Thursday Thoughts #182
Tag Archives: country living
Is it Over?
It seems so during the day but nighttime is a different matter. The deep freeze that held our Northern Shenandoah Valley in its icy grip seems to be gone except at night.
Daytime temperatures have been rising steadily above freezing pushing onto two weeks now. Today is to be in the 50^’s. Night times drop into freezing.
Still, there are piles of snow in parking lots, around houses and the most interesting part to me, the ponds are still covered in ice!
Wednesday’s rain turned into Thursday morning ice sheet, while back in the mid 50’s and 60’s today.
The deep freeze hit us the last week of January. Our pond has had ice on it from then up to today. It has looked like one giant white ice cube for a month. And the astonishing part is the past two weeks have been above freezing during the day.
I cannot recall the last time we had such extended cold weather. Usually it lasts only several days, surely not weeks.
It appears all over with now. Daffodils are making their appearance, our Red-Winged Blackbird is home singing his happy song, and the horses are shedding some of their full winter coats.
Hurray for Spring!
These last two photos are from today which reached into the 60’s, and still ice! Cannot recall last time I saw this ice for so long.
Yesterday found our pond free of ice, not so with our neighbors.
BTW, snow flurries are blowing all around right now.
Are You Ready for It? When is It Coming?
These questions wafted around the grocery store yesterday as I was filling my list. Folk on phones or talking among themselves wondered out-loud.
“It’s winter. What do you expect?” Our old neighbor would say. Very little frazzled that wonderful old woman. She lived through lots of winters.
It is snow. Apparently a BIG snow. Radio stations and news headlines blasting warnings and predictions of freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall for much of the East and South.
I do not mind weather forecasts. They help keep us informed of possible inclement weather. ‘Be Prepared’ is a good motto to live by (Thank You, Boy Scouts).
However, I do object to trying to be made fearful or worse, panic. Weather forecasts for small or large farmers is important and more often than not dictate our days work. So when the sky looks threatening and storms are in the forecast we do pay attention. We prepare. We will not worry. It is wintertime.
Black belt Fisherman
Is there such thing? In our circle of life, yes, yes indeed.
Fishing has been a lifetime passion for our sons. It fit the bill years ago when they were young, when little money was floating around for exciting excursions for a family of seven on one income.
However, we had friends whose ponds were brimming with fish, and bubbly, cool mountain streams that called their names and won their hearts forever to fishing. Only equipment needed: one fishing pole per son. That was attainable.
It has been said what goes around comes around. Fishing has come full circle. Our grandsons fish like pros. I love going to “wet a line” with them. I am the main cheerleader and photographer. The fish call them from our pond and a generous neighbor who allows them access on his ponds as well.
As soon as their feet touch the ground here, they are off to the ponds. Only a whistle brings them in.
Their fathers have taught them well.
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.
Ninja Fifi
Fifi is our chicken momma. She hatched five little chicks six weeks ago. She has shown herself diligent, strong, and brave. She earned her ‘Ninja’ name last week, as named by my twinster.
When she got broody, I asked our neighbor for some fertile eggs. She made her nest in the rafters of the barn. Climbing a ladder daily was the only way to keep an eye on her. It did not end well for that clutch unfortunately. Sweltering summer heat proved too much, none made it.
Removing a broody hen who wants babies that are not going to hatch is sad. She kept sitting on the ground, not wanting to give up.
I decided to make a new nest in a box stall, get more eggs and try again. I have read where the eggs should be set before the hen, and if she wants them, she will move them under her. To my great joy and surprise, she put five eggs under her feathery, warm body in her newly made nest.
Had I been too hasty, I suddenly thought to myself? It takes a lot for a hen to hatch eggs. They sit for 21-25 days, getting off their nest once, maybe twice daily for food, water, and to relieve themselves. One round of hatching is hard enough. She is strong, young and determined, I reasoned. We both were going to succeed this time.
To me it seems like magic. The chicks hatched! All five of them. The joy we have had watching them grow is terrific.
Our chickens free range. Occasionally we will loose one to fox. Last week was such a time. While feeding I noticed Fifi did not look ‘right’. Upon closer inspection I saw her wing was damaged, she’d lost a few feathers on her back and one foot was not quite right.
We put them in the barn where she could rest and get better. They were kept in the barn for several days and let out for short times under careful watch.
Apparently it was not worth engaging with a mother hen protecting her babies. Her healing has been amazing to watch. She took a beating protecting her chicks, but they are safe. Her bravery surely earned the ‘Ninja’ title.
#Wordless Wednesday—A Picture tells a Story
Thursday Thoughts #156
Ever Make These?
I am of an age now where ‘new’ things are the ‘old’ things I used to do when I was young.
Macramé is one of those ‘new’ things. I wanted to hang my orchids outside under our tree for summer. I thought I would macramé my own like I did so many years ago. But…
Having them already made to use quickly changed my mind. At the check-out I asked the clerk (who was about my age) if she ever did macramé. She said yes, she had. She made a plant hanger for her mother that she kept until she died. Isn’t that too sweet?
You know what? Think I’ll go get some materials so my grandkids and I can make a macramé pot hanger together for their mommas!
Thursday Thoughts #154
How is Doris?
That is her name, Doris. You know, the chicken our “good” dogs attacked last week? She is recovering very well. She has been out of the infirmary and free-ranging since Tuesday.
I could not deny her ‘request’ to go outside. I found her standing directly in front of the stall door staring at it early Tuesday morning. As if she knew staring at it long enough would open it. Well, it did!
I thought if she wants out that badly, she must be feeling well enough. So I opened it, and out she came.
We have only two chickens (a fox got the rest), and I watched the other one carefully. Doris still has bare spots on her little body, though feathers are growing back. All seemed well, and indeed all is well.
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Love and care go a long way. Even for a little chicken.
one_local_gal 