink and white kitchen. I decided to wait until I get it all done and then post some of the pink before photos. There is more trim to cut, sanding to do and painting. And the pink needs to turn to white.

[4 eggs today]

Smiles

~:>

The Last Rose?

The last Rose of the season? It was the last one on any of the bushes at the dentists office. I had to go to the dentist to see a flower? Sad but true. The rose looked very nice with the cedar tree for a backdrop, even if the petals were a little damaged on the edges. I have to go back in two weeks. Maybe there will be another rose?

We left the chickens locked up in their coop and pen, and Morgan locked up in the house. Tom thought to ask me if I wanted to let the chickens out with Morgan, but I said no, because most of the time when something bad has happened to the hens it has been when we were not home. Eggs? I'm thinking eggs. "Did you guys look for eggs when you locked up the chickens?"

I just came back in from collecting eggs and listening to the girls coo goodnight. Sheesh... We got home late and I was busy cooking dinner so someone else locked up the hens. Did they look for eggs? No. The "others" are watching tv and informed me that it is cold outside. Gee, really? Well, I didn't have the heart to rip them away from watching Bones. That would be too cruel.

I hope I fixed the not being able to leave comments problem. If there is still a problem, click on my About Me photo, and click on email under Contact and please send me an email and let me know what happens when you try to leave a comment. Thank you!

We stopped on the way home at my favorite lookout spot and I tried to make a video, but there were lots of people talking and noise and finally a motorcycle. So, I gave up on trying to make any more videos. I made two. The other one was worse than this one.

As I was watching the video, I was thinking that if you didn't know that there is a river way, way, way, down between those mountain tops you might just think those are hills. We are over 3000 feet were this video was taken. That's really not very high, but high enough for me. I hope we do get lots of snow this winter. I remember when snow was on those mountains in the background in the summer when we used to come up here in the 70's. Well, even since 1999.

It is cold, but it is clear and I prefer to think of it being brisk and invigorating. The thoughts at the dentist office are that we are going to have more snow this winter than rain because of the heavy fall of acorns we have had this last week. I don't know? These people have lived here a lot longer than I have. A lot of snow for us is between three and four feet. They get more at the other end of town which is higher up the mountain.

[6 eggs today]

Collected at 8:30pm and woke the girls up.

Girls not happy.

Smiles

~:>

Wet Weather???

Here is another photo that I took yesterday showing the clouds headed up to Tahoe. They are having some terrific thunderstorms. The weather here is hot and muggy. Something like a steam bath outside. It is 10:15 pm and it is 80 degrees in the house. I'm whining. Sorry. I wish we could get some of the rain. I really, really do.

I guess it is too hot for some of the hens to roost sitting down. I have never seen the hens roost standing up before. Poor hot girls. Some of the hens have started to sleep on the ground where it is a little bit cooler.

I don't know if the hens knocked all the corn out of the feeder or if we have a messy mouse raiding the corn. It is almost dark in this photo and some of the chickens are still eating or maybe it is too hot to go to bed. I feel dumb making this post because as Kristine says, "You're doing a repeat?" Well, it is hot and I haven't done anything today, and this is what is happening with the chickens and and they are new photos and my brain is melting.

I brought the feeders inside because when I was taking the above photo I was feeling tiny drops of water and even though I don't think we are going to get any of the Tahoe rain I don't want to take any chances of the feed getting wet. I wish there were large drops of water!

On my last check through the nest I did find three eggs. That was a surprise. I picked up eight eggs earlier, but I fooled myself by bringing in a wooden egg. Well, it looked like a real egg and my brain is melting. The broody Wyandotte had moved over to a new spot in the middle nest box and was sitting on two eggs she had appropriated. I felt guilty taking them away. Guilt and heat are not a good combination.

Tom brought home meat loaf and french bread for dinner. I was going to make a salad to go with, but we were all too hot, so no dinner. He also bought some grapes from the farmers market and those we did eat.

