Saturday, September 4, 2010
"Leave Well Enough Alone"
Those words have become my new "mantra". I find myself saying that to myself many times a day now. I am somewhat of a "perfectionist", I guess, and in the past, would always 'keep at' something until I felt it to be as near perfect as I could get it....whether it be makeup, hair, artwork, housekeeping, or whatever. Many times....especially with HAIR, I would do more harm than good by continuing to 'mess' with it, trying to get that last hair in just exactly the right place. (know what I mean??) Because I had to 'tweak' that one last strand, I screwed up the entire "do", and had to start over. VERY time consuming when you're in a hurry! Maybe it's an attitude that you acquire with age. I am getting to where "good enough" is FINE with me. I no longer seem to be compelled to PERFECTION. Life is so much easier these days! I have learned that, in the grand scheme of things, it really is OK to be less than perfect. It is OK....just to BE. No pressure...no deadlines...no stress. I'm liking this stage of my life. It's enlightening! I'm also leaning toward that freedom that comes when I can finally convince myself to stop wearing makeup. How exhillarating THAT is going to be!! I haven't quite gotten there YET. I remain 'makeup free' on weekends, whenever possible, but am looking forward to the day when I can just wash my face & go. Too bad I didn't inherit my mother's beauty & perfect complexion. I'm at an age now where I find it amusing to observe young girls who just can't wait to wear makeup....because I know they will be where I'm at someday.....they, too, will look forward to the sheer luxury of wearing NONE. Yes....it really is wonderful to experience the freedom of simplicity! And while you're at it......just leave "well enough" ALONE!!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
"FAMILY" defined....
According to The American Heritage Dictionary ...family is defined as such:
fam·i·ly (fămə-lē, fămlē) n. pl. fam·i·lies
1. a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
b. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
2. All the members of a household under one roof.
Now consider, if you will, MY definintion of "family".
You may be related by blood, to other human beings, but this is attributable to an "accident of birth", and certainly not by any conscious effort on your part. An accident of birth does NOT necessarily create a "family". (Look at the fatherless children in your own community; look at the mothers who neglect and abuse their children....you call THAT "family"??)
I consider my family to consist of several people, both blood, and non-blood related, individuals. The non-blood family members are sometimes held in higher regard, because I actually CHOSE them to be part of my "family". This is a distinction that is not given lightly! These members had to EARN my respect and high regard. These members were chosen because they have proven, on countless occasions, that they have MY bests interest at heart. There is never a hidden agenda or a self-serving "act" of generosity.
Then, on the other hand....I have "blood relatives" that I refuse to allow to cross my threshhold. These individuals cannot be trusted. THEY have proven, time and time again, that they are only out for themselves. They have no regard for me, or my possessions. They take what they want, when they want, and have no concern for how the loss will affect ME, financially or emotionally. The fact that I took these individuals into my home in times past, and gave generously of my time, attention, and money in an attempt to help improve THEIR current situation, obviously meant nothing to them. I am a kind-hearted person, and apparently, because of this, I was simply an easy 'mark'. Don't make the mistake of confusing my kind heartedness with weakness! I was made a fool of; I was used; I was cheated; and I was lied to.....repeatedly. WHY WOULD I STILL CONSIDER THESE INDIVIDUALS "FAMILY" ????? Please refer back to section 1., part b. of the above definition: "people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another" I do NOT share goals or values with liars, theives, and cheats, therefore, I do not consider these types of persons my "family", regardless of bloodlines and DNA! And by the time I cut you out of MY family, my "long term commitment" to you has already been abused and exhausted! I am a christian. I believe that we are to forgive others. Even Jesus said that we are to "turn the other cheek".........but He never said what to do AFTER we have turned the other cheek! I forgive those who have wronged me in the past, but I am NOT duty-bound, by blood OR christianity, to allow them to CONTINUE misusing me!
