tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274610816784849312024-03-13T10:10:11.952-07:00the untidy farmGlorious chaos, Messy diversitySarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-8629824595452975642011-01-21T08:10:00.000-08:002011-01-21T08:11:50.057-08:00The Kraken!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gxfXKrIZYhWvl_6Lim0RAUcWmV6YFq6pQU-_ltTevEWbsEMrgSuPqtzcLIAzc5PCPaWBMK5rObP62Uc4yBAskJ4Fa7augetTtT8d9_10NZVHjXZon0u6GfgsXh2MQGotK0uKv_JjMA/s1600/1-20-11+006.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564672564915538802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gxfXKrIZYhWvl_6Lim0RAUcWmV6YFq6pQU-_ltTevEWbsEMrgSuPqtzcLIAzc5PCPaWBMK5rObP62Uc4yBAskJ4Fa7augetTtT8d9_10NZVHjXZon0u6GfgsXh2MQGotK0uKv_JjMA/s400/1-20-11+006.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-68987899965839394582010-05-02T09:42:00.000-07:002010-05-02T10:03:04.613-07:00Interesting<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfM0ORO9QWhRe3rsEQFDGT94h-dxsdH5nYS8P5atp8mnDXGadvss_yDMEpDE_gtAgM34zczEisT_RorfTAe17-2L0XGJLYMoe8cNiQI4hvXKn_nfcmT635FHO68b6PSs0hlOkHIy0Jw/s1600/july+2008+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466717489423543186" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfM0ORO9QWhRe3rsEQFDGT94h-dxsdH5nYS8P5atp8mnDXGadvss_yDMEpDE_gtAgM34zczEisT_RorfTAe17-2L0XGJLYMoe8cNiQI4hvXKn_nfcmT635FHO68b6PSs0hlOkHIy0Jw/s400/july+2008+024.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I attended a permaculture workshop at <a href="http://tsdesigns.com/">TS Designs </a>in Burlington yesterday, and the subject of untidiness was raised. I was not aware of it, precisely, when I named this blog, but apparently Bill Mollison, one of the founders of today's permaculture system (much of it is ancient wisdom, really), had problems with tidiness, too. A couple of quotes:</div><br /><div>"Untidiness is a natural state, tidiness is maintained disorder"</div><br /><div>"Order is found in things working beneficially together. It is not the forced condition of neatness, tidiness, and straightness, all of which are, in design or energy terms, disordered. True order may lie in apparent confusion . .<br />Thus the seemingly-wild and naturally-functioning garden of a New Guinea villager is beautifully ordered and in harmony, while the clipped lawns and pruned roses of the pseudo-aristocrat are nature in wild disarray.<br />Neatness, tidiness, uniformity, and straightness signify an energy-maintained disorder in natural systems."</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95FWm64lENeP7kNNXyYXPVRTVD0KKSbb3RHk-L_y0qJAIujAHVjrbzM8x5MOg-fPukIroHn5cECBPsJltKH8VToDN9aatkZmN0lvxhCUT5QIImVPhRZ3ZrPnzPdml9Rd_rkrlNbdiQw/s1600/Picture+473.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466718839982988210" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95FWm64lENeP7kNNXyYXPVRTVD0KKSbb3RHk-L_y0qJAIujAHVjrbzM8x5MOg-fPukIroHn5cECBPsJltKH8VToDN9aatkZmN0lvxhCUT5QIImVPhRZ3ZrPnzPdml9Rd_rkrlNbdiQw/s400/Picture+473.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So, perhaps I am on the right track. I so prefer a sprawl of jungle like plants, buzzing with beneficial insects, giving shelter and food to birds and wildlife and me, to a neatly manicured lawn. I am glad to know that I am not the only one who is crazy in this particular way.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12J2dGD0gpreZPQ-DMSgQTZzwKEpahYcDxGIS_nBlKxElJo7oXKpNgDoA4H7HLp5cgugQPwRItsrbRc8SDTxzwoQern9X_v2WjWpjsk12H05zoXDAn4CDtBvqFMwx9w4Qdem93OlJQQ/s1600/Picture+680.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466719043386024706" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12J2dGD0gpreZPQ-DMSgQTZzwKEpahYcDxGIS_nBlKxElJo7oXKpNgDoA4H7HLp5cgugQPwRItsrbRc8SDTxzwoQern9X_v2WjWpjsk12H05zoXDAn4CDtBvqFMwx9w4Qdem93OlJQQ/s400/Picture+680.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-80019387787310617752010-05-01T04:47:00.000-07:002010-05-01T05:27:33.003-07:00Here we are..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hjxj2pWoLKP1EC8stTLC1wYrqgV0BIqW-2-aPVTn4y1tSeDB6lbEpLtz2q7lJ8LdVkyAlUeFgkmJxh5AbJR8uDjQLHgJxz-CiQmRdk-7nJ5SFwoAzxSk7YNHeLkQIFJFIoI1BDNOYg/s1600/4-15-2010+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466267956482628402" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hjxj2pWoLKP1EC8stTLC1wYrqgV0BIqW-2-aPVTn4y1tSeDB6lbEpLtz2q7lJ8LdVkyAlUeFgkmJxh5AbJR8uDjQLHgJxz-CiQmRdk-7nJ5SFwoAzxSk7YNHeLkQIFJFIoI1BDNOYg/s400/4-15-2010+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The untidy farmer has moved! I am now a resident of <a href="http://plowgirlfarm.blogspot.com/">Plowgirl Farm </a>in Chapel Hill, NC. It has taken almost a month of moving, as I have brought 30 chickens, 4 turkeys, 12 geese, 3 dogs and a kitten. Shew! We have joined 3 beautiful horses and 5 amazing goats, the current residents on the farm. We will all soon be joined by 10 hives of bees!<br /><div><div>It is quite the glorious zoo.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VnnTHNdaMj7aP6tBHSp3fvIBsobz6MgyuE_C61VCbjSZMLPdOU4In80Y3SaXyAcuI1GtIAAhChvbiKlgHIPHyT773SVWaat9kjiTikBgVSqWZ6wdyT7hXwBrbsskTBZh3Xi6eP4W3Q/s1600/4-15-2010+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466267813725315842" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VnnTHNdaMj7aP6tBHSp3fvIBsobz6MgyuE_C61VCbjSZMLPdOU4In80Y3SaXyAcuI1GtIAAhChvbiKlgHIPHyT773SVWaat9kjiTikBgVSqWZ6wdyT7hXwBrbsskTBZh3Xi6eP4W3Q/s400/4-15-2010+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSIxDjDYjRp2rmuKxKHY_iVa_-ElpCJkeTuk5to4b0-QdkeXcIytMoxfRxtU7o2LnnlbNxW2MWbGZ6kA-kGrHpLTp5S9FNtBB3UBCdPjpahXV0XBMvtxyjVkj2v1o11-QTgwdD5nY6A/s1600/4-15-2010+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466268545936946962" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSIxDjDYjRp2rmuKxKHY_iVa_-ElpCJkeTuk5to4b0-QdkeXcIytMoxfRxtU7o2LnnlbNxW2MWbGZ6kA-kGrHpLTp5S9FNtBB3UBCdPjpahXV0XBMvtxyjVkj2v1o11-QTgwdD5nY6A/s400/4-15-2010+030.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>And then there's Henry.. He was a foster dog, rescued from a terrible animal shelter, that was living here, and is currently undergoing heartworm treatment. Since he and Maybelle have become such good friends, and since he is such a sweet and intelligent fellow, erm, mwell, I guess he will be staying with us. What's one more?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRPevgcm6w_W0MVMInIFP6AhdOQUl0C6sfpVdYmrTN40OJIMJj75YZ6aLnLImYt-h4sNEg1c0UZEHeJhPkukM9xJq17V5Uqg99qW8P7qQooyIzu4h8rOFXwV9ZyQCeXxdg59YXOkaLw/s1600/henryand+may.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466268761072468514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRPevgcm6w_W0MVMInIFP6AhdOQUl0C6sfpVdYmrTN40OJIMJj75YZ6aLnLImYt-h4sNEg1c0UZEHeJhPkukM9xJq17V5Uqg99qW8P7qQooyIzu4h8rOFXwV9ZyQCeXxdg59YXOkaLw/s400/henryand+may.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRbf1XuZYG5Bj8re0nFJzAzO_-5PTfp_KtdKdaZ004k9ZzYP9BiSreWgbN8z9aebK45Z4A2RnpBa98POSTjwwju_5ZCDx_5UA-IgmieK8qoLKi5ugqemjhGDYH-5GRoxLgBanP1JLrw/s1600/4-15-2010+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466268411453049826" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRbf1XuZYG5Bj8re0nFJzAzO_-5PTfp_KtdKdaZ004k9ZzYP9BiSreWgbN8z9aebK45Z4A2RnpBa98POSTjwwju_5ZCDx_5UA-IgmieK8qoLKi5ugqemjhGDYH-5GRoxLgBanP1JLrw/s400/4-15-2010+031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-14974656057758489562010-04-26T17:22:00.000-07:002010-04-27T04:28:16.255-07:00mystery plant<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ4cIvpm2eEeLCNKGliBAnWwVzP6IK9mYi5WqKMu3nQmw0R4CftNLcYruDynKceaX5-3hhkqaKuQIlxjPiNaNgELhsjiyz5J7YIeneDkTYJe7WIC5ORxf40YvX5ftYksWyKiLSZATzw/s1600/mystery.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464606507668353522" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ4cIvpm2eEeLCNKGliBAnWwVzP6IK9mYi5WqKMu3nQmw0R4CftNLcYruDynKceaX5-3hhkqaKuQIlxjPiNaNgELhsjiyz5J7YIeneDkTYJe7WIC5ORxf40YvX5ftYksWyKiLSZATzw/s400/mystery.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It sort of looks like an azalea, with a growth habit more like a climbing rose-I have only seen them in yellow. Does anyone know what it is?Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-34306640018873487512010-04-15T04:54:00.000-07:002010-04-15T09:29:45.195-07:00sheepish<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzjYTVy5DUuoHvQWK2rJhU0zbIP2bG0LzwAymP-fxwFLZT0qxS3eViTfWtfONH14vQgwoxC0BrlxlpS4TpEbzPxRVstdmL5Xdt1ccCrEV3GJyq29N2lSBDGtVs0YWAH76WTmQxfTjWg/s1600/eclair2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460332474441817250" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzjYTVy5DUuoHvQWK2rJhU0zbIP2bG0LzwAymP-fxwFLZT0qxS3eViTfWtfONH14vQgwoxC0BrlxlpS4TpEbzPxRVstdmL5Xdt1ccCrEV3GJyq29N2lSBDGtVs0YWAH76WTmQxfTjWg/s400/eclair2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5O81_K9vAwhA4wIksou18-Le0N8aVZiLUEyWVgzz7OnOJcHYExzzISo7L20wVo_6k9_TKmoVsPGDHgvkWfaBg1_xT9fSFj3K-2S0AaMU1D6aazsbG4NxulDhEmF89d6TrkWMLZe4QVQ/s1600/caramel+before+shearing+2005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460332032422689890" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5O81_K9vAwhA4wIksou18-Le0N8aVZiLUEyWVgzz7OnOJcHYExzzISo7L20wVo_6k9_TKmoVsPGDHgvkWfaBg1_xT9fSFj3K-2S0AaMU1D6aazsbG4NxulDhEmF89d6TrkWMLZe4QVQ/s400/caramel+before+shearing+2005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJnPnITZNHz8XR9FMXLhl62a-Xvk5no9L3j_D7vqjPATqKA6dQciVG-ygA-sCuP-ZjbFd4np2eX-xHh1cwh_hJBrF6B9E0AjkNYr82phbp6dnDyKEqcWK7-sEEBsVbEirDZSimFaPgg/s1600/sheep+shearing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460399955208252194" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJnPnITZNHz8XR9FMXLhl62a-Xvk5no9L3j_D7vqjPATqKA6dQciVG-ygA-sCuP-ZjbFd4np2eX-xHh1cwh_hJBrF6B9E0AjkNYr82phbp6dnDyKEqcWK7-sEEBsVbEirDZSimFaPgg/s400/sheep+shearing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignMMUsCAdJuho4L2_xelIx-ZP9JkkOiYKImZs92adHyTOVnDIW5RFKBGh3NvWs53OX8xfaxJHF4-nKzYLOVar4unH071iovzhO8VD6gmSt4rtk_peccw_N8xDqSzuLwt0HDrJwMmmOQ/s1600/sheep1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460401354700107570" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignMMUsCAdJuho4L2_xelIx-ZP9JkkOiYKImZs92adHyTOVnDIW5RFKBGh3NvWs53OX8xfaxJHF4-nKzYLOVar4unH071iovzhO8VD6gmSt4rtk_peccw_N8xDqSzuLwt0HDrJwMmmOQ/s400/sheep1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9gUMX3Fp3bG1UomR1mTYcvldKwjIv67hfVbo9PpB3JzxFozpbyrH0VUK2-6ZYVopR08VOW-TsK-YK3FbpgxjLzRDTEK0T93VZrS65j07tFCw-dL_mKbjDKE1f2XedVP71D_EEvcWXQ/s1600/6-23wool_009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460334788028653506" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9gUMX3Fp3bG1UomR1mTYcvldKwjIv67hfVbo9PpB3JzxFozpbyrH0VUK2-6ZYVopR08VOW-TsK-YK3FbpgxjLzRDTEK0T93VZrS65j07tFCw-dL_mKbjDKE1f2XedVP71D_EEvcWXQ/s400/6-23wool_009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPqu34huYDRth_TPJVOUCyzPOIlPTbhX1b7Fe8el4CJV6mGCJwWGNBnN1IR8cQVFKJZebNxilUphh6lfMMqYPm5UYZrCHOjlKiZlkOAEPcshW3mjniIGwW7cFtrQutc3B5BwLwnOH8w/s1600/7-21-2009wool_006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460335009862262434" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPqu34huYDRth_TPJVOUCyzPOIlPTbhX1b7Fe8el4CJV6mGCJwWGNBnN1IR8cQVFKJZebNxilUphh6lfMMqYPm5UYZrCHOjlKiZlkOAEPcshW3mjniIGwW7cFtrQutc3B5BwLwnOH8w/s400/7-21-2009wool_006.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpIVirsDeoSLNiRlTTJHknDfEc9yL4hh4ofWuiDCEi2ykqkrAYGdXEHj-OIkSv5QLGufb84iZ0WT2RbGizg8Zn19nEhNognqPTqaOLwHJyc8YN3shpvqbFjL8_lHcoM8QGKuYEhOq6w/s1600/7-21-2009wool_001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460334900395481090" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpIVirsDeoSLNiRlTTJHknDfEc9yL4hh4ofWuiDCEi2ykqkrAYGdXEHj-OIkSv5QLGufb84iZ0WT2RbGizg8Zn19nEhNognqPTqaOLwHJyc8YN3shpvqbFjL8_lHcoM8QGKuYEhOq6w/s400/7-21-2009wool_001.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dO4egdCd8r-bJX0TX_oB9NVgx8Jezl5fhIbQJ1vCUO886WxBcpJmdN8XDBruanh1K5twyl2e7rL7oa20gYulGG9sOxCaf13lpXlK89E6lOpcK8gWZB0k7bjYfrO1oE_spZpqgTz9bA/s1600/4-15-2010+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460398237482090562" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dO4egdCd8r-bJX0TX_oB9NVgx8Jezl5fhIbQJ1vCUO886WxBcpJmdN8XDBruanh1K5twyl2e7rL7oa20gYulGG9sOxCaf13lpXlK89E6lOpcK8gWZB0k7bjYfrO1oE_spZpqgTz9bA/s400/4-15-2010+004.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460398384538925778" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AZYhZUeXi_KewPG2I0N3-8QBXWAZmgkIEXR7y4ahlMDgiKp44m8-hIMCYkIyhrw_3Rr0HYVaF3Dcn7chuLr3F2eRLmKX5H3DwU5NgOGYG_Jhj83o731QYDkRnQkLYleBwditoodBiw/s400/4-15-2010+008.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div>Now, this felted messenger bag did not turn out very well, but in the interest of this story, let us pretend it is not a wonky mess, ok? Thank you!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3jbc8r-kA9BGgZgFXaavYEI1lv5vIpdTDjqO96MK6B63bVAinFlVWgZ6qe3h-eyvOUBBCak82-5Y1NT9A-Bswaml6iGSl9j48CQOjLfGzSH0s8kyYovsPFwmrMNeODnom-Wtn1_sPQ/s1600/4-15-2010+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460401977816257154" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3jbc8r-kA9BGgZgFXaavYEI1lv5vIpdTDjqO96MK6B63bVAinFlVWgZ6qe3h-eyvOUBBCak82-5Y1NT9A-Bswaml6iGSl9j48CQOjLfGzSH0s8kyYovsPFwmrMNeODnom-Wtn1_sPQ/s400/4-15-2010+021.