Morgan is sleeping downstairs tonight because she is just too hot upstairs. Kristine has a fan, but that doesn't help Morgan much at all. She has finally stopped panting and is sleeping. It is silent outside. No noise. I guess it is too hot for any critters to be up and about.

I am not complaining about the heat. I just get twitchy because of the heat and the fire danger.

[10 eggs today]

Smiles

~:>

Coming and Going

Today I actually left the property. Very sad to tell, but I had to go to the dentist and there I received bad news. I have to have a new crown. Sigh. However, the good part was the drive and the stop along the way where I got to take some photos. I think I like this one the best because of the good shot of the clouds. Tahoe is going to be having thunderstorms for the next five days or more. I can hope for more rain than lightning. I really don't want anymore fires.

There are two Light Brahmas,

two Australorps, one Orpington and

one Wyandotte helping out in this photo.

Kristine and Tom were busy this afternoon unloading chicken feed. The chickens came to help out in their own silly way. You really don't want to trip over a chicken as you are carrying a heavy sack of feed, but the hens don't care and run around your feet looking for a treat. Kristine brought home a sack of hen scratch of mixed grains instead of just cracked corn. Good idea. It seems like the hens like the scratch much better than the plain corn. I have been spoiling the hens and giving them hen lay plus corn this summer. I usually save the corn for cold weather to help the hens stay warm.

Yesterday I gave the hens some blueberries and cherries that were too ripe and only later did I think about the cherry pits having cyanide in them. So far, the hens are doing ok and don't show any signs of being poisoned. I think they would have to eat a lot of pits to get sick. I'm hoping for the best.

Some how we ended up using plastic cans for feed storage instead of the metal cans we used when we first moved up here. I think it was because, when the shed roof leaked, water would leak onto the grain through the holes the handles made in the can lid. At least the plastic cans are water proof and so far we don't have any major problems with critters getting in the feed. We have found a country wood rat in a feed can one time. I will keep a look out for some metal leak proof cans. It would be best to keep the wildlife away from the feed.

I think if there are little critters eating the feed they are probably eating it out of the feeders hanging in the chicken pen. Kristine has seen a little country wood rat filling his cheeks with corn. He was so scared when Kristine shone the flashlight on him that he dropped the corn and fled the scene. I wish I could get her to tell the story. The wood rat is cute looking with large round ears. One of them is ok, but I don't want a colony. Perhaps I should be locking up the feeders at night? I'll think about that.

There are about ten hens crowded around the feeder eating the chicken scratch. Happy chickens! The broody Wyandotte is still in a nest box, so that means there are seven hens in the woods or under the house. Scratch is not their thing, evidently. I brought the hens home some lettuce for a treat and they got some watermelon which they appreciated on this hot day.

[12 eggs today]

5 of the eggs were laid together in the bottom nest in the old bookcase.

Seem that the hens favor a

small, dark, covered spot to nest.

Smiles ~:>

Chair Chicken

Light Brahma on the chair, two Orpingtons, two Light Brahmas at the feeder, a Dark Brahma and a Wyandotte in the back on the left. The Light Brahma likes to sit on the chair, but doesn't like to have company. Of all the different chickens we have I like the Brahmas best. They have a very calm easy going temperament that make them a pleasure to be around. We really liked our Light Brahma rooster that Kristine named Brutus. He was so sweet and took such good care of the hens. He was protecting his hens one day when a coyote came by. Morgan wasn't out for some reason, but Tom was out cutting wood, but the coyote hopped over the fence anyway. Brutus was friendlier even than the Brahma hens. He was a very big chick which was why he ended up being called Brutus. He was a sweetie and we miss him. 

I had to go to the dentist today and have a filling fixed because I had worn the top off. So, I had the opportunity to take some more photos on the drive. I got the middle shot on the way home.

This shot I took from a parking lot. Usually you can't see the view because of all the trees along the roadway. We are supposed to be getting lightning and rain, but the only rain we have seen has been for five minutes today. And no lightning I'm happy to say!

[8 eggs today]

Smiles

~:>

I really like this little chicken emoticon that Tristan sent me.