In the Bible, Luke 18:22, Jesus tells us we are to forgive others "...until seventy times seven." So, being a christian, I will continue to forgive you for being a dumbass and constantly making bad choices & decisions for your life...I will forgive you these things...but I will NOT allow you to continue making ME the target of your transgressions. YOU are not my "family"...you were simply an accident of birth. Just as I can choose who I want to allow INTO my family.....I can also choose who I will NOT allow.
If this offends you....it is probably because you spend way too much time dwelling on what you perceive as your "rights" and "privileges"! The ONLY "birthright" you have is the promise of salvation by God. There is no other. I suggest to you, to get your head out of your ass and become a better person. Perhaps then, not only will the family you were BORN into accept you back into the fold, but you may find new "families" CHOOSING to make you a member, simply because you enhance their lives.
And if my words STILL offend you......GET OVER IT!!
fam·i·ly (fămə-lē, fămlē) n. pl. fam·i·lies
1. a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
b. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.
2. All the members of a household under one roof.
Now consider, if you will, MY definintion of "family".
You may be related by blood, to other human beings, but this is attributable to an "accident of birth", and certainly not by any conscious effort on your part. An accident of birth does NOT necessarily create a "family". (Look at the fatherless children in your own community; look at the mothers who neglect and abuse their children....you call THAT "family"??)
I consider my family to consist of several people, both blood, and non-blood related, individuals. The non-blood family members are sometimes held in higher regard, because I actually CHOSE them to be part of my "family". This is a distinction that is not given lightly! These members had to EARN my respect and high regard. These members were chosen because they have proven, on countless occasions, that they have MY bests interest at heart. There is never a hidden agenda or a self-serving "act" of generosity.
Then, on the other hand....I have "blood relatives" that I refuse to allow to cross my threshhold. These individuals cannot be trusted. THEY have proven, time and time again, that they are only out for themselves. They have no regard for me, or my possessions. They take what they want, when they want, and have no concern for how the loss will affect ME, financially or emotionally. The fact that I took these individuals into my home in times past, and gave generously of my time, attention, and money in an attempt to help improve THEIR current situation, obviously meant nothing to them. I am a kind-hearted person, and apparently, because of this, I was simply an easy 'mark'. Don't make the mistake of confusing my kind heartedness with weakness! I was made a fool of; I was used; I was cheated; and I was lied to.....repeatedly. WHY WOULD I STILL CONSIDER THESE INDIVIDUALS "FAMILY" ????? Please refer back to section 1., part b. of the above definition: "people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another" I do NOT share goals or values with liars, theives, and cheats, therefore, I do not consider these types of persons my "family", regardless of bloodlines and DNA! And by the time I cut you out of MY family, my "long term commitment" to you has already been abused and exhausted! I am a christian. I believe that we are to forgive others. Even Jesus said that we are to "turn the other cheek".........but He never said what to do AFTER we have turned the other cheek! I forgive those who have wronged me in the past, but I am NOT duty-bound, by blood OR christianity, to allow them to CONTINUE misusing me!
In the Bible, Luke 18:22, Jesus tells us we are to forgive others "...until seventy times seven." So, being a christian, I will continue to forgive you for being a dumbass and constantly making bad choices & decisions for your life...I will forgive you these things...but I will NOT allow you to continue making ME the target of your transgressions. YOU are not my "family"...you were simply an accident of birth. Just as I can choose who I want to allow INTO my family.....I can also choose who I will NOT allow.
If this offends you....it is probably because you spend way too much time dwelling on what you perceive as your "rights" and "privileges"! The ONLY "birthright" you have is the promise of salvation by God. There is no other. I suggest to you, to get your head out of your ass and become a better person. Perhaps then, not only will the family you were BORN into accept you back into the fold, but you may find new "families" CHOOSING to make you a member, simply because you enhance their lives.
And if my words STILL offend you......GET OVER IT!!
Friday, June 11, 2010
PET PEEVES!!!!!!