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-42635132245287546102010-03-31T06:40:00.001-07:002010-03-31T06:51:26.765-07:00Ernesto<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jFze-YO2jMJ2EblfzVEvo1oWr96CBWtfnjTaLP6fNMT1eAiNgf7k2k0Ul5cPx9eYJKoFOBNlWOiNrT1_nCKvT7PRYowEVeYVhPCfCxcrgtkmhux_I7HB3PfVtrVJu_ws79VlNgidng/s1600/Gladys&Foal+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454794774223888418" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jFze-YO2jMJ2EblfzVEvo1oWr96CBWtfnjTaLP6fNMT1eAiNgf7k2k0Ul5cPx9eYJKoFOBNlWOiNrT1_nCKvT7PRYowEVeYVhPCfCxcrgtkmhux_I7HB3PfVtrVJu_ws79VlNgidng/s400/Gladys&Foal+014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IpokeCgEO0KVT56N5cfcMsXCXcqEP0kzqOZq9TfBdebD6eW1w7w6sbQKts0AOnXz9a9qR8IjBHuYsaLbfLxjHNygB02Gll1HzVAkbQH6OHPyzr24HReXc2XNpfdPCwDK2TzEKgqzvA/s1600/Gladys&Foal+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454794606312598898" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IpokeCgEO0KVT56N5cfcMsXCXcqEP0kzqOZq9TfBdebD6eW1w7w6sbQKts0AOnXz9a9qR8IjBHuYsaLbfLxjHNygB02Gll1HzVAkbQH6OHPyzr24HReXc2XNpfdPCwDK2TzEKgqzvA/s400/Gladys&Foal+013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuWHrfq8XZicGGYpHHAbuuAXu9KvxwQJ8itaXz8hiUrqsQMWI_DjOLKshrX8Yk3o7-jxjq6gXU3ptcx_JximiGozidEuwdvQtLGmyAG8KmvViuua2PAj865e-GfPW24w2OhiEzf_3UA/s1600/Gladys&Foal+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454793967591684578" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuWHrfq8XZicGGYpHHAbuuAXu9KvxwQJ8itaXz8hiUrqsQMWI_DjOLKshrX8Yk3o7-jxjq6gXU3ptcx_JximiGozidEuwdvQtLGmyAG8KmvViuua2PAj865e-GfPW24w2OhiEzf_3UA/s400/Gladys&Foal+020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuewyP-suTcp_Xg-nlwYllmqeKcPodvQljwJcdhF-IHEE0jMagGJSIBnjg_Iei1IqNfFH9YoAdrPZrz5wk9lZJ53i2oWe6pe2nkSFt4_2FUf18xp33x0VOtDb_u1OtEpcJa_vRjnr9nQ/s1600/Gladys&Foal+022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454793407573375842" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuewyP-suTcp_Xg-nlwYllmqeKcPodvQljwJcdhF-IHEE0jMagGJSIBnjg_Iei1IqNfFH9YoAdrPZrz5wk9lZJ53i2oWe6pe2nkSFt4_2FUf18xp33x0VOtDb_u1OtEpcJa_vRjnr9nQ/s400/Gladys&Foal+022.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454792981553924242" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWyHxJlQY3tpU94uo-2Gjgiccw1924RnpS4kzmrRt0NpEe6K_UF5tVRLc57kKBPZ9zF8_Sbc6O3cbyJn7eMzE1wXpyDaE-aEPJDwtkim13-JTv8a6pTIorbNkS0pgvCq45aokslhSDA/s400/Gladys&Foal+009.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div> </div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-68304460362464828662010-03-23T05:00:00.000-07:002010-03-23T05:05:41.085-07:00Success!Meet Gladys' new son. There was no problem with the birth-in fact, it happened so fast, we missed it! The foal started out a bit weak though, and the vet had to give him a plasma transfusion, hence the bandage, but he is doing very well now.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigggHowllrurvFhsYdptUbrGmpz3v8Jg3IACPCkilQoU9DhOUe_TvC078GIuEDbWixV2uItCTEXLEd1lfYP5i777tSC7HaqR6SGjBpzuCbSFJfBJUP0BCHfljC1EDPVbSVYsTv0vZqsw/s1600-h/Gladys&Foal+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451798397355123682" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigggHowllrurvFhsYdptUbrGmpz3v8Jg3IACPCkilQoU9DhOUe_TvC078GIuEDbWixV2uItCTEXLEd1lfYP5i777tSC7HaqR6SGjBpzuCbSFJfBJUP0BCHfljC1EDPVbSVYsTv0vZqsw/s400/Gladys&Foal+004.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz13zDoyZbd-rrScHgSH2bwgGjeud65q0vO0uekgWj5N3Zevl-ybTpoV9JWnsgBy4JeC46yH9i49QFSu8Ks4_8_8H54q8ipHZsW8dfCJo44GKUlhXxBBYvV__-CaJ4IutT3k7cEa2jA/s1600-h/Gladys&Foal+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451798519849505090" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz13zDoyZbd-rrScHgSH2bwgGjeud65q0vO0uekgWj5N3Zevl-ybTpoV9JWnsgBy4JeC46yH9i49QFSu8Ks4_8_8H54q8ipHZsW8dfCJo44GKUlhXxBBYvV__-CaJ4IutT3k7cEa2jA/s400/Gladys&Foal+007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-7078727820562138982010-02-22T05:27:00.000-08:002010-02-22T06:03:04.924-08:00Foal Watch<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabOG66NX2L6CDEoadTi6quULv4FCZItTAp3U9LfcmMD5h5ftd64VJMIvR29lbR2okGcuRoCRRkYEs3w6XGu9J0DB8dOdz8tHvKmBRkscq_1_ko4uYNC19u1zAhPRxn4XmW-S20E3j1A/s1600-h/2-11-2010+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441064022701052306" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabOG66NX2L6CDEoadTi6quULv4FCZItTAp3U9LfcmMD5h5ftd64VJMIvR29lbR2okGcuRoCRRkYEs3w6XGu9J0DB8dOdz8tHvKmBRkscq_1_ko4uYNC19u1zAhPRxn4XmW-S20E3j1A/s400/2-11-2010+001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We have been eagerly and anxiously anticipating the arrival of Gladys' foal for over two weeks now. She is absolutely enormous. She has only been with foal once before, the difficulties of which I wrote about last year. It is my failing that she became pregnant again- after the harrowing experience, I confined Jose to a large stall while Gladys recovered, but, erm, I evidently let him out too soon!</div><br /><br /><div>So here we are again, and we have been watching her closely. We have consulted with our vet, Dr. Tillotson, and have been watching for the signs of imminent labor. Trouble is, these signs don't seem to be all that reliable-and I have made myself foolish to family and friends, saying "I think it's happening!" "Okay, now, for real!" "Er, not yet, maybe tonight!" Wrong again-</div><br /><div>Some of the signs have been:</div><br /><div>"Pointy Belly" When the foal moves into position for birthing, it is actually sort of sitting in the jennet's womb, and its little behindermost makes a distinct "point". This indicates birth within 48 hours-that was two and a half weeks ago. She is no longer pointy.</div><br /><div>Waxy spots on the teats-according to the vet, these indicate birth within 10 days. That was two weeks ago. They are still there.</div><br /><div>Forming a "bag". Her milk started coming in Saturday-this is apparently not a reliable indicator in terms of timing, but she seemed restless last night, too, so I thought for sure....but, nope.</div><br /><div>We need to be there when it happens, because there is a narrow window of time, 30 minutes or so, that we have to make sure it is born alive. This means it has been a worrisome couple of weeks of getting up several times every night to go down to the barn and check on her.<br /><br />We have set her up in a roomy stall, which I am keeping nice and clean, and she is getting plenty of petting and grooming and words of encouragement. She seems well, and is eating like a, well, horse! Jose is not amused by this arrangement.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtwAM2dVMsrUKy1ltzkmaEXS29E2j2fZOEtgGcBc7hAzlXRxw_bOoR_YfPzaCl58V0XnAp8A5ySuDduDwMynkB25L0JF9nk3hNVhwp00dGYA_hqimuQ5_om_7TQtriRm2Zi5M6jjHZw/s1600-h/2-11-2010+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441065230035608914" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtwAM2dVMsrUKy1ltzkmaEXS29E2j2fZOEtgGcBc7hAzlXRxw_bOoR_YfPzaCl58V0XnAp8A5ySuDduDwMynkB25L0JF9nk3hNVhwp00dGYA_hqimuQ5_om_7TQtriRm2Zi5M6jjHZw/s400/2-11-2010+013.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>I do remember from reading "Babycatcher", an excellent collection of birthing stories written by a midwife, that the general rule is "First births are hard, second births are easy..." Does this apply to donkeys, as well? I hope so. Wish us luck.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexbA7LFL0iZET1rc2P_o_rUcK7VU2RSWZvCrWaJUGg0ee3oFoz17ctFSTqtjNUUviFpvwkEPL3aaYGJlF2qysX36c5ECSw32LHn21ClfDixjsdOXhkW43ZR6uP2VN71peTYkqzs2FFA/s1600-h/2-11-2010+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441065088124147138" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexbA7LFL0iZET1rc2P_o_rUcK7VU2RSWZvCrWaJUGg0ee3oFoz17ctFSTqtjNUUviFpvwkEPL3aaYGJlF2qysX36c5ECSw32LHn21ClfDixjsdOXhkW43ZR6uP2VN71peTYkqzs2FFA/s400/2-11-2010+011.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-87705786649807542782010-02-03T13:08:00.000-08:002010-02-03T13:43:49.576-08:00Snow and Tigers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuBctP5lMzjxMKUTcahf4ngO6XNVI1hGmvsmceuMnUuy_VZREsDJfner5BstT3bUieBMrv-1tyb2A5ujYBt2W-3V_MS7w114MwMVhqYzmvtMHINWdb7EJBlwga7mRnnTqylJiAANhlg/s1600-h/2-3-2010+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434129936548388050" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuBctP5lMzjxMKUTcahf4ngO6XNVI1hGmvsmceuMnUuy_VZREsDJfner5BstT3bUieBMrv-1tyb2A5ujYBt2W-3V_MS7w114MwMVhqYzmvtMHINWdb7EJBlwga7mRnnTqylJiAANhlg/s400/2-3-2010+019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />More snow-another seven or so inches. Perhaps not so much, but enough to mostly shut down the world around here for another four days. I have enough chores to keep me busy-and to keep my feet sopping wet, as my boots leak, but not enough to make me feel actually productive, mind you. Although, I have been enjoying the time to admire the lovely winter scenery.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwVScBQzykRbIIv6k-UEKRvvXaPDlKIgxjWcD6IxPG7BI2kyMMG_rD3ApF3pWZbrqSjmgWtJmqGWdBo8n5QdmwnPbYHC8J5Lda50_YypTZ87PLBXh0qV6CIgcbxPESvcaPKf0YEt0SA/s1600-h/2-3-2010+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434129811066541938" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwVScBQzykRbIIv6k-UEKRvvXaPDlKIgxjWcD6IxPG7BI2kyMMG_rD3ApF3pWZbrqSjmgWtJmqGWdBo8n5QdmwnPbYHC8J5Lda50_YypTZ87PLBXh0qV6CIgcbxPESvcaPKf0YEt0SA/s400/2-3-2010+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />With a high of 48 degrees today, and the sun shining, it is all melting away, forming pools and rivulets all over, and lending a background of dripping and gurgling to the hushed landscape. One thing I love about winter is the absence of lawnmowers, weed trimmers, leaf blowers, etc. You can just listen to the birds chirping, and breathe, and be quiet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaqhXvhwJDRjt-LffE3MPTpqANRwMg8jw6PmV9rJ0mldDBnXZ4brsTyY61tnKtGRiTq8xb2t-HTnfFVaOGfgjFprIbGNmILm_GkRd4aLB1mVW86XEjerkKSfIfMy7duistIDfudLGCw/s1600-h/2-3-2010+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434129691914133714" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaqhXvhwJDRjt-LffE3MPTpqANRwMg8jw6PmV9rJ0mldDBnXZ4brsTyY61tnKtGRiTq8xb2t-HTnfFVaOGfgjFprIbGNmILm_GkRd4aLB1mVW86XEjerkKSfIfMy7duistIDfudLGCw/s400/2-3-2010+014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Chickens are not amused by snow. Many of them will not set one scaly little foot in it, when it can be avoided, a trait I think might be attributed to their origins-there's not much snow in the jungle. Wiley is especially insulted that she has not been invited to come in and warm up by the fire.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpQgEXLoV_tJ3H97vlAcEJZ5OKFF6shkj4W6C5KOG6ER8whs3JHC9kE3hMf72MGwwdTLw5wNLzabhAWI8o9QSQbvnIXBQajWNLtIQYaE0X1rEXPgjsOR3vTbRZCWJ_k7uje2_BMZIOA/s1600-h/2-3-2010+044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434129346427536322" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpQgEXLoV_tJ3H97vlAcEJZ5OKFF6shkj4W6C5KOG6ER8whs3JHC9kE3hMf72MGwwdTLw5wNLzabhAWI8o9QSQbvnIXBQajWNLtIQYaE0X1rEXPgjsOR3vTbRZCWJ_k7uje2_BMZIOA/s400/2-3-2010+044.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />On the other hand, turkeys don't seem to mind it much-<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUAg4fJo1U9V1GIMsqfHQaxYzR3X3KR8j0C945FMSsoDHfPm7e5RF8J8THU2-onRUr5y96UHUaRZdLz-tOmjwW-wzHliyBXDgx8eFi6Au5iCRtKlC8OtJodjQPC37Jbsao17Kqxw4ZA/s1600-h/2-3-2010+050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434128938011220098" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUAg4fJo1U9V1GIMsqfHQaxYzR3X3KR8j0C945FMSsoDHfPm7e5RF8J8THU2-onRUr5y96UHUaRZdLz-tOmjwW-wzHliyBXDgx8eFi6Au5iCRtKlC8OtJodjQPC37Jbsao17Kqxw4ZA/s400/2-3-2010+050.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and the geese seem to enjoy it some. Especially now that the melting ice has created more puddles for them to muck around in.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH1OVbqhrGTgeL4w49GaiW6dbM1TE3ochTnAZ4l1bYHTx5Z3XtbD0PiNT8OpmstINsQDLQ978P4UiFN-iUVwYoqw729bigqAIehr0YeCn2TPyUa_JNqMn5dPBWb2dnjPwmW0I9ELUnA/s1600-h/2-3-2010+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434128612085937330" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH1OVbqhrGTgeL4w49GaiW6dbM1TE3ochTnAZ4l1bYHTx5Z3XtbD0PiNT8OpmstINsQDLQ978P4UiFN-iUVwYoqw729bigqAIehr0YeCn2TPyUa_JNqMn5dPBWb2dnjPwmW0I9ELUnA/s400/2-3-2010+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The next new moon will bring us the Chinese year of the Tiger. The golden, or metal tiger, to be precise. The tiger year should bring dramatic and active change for us, so the forecasts read. I say bring it-I am not afraid. The tiger also defends your house from fire, thieves, and ghosts. I expect this little tiger to do his worst.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfucOxpX7x-gnZ80uRSfH5hnvScTeV45IcP5xFzFSNbBSKSdIa62m0ABgXg6zRiY-GOj66-EgC_hugsftk9Vz_-SbneFweVTw-vSEGGT5u_7geFT0Ogfst5oPr5f7pZo6nypbpoEF3g/s1600-h/2-3-2010+034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434128256013920978" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfucOxpX7x-gnZ80uRSfH5hnvScTeV45IcP5xFzFSNbBSKSdIa62m0ABgXg6zRiY-GOj66-EgC_hugsftk9Vz_-SbneFweVTw-vSEGGT5u_7geFT0Ogfst5oPr5f7pZo6nypbpoEF3g/s400/2-3-2010+034.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Small tigers will also do a number on your philodendron.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG-MxtcveJCI8S5nMeD2Cyx9sWA2uUCMuKnnTQM1yPgVTv-IPVEwkHXf639kcNEFg2k83vNzHhTFVzHLG_iBQUsfVYPRcZos37-53tQXuXtVeJkgDeumqfcll8z430rehCUmsmHNKVw/s1600-h/2-3-2010+025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434127942724236834" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG-MxtcveJCI8S5nMeD2Cyx9sWA2uUCMuKnnTQM1yPgVTv-IPVEwkHXf639kcNEFg2k83vNzHhTFVzHLG_iBQUsfVYPRcZos37-53tQXuXtVeJkgDeumqfcll8z430rehCUmsmHNKVw/s400/2-3-2010+025.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXkmOqMRlZ8vKOXqiUR9Ik1MlCrj8ImZr_lW-Qett05_2-kv7oPP1JyKLlLYoo0xGOsJvGNhnINoREhnNwIA4Ju0hU_jiHqsy20HhbecJa71L9bWvAZox17_5ZqYGNixDEs5hJOVyDw/s1600-h/2-3-2010+052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434127755289452018" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXkmOqMRlZ8vKOXqiUR9Ik1MlCrj8ImZr_lW-Qett05_2-kv7oPP1JyKLlLYoo0xGOsJvGNhnINoREhnNwIA4Ju0hU_jiHqsy20HhbecJa71L9bWvAZox17_5ZqYGNixDEs5hJOVyDw/s400/2-3-2010+052.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-5651092441230120112010-01-25T16:52:00.000-08:002010-01-27T15:25:56.028-08:00The Persistence of Chickens<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBoFmEFkUxxzzpz-Kz32gtPBQSoHYcEKKUOxDgpD_5hEgsmqXdEsHqG94abdrHYuZTO6BGddLk-tiqXRao1vVoPD-2oYJaFUyqfxhz0L4A5db3aSZllYjvc0GuNKZnhyphenhyphenzFGtg0T-RTw/s1600-h/monsterchx.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431440488372475906" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBoFmEFkUxxzzpz-Kz32gtPBQSoHYcEKKUOxDgpD_5hEgsmqXdEsHqG94abdrHYuZTO6BGddLk-tiqXRao1vVoPD-2oYJaFUyqfxhz0L4A5db3aSZllYjvc0GuNKZnhyphenhyphenzFGtg0T-RTw/s400/monsterchx.