So, I adopted it for my blog.

Wall Hanging and Mars Hoax

Well, I'm pretty sure this is not how you are supposed to do applique, but this is my first attempt and this is the way I'm doing it. I drew out the flower and then cut out paper shapes, cut out the fabric, turned the edges, basted it down and now the next step is to sew it to the backing. Pretty simple shapes. I just want to add some color to the wall.

Here is some filler.

Another shot of the view on the way to town.

Today I received two forwarded emails. Both about earth and mars being so close in August that they will look almost the same size to the naked eye. I checked out Snopes and they say it is False.

If you would like to read the Snopes report:

Click here.

Phooey! I was looking forward

to seeing mars look so close.

[Oops! I just read that I do not want to see Mars

that close. Bad things would happen.]

It was in the 90's today

and the chickens took time off.

only 7 eggs today.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Smiles

~:>

Mountain View

I had to go into town today and actually managed to take a photo on the way back of a view out over the tops of some mountains. There is even still some snow out there on the tops of some of them. We are supposed to be getting some more snow towards the end of the week. I sure hope we at least get a good freeze. I want all the mosquitos killed off! There is West Nile Virus up here. Very Bad Stuff.

This is a very pretty photo. Go ahead... click on it!

I did good.

Some of the oak trees have places on them where they collect water and where mosquitos will breed if given the chance. I pour cooking oil in the ones I can reach and fill them in with dirt. I don't know if that is an approved method to retard mosquitos, but it works for me. I'm sure there are spots higher up in the trees that I can't get to, so I only work outside in the middle of the day when the mosquitos are not as active. And the dear chickens do eat mosquitos when they can catch them. And eat the larva too. Good chickens.
Clearing away all these leaves is supposed to be for fire suppression, but the way I see it is that if we have a fire move through here everything is toast. There have been fires that have burned down these towns several times. The fires move through the tops of the trees. Clearing the leaves might slow the fire down, but if there is a fire all I want is for all of us to leave the area. I don't plan or expect anything to survive the fire. So, really moving the leaves and clearing brush for me is just exercise. Good thing I like raking.

This photo below is Bad Chickens! The girls do love to take sun and dust baths and one of their favorite places is under the edge of the spa house. As you can see they are undermining the supports. And I suppose I also move some of the dirt away when I rake up the leaves. I'm going to have to remember to shovel some dirt back under the spa house. I keep trying to get a photo of the hens dusting under here. Someday soon...

Like I said, everyday I am working a bit on moving the leaves away from around the house. Today I got all the way to the propane tank for the spa house. This propane tank used to be used to power the hot tub that was in the spa house, but now it is used just to power my cook top. I saw a propane tank with a smiley face painted on it. Kinda cute. But I do think this tank needs a cover. If you enlarge the photo you can see the shovel where I stopped pushing it and left to take the photo. I was reading a farm blog (Tyler Farm) and they have something called a york rake that they drag around with a tractor. Pretty neat! But I need the exercise, so this is better for me. I keep telling myself!
This is a peek into my sewing/computer room. Three more weeks until Kristine is off for the summer and we can continue with the spring cleaning in the loft and her room. In the meantime I am working on this room. Next photo of the window will show curtains! At least that is the plan. I moved my sewing/cutting table so I can walk around three sides of it which will make for much easier cutting. I hate moving and repositioning the fabric before I cut. Lazy me! I keep my machine and table covered to protect against the sunlight and dust. Ah, but soon I will have curtains!

I need to paint the counter. I primed it but I'm wearing the primer off. I built the counter out of a couple of doors. Hard to believe but true and the counter is still level. I do have a little bit on the edge to fix up with some wood putty, but then I can paint. Except I don't have any paint.  I need to go to the store. Three weeks? Four? Well, at least I can hang the curtains and put up the shade.

It has been really warm today, 87 degrees.

Hard to believe snow is on the way.

And rain.

I'll take the rain. Love the rain.

I'm going to put my egg count down here:

[3 eggs] + 5 = 8

Have a great day!

Smiles

:)