We all have them.....but some of mine, (that I thought were dead), have suddenly been resurrected!! GR-R-R-R-R!!!!
I work for a real estate management company. My job involves answering the phones and re-routing calls to the appropriate persons. I take roughly 45-55 calls per day on average. Some of these calls are from the on-site managers of our apartment complexes (we have 38 of them) Other calls are from perspective renters inquiring about details and cost. Still other calls are from actual tenants, already ensconced in one of the properties my company owns and manages. We have several single-family dwellings which are occupied. At some point in time, throughout the month, I talk to most of these people.
I have spent many, many years working in corporate America. I EXPECT (silly me!!) a certain amount of courtesy, consideration, and INTELLIGENCE!! Guess I need to back up...regroup....and remind myself that I am no longer working in the metropolis of our state's capitol. I am now working in "Hillbillie Hollow". Most high school graduates in this neck of the woods can spell their own names, and know enough grammar to "get by". But PHONE ETIQUETTE is a FOREIGN LANGUAGE!!!!
With nearly every call I take, the caller immediately launches into his or her script without so much as even stating their names or in any way identifying themselves. I don't need to know that you've just received an eviction notice..."in error" (yeah, right!) and you want 'someone' to "get this straightened out" for you. First of all.....we don't issue eviction notices on the spur of the moment. You have to be seriously delinquent in your rent to get one! Secondly...it would be of tremendous help to know WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?? and which of our complexes is evicting you?? And even after I repeat, several times, that we only take complaints IN WRITING, they continue to give me every nasty detail of the transgressions against them! (totally unjust, you understand!)
Then there are those callers who begin their conversation with..."Um, yeah, uh.....I was callin' about the ad in the paper??" OK, WHICH AD? WHICH PAPER?? WHAT DOES THE AD SAY? We advertise in several newspapers across three states!! I am NOT clairvoyant!
Many of these callers are calling from their cell phones, while driving. They call to inquire about rental properties we may have available.......yet, when I tell them I need to direct them to another number for further details, they tell me, "oh, I'm driving and can't write that down". They tell me they'll just "remember" the number......then without fail, nearly every single one of them calls me back within just a couple of minutes to say..."what was that number again??" And not only that, but if you're looking for a place to live...don't you want to write down pertinent information, like How much per month is the rent?....is there a security deposit?....are pets accepted, ect.?? They call to ask if we "have anything for rent"....but are in no way prepared to deal with whatever information I give them! Big wasted effort on MY part, as they will NOT be able to remember all the details, and can't write it down while driving. So, if you have to use your cell phone and make these important calls while driving........PULL OVER!!!!!!!!!! Spare the other drivers on the road your erratic driving!
And don't you just LOVE those automated calls that, once you've answered & identified your company and yourself.....you hear "Please hold for an important message" ....WTF?? I have more pressing business to attend to and have no intention of 'holding' for your crap!! If it were REALLY IMPORTANT....you would have put a HUMAN on the phone to make that call to begin with!!!
Oh, and you gotta love those callers who, upon my answering their call, they immediately shout, "George in?" Part of my job is to field calls....eliminating solicitors, cranks, and what not. George may actually BE IN THE OFFICE.....but you won't know that until I can tell George WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU WANT. George doesn't like "blind transferred" calls. I don't blame him. If you're just trying to sell us toner for our copier......WE DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU!
I especially like the calls that I KNOW are solicitors, simply because they ask for my boss, by name, but refer to her as "MR." She has one of those trans-gender names that works well for EITHER sex....but if you don't KNOW her, you don't know she's a female. When I tell them that MR. xxxxx is not in, and ask if I can take a msg., they refuse, insisting that they will just call back another time. GUESS WHAT?? You aren't going to reach her THEN, either! You STILL have to go thru me, and I'm onto you!
(OMG!! I HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE PEOPLE OF POWER!!!!)
You'll have to read my previous post "People Of Power" to appreciate this fact!