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq3MN2Ss7CM11qab5fu-2Rw1-uMJSEo-aSO2IwrIO6TnCBUFnM0gaR8rUi3DBdHIiGcF8m8uMm6dNubr-oWFYNy3NmoT3GXDSeedicj7J9zbs0wTOAzAUPlKslF6kMoujhC88ZdbBNA/s1600-h/Picture+428.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431441449399424530" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq3MN2Ss7CM11qab5fu-2Rw1-uMJSEo-aSO2IwrIO6TnCBUFnM0gaR8rUi3DBdHIiGcF8m8uMm6dNubr-oWFYNy3NmoT3GXDSeedicj7J9zbs0wTOAzAUPlKslF6kMoujhC88ZdbBNA/s400/Picture+428.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>For the past six months, we have been reducing our flocks, as I have mentioned several times before. We have gone from having 30-ish turkeys and nearly 200 chickens, to 12 and 60 now, respectively. Over the years, we have put quite a bit of work into selecting and breeding these animals, so it has been difficult to examine each group and make the decision of who to keep and who needs to go. I am pleased to say that many of these guys have gone to excellent homes, and with folks I am confident will appreciate them and treat them well.<br /><br /><p>But, beyond examining their more obvious production qualities, I have to recall their personal stories, how they got here, who they are. Obviously, this can sometimes make it harder to "get rid" of them. I was thinking of the story of the "Potatoes" recently, and their mama-<br /><br />It was about this time of year, actually Mid-February, three years ago, when the winds blow cold and constantly across the the farm. This hen, one of a group of 100 or so Buffs, decided that she just had to hatch some chicks. She made a nest way up high on the stacks of hay in the livestock barn. We tried to dissuade her, we put her back in with her group every day, and every morning she returned to her nest. So, we let her set, despite the driving winds and the cold rain, and she set stalwart and unmoved by the harshness of the weather.<br /></p><br /><p>Hens set for 21 or so days, and as the time for hatching grew near, we checked on her every morning. We brought her little sips of water and nibbles of feed. The location she chose seemed pretty secure for her own safety, but once the chicks hatched, we wondered how she would even get them down from the hay bales, so we set up a brood room for her in the hen house, thinking that once she hatched her brood, we would scoop them all up, and remove them to safer environs. She was one of our very first truly broody birds, and one lesson we have learned since then is that when chicks or poults begin to hatch, they peep, and that is a dinner bell for many different predators.</p><p>One morning, Farmer Steve set out to check on all the critters, and a short time later, came running in the house, his shirt full of eggs, and told me that something had killed our hen. As he put the eggs into the dinky styrofoam incubator we had at the time, he said, "three of them had already hatched". As I zoomed out the door, he called after me "they're already dead!" I went on anyway. I observed the kill scene, where mama hen had, most likely, tried to lure the predator away from her nest, or possibly had just panicked and run. I gathered up the the three cold and limp little bodies from the nest.<br /></p><p>Well, I just don't give up easily, so cradling their seemingly lifeless bodies in my hands, I booked it back to the house. I ran upstairs to the bathroom, laid them out on the floor, and turned my hair dryer on them. Miracle of miracles, after a minute or so of this, all six little legs started kicking! In a moment that I sincerely hope will be included when they make a movie of my life, I threw open the upstairs window, and yelled: "STEVE!!! GET THE HEAT LAMP!.....THEY'RE ALIVE!!!!</p><div></div><div>Yes they were, and they did just fine. Of the 24 (!) eggs that hen was setting on, 14 of them hatched and 12 of those lived. So wait, what about the "potato" thing? As they hatched in the little incubator, we removed them to a potato box with a heat lamp over it in the spare room. When they were toughened up enough to be moved to the brood room, already set up for them, we set them out of the box on the floor. In a comical moment, they all contemplated the box in a serious manner, as if thinking, ah, Potatoes-so that's what we are! Maybe you had to be there. Anyway, it stuck. </div><br /><div>Of the twelve, 3 were boys and 9 girls. We kept the the best of the boys, Sweetums, who last year went to live on our friend <a href="http://verdantfurrows.blogspot.com/">Will's new farm</a>. The other two, we et. I know it seems harsh, doesn't it? </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAImEf6Yz0u1aPv4sRkr0gE7X5VasynhAKO8sV6wILE9NLoPIbx4XmRbczZSacTj-1fE9jS-yJo4pbVPSY8l4POF3CebbO88C-FfmO-M2cnDQuTDkhPx6q-bQN1KAGnG_JQgxjxgYWSw/s1600-h/sweetums"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431450571421900722" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAImEf6Yz0u1aPv4sRkr0gE7X5VasynhAKO8sV6wILE9NLoPIbx4XmRbczZSacTj-1fE9jS-yJo4pbVPSY8l4POF3CebbO88C-FfmO-M2cnDQuTDkhPx6q-bQN1KAGnG_JQgxjxgYWSw/s400/sweetums" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Some of the girls have gone to live on other farms, also, but two of them returned to the house. They were put in with all the other Buffs, but found their way "home" to my yard. I tried to return them to the group more than once, but they would just come stomping back and huffy, shooting me dirty looks. They are as determined as their mama was. So of course, I want to keep these two.</div><br /><p>I acknowledge that I am not cut out to be the very best of poultry farmers. I know my work well, and I am capable of being objective and practical when it comes to making selections. Last week, I helped choose 50 more birds to send to slaughter. What I can't do is ignore the inner voice that says, in this case, I know you, little ones. I know how much your mama wanted you and how hard she worked to get you here. I know your story and I care.</p><p>Of the 50 we just sent, I knew many of their stories, too. I may very well be the only one who cares, as I am the one who knows them best, but I will remember, and write them down so I don't forget. As, I am sure, you all have your own book of stories that you hold dear.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTrzfokIUxlVIW2Oh3HYUApL92AetNCAXkYvIRyY7qyOlO79uySyzetHLpNSGBOYB5T0z2aSYJw8jtPxrD-0WJA1DAjHqGEdaa4tViRRIQlQReY-IG4reJfvYserSoKFnXv03w9tE0w/s1600-h/Papaw.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431440387398755666" style="WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTrzfokIUxlVIW2Oh3HYUApL92AetNCAXkYvIRyY7qyOlO79uySyzetHLpNSGBOYB5T0z2aSYJw8jtPxrD-0WJA1DAjHqGEdaa4tViRRIQlQReY-IG4reJfvYserSoKFnXv03w9tE0w/s400/Papaw.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>(My great grandfather, with chicken)</p></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-32412415164012373222010-01-23T07:07:00.000-08:002010-01-23T08:42:27.188-08:00Update from the Doldrums<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFpG_ALIdDtsjgRNLZLF7Z61vAbAtuFxMf9jBc3UQwwKjOuTFRF_6V4gqgjo9W_7_eZout_BZh54GlJI3rxuiq2rz7WHxeWwCIkDAy2AOY0Oz1jcsIStVz3vfmaSTxJdgIq5CeTHaqw/s1600-h/12-27-2009+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429973832140919410" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFpG_ALIdDtsjgRNLZLF7Z61vAbAtuFxMf9jBc3UQwwKjOuTFRF_6V4gqgjo9W_7_eZout_BZh54GlJI3rxuiq2rz7WHxeWwCIkDAy2AOY0Oz1jcsIStVz3vfmaSTxJdgIq5CeTHaqw/s400/12-27-2009+002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I fear this post will come off a bit whiney, and I apologize in advance. I never forget to count all my blessings every day, and with all of the real horror that exists in the world at the moment, I know I have no reason to complain. My heart aches for all of those in Haiti who are suffering at this time, I can't even comprehend what it must be like to be a part of such devastation. My own heartbreak seems inconsequential by comparison-but, it's mine.</div><br /><div>I haven't updated in a while, because my story remains the same. I must find gainful employment in order to move on with my life, and though I spend tedious hours every day searching job boards, identifying potential opportunities, emailing, calling, etc., I have been spinning my wheels for going on six months now. I know the poor economy has much to do with it, and it doesn't help a bit that I am so far out in the country, it is at least a 45 minute drive to anywhere the jobs are-but I am immensely frustrated. I have a fairly diverse work background, solid references, experience and skills, and it really seems that there is nothing out there for me! So I am feeling kind of purposeless.</div><br /><div>The farmer in me is frustrated, too. Normally, this time of year, I would be getting ready for the season to come. Working on seed orders, planning crops, scheduling transplant starting in the greenhouse, and I would be planting like crazy in the hoophouse.</div><br /><div>Sadly, we lost the hoophouse in the last snow. We only got around seven inches, but it all came down very quickly. We had cleaned the snow off of the top twice in the space of about an hour, but when we went to check it the third time:</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgsbhSTv2CbT7iS1I9U6rbknLm1UnK5srn8MXGdhuVZj3RDWOAyWH25pXxyFCBoNybJ444AGvAM2rTPRdzn0Pqm4Vvgo4Io0R4qKNKbtnS0UdkFQMLyF4I1LiPHOIkH2LdV876FVd8w/s1600-h/1-23-2010+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429974035811664274" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgsbhSTv2CbT7iS1I9U6rbknLm1UnK5srn8MXGdhuVZj3RDWOAyWH25pXxyFCBoNybJ444AGvAM2rTPRdzn0Pqm4Vvgo4Io0R4qKNKbtnS0UdkFQMLyF4I1LiPHOIkH2LdV876FVd8w/s400/1-23-2010+009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Squasho. Total loss, and the wretches at Farm Bureau refused to pay us a cent for it. Funny, I thought that was the kind of thing insurance was for. Silly me.</div><br /><div>The monotony of my days has been broken up a bit recently, though. One morning as I set out to do the the chores, I found this napping in a chicken tractor.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXhIxsd10dEVuzXxpq5_CP3N1BA1grhF43mo4NL_W9YrjNpYfOG_mUwa1Eru71FZccOQv-H9uLJqieelDTJkkW3tOYx7ok2jf459oKEG6VDJW6jjK9WsEasrxzAWx72adR0IypM92zg/s1600-h/1-23-2010+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429974190924068978" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXhIxsd10dEVuzXxpq5_CP3N1BA1grhF43mo4NL_W9YrjNpYfOG_mUwa1Eru71FZccOQv-H9uLJqieelDTJkkW3tOYx7ok2jf459oKEG6VDJW6jjK9WsEasrxzAWx72adR0IypM92zg/s400/1-23-2010+014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div>Thinking he must surely be feral, I (somewhat stupidly, in retrospect) sneaked up and grabbed him, secured him in a havahart trap, and said I would take him to the local animal shelter. Very soon, though, it became apparent that he wasn't wild at all, only scared from his rude awakening. I moved him inside, and set him up in Maybelle's dog crate in the spare room. Within a day or so, he overcame his shyness and turned out to be, in fact, a snuggly, precious lil' dumpling. He is also the picture of health, good with the dogs, and handsome, to boot.</div><br /><div>So, no animal shelter for this guy, he is really special. I would like to find him an excellent home. So far all my queries to friends have turned up no interest, so here's another go. I fear if he doesn't go somewhere soon, I won't be able to part with him. I need another critter to feed like I need a hole in my head-BUT, he's awesome. Perhaps my new farm-to-be will require the services of a mouser.</div><br /><p>Most all extraneous chickens have left the farm to one end or another, a sad thing for me, but I still have a very small number of Buff Orpingtons that would make someone a nice little backyard flock. They are mostly descendents and relatives of Tiger, my pride and joy, who was taken from us by a stray dog last year.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oQd7TJg6lePAyK6rRtKXdXfWyz4ky5JhGKPF7tOiAtXddkQexVpkzi4OMPoe0sKGyJNvuTvQluyG4UJ44fW2ClpPEhXffmWf1sOvTF7krNa1tlas8Bi1AOCyCEVVmFDJz6xdv_p1pw/s1600-h/tiger.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429974362134645314" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oQd7TJg6lePAyK6rRtKXdXfWyz4ky5JhGKPF7tOiAtXddkQexVpkzi4OMPoe0sKGyJNvuTvQluyG4UJ44fW2ClpPEhXffmWf1sOvTF7krNa1tlas8Bi1AOCyCEVVmFDJz6xdv_p1pw/s400/tiger.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>I hope to eventually find a way to use all of the things I have learned to help others, and will continue to strive to do so. The stupid bills must be paid, first. There must be something a-waitin' for me just around the corner. Hope is what's left in the jar.</p></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-1425592838314613122009-12-20T06:05:00.001-08:002009-12-20T06:10:21.542-08:00First Snow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCxS1SYcBdWpRJvLEXA-SGXwVHmPdMidC7a9-qePgPjfmePx7GGFLABrVjmQQjD2fNixsojjYJCqWc4GTt0lAtI5E6qGTfsO6nklesbzzBXC8ESEbSdv61KKnATNy8tZEFJu9R6nK4w/s1600-h/12-20-2009+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417320237863999810" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCxS1SYcBdWpRJvLEXA-SGXwVHmPdMidC7a9-qePgPjfmePx7GGFLABrVjmQQjD2fNixsojjYJCqWc4GTt0lAtI5E6qGTfsO6nklesbzzBXC8ESEbSdv61KKnATNy8tZEFJu9R6nK4w/s400/12-20-2009+003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB0we5aep6lfOn-yvICGnYCsZIKCTxun8JKxFLmS5ltjRNxvYIZBrz0amJ_owcekEVTSeY26UQXqzeO8tojNwAtWABa7pWcvqsghxIhyphenhyphen1pSVo0b7KCmsOLhQjo1QQ2VKiNS5PapXWeg/s1600-h/12-20-2009+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417319600667253714" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB0we5aep6lfOn-yvICGnYCsZIKCTxun8JKxFLmS5ltjRNxvYIZBrz0amJ_owcekEVTSeY26UQXqzeO8tojNwAtWABa7pWcvqsghxIhyphenhyphen1pSVo0b7KCmsOLhQjo1QQ2VKiNS5PapXWeg/s400/12-20-2009+010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvJj0TCULDDSAFENfpYNohn9mnHruMsQiprp06GSgrriRJy8GqLSGCBbWp0eTWsfFiq-cxsjIB5vzvrj2Zi6MYQoU1wJopv7l-3VKmxET2wiGoV2zgbd9gfNPFXn3Ox3k3Xpi6-brhA/s1600-h/12-20-2009+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417319477247222962" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvJj0TCULDDSAFENfpYNohn9mnHruMsQiprp06GSgrriRJy8GqLSGCBbWp0eTWsfFiq-cxsjIB5vzvrj2Zi6MYQoU1wJopv7l-3VKmxET2wiGoV2zgbd9gfNPFXn3Ox3k3Xpi6-brhA/s400/12-20-2009+014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44J_7wLoGZpffcNQmKsO_5-UxvDHDHqRiozxYOaPr-sFZPJEohCLiLuO37yKL5WEJ2CtZ1dvrP_m5XPut2lZL2UKjWDGzlP5GI9ZUnPLp1KDZQj4TFOdPGdMIYY2E6ukmB5yvosBCRQ/s1600-h/12-20-2009+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417319367358750162" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44J_7wLoGZpffcNQmKsO_5-UxvDHDHqRiozxYOaPr-sFZPJEohCLiLuO37yKL5WEJ2CtZ1dvrP_m5XPut2lZL2UKjWDGzlP5GI9ZUnPLp1KDZQj4TFOdPGdMIYY2E6ukmB5yvosBCRQ/s400/12-20-2009+023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-90112335431766914172009-12-18T10:50:00.000-08:002009-12-18T16:01:58.895-08:00Sixteen paws and what do you get?Another day older and deeper in debt? check. Unconditional love and immense gratitude? Most likely. Also-fleas.<br /><div><br /><div>We rescued this little girl, who had apparently been abandoned at a country crossroads, about two weeks ago.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaotlj9B2pbc5kRJK-j6WKAJC9QS6deYBMhM4elUPh9OaBJI0MKzMFodA9UiyhjcNVrymrw80TDHbidav2U_TTR9IK71UQmjWsONLgbJNdgV-iMNovH1MiWDchdJeZFWEqrVp_ur-JLA/s1600-h/puppy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416651141445600146" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaotlj9B2pbc5kRJK-j6WKAJC9QS6deYBMhM4elUPh9OaBJI0MKzMFodA9UiyhjcNVrymrw80TDHbidav2U_TTR9IK71UQmjWsONLgbJNdgV-iMNovH1MiWDchdJeZFWEqrVp_ur-JLA/s400/puppy.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>It took a week, and a great deal of convincing to get her to trust us. She was so skinny and nervous, and would bark and run back into the woods. Then, one night she caved, showed us her belly, and let us bring her home. Very insecure at first, she would hide behind Steve's legs, and snarl and lash out at the other dogs. Then, the fabulous Miss Maybelle won her over with a peace offering of frog toy. Now, they are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BFF</span>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IgadLG0cGgSarcTR3aCuYNxy5S5kCVe0jgGJtPxXuAYIDXJqEca20XTCTz5s7pyHq3eJB7zarL3JcYbtcLLLplF2rqkr9IF2HfsHN_hbfbo9JZzC4cCTAhSy8U2LFFBh2chegkpXjQ/s1600-h/12-10-2009+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416652256557179298" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IgadLG0cGgSarcTR3aCuYNxy5S5kCVe0jgGJtPxXuAYIDXJqEca20XTCTz5s7pyHq3eJB7zarL3JcYbtcLLLplF2rqkr9IF2HfsHN_hbfbo9JZzC4cCTAhSy8U2LFFBh2chegkpXjQ/s400/12-10-2009+003.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Interestingly, she didn't have a problem with the other dogs after that either. Maybelle wins the peace prize!<br /></div><div>Unfortunately, the little bitch came with a flea infestation. She was thoroughly bathed with Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bronner's</span> peppermint <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">castile</span> soap twice, and that didn't have much effect. I sprayed the dogs and all bedding with my essential oil formula, and that didn't do much either. I found a couple of fleas on the 13 year old Otis. Then, I panicked. I really hate fleas.</div><br /><div>So, this has been one of those times in my life when the universe has said to me "think more, react less", or even "shut up and listen", and here's why. </div><br /><div>I gave up using <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">permethrin</span></a> based topical products for my dogs over seven years ago, because I began to question their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">saftey</span>, given that that there have been no studies as to their long term health side effects. These products are stored in the oil glands under your pet's skin, and are then distributed continuously to the skin and hair of your pet through the hair follicles for 30 days. Pretty weird, at least. Then there is the chance of side effects ranging from skin redness and irritation to drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or seizures. My concern here is that these are symptoms of what? Liver or kidney toxicity? It is not real clear. Yikes.</div><br /><div>However, I ran down to the feed store and picked some up, and proceeded to treat all four dogs. Just this once, I said, to get rid of these vermin. The problem was, it didn't work at all. No effect.</div><br /><div>Which forced me to recall that the last time I used something <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">permethrin</span> based it didn't work so great either.</div><br /><div>The donkeys are plagued by flies every summer. They will have nothing to do with a spray bottle-one little "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">sshhh</span>", and they are OUTTA there, man! Unfortunately, a bucket and sponge produces the same sort of reaction. So, some years ago, I tried using a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">permethrin</span> based, spot on treatment, called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Equispot</span>, that works the same way as the ones for dogs and cats. It was a beautiful thing, for a while. It worked like a charm, I only had to treat them twice a summer, they were comfortable, and everything was fine. Then, after their first treatment this past summer, I realized, the flies were still chewing up their legs and ears, and they were mad as heck. So, what did I do? The shame and desperation of it-I purchased a roll on product that had many of the same ingredients to "back it up". </div><div></div><div>It worked. However, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">permethrin</span> is extremely toxic to amphibians, and though I tried to apply it well away from their muzzles, it got in their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">water trough</span> and killed their mosquito-eating goldfish. I felt horrible. I felt like a murderer. I loved those fish.</div><br /><div>So it would seem that these flies and fleas have developed a resistance to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">permethrins</span>. Upon further research, I have found studies that prove it can cause resistance in ticks and mites after 12 or so applications. Resistance to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">permethrin</span> is coded in the genes and then passed on to the offspring-which totally sounds like something I don't wish to be a part of.</div><br /><div>My sister sent me a link to this <a href="http://www.earthclinic.com/pets.html">site</a>, where I found several testimonies of people who had treated their animals with these topical products, found that they didn't work, and then found success with treating their pets with apple cider vinegar. How simple is that?</div><div></div><div>So-all four pups got a vinegar dip last night. Otis won the Good Sport prize, I think a good hot bath is just what his 13 year old bones needed.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuWbFBL4qPkNmkzXxGzMyUdgR_N_c3ZmpC-fXf4SpqnUdW6i-9sot1m0XhxHdMhyphenhyphen9B2PqhZETXSmJQTxigZy2ILCk-a3giXy6bsRTRpLD0YasUZDZsTtdjaOaNLIHGSVrrF1sIbyUig/s1600-h/Otietub.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416722292654924242" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuWbFBL4qPkNmkzXxGzMyUdgR_N_c3ZmpC-fXf4SpqnUdW6i-9sot1m0XhxHdMhyphenhyphen9B2PqhZETXSmJQTxigZy2ILCk-a3giXy6bsRTRpLD0YasUZDZsTtdjaOaNLIHGSVrrF1sIbyUig/s400/Otietub.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>The result? Haven't found any more fleas so far. The dogs are unusually clean, smell good, and their fur is soft and shiny. I really hope that this is all it takes. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Dadgum</span>, it seems I have to be taught over and over that some of the best solutions are those that are really the most simple, and the most natural. Less is more. Don't freak out. Etc.</div><br /><div></div><div>Now, I have all winter to consider what I will do about donkey flies next year. I don't think they will fit in the tub. </div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-25901639048903832322009-11-28T09:13:00.000-08:002009-11-28T20:08:19.109-08:00Ruffled Feathers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B2_Fx9L41NzvgPLzDS8F7yuYgBir5lLy-gf7UNUp98f6PA38cbwTbezkjNAaJLVLi5dradm2HHqs5AK-pfj5p3erputzDSfbi1z3NG_WlCWK5pC0rtwFUeVFwda5rQcij20DTlTlfw/s1600/11-11-09+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409223282424200162" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B2_Fx9L41NzvgPLzDS8F7yuYgBir5lLy-gf7UNUp98f6PA38cbwTbezkjNAaJLVLi5dradm2HHqs5AK-pfj5p3erputzDSfbi1z3NG_WlCWK5pC0rtwFUeVFwda5rQcij20DTlTlfw/s400/11-11-09+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>I am climbing back up on my soapbox, today. Why am I all riled up this time? It is my frustration at the issue of wintertime egg scarcity. Every year, without fail, we have customers who become downright irate, we even lose business, because we do not have an abundance of eggs. So, let us consider how chickens work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep in mind, first of all, that a chicken lays an unnaturally large number of eggs. The purpose of laying eggs, for a bird, is to reproduce. So, most birds will lay a clutch or two a year, hatch them, and go on with their lives. Chickens have been selectively bred over centuries to lay eggs just for us to eat. Even in the last century, the average number of eggs per year, per chicken, has gone from 83 eggs to 300 or more, thanks to our clever genetic manipulation.</div><div><br /></div><div>The strain this puts on a body is significant. As I have harped on before, an egg contains everything necessary to make a baby chicken, and provide it with enough food and water for three days after it hatches. So a chicken is, essentially, always pregnant.</div><div><br /></div><div>What stimulates a chicken to lay is light. To keep a chicken constantly laying eggs, she must have sixteen hours of light every day. Now, when the days are so short, it is a signal to her body to cease production. This is naturally when they begin to molt.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZNs2iYwlIdyWq0O8ARkQlOp_9V-64wUnw-duudIw-uK-f1nFUrN5ptxQWwJ-oa_GSFrumixGbYc45tVcJZoud3NTQ5SDlqFF0yOc6B8S6s_3f5F5mUGECI7HlQxBxLqiZdNLyoVayQ/s1600/11-28-2009chx+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409220804143851330" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZNs2iYwlIdyWq0O8ARkQlOp_9V-64wUnw-duudIw-uK-f1nFUrN5ptxQWwJ-oa_GSFrumixGbYc45tVcJZoud3NTQ5SDlqFF0yOc6B8S6s_3f5F5mUGECI7HlQxBxLqiZdNLyoVayQ/s400/11-28-2009chx+009.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Both eggs and feathers are protein. Laying eggs consumes all of a hen's resources, and there are none left over for making feathers. Feathers that are old and worn out, damaged or lost, cannot regrow until laying has ceased. So, the timing is just right, as the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder, to grow a fluffy new set of pajamas to keep warm for the winter. Shown here in progress by the fabulous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Clovinda</span>. </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfBS6IPQM49K7uj84tcxeDXR77689rBgYT3CKRxrDpU_-qbBivqZE8Rcx7-SNmzwOSnEyn8z60GjlpFSEiZ1TdLNT6U3cjQw4pkiiJke_P4PgzK2fWn-PDulIkR3xRdqbfPMfTU-8Mg/s1600/11-28-2009chx+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409221900134534274" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfBS6IPQM49K7uj84tcxeDXR77689rBgYT3CKRxrDpU_-qbBivqZE8Rcx7-SNmzwOSnEyn8z60GjlpFSEiZ1TdLNT6U3cjQw4pkiiJke_P4PgzK2fWn-PDulIkR3xRdqbfPMfTU-8Mg/s400/11-28-2009chx+011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div>Winter, to my mind, is a time for things to rest, and I believe the chickens earn their right as much as anything else.</div><div><br /></div><div>But! Aren't the holidays a big time for baking? Don't you need eggs for all the bread and cookies and pie? What are we to do?</div><div><br /></div><div>In the old days, folks used several methods to preserve their surplus eggs for the winter, including coating them with a layer of fat. Mother Earth News did an interesting experiment using some of them-read about it <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1977-11-01/Fresh-Eggs.aspx">here.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I notice that their best method is also my favorite-don't wash em, don't refrigerate em! Shocking, I know. I only keep the very clean ones, and they sit there on my kitchen counter, happily not spoiling forever until I am ready to use them. Eggs are coated with a cuticle, or "bloom" when laid, which prevents bacteria from penetrating the shell. This is very helpful if you are a growing chick inside!</div></div><div></div><div>Note: the eggs we sell are promptly washed and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">refrigerated, 'cause thems the rules.</span> <div><br /></div><div>Secondly, if you raise chickens, and allow them to follow their own individual <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">rhythms</span>, you will find that some will molt in the late summer or the spring, which means they won't all quit laying at exactly the same time. So, a few troopers will keep on laying through the winter months. If you have a hen that lays well late in the year, take note, and breed her, for her daughters are likely to share the same trait. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't believe little Red, here, has molted yet in her two years, and still lays an egg almost every day. I expect when she does, she will grow her little scalp feathers back out-meantime she looks kind of pirate-y.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotPSJy9T01TsI5Gw6BjcmQBg-AS9y9pFuWNJed5-c6537Qxxkh9bZuVH9RdLE1hzFwkcd6P5eeJAkD5MWxxBp5icwdvzDYITujkr3gkxzC4chzIfAagqABkeHHdSwXZPdkoA0QwcGkQ/s1600/11-28-2009chx+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409222509840165714" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotPSJy9T01TsI5Gw6BjcmQBg-AS9y9pFuWNJed5-c6537Qxxkh9bZuVH9RdLE1hzFwkcd6P5eeJAkD5MWxxBp5icwdvzDYITujkr3gkxzC4chzIfAagqABkeHHdSwXZPdkoA0QwcGkQ/s400/11-28-2009chx+003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>What if you don't have chickens? Heck, I am not saying do without, but be aware that the eggs you will find in your grocery store may have been produced in less than desirable ways. In a commercial system, egg production is kept optimal by the use of 16-18 hours a day of artificial lighting. If the hens are not intended to be slaughtered at eighteen months, after their first year of lay, molting is forced by two weeks of starvation. This means more efficiency, as all are on the same schedule. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eggs will also keep at 33 degrees for several months, so it is possible, if you can find organic, high welfare products, that there is nothing wrong with these store eggs except that they are old. My feeling is that nutritional value is lost in this method, but that is just me, and not based on any scientific evidence, at least none I have found so far.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is not always convenient or easy to be a good <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_food#Locavore"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">locavore</span></a>. I think that it is important, whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or an omnivore with a dilemma, that you respect your food. Whatever you eat, it was once a living thing. To know what it was, what it looked like, where it came from, and how it was treated-that is how you honor the thing that is giving you life. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had the pleasure of touring our state university's poultry research facility not long ago. The scientists who led the tour were wonderful, welcoming, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">open minded</span>, and sympathetic to us small farmers and homesteaders. They do most of their research for big industry-but then, that's who pays for them to do it. What are ya gonna do? It is not to say that their work isn't important (but it can be pretty scary). We are ever seeking more efficient ways to exploit our food animals.</div><div>One of the tour leaders said to us-what y'all do, you will never "feed the masses."</div><div><br /></div><div>That may be very true, but the way the masses are being fed is not sustainable-that is also true. Right now, it is a matter of consumer education and choice. If <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil">peak oil</a> is here, there will come a time when it is no longer a choice. We ought to change our ways now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whew! That is my two cents and then some, so I will step down from here now. Love your food, love your farmers. Thank a chicken.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA9UD97Nemg_WLVNi7nQFa5GIOSrDepVsks5lDwGswo1CQKulArcHZUFJ_jfwDdDGOTNHEEqdWtf23QrnFkb-kZeaBe_PmgIA3_eGXGqZm3n5THbrxzi7FLcAwIQ104AmqfDxX7V7mw/s1600/11-28-2009+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409222812951722562" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA9UD97Nemg_WLVNi7nQFa5GIOSrDepVsks5lDwGswo1CQKulArcHZUFJ_jfwDdDGOTNHEEqdWtf23QrnFkb-kZeaBe_PmgIA3_eGXGqZm3n5THbrxzi7FLcAwIQ104AmqfDxX7V7mw/s400/11-28-2009+003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-67455790126473775732009-11-22T06:57:00.000-08:002009-11-22T07:06:41.770-08:00Sunday Morning VisitorGood luck? Or, I wonder if she would like to come in and warm up by the fire..<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIvI6EeM1y2FemgzXLHmnKJoPOXbdWfEZGUXQ4RKiTpvKVrrbrigVoEdsyt8EDDFPVIRXepPjRDsJfD1saamrpJkxXCvhO5_JcSYqr1_-yTuPYzfFzH4Sc6gMhv19dknR3jMtPa70YQ/s1600/11-22-2009+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406942580229584050" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIvI6EeM1y2FemgzXLHmnKJoPOXbdWfEZGUXQ4RKiTpvKVrrbrigVoEdsyt8EDDFPVIRXepPjRDsJfD1saamrpJkxXCvhO5_JcSYqr1_-yTuPYzfFzH4Sc6gMhv19dknR3jMtPa70YQ/s400/11-22-2009+001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxeBK5YEXgIjmHCmlb8PwuxwGzhw0Nl09KNblWstBU95BnYreL8yWvbD1Bkntqr9XJ2u2OYt7BGRnDhApr_zGfFpAQ6yQFwTcGljW1dOuZ8DRqb5jpwg1p9cERTRRPbC2ZNuQ9tA0HA/s1600/11-22-2009+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406942693878625266" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxeBK5YEXgIjmHCmlb8PwuxwGzhw0Nl09KNblWstBU95BnYreL8yWvbD1Bkntqr9XJ2u2OYt7BGRnDhApr_zGfFpAQ6yQFwTcGljW1dOuZ8DRqb5jpwg1p9cERTRRPbC2ZNuQ9tA0HA/s400/11-22-2009+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-86927294978336732552009-11-20T12:42:00.000-08:002009-11-20T13:44:47.940-08:00Life of MaybelleI love the destructo-pup. She's very polite to chickens.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6hePIaMSFbj0T92bAdZL9i6vY_UcsYIrjfqg4hzOlgDaz1Rx-Z6h8pIpoHJNQaQZPR6pKRKdhJE4fvLEQwlL9jSxe102BXMs_3XuDVUsI5L7PEXrP31mYRePG8VZgcQJi6GgRfL3vw/s1600/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406289396363113490" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6hePIaMSFbj0T92bAdZL9i6vY_UcsYIrjfqg4hzOlgDaz1Rx-Z6h8pIpoHJNQaQZPR6pKRKdhJE4fvLEQwlL9jSxe102BXMs_3XuDVUsI5L7PEXrP31mYRePG8VZgcQJi6GgRfL3vw/s400/022.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div><div><br /><div>Terrorizes poor old Starry relentlessly, though I believe Starling enjoys it.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpzK9blV-ZRor8yYcFLFF87k-P1cyB7HmtF09cbfJL9lp8rdC3Xze0xgdC5o7XZCASZAOkXRsZ-KDDSBBqIatqmKHrsiwfYnoKkrCaEZsfPjaj7ORhSf3Fs-zstPQ5XUFK1L7Wk0Qyg/s1600/maybestar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406289813229187826" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpzK9blV-ZRor8yYcFLFF87k-P1cyB7HmtF09cbfJL9lp8rdC3Xze0xgdC5o7XZCASZAOkXRsZ-KDDSBBqIatqmKHrsiwfYnoKkrCaEZsfPjaj7ORhSf3Fs-zstPQ5XUFK1L7Wk0Qyg/s400/maybestar.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Has a Linus and Lucy relationship with Otis.</div><br /><div>Maybelle: You're my sweet baboo.</div><br /><div>Otis: I am NOT your sweet baboo!!!</div><br /><div>He manages to tolerate her somewhat when she's asleep.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ia-bgl92sRKEc2g63aIofxpA652uApp-V7PbmcAilC-nCc4ori4mtm9_m-a2xfTkp8pGz8hiuhNumJcud1rfmmipsObqRIhkiPuK4DLHr6Sbil6xuj2vfmO87uEvbHZ_SnJ4khY4lg/s1600/maybeotis.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406290554654784210" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ia-bgl92sRKEc2g63aIofxpA652uApp-V7PbmcAilC-nCc4ori4mtm9_m-a2xfTkp8pGz8hiuhNumJcud1rfmmipsObqRIhkiPuK4DLHr6Sbil6xuj2vfmO87uEvbHZ_SnJ4khY4lg/s400/maybeotis.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>When it comes to her frogs, well, she has little sympathy for them.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPkLy2-BhwMXp3FHhRfgbwQVsfZOoGERoNP_iqHwfUznoWGghx97K4v2oafGBrYIT7mV1ylgfwI-p8pjcNe8GGrV0UYOJznt-uQmorSl9Ck3hv9AR9iOKsJX8jpf9GnyC3zUOfOStiQ/s1600/biddy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406291072495819442" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPkLy2-BhwMXp3FHhRfgbwQVsfZOoGERoNP_iqHwfUznoWGghx97K4v2oafGBrYIT7mV1ylgfwI-p8pjcNe8GGrV0UYOJznt-uQmorSl9Ck3hv9AR9iOKsJX8jpf9GnyC3zUOfOStiQ/s400/biddy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tf4GJz2elfkEOD5zOxEJgUzwoKT0k4LH5OZaZEKuu-DBTxbZLyZXwN2pOYBf2pQ_61Kwoxwwouvwuv1FeGetZTo3nMs9HzP-ylHGpQtIn6l7pKVnTMSfC5tr_edStEQ77DjovORQhQ/s1600/maybe2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406291250317960098" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tf4GJz2elfkEOD5zOxEJgUzwoKT0k4LH5OZaZEKuu-DBTxbZLyZXwN2pOYBf2pQ_61Kwoxwwouvwuv1FeGetZTo3nMs9HzP-ylHGpQtIn6l7pKVnTMSfC5tr_edStEQ77DjovORQhQ/s400/maybe2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUvAKWx3JwOeDAPh_3sG9nAoVVFCRuYdM_2ZpJo92cuwyaiMVGatRBeXAtXCUHp4sm9KI_JL7UutTTZrmPWD6H78AV4t6HUWNdNJRaXistT2jzHdLiBaavmA_jPIG7YVYvZalOaMzQw/s1600/002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406291488850261858" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUvAKWx3JwOeDAPh_3sG9nAoVVFCRuYdM_2ZpJo92cuwyaiMVGatRBeXAtXCUHp4sm9KI_JL7UutTTZrmPWD6H78AV4t6HUWNdNJRaXistT2jzHdLiBaavmA_jPIG7YVYvZalOaMzQw/s400/002.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>Then she says, "Hey! Give that here! It's still good!"</div><br /><div>Sigh, and on to the next one. At least it's not the furniture. Sorry, froggy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKWhV22ZWzvl-Peq7ufHfukHZxMH4aZrbW34kD54XO4jJj4Abo-DpIIKAR3ksu69FIQtyN0AVOFYklXUCoSZzgvAUWAUS9OP4VblV5rwgoYbvnXHxOr-WtECTVw9GCTyxcdXxFYFOKQ/s1600/023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406292053019690514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKWhV22ZWzvl-Peq7ufHfukHZxMH4aZrbW34kD54XO4jJj4Abo-DpIIKAR3ksu69FIQtyN0AVOFYklXUCoSZzgvAUWAUS9OP4VblV5rwgoYbvnXHxOr-WtECTVw9GCTyxcdXxFYFOKQ/s400/023.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-59897509770528205012009-11-02T11:57:00.000-08:002009-11-02T12:32:36.518-08:00November<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07Bahv-FA-jpKtArj6UPCA6VkuZ2P9RUdo5-7oRyKPkrZKNzo7u2vD7hu7EAqER3qRupKtEacCw5rDQI4SOIu8rlUCTHM51jQjzUV-t9eysxyl2tI0-IFnXbSV3yM_YzMhvlrMVue2g/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399598332166748514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07Bahv-FA-jpKtArj6UPCA6VkuZ2P9RUdo5-7oRyKPkrZKNzo7u2vD7hu7EAqER3qRupKtEacCw5rDQI4SOIu8rlUCTHM51jQjzUV-t9eysxyl2tI0-IFnXbSV3yM_YzMhvlrMVue2g/s400/024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />So, I have been slack lately about updating the blog, but there just hasn't been much happening. I am still spinning and knitting things, and trying to dream up amazing ideas for knitted Christmas gifts. I haven't come up with anything brilliant yet, and would welcome suggestions!<br /><br />Any knitters out there should check <a href="http://www.microrevolt.org/knitPro/index.php">this</a> out. You can upload any image you like and this program will convert it into a knitting pattern for you. I used the swallow on a felted bag for my sister.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiE9n2C659uqqWKqtO4kvJVd4Us6Rvq1N5IHUpIlH8CZbWqM99MY1WCj12lXsQUk1c_FLVWKSKEnkXSaigQbnC3Z2nt2gYC6feZ0QGa9Nb1jqmjc1UlvfRgPrEbCiLU8gvEX5_tUdeQ/s1600-h/039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399599394249408882" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiE9n2C659uqqWKqtO4kvJVd4Us6Rvq1N5IHUpIlH8CZbWqM99MY1WCj12lXsQUk1c_FLVWKSKEnkXSaigQbnC3Z2nt2gYC6feZ0QGa9Nb1jqmjc1UlvfRgPrEbCiLU8gvEX5_tUdeQ/s400/039.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I have been working on my propagation skills, taking cuttings of figs, blueberries, and some perennials before it gets too cold. I am still figuring out who likes soil and who prefers sand, who likes to be covered, and who likes to "breathe", so I have had to do several sets. I have decided that hydrangeas, in particular, seem to do best from cuttings taken in the Spring.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90BL5ThFFQBuHC-O4DtQJZRd1yzsZKyLyxHkkImPQ5uARp7MgD6bejNuXPUFih2btuGFxEqFpDhHqM8fiZK8hdie_cl8BLBOxzljKQiPOlR2NW1HmcqkNl8uRmtWNPRqyQtaqkt3-MA/s1600-h/033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399600080301553282" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90BL5ThFFQBuHC-O4DtQJZRd1yzsZKyLyxHkkImPQ5uARp7MgD6bejNuXPUFih2btuGFxEqFpDhHqM8fiZK8hdie_cl8BLBOxzljKQiPOlR2NW1HmcqkNl8uRmtWNPRqyQtaqkt3-MA/s400/033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Steve found and identified some wonderful wild mushrooms that we have been nomming on-they are so delicious. These are "pear shaped puffballs". This one is especially charming.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI_mkVY3vEpwwopy4_fbheN6Lcan6K-qa7JmRdjs1MLM-qkUzizgiCOyeFVVO327lTsn6zQmsEEcT9mREUELFLiIRx7hLWszSGF07AP_5G4iJhs3AhtUEs3kPVHFsHzqjBPD5VbK6Pw/s1600-h/031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399602689809354754" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI_mkVY3vEpwwopy4_fbheN6Lcan6K-qa7JmRdjs1MLM-qkUzizgiCOyeFVVO327lTsn6zQmsEEcT9mREUELFLiIRx7hLWszSGF07AP_5G4iJhs3AhtUEs3kPVHFsHzqjBPD5VbK6Pw/s400/031.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YrZgrj2PrTdd3yhfCIR6CdQd12V6lvp0gEVT40WOguiQWgYxWg0-TculhUlmdn_UEZG5Wt0xizlIn6xJ0Rlsk70h7buxvtSFuVXrDjVc_DneB3zYKpehqjBiYkpHxRpfGUgCFeQLyQ/s1600-h/032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399603000885043362" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YrZgrj2PrTdd3yhfCIR6CdQd12V6lvp0gEVT40WOguiQWgYxWg0-TculhUlmdn_UEZG5Wt0xizlIn6xJ0Rlsk70h7buxvtSFuVXrDjVc_DneB3zYKpehqjBiYkpHxRpfGUgCFeQLyQ/s400/032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our donkey Gladys's expanding girth seems to indicate that she may be in foal again (though it's hard to tell for sure, she is naturally wide), so a visit from the vet will be in order soon. If she is, we can expect her little one, with any luck, sometime in March.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAHo6wIw4U_C-S-NQagMphRFtWL51-OHk8qZgGOD1QRRSPZ80aw643YAOOgXUiIJ9nIhAieEn0yw3-meHSoBb91XWzyXNxzJNRACzOkDYPBwyU2lURiFuk7AXlhYBHWTxJJGitkz75w/s1600-h/036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399603945652424834" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAHo6wIw4U_C-S-NQagMphRFtWL51-OHk8qZgGOD1QRRSPZ80aw643YAOOgXUiIJ9nIhAieEn0yw3-meHSoBb91XWzyXNxzJNRACzOkDYPBwyU2lURiFuk7AXlhYBHWTxJJGitkz75w/s400/036.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The old swine flu has been getting around over here, and we are both feeling a bit under the weather, so I think I will go make a nice pot of spicy ginger tea. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRigbFU7ejudMDz1NxUrc2qTZisQYaJZ9I4JG2w-RaQjzlmdpGmu1WBsPIJCiwCkzA00ebLZgZsQ8jpwfzBu1RodhwY1aZHhURNwyKf0Bh1DjL-DLSRpDGJllQHztkwMeatbfM9aGgw/s1600-h/037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399604462505374226" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRigbFU7ejudMDz1NxUrc2qTZisQYaJZ9I4JG2w-RaQjzlmdpGmu1WBsPIJCiwCkzA00ebLZgZsQ8jpwfzBu1RodhwY1aZHhURNwyKf0Bh1DjL-DLSRpDGJllQHztkwMeatbfM9aGgw/s400/037.JPG" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-16564034123413854862009-10-11T09:13:00.000-07:002009-10-11T09:46:42.674-07:00Things that give me hope<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2Yly3yeQlubnM8oyPCEiwBDqk77PXTGvGLVBw9DGjAwpJTYVzdTzlMvoDE63X8eGfdbPEegZJtVFX_T93sKqiOO7C7dgxHbwdoIy-SZEt_k-zgHgNGadRl6ErnS5dBJuJtrsbSFgHQ/s1600-h/IMG00366-20091010-2100.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391376618346129282" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2Yly3yeQlubnM8oyPCEiwBDqk77PXTGvGLVBw9DGjAwpJTYVzdTzlMvoDE63X8eGfdbPEegZJtVFX_T93sKqiOO7C7dgxHbwdoIy-SZEt_k-zgHgNGadRl6ErnS5dBJuJtrsbSFgHQ/s400/IMG00366-20091010-2100.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Chocolate chess pie, for one. Seen here with "mandatory shot of espresso".<br /><br />Ah, it is a frustrating time for me right now, as I am not so much farming at the moment. The air is crisp and the temparature is pleasant, and I feel like I ought to be planting and planning and and celebrating the harvest, and I am doing none of those things. I've got farming in my blood, for sure, I daydream of cabbages and collards, leeks and strawberries.<br /><br />However, I find comfort in my part time job of two years as a server in the grooviest little restaurant I know. <a href="http://www.panciuto.com/">Panciuto</a>, located in historic downtown Hillsborough, is doing an exemplary job of promoting local farm products by making them into unforgettable yums.<br /><br />It's a cute little place. Cozy and inviting.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8Iw9CDTjR2Ek3648V7n5OySAnA5pKuo7o5jFn9P6YlK0aTPDLhDPsQt0Qci6sF5kx4tkgBdcpmSC6rRBnRk1l52MCI2pbNEMaz-oGBeFLpQ0f483oEi8w8WXM12tZOZdpce1bdr2wg/s1600-h/IMG00352-20091010-1744.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391379094434465954" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8Iw9CDTjR2Ek3648V7n5OySAnA5pKuo7o5jFn9P6YlK0aTPDLhDPsQt0Qci6sF5kx4tkgBdcpmSC6rRBnRk1l52MCI2pbNEMaz-oGBeFLpQ0f483oEi8w8WXM12tZOZdpce1bdr2wg/s400/IMG00352-20091010-1744.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The chef shops at the farmers' markets a couple times a week, and works his magic on whatever fresh items are available.<br /><br />The best part for me, other than the satisfaction of seeing our own farm products being turned into something amazing, is the real pleasure the customers take in consuming them. It's hard not to have pride, when folks are always telling you things like "This is the best thing I have ever eaten my life"! They really mean it. Some of them even tear up a little. I have taken empty plates back to kitchen sometimes that look suspiciously like they might have been licked.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzQhyB_QtC2dm1yLPk3OlZnso7R1p3tfe-S7vsIY9WC0nZ7uvKn3WxCbNIma5b1Qv5ZN0Z3bgRNRos8CTjpwPXlGIu7tAmCkTFGZeLvtv4MZaIjo5TWvab7kSaJwVUQsVVpOmTSsf_g/s1600-h/IMG00365-20091010-2026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391380663952849026" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzQhyB_QtC2dm1yLPk3OlZnso7R1p3tfe-S7vsIY9WC0nZ7uvKn3WxCbNIma5b1Qv5ZN0Z3bgRNRos8CTjpwPXlGIu7tAmCkTFGZeLvtv4MZaIjo5TWvab7kSaJwVUQsVVpOmTSsf_g/s400/IMG00365-20091010-2026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />One of our eggs, looking all elegant.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_af71GGePzyPZdiOA4KliApbqq3s5hMzdA7M2B_-6GSaTffcjgNo-6neezInVDB6O-8FicMMjCV09BJbYw0-n-Ah6rjD7hjmSNxGY73DIrchnwIJilaJbGoC9bvAKjS4u8KlCTkdkw/s1600-h/IMG00360-20091010-1939.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391381004891754722" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_af71GGePzyPZdiOA4KliApbqq3s5hMzdA7M2B_-6GSaTffcjgNo-6neezInVDB6O-8FicMMjCV09BJbYw0-n-Ah6rjD7hjmSNxGY73DIrchnwIJilaJbGoC9bvAKjS4u8KlCTkdkw/s400/IMG00360-20091010-1939.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, it makes me hopeful that in showcasing the fruits of our labors this way, folks will go home equating local produce with good eating! It is not only healthy to eat fresh, local, seasonal veggies, it is also awesomely delicious. Spread the word.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-47917745342513720602009-09-24T08:13:00.000-07:002009-09-24T09:35:20.101-07:00The first days of Fall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG-2_BeR5ToJtTmSpaFTTdZWr3joY9U2gpp0M7l_RJzySe0n-jHhf1gynVQ-ErEUErffKu7xXsAEinf6FKUg8Ta_vemEyAYShsloHYa8yyIY8Ko3YfhDwK7Tsggdnwq_kVkPQzRdhIw/s1600-h/9-23-2009+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385052979267346162" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG-2_BeR5ToJtTmSpaFTTdZWr3joY9U2gpp0M7l_RJzySe0n-jHhf1gynVQ-ErEUErffKu7xXsAEinf6FKUg8Ta_vemEyAYShsloHYa8yyIY8Ko3YfhDwK7Tsggdnwq_kVkPQzRdhIw/s400/9-23-2009+014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My favorite tree, I think, with the groovy name <em>Diospyros virginiana</em>, American persimmon. They aren't ripe yet, but I am keeping my eye on 'em.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ2N2x0x79hklcYEFrKhyphenhyphenO0JwSG4rA9Sgir6lnXS2mocK373p-2pln-scw4mNUMRNEaIyUu2fpV3QkGijIlNdWrtwAxxkmSvznOJc4uS1cRX3pIa46BNPQ0f42jC5BnmQI-xdO28EDA/s1600-h/9-23-2009+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385052860427208130" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ2N2x0x79hklcYEFrKhyphenhyphenO0JwSG4rA9Sgir6lnXS2mocK373p-2pln-scw4mNUMRNEaIyUu2fpV3QkGijIlNdWrtwAxxkmSvznOJc4uS1cRX3pIa46BNPQ0f42jC5BnmQI-xdO28EDA/s400/9-23-2009+010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkyCo0Q-umN_QCbYSuTsL5NP547ojd1vNnz2XIoYZrpQ_2-V2UOXUpkan7QoKo2JqzI7XxcNRqYchBvPtUH6vf0LHOErz8unsIoRr1sr16PD6KNScM28sbBvIa-AcDjXWiC1CuPzHMg/s1600-h/9-23-2009+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385052759548788578" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkyCo0Q-umN_QCbYSuTsL5NP547ojd1vNnz2XIoYZrpQ_2-V2UOXUpkan7QoKo2JqzI7XxcNRqYchBvPtUH6vf0LHOErz8unsIoRr1sr16PD6KNScM28sbBvIa-AcDjXWiC1CuPzHMg/s400/9-23-2009+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLra3S0RT1mImFBTTZer0puQ2s911gKPfDN7EXEmwLFZq8eOlPlLNJvluVsskH4aNZmtv7L_SGF1kkkEXkULuLSYRho37L0N_0A7t6tTtG1-P9xuTbM770mjWkioo4dr8-13TMvi6pg/s1600-h/9-23-2009+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385052633654754098" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLra3S0RT1mImFBTTZer0puQ2s911gKPfDN7EXEmwLFZq8eOlPlLNJvluVsskH4aNZmtv7L_SGF1kkkEXkULuLSYRho37L0N_0A7t6tTtG1-P9xuTbM770mjWkioo4dr8-13TMvi6pg/s400/9-23-2009+007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-87408043992939981542009-09-18T09:17:00.000-07:002009-09-18T10:10:05.131-07:00September"Sorrow and scarlet leaf,<br />Sad thoughts and sunny weather.<br />Ah me, this glory and this grief<br />Agree not well together!"- Thomas Parsons, 1880, A Song For September<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuCzJwZVqwNCkDRR9QBlkI1plL79oNRS7RsFEF-eRdtj36hipo0NRWFrhVOPtiN2j8ObpNt7W0zCXkpjXPvv1T3rX47nkh9aYKIEsi9tkmLBM4B7GWL_Bm-f5BpCHNEoCVKO0D6KQKw/s1600-h/9-17-2009+032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382844583187254562" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuCzJwZVqwNCkDRR9QBlkI1plL79oNRS7RsFEF-eRdtj36hipo0NRWFrhVOPtiN2j8ObpNt7W0zCXkpjXPvv1T3rX47nkh9aYKIEsi9tkmLBM4B7GWL_Bm-f5BpCHNEoCVKO0D6KQKw/s400/9-17-2009+032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Autumn is beginning to creep on in. The nights are so cool now, the leaves just beginning to turn a bit, the seeds ripening.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKzu7hFpQJEEugEXLA62UyYNHd_BNGy_yBOiTov0xklN87AxibTP8y_TSsuQltrfEGHAUKVfZNexfn8vDw1DWowuwTryuZ3hXrq9SlonjJB6ZbNQei32Y5wgO9u5cZwkbHTYWV68G9w/s1600-h/9-17-2009+033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382845769235944930" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKzu7hFpQJEEugEXLA62UyYNHd_BNGy_yBOiTov0xklN87AxibTP8y_TSsuQltrfEGHAUKVfZNexfn8vDw1DWowuwTryuZ3hXrq9SlonjJB6ZbNQei32Y5wgO9u5cZwkbHTYWV68G9w/s400/9-17-2009+033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The overall feeling I have is of being in limbo. There are no answers for how to move forward from what I have been working for these past years. There is not much to plant or harvest, no hints as to what my next opportunity will actually look like. The weather has echoed my mood. Neither hot nor cold, not much sun, and, though we are getting a good shower today, not much rain, either. Most days are a damp and fuzzy gray stillness.<br /><br />Still except for the sound of tractors, harvesting tobacco, the sounds of construction at the neighbor's house, crickets chirping, and bees still busy putting by for the winter. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W4liphplX1TDdGRfMquEuOJVvl6ysCCqwcK23dh12n52dsrxIBACZ70nE15EGU3STS2l1MD4j_KK2588TQhvcoyAUint8uZRxAf-t0kHBpSB6SnbqVcaRN4TpxGc4lckbV00KHD8FQ/s1600-h/9-17-2009+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382848775004964002" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W4liphplX1TDdGRfMquEuOJVvl6ysCCqwcK23dh12n52dsrxIBACZ70nE15EGU3STS2l1MD4j_KK2588TQhvcoyAUint8uZRxAf-t0kHBpSB6SnbqVcaRN4TpxGc4lckbV00KHD8FQ/s400/9-17-2009+024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There are still a few things producing, always a happy sight. The squash blossoms, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCtxGRGXbwDCjd9q95a07gKzeB7muee14Sio0ywqn8ADvRCnkhUof7aT9bU69XCj0NBS31sJCcEOiOjImGCbhZK9eMS2MG9Dp6snpxnrMiaLRr5GtqiNMOv99asDCZ3aq2qSqiSgrEg/s1600-h/9-17-2009+026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382849247600427874" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCtxGRGXbwDCjd9q95a07gKzeB7muee14Sio0ywqn8ADvRCnkhUof7aT9bU69XCj0NBS31sJCcEOiOjImGCbhZK9eMS2MG9Dp6snpxnrMiaLRr5GtqiNMOv99asDCZ3aq2qSqiSgrEg/s400/9-17-2009+026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />surely one of the most radiant flowers on this earth! The figs are still ripening, along with some apples. The turkeys are happily feasting on windfall in the orchard.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOhsfy32eJlzpEaaoe6AJjRDQ4SuaeIx3Fge6WVUfPU5m0J2QlHBxaN6i-9wbq0keSxkbrOnwUgrQIr0Bylai6wOzS9wNh9bdq1txFrEMp8r_RSAzCJXnBoqwungmu7DCpZ1rozyTqA/s1600-h/9-17-2009+041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382849814204143794" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOhsfy32eJlzpEaaoe6AJjRDQ4SuaeIx3Fge6WVUfPU5m0J2QlHBxaN6i-9wbq0keSxkbrOnwUgrQIr0Bylai6wOzS9wNh9bdq1txFrEMp8r_RSAzCJXnBoqwungmu7DCpZ1rozyTqA/s400/9-17-2009+041.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The three koi in our pond have been, er, fruitful. The little koi are such a delight to see every day, although I am becoming alarmed by the rate at which they are growing!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sAmhfS7JTHKBE6rY2JAxvSAoyltReOe0mP0wo_ccim81CgR9DhNSnZ3WNBBTBr1ZzcdnnWnM0pgopuXJJBthS5oIxNXmyCuLCgrO4C2EgafaNn8gKO1S8RqGOJ094kOLjLEnDtjUZw/s1600-h/9-17-2009+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382850335819768162" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sAmhfS7JTHKBE6rY2JAxvSAoyltReOe0mP0wo_ccim81CgR9DhNSnZ3WNBBTBr1ZzcdnnWnM0pgopuXJJBthS5oIxNXmyCuLCgrO4C2EgafaNn8gKO1S8RqGOJ094kOLjLEnDtjUZw/s400/9-17-2009+009.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOvjIabRgspcN7jWwq-vPPB9WA95JhJovEaqR_nqIij5lJn67Jdw-nsslBCkXdED9Ezwo_F00DUgSbV0uo3i6Lg6f9hQPoKSNdMmOsARtPrBv42vvtW06iTVrrd3fVn7h83JxNfVR9Q/s1600-h/9-17-2009+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382850524248660802" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOvjIabRgspcN7jWwq-vPPB9WA95JhJovEaqR_nqIij5lJn67Jdw-nsslBCkXdED9Ezwo_F00DUgSbV0uo3i6Lg6f9hQPoKSNdMmOsARtPrBv42vvtW06iTVrrd3fVn7h83JxNfVR9Q/s400/9-17-2009+011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Anybody need some koi?<br /><br />We have found good homes for quite a few turkeys and chickens, but it seems that there is no further interest, which leaves us with 80 or so young laying hens that will have to meet some end. It is sad for me to tend to them every day, they are no longer needed, but still here, chasing crickets, doing their thing, totally blameless for their lack of necessity.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVyBpQWzadwo-4adjVvI0JezDH4h2Y6V72sbCoBawSPg1yP_EM1ns6dumU80ZDh_VwG_XP-rk5_i-H1097AuzlD2Ew9C8_cFPWDVCWt2uDz_astTeeLDjz0DViRfxBjYlpWlc1Ii9eQ/s1600-h/9-17-2009+039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382851808734910162" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVyBpQWzadwo-4adjVvI0JezDH4h2Y6V72sbCoBawSPg1yP_EM1ns6dumU80ZDh_VwG_XP-rk5_i-H1097AuzlD2Ew9C8_cFPWDVCWt2uDz_astTeeLDjz0DViRfxBjYlpWlc1Ii9eQ/s400/9-17-2009+039.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonJIPWlHs3P-1t92a2ZpPeaJjO7GH0CdxLq_bgz9x2oRMmc8rHSCZEuputpZEfLSNE3wid3GAs1WpytHY-gSKie8ZlaScY3Ed1y2FCYUWUESQMBYsJHeZrUJ0tpvRxsHJPHdJjFWyew/s1600-h/9-17-2009+035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382851666173098018" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonJIPWlHs3P-1t92a2ZpPeaJjO7GH0CdxLq_bgz9x2oRMmc8rHSCZEuputpZEfLSNE3wid3GAs1WpytHY-gSKie8ZlaScY3Ed1y2FCYUWUESQMBYsJHeZrUJ0tpvRxsHJPHdJjFWyew/s400/9-17-2009+035.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, I keep looking for the next step, and I wait. It will come.<br /><br />"I trust in Nature for the stable laws of beauty and utility. Spring shall plant and Autumn garner to the ends of time."- Robert Browning<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHyrfG1_QtquMFNMqhX7_SS25xYk-lV3GvYC0b4c3jmJ9yx-gfgc66CL7d-zxoQFSIjQJ-sGGnFRQtqyjQq3KQiljtB2bOo8dli84z8zf97wRQiu4sLcBfkWwAMF9-jUnoEHRgF_3zA/s1600-h/9-17-2009+046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382854887157243330" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHyrfG1_QtquMFNMqhX7_SS25xYk-lV3GvYC0b4c3jmJ9yx-gfgc66CL7d-zxoQFSIjQJ-sGGnFRQtqyjQq3KQiljtB2bOo8dli84z8zf97wRQiu4sLcBfkWwAMF9-jUnoEHRgF_3zA/s400/9-17-2009+046.JPG" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-43081216114692494802009-09-04T13:27:00.000-07:002009-09-04T13:40:18.304-07:00Watermelon harvest<div><div><div><div><div>= happy chickens.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmEAAwM-zULWG_rDaJyNZD76yOP9_h7tBEiF5aGCfKNnlTaUhuRrE0wUhlERVIUrexmWIZ2n5fXgXtH2C99QhyphenhyphendnDfP_xMr4FiFyTtwfqJ6bizIgLXRyT_EpKCO8CI0ysM3uYckb9oQ/s1600-h/IMG00233-20090903-1145.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377711898901951058" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmEAAwM-zULWG_rDaJyNZD76yOP9_h7tBEiF5aGCfKNnlTaUhuRrE0wUhlERVIUrexmWIZ2n5fXgXtH2C99QhyphenhyphendnDfP_xMr4FiFyTtwfqJ6bizIgLXRyT_EpKCO8CI0ysM3uYckb9oQ/s400/IMG00233-20090903-1145.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>I have been saving seeds from a particular variety for a few years, now. The most perfect ones have golden yellow flesh with a delicate blush of pink in the center. Each one is like a work of art.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhln45LafX8ssYWq_CXKRyb9o1xVDPmWzSjxex9tGUO-tGQYoJEdiLpe09NhSVS0Z4eKQa4CciIsRCITFTmOeg_tdyOOiTFknVF1aHRQ0ro3CJtIwh1bplNEF3TwVkFakcjFb4zgT9g/s1600-h/IMG00236-20090903-1150.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377712443039541746" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhln45LafX8ssYWq_CXKRyb9o1xVDPmWzSjxex9tGUO-tGQYoJEdiLpe09NhSVS0Z4eKQa4CciIsRCITFTmOeg_tdyOOiTFknVF1aHRQ0ro3CJtIwh1bplNEF3TwVkFakcjFb4zgT9g/s400/IMG00236-20090903-1150.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>The variety still isn't totally stable, I usually get a few plain yellows, and was surprised to have a couple of plain reds this year. Oh well, I'll just keep trying. With the help of my lovely assistant Wiley, I saved a good quantity of mature seeds from the best melons.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z74EnnW8k7I2XDixewNfn5_vpNWLr5DEEHjRIoxclq1vbD4672sI9FWvnL-Srg0BzcPv9fyR0auqLiHgT9nbzZvmrSHXJgfuMrV7-ONkspq2BXbvdnSnxm3dlp67HeYmiGMc2U2dBA/s1600-h/IMG00240-20090903-1200.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377713349787108850" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z74EnnW8k7I2XDixewNfn5_vpNWLr5DEEHjRIoxclq1vbD4672sI9FWvnL-Srg0BzcPv9fyR0auqLiHgT9nbzZvmrSHXJgfuMrV7-ONkspq2BXbvdnSnxm3dlp67HeYmiGMc2U2dBA/s400/IMG00240-20090903-1200.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Washed them well, and spread them out on paper to dry.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8EvOF6Zo8M5nWnWbEvFCOnXk-MKNhKGEfdH4e2hopGFWTmE-wB8ExGJCkV7u_dOw0mFm_UbALLOpONKuk-uL3IbgIzHDwk44wrcj4snop1_QMQrSKGw6qTuAIEVWitMj7mRCJgjHUA/s1600-h/IMG00243-20090903-1205.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377713702946287250" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8EvOF6Zo8M5nWnWbEvFCOnXk-MKNhKGEfdH4e2hopGFWTmE-wB8ExGJCkV7u_dOw0mFm_UbALLOpONKuk-uL3IbgIzHDwk44wrcj4snop1_QMQrSKGw6qTuAIEVWitMj7mRCJgjHUA/s400/IMG00243-20090903-1205.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>The poultry feasted on the rest.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGpe5m3FamRcnWmFKZEwJtYrT-t_Y_bdGEoZTv545Dg-KqZzO1PfHFLu65xhztUETHRW_mSgy5kmHZhBYYwwDUYw6dlxGAVC9jejMEYx8fajDtKSoz7aAanklatGhGZvY1TIDj4EACQ/s1600-h/IMG00247-20090903-1347.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377714031347354674" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGpe5m3FamRcnWmFKZEwJtYrT-t_Y_bdGEoZTv545Dg-KqZzO1PfHFLu65xhztUETHRW_mSgy5kmHZhBYYwwDUYw6dlxGAVC9jejMEYx8fajDtKSoz7aAanklatGhGZvY1TIDj4EACQ/s400/IMG00247-20090903-1347.jpg" border="0" /></a> Evidence of happy chicken-ness.</div></div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-46270755583072665872009-08-22T05:01:00.000-07:002009-08-22T06:25:16.451-07:00You Spin Me Right Round<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372760277659371298" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaGrWHLibdxmUNUJgMedzIGf1IHjYtdx1CDavy3hpJOB0U3X0PfeD8LFWelOKyf_tPervKHvHRGO4DGGBe8lrnXjH9z3NN-4pu_mxgHX62iI9sg8PwoaC0l7BVKhHCxgr1V6E9m3-xQ/s400/7-21-2009wool+015.jpg" border="0" /><br />As you may know from reading <a href="http://theuntidyfarm.blogspot.com/2009/06/great-wool-fiasco.html">the great wool fiasco</a>, I have a great store of lovely rovings to be spun into yarn. So, I obtained a spinning wheel a few weeks ago, and now I have a new obsession. I hated trying to spin with a drop spindle, but where it was clumsy, tedious, and mind numbingly slow, the little wheel is efficient, easy, and fun! Yeah, it really is fun, but perhaps I am easily entertained. I find myself trying to sneak in a little spinning time whenever I can, taking procrastination to a new level.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIYeL5idwyMUr3WmXbc6VVvLGToPDC3EsSFPdS2J3GjTXe9JPVTE9RtSa6AMJKY4TFuNP8fjBElhgSFpN1E4MKuuKDyaGdpIsOz1vsDDN-pW2MOYFn9soIiMG7fsv_8gqAVjyNUJaOA/s1600-h/7-21-2009wool+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372759937611531074" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIYeL5idwyMUr3WmXbc6VVvLGToPDC3EsSFPdS2J3GjTXe9JPVTE9RtSa6AMJKY4TFuNP8fjBElhgSFpN1E4MKuuKDyaGdpIsOz1vsDDN-pW2MOYFn9soIiMG7fsv_8gqAVjyNUJaOA/s400/7-21-2009wool+006.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>The quality of my yarn still leaves something to be desired, but practice, practice! It is gradually improving. Now that I have a pretty good stash going, I thought I would experiment with some overdying.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumUW2akjOv-f3FSag-xRIUcc3eIEeZBq4cNZG8hvVI2IpBRUWgkIngscM8_Pl3vAvGEAtwaO1w21aazfnwV3xNW8YNDCNYKsuAFwRY-L6uDQPp5IFF1rb-xGFz3PVjDyLFeZdCr3Mcw/s1600-h/7-21-2009wool+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372760901082610402" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumUW2akjOv-f3FSag-xRIUcc3eIEeZBq4cNZG8hvVI2IpBRUWgkIngscM8_Pl3vAvGEAtwaO1w21aazfnwV3xNW8YNDCNYKsuAFwRY-L6uDQPp5IFF1rb-xGFz3PVjDyLFeZdCr3Mcw/s400/7-21-2009wool+001.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>On the far left here, is the pink that I so strongly objected to initially, since it was supposed to be "scarlet". I confess, it has really grown on me, it has sort of a nice warm, coral tone to it. So, I am letting it be. The other two colors just seem dull and washed out though, blah-boring. </div><br /><div>I had heard of dying natural fibers with koolaid, so I did a little research. Everyone seems to like the effect, and it has enough acid that you do not need to add anything else to it to set the color. In fact, the first ingredient is citric acid. So, I tried dying these two skeins with similar colors to see if I could brighten them up a bit.</div><br /><div>Here's the procedure, it couldn't be simpler. Presoak the skein in cool water for a couple of minutes:</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1_gZ4KiC_81sN0AKf_45npASAI-IWzLCiqcgmoDP2GJPDaNEWZTmAkq9bFqk2DmMg469I8HnC1XI_DNPSqsBAmZ6CV1VgxfuBHOQI0sasFjiDc7B2taN8MnZW2e1RE12K63q_2zgaQ/s1600-h/7-21-2009wool+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372762666843359970" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1_gZ4KiC_81sN0AKf_45npASAI-IWzLCiqcgmoDP2GJPDaNEWZTmAkq9bFqk2DmMg469I8HnC1XI_DNPSqsBAmZ6CV1VgxfuBHOQI0sasFjiDc7B2taN8MnZW2e1RE12K63q_2zgaQ/s400/7-21-2009wool+016.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Meanwhile, hotten up about 3 liters of water in a big pot, and stir in a couple packs of koolaid. The water should be smoking hot, but not boiling, I set the eye on the lowest setting.</div><br /><div>Toss your skein in there. I am using Tropical Punch here, good ole red dye # 40!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gT436KnkaKwdWqeJpe8vhQh-AlyibdLdJlP7DJoFz9KOHa_KEIq9hSYW2Wq3gKPyghr2BCzjjS2PZ8rIuNLuP__9mlsh1xssKWpm5ih5iWfz8xuORDiFc6eZ4k1zFxE2w3aB9GfMKg/s1600-h/7-21-2009wool+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372763544329864946" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gT436KnkaKwdWqeJpe8vhQh-AlyibdLdJlP7DJoFz9KOHa_KEIq9hSYW2Wq3gKPyghr2BCzjjS2PZ8rIuNLuP__9mlsh1xssKWpm5ih5iWfz8xuORDiFc6eZ4k1zFxE2w3aB9GfMKg/s400/7-21-2009wool+018.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div>Then wait for the wool to suck all the color out of the water. Neat, huh?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jTjj3dt2Hhrkzwk8dRp-hnQHkaHKQDcogMcjoAJezeR_UyUttMnwdDwnkXD_RAroN582Jl4fPjGkG_ZX-VZUtxUSP58pEE_jksVCuH3m0sRVMuphvwFgYMn1YMFbMeRwknGuBl9tgg/s1600-h/7-21-2009wool+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372764011263246722" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jTjj3dt2Hhrkzwk8dRp-hnQHkaHKQDcogMcjoAJezeR_UyUttMnwdDwnkXD_RAroN582Jl4fPjGkG_ZX-VZUtxUSP58pEE_jksVCuH3m0sRVMuphvwFgYMn1YMFbMeRwknGuBl9tgg/s400/7-21-2009wool+023.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Next, I just squeezed out the excess water, and hung up the skeins in this elegant fashion-ha. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmuZXPpCT_w20Zgou9eE2Tlm5lSSW-em6fu0BDkN_ImLPjCWJgjWmwGk_de96kIxStS8injzyImQAmGMKCjnR2dEkcoze29Yp3XwcWKk0QScs0Gq-_jFo8-NHNYSueYSuCgOmCp8w1w/s1600-h/7-21-2009wool+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372764667100078210" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmuZXPpCT_w20Zgou9eE2Tlm5lSSW-em6fu0BDkN_ImLPjCWJgjWmwGk_de96kIxStS8injzyImQAmGMKCjnR2dEkcoze29Yp3XwcWKk0QScs0Gq-_jFo8-NHNYSueYSuCgOmCp8w1w/s400/7-21-2009wool+028.jpg" border="0" /></a> I have given them a bit of weight in the form of a rolling pin wrapped in a towel. This will help gently straighten the yarn as it dries, so it doesn't get all kinked up and weird. </div><br /><div>I must say, I really like the end result. The colors are definitely deeper and more intense. Unfortunately, it's a bit hard to see the difference in the photo below, because this wool has such a nice luster to it-it really reflects light. You'll have to take my word for it. I especially like the blue-the Blue Raspberry Lemonade turned it a pretty robin's egg color.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvH960xyFxVdazdPAh8spX1pRa1O-AaixalHZ-mV4lfKrfAfXWhf675MY-AAGdeLZjowlVqZYqe6W37OISagPdLvcFh_FTdQiht6Pu4nYDFVGI0-8mm3gVHYQ9xb3te9EzLed4mX2ig/s1600-h/7-21-2009wool+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372766245759520898" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvH960xyFxVdazdPAh8spX1pRa1O-AaixalHZ-mV4lfKrfAfXWhf675MY-AAGdeLZjowlVqZYqe6W37OISagPdLvcFh_FTdQiht6Pu4nYDFVGI0-8mm3gVHYQ9xb3te9EzLed4mX2ig/s400/7-21-2009wool+035.jpg" border="0" /></a> Yes, koolaid is the dye for me. It seems to be colorfast-the wet wool left no stain on the white towel. It does make your house smell a little fruity, but I'll take fruity over sheepy. </div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-55881801615173367312009-08-14T04:41:00.000-07:002009-08-14T05:02:55.681-07:00Meanwhile, in the kitchen..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6KP_549S2WMZs4TZw7K_ifwY3zK-4NubdkW6LMaXzmUTzAf7bu6Pmso22TBd_RliJ1fWsgoa256tTSflRHm6_8cwA5k5mojBmK4A36FgSUGiK8UVN1wS2nYyV0okvK_oI7mthETaug/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369784141888622882" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6KP_549S2WMZs4TZw7K_ifwY3zK-4NubdkW6LMaXzmUTzAf7bu6Pmso22TBd_RliJ1fWsgoa256tTSflRHm6_8cwA5k5mojBmK4A36FgSUGiK8UVN1wS2nYyV0okvK_oI7mthETaug/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Wow- it has been an incredible year for tomatoes! I can't remember another season when they have done so well, it's a real blessing. So, we have been working on getting a goodly amount canned and put up for winter. It's hot and sweaty work, but a nice change of pace, really. It's a chance to put some good tunes on the stereo, roll up your sleeves, and make a godawful mess of the kitchen.<br /><br />I am especially pleased with the yield on my favorite heirlooms this year, these Golden Sunrays:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo5Fa8iDwmkNVbQZ0SvvTxsmao7v0vX6FBfTLK_UEQZh5sUMZL3UKsf8qz8tLjt_OfBcvmDjCwYp6vD5oUvWwMLHLbqVDoFOvyCHkNuFnfri4b1zQ2d6DNTFoMNeobtqBG0l83MGpFg/s1600-h/7-3-2009chxandtom+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369786500758765202" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo5Fa8iDwmkNVbQZ0SvvTxsmao7v0vX6FBfTLK_UEQZh5sUMZL3UKsf8qz8tLjt_OfBcvmDjCwYp6vD5oUvWwMLHLbqVDoFOvyCHkNuFnfri4b1zQ2d6DNTFoMNeobtqBG0l83MGpFg/s400/7-3-2009chxandtom+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> Normally, they make great sauce, but this year the best I've been able to do is soup. That works, too. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqXb0D3bMqWKWu8U9rYWq4rQPVYAXbfMWS7gaWSOiOYojjdIotoxL2ZcGwp8QloTaUKnsCqtea2_IMN1RE5gmj3oGjSJC_PaCpgNdj-NU7KQGmlxqHXEOI8gigY_4rxs3JoC60AM2_w/s1600-h/7-3-2009chxandtom+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369786908009896178" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqXb0D3bMqWKWu8U9rYWq4rQPVYAXbfMWS7gaWSOiOYojjdIotoxL2ZcGwp8QloTaUKnsCqtea2_IMN1RE5gmj3oGjSJC_PaCpgNdj-NU7KQGmlxqHXEOI8gigY_4rxs3JoC60AM2_w/s400/7-3-2009chxandtom+004.jpg" border="0" /></a> They are the prettiest color, too, they remind me of mangos.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGHr0Ee88xZYPqgytHVZLcHY0BL7yiMPBXeqwtFnwABPbMUMy9ISNFyY1-xUas1P3m18bMqi98a01dGDmhiG7W0F2L3WKECDhg38V_XO1nzfulwx1WS7DmaQNDRGWPkIAtSMOYeH7Yg/s1600-h/7-3-2009chxandtom+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369787437828365426" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGHr0Ee88xZYPqgytHVZLcHY0BL7yiMPBXeqwtFnwABPbMUMy9ISNFyY1-xUas1P3m18bMqi98a01dGDmhiG7W0F2L3WKECDhg38V_XO1nzfulwx1WS7DmaQNDRGWPkIAtSMOYeH7Yg/s400/7-3-2009chxandtom+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yes, the sipping of beer is an essential element of the canning procedure.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2-emh4X1I3x4VmVaDOesRkSOCnCjikPLKL5IdcisJbEUD75IdzuilsLGsvibwjjYRTWxxLrm71J27nwuyyHkW_dgzxPuwnzXqbioEYyYsOV1A_BsioQ3i3-eh49QaaGClXKSehxKBA/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369787956498715010" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2-emh4X1I3x4VmVaDOesRkSOCnCjikPLKL5IdcisJbEUD75IdzuilsLGsvibwjjYRTWxxLrm71J27nwuyyHkW_dgzxPuwnzXqbioEYyYsOV1A_BsioQ3i3-eh49QaaGClXKSehxKBA/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ta da. On to the next batch-salsa, this time?Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-47200301152368651692009-08-09T11:57:00.000-07:002009-08-09T13:03:19.512-07:00Oh! The horrors of vegetation<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXxP6tiwUb2plLOJWEHJ8ku7JGAH4xGO2anM9t7tXHKnh4X1EFTbajd-Bg5voE3QOPZBrR9VktRJ25vro7rZfdBjSxLquzKuaFVmQZZxrhmsKNTxBXrKmQQtWOboN0WqjQpXVkCUPog/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368041610269204802" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXxP6tiwUb2plLOJWEHJ8ku7JGAH4xGO2anM9t7tXHKnh4X1EFTbajd-Bg5voE3QOPZBrR9VktRJ25vro7rZfdBjSxLquzKuaFVmQZZxrhmsKNTxBXrKmQQtWOboN0WqjQpXVkCUPog/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The bane of my existence, <a href="http://http//www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/cynda.htm">wiregrass</a> is taking over everything here at the farm. It got a foothold in our yard and in our pastures, and now it threatens to consume all. Why is it so bad? Well, first of all, it can grow anywhere. </div><div></div><div>In the sandy driveway:<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOajZgaJV22fKVKas1oZskGidT2W9ndJ7dQV0qZBbj0y1NzTWLlVfaODLPF6vtCnSoP9eWHeKvUVH-nuoGkMADOxFuz45ZzVaUUVcUp7PD-1xp2eckn5JWcWYMvvizywaQ-42j9dFxQ/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368041792247687842" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOajZgaJV22fKVKas1oZskGidT2W9ndJ7dQV0qZBbj0y1NzTWLlVfaODLPF6vtCnSoP9eWHeKvUVH-nuoGkMADOxFuz45ZzVaUUVcUp7PD-1xp2eckn5JWcWYMvvizywaQ-42j9dFxQ/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+021.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>In pure pine shavings:</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGLBqTjRl9rxAKsDbDEN7bCxOTWsLMBnAcVtKRXHX3_Kyzjn81605eY-e5Ixcti5l1v0mzRL0MUhXh8OmqZHHYAWr4qRSeNLykF316a4H2zr_32Yemfz6b1Yv5IW4iN8Q0nClWBHUKA/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368042005575491026" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGLBqTjRl9rxAKsDbDEN7bCxOTWsLMBnAcVtKRXHX3_Kyzjn81605eY-e5Ixcti5l1v0mzRL0MUhXh8OmqZHHYAWr4qRSeNLykF316a4H2zr_32Yemfz6b1Yv5IW4iN8Q0nClWBHUKA/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+022.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>In the water! Anywhere..<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WXAG9Z4hHCvUkMBTIAjTq3O2DQlqBrO5mTBrG9yDM9vmw50jlW3Wx54hUKuyLnP4Zva6c8bWfkROZ87GPoZ2V6Dx9rnEJpo7GnygYzZJTfKIFYSvO4_z2X6n1jauNg2VM4EokBRQuw/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368042228547498482" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WXAG9Z4hHCvUkMBTIAjTq3O2DQlqBrO5mTBrG9yDM9vmw50jlW3Wx54hUKuyLnP4Zva6c8bWfkROZ87GPoZ2V6Dx9rnEJpo7GnygYzZJTfKIFYSvO4_z2X6n1jauNg2VM4EokBRQuw/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+035.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>It is extremely competitive with other plants for water and nutrients, and it spreads by both stolons and seed. So in the pastures we are seeing the change from a nice diverse mix of grasses and legumes:<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_buFvHvbPq6oo_sG7x6DJhRzWByUWMILIQ36cW-heRZHnVsWc8G0d7AspIPP7Ezqf4_5ALMNJZRlPMU5u1VCUkDhkLydNNd9COSjYPpsR1ud8eDS-N4N8Nmg491BxUSEJlXKW6h1bHA/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368042961473634066" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_buFvHvbPq6oo_sG7x6DJhRzWByUWMILIQ36cW-heRZHnVsWc8G0d7AspIPP7Ezqf4_5ALMNJZRlPMU5u1VCUkDhkLydNNd9COSjYPpsR1ud8eDS-N4N8Nmg491BxUSEJlXKW6h1bHA/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+025.jpg" border="0" /></a> To here, you can see the hazy line of an intruding mat of wiregrass:<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyZ6EhxIASI3W9vMEXp6kiXSj9kVSUc1GAZcJo1VEEtQiI6uywngb3DeAXS1BduCNFydtiQpGaYYB-kd1j0qo5RgQkkJ_XqpE2IdquDqLc0cR5jDvj0-hfYmb27nYl_QFa21-6y38yQ/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368043264863899586" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyZ6EhxIASI3W9vMEXp6kiXSj9kVSUc1GAZcJo1VEEtQiI6uywngb3DeAXS1BduCNFydtiQpGaYYB-kd1j0qo5RgQkkJ_XqpE2IdquDqLc0cR5jDvj0-hfYmb27nYl_QFa21-6y38yQ/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+026.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>To this-wiregrass monoculture:<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDJ0hOsTDWgmD0_bo0HdXDG-1sRkCDR06yFm1qqq_btLCWxEqsjIvlAh3H0LcjBFgWQ6PPxbQFY16b7RxpzV_WE-dGpHZ0E4Ttx9kbmDGIf-MGhVY97YDrMr51E7bTy6ggrjgNONoWQ/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368043548242205570" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDJ0hOsTDWgmD0_bo0HdXDG-1sRkCDR06yFm1qqq_btLCWxEqsjIvlAh3H0LcjBFgWQ6PPxbQFY16b7RxpzV_WE-dGpHZ0E4Ttx9kbmDGIf-MGhVY97YDrMr51E7bTy6ggrjgNONoWQ/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+027.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>So, secondly, what can you do to control it? In the pastures, we have tried many things. </div><br /><div>1. Harrowing it when it is already stressed from drought</div><br /><div>2. Spraying with roundup (I am sorry) when it is already stressed from drought</div><br /><div></div><div>3. Harrowing it when it is dormant, then overseeding with smothering crops that grow at a time of year it doesn't, hoping they would out compete it</div><br /><div>4. Mowing before it can go to seed</div><br /><div>Result? It's worse than ever.</div><br /><div>Four years ago, I had a vision of a beautiful, no-till, permanent raised bed garden. I mulched like crazy with composted manure, leaves and grass clippings. I amended with wood ash for potassium, calcium, and trace minerals. I mowed the weeds before they could set seed, I spent hours, whole days, pulling weeds. It was once an incredibly productive space. I felt pretty good when we got our soil test results and the "cottage garden" was juuust right!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPttqLoDSX7Qvjm3AJDb1YYNIkpOp-mAobHkFvGDB-pX2te3kasBkMw9deAQMBLrl8g_AmkCqI_2UfSTu-CDSdopKDZcgV0gWTAKL9Q38HwuX93ljDCjLISCXtpRBdMkbFJE1UlJ8yqg/s1600-h/Picture+691.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368046874700339682" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPttqLoDSX7Qvjm3AJDb1YYNIkpOp-mAobHkFvGDB-pX2te3kasBkMw9deAQMBLrl8g_AmkCqI_2UfSTu-CDSdopKDZcgV0gWTAKL9Q38HwuX93ljDCjLISCXtpRBdMkbFJE1UlJ8yqg/s400/Picture+691.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Then the wiregrass started creeping in from the pasture, first in little clumps, then in rapidly spreading mats.</div><br /><div>In my no chemical zealotry, I tried pulling it by hand first. Then I tried pulling it, and smother mulching it with cardboard or paper feed bags and hay or straw. Then, more desperate now, I tried spraying it with roundup. Then, I tried pulling it, spraying it, and mulching it. All to no avail.</div><br /><div>Totally desperate now, I got some geese. I hatched these beautiful, amazing creatures about a year and a half ago.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLOLum75Pm5fmd0r8MMbyNCg4rkPFVju6XPniDtoSLx4kAUYtx33YFeYFDqLkBWrCHHuPRy_CXnWaElsxcFLTwpeCwgD4XEGf5ayOsd-yZdnOpsYmpHOmmo-1ySVYGHzLrmkQ6_umXA/s1600-h/july+2008+069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368048289001404754" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLOLum75Pm5fmd0r8MMbyNCg4rkPFVju6XPniDtoSLx4kAUYtx33YFeYFDqLkBWrCHHuPRy_CXnWaElsxcFLTwpeCwgD4XEGf5ayOsd-yZdnOpsYmpHOmmo-1ySVYGHzLrmkQ6_umXA/s400/july+2008+069.jpg" border="0" /></a> I had read that if you feed them a certain weed as babies, they will seek out that particular weed to eat as adults. I had also read that geese will really grub down in the soil to get to roots they are after (they certainly did a number on my celeriac (: ), so I thought it might just work. I fed them chopped up wiregrass with their baby ration, then they graduated to a fenced area in our wiregrass yard. Now, I prepared the beds in the cottage garden before I sent them out there, I weeded once again, in the hopes that they could control the baby shoots just coming up. </div><br /><div>Their first action upon being introduced to the garden was to devour my watermelons, growing on hay bales, in entirety, leaves, vines, and all. After that, sure they ate the wiregrass, but there was no way they could keep it under control. It just grows way too fast, and there is too much of it! Also, it thrives in the blasting heat of summer, when it is too hot much of the day for the little guys to work.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiZ9j2CKtjSNhp0HbkES7gdjKlDc5IRX67L3rFNw3c4tBZfmYN2rtdckjPtFCdSfO1weowJx7w3NmM-inf9onftHqf8X_jb7mE7uL3nvx7rIaGofubBUGDGaEXbfeeynCLsmWpQkmkQ/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368050277184978706" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiZ9j2CKtjSNhp0HbkES7gdjKlDc5IRX67L3rFNw3c4tBZfmYN2rtdckjPtFCdSfO1weowJx7w3NmM-inf9onftHqf8X_jb7mE7uL3nvx7rIaGofubBUGDGaEXbfeeynCLsmWpQkmkQ/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+032.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>So, despite my best efforts, the cottage garden has become mostly an expanse of wiregrass. With geese in it.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz97FlCHBCps3Up8EYNfswaWVOQiz11shv4nacWl_hc2PyGE56KJ-7RVlzJXcrUbUeDVdttOe2qOqm8VUrMOKPaaINcHSXSkoZwwhoEkNYT-Qyclhl1pzdL8rWWyXkH9BdGb8oQr1fww/s1600-h/7-8-2009tomandwg+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368050726641574466" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz97FlCHBCps3Up8EYNfswaWVOQiz11shv4nacWl_hc2PyGE56KJ-7RVlzJXcrUbUeDVdttOe2qOqm8VUrMOKPaaINcHSXSkoZwwhoEkNYT-Qyclhl1pzdL8rWWyXkH9BdGb8oQr1fww/s400/7-8-2009tomandwg+020.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>What else can be done? This truly terrifying weed is starting to creep in everywhere on the farm. The only other option it seems, would be to spray absolutely everything with something so toxic it would kill absolutely everything. We would never do that, of course, and I honestly don't think it would work anyway. The only solution seems to be to run away! Run away, before it eats us, too!!!</div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27461081678484931.post-2619432119785592702009-07-27T07:21:00.000-07:002009-07-27T07:51:34.556-07:00A Positive NoteUm, I should really be doing chores right now, but if there are two things I really love, they are nature and photography. I just encountered the most perfect luna moth I think I have ever seen, and had to share her-<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AT-tImfMDDRCuHmdLNuhYDOHtdo5B6l19zqoHtDizI5ac6xowmPocDhses7VbG0p6pBlXKJoMy_OIK1LmAXhRIrBRrA-1ygNk7cR9J00t7j83jGJA87IPaUVrug8wXwM9SSc0J7DYg/s1600-h/luna6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363148278044900258" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AT-tImfMDDRCuHmdLNuhYDOHtdo5B6l19zqoHtDizI5ac6xowmPocDhses7VbG0p6pBlXKJoMy_OIK1LmAXhRIrBRrA-1ygNk7cR9J00t7j83jGJA87IPaUVrug8wXwM9SSc0J7DYg/s400/luna6.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>I took these with my blackberry, so they are not very good quality, oh well. You get the idea.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1agtpHsBpvwGzREczXqTp_-3ztMAprXEEbj8lYGqzBDMdK7NZiY3ChXk9YT9puwlRVL3zmxeHiCLoZMgavCnbsKiu6q5NRp5oURXfCC9YYCRtHHDAqxW2IFNx-B0wU8dXf4gyHyml0w/s1600-h/luna8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363148357734584658" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1agtpHsBpvwGzREczXqTp_-3ztMAprXEEbj8lYGqzBDMdK7NZiY3ChXk9YT9puwlRVL3zmxeHiCLoZMgavCnbsKiu6q5NRp5oURXfCC9YYCRtHHDAqxW2IFNx-B0wU8dXf4gyHyml0w/s400/luna8.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wp_KeTT1VHc3eAHFGKlHUdG6dLVHwqs7AXq1hl99ZjWyq-KAA6mXVTEBH7RSb0ApK5zd_oq6mPO_pYSGM4YQpbPDJSQNV7bPervr0G9feMvqS5CPdqY70I06rZzV1_YCxWn1ScOV3Q/s1600-h/luna10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363152516802593826" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wp_KeTT1VHc3eAHFGKlHUdG6dLVHwqs7AXq1hl99ZjWyq-KAA6mXVTEBH7RSb0ApK5zd_oq6mPO_pYSGM4YQpbPDJSQNV7bPervr0G9feMvqS5CPdqY70I06rZzV1_YCxWn1ScOV3Q/s400/luna10.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>And here is Mantis, master of disguise!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6V8tJ6kg8jTIQJdkTHkR25aeseQe8uaxP-0pzaZiT1pCxlXSRPsMQp1mkRe3cwVTmLc3RYqxoyT0vVjPQbKM_ZPy0-JzkW_w_seRzaFRgjCteO4fufhqwNHqkv8QK2fTs19pp6kq2w/s1600-h/mantis1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363149064045776866" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6V8tJ6kg8jTIQJdkTHkR25aeseQe8uaxP-0pzaZiT1pCxlXSRPsMQp1mkRe3cwVTmLc3RYqxoyT0vVjPQbKM_ZPy0-JzkW_w_seRzaFRgjCteO4fufhqwNHqkv8QK2fTs19pp6kq2w/s400/mantis1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYw2GQ49qMmHaLJcEsjw1D2uAa_Ylybzahg-0SV597bJGEEwZbpV0vb5S3Yqoni5ZruKLW-cQBbYglcoHYJRqVzJKRAux5QcVqoVdrvhUdzGyB5-94AR0Bb_5luUnTXUDyfyeFhLIxw/s1600-h/mantis2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363149144014199698" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYw2GQ49qMmHaLJcEsjw1D2uAa_Ylybzahg-0SV597bJGEEwZbpV0vb5S3Yqoni5ZruKLW-cQBbYglcoHYJRqVzJKRAux5QcVqoVdrvhUdzGyB5-94AR0Bb_5luUnTXUDyfyeFhLIxw/s400/mantis2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>I love luna moths-a few years ago I came across a pair. They are a little beat up, but very neat, nonetheless.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvp83xzJH_PY3K4EaCFyFepTw9KFNxb1lS4whTR-lte_Hlci_KwYaRvVJnSOZL262q3oMBSQ6ZiMT5lwiZeh-O15ItG7Y7dWkdtTu_j-42Nx-feBlQ-gyA_EL4dXAoO5fCbQMkeubdQ/s1600-h/Picture+421.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363149885970375250" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvp83xzJH_PY3K4EaCFyFepTw9KFNxb1lS4whTR-lte_Hlci_KwYaRvVJnSOZL262q3oMBSQ6ZiMT5lwiZeh-O15ItG7Y7dWkdtTu_j-42Nx-feBlQ-gyA_EL4dXAoO5fCbQMkeubdQ/s400/Picture+421.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15334613447102974589noreply@blogger.com4