I work for a real estate management company. My job involves answering the phones and re-routing calls to the appropriate persons. I take roughly 45-55 calls per day on average. Some of these calls are from the on-site managers of our apartment complexes (we have 38 of them) Other calls are from perspective renters inquiring about details and cost. Still other calls are from actual tenants, already ensconced in one of the properties my company owns and manages. We have several single-family dwellings which are occupied. At some point in time, throughout the month, I talk to most of these people.
I have spent many, many years working in corporate America. I EXPECT (silly me!!) a certain amount of courtesy, consideration, and INTELLIGENCE!! Guess I need to back up...regroup....and remind myself that I am no longer working in the metropolis of our state's capitol. I am now working in "Hillbillie Hollow". Most high school graduates in this neck of the woods can spell their own names, and know enough grammar to "get by". But PHONE ETIQUETTE is a FOREIGN LANGUAGE!!!!
With nearly every call I take, the caller immediately launches into his or her script without so much as even stating their names or in any way identifying themselves. I don't need to know that you've just received an eviction notice..."in error" (yeah, right!) and you want 'someone' to "get this straightened out" for you. First of all.....we don't issue eviction notices on the spur of the moment. You have to be seriously delinquent in your rent to get one! Secondly...it would be of tremendous help to know WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?? and which of our complexes is evicting you?? And even after I repeat, several times, that we only take complaints IN WRITING, they continue to give me every nasty detail of the transgressions against them! (totally unjust, you understand!)
Then there are those callers who begin their conversation with..."Um, yeah, uh.....I was callin' about the ad in the paper??" OK, WHICH AD? WHICH PAPER?? WHAT DOES THE AD SAY? We advertise in several newspapers across three states!! I am NOT clairvoyant!
Many of these callers are calling from their cell phones, while driving. They call to inquire about rental properties we may have available.......yet, when I tell them I need to direct them to another number for further details, they tell me, "oh, I'm driving and can't write that down". They tell me they'll just "remember" the number......then without fail, nearly every single one of them calls me back within just a couple of minutes to say..."what was that number again??" And not only that, but if you're looking for a place to live...don't you want to write down pertinent information, like How much per month is the rent?....is there a security deposit?....are pets accepted, ect.?? They call to ask if we "have anything for rent"....but are in no way prepared to deal with whatever information I give them! Big wasted effort on MY part, as they will NOT be able to remember all the details, and can't write it down while driving. So, if you have to use your cell phone and make these important calls while driving........PULL OVER!!!!!!!!!! Spare the other drivers on the road your erratic driving!
And don't you just LOVE those automated calls that, once you've answered & identified your company and yourself.....you hear "Please hold for an important message" ....WTF?? I have more pressing business to attend to and have no intention of 'holding' for your crap!! If it were REALLY IMPORTANT....you would have put a HUMAN on the phone to make that call to begin with!!!
Oh, and you gotta love those callers who, upon my answering their call, they immediately shout, "George in?" Part of my job is to field calls....eliminating solicitors, cranks, and what not. George may actually BE IN THE OFFICE.....but you won't know that until I can tell George WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU WANT. George doesn't like "blind transferred" calls. I don't blame him. If you're just trying to sell us toner for our copier......WE DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU!
I especially like the calls that I KNOW are solicitors, simply because they ask for my boss, by name, but refer to her as "MR." She has one of those trans-gender names that works well for EITHER sex....but if you don't KNOW her, you don't know she's a female. When I tell them that MR. xxxxx is not in, and ask if I can take a msg., they refuse, insisting that they will just call back another time. GUESS WHAT?? You aren't going to reach her THEN, either! You STILL have to go thru me, and I'm onto you!
(OMG!! I HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE PEOPLE OF POWER!!!!)
You'll have to read my previous post "People Of Power" to appreciate this fact!
Monday, May 31, 2010
A Roo With A 'Tude!!
OK....it's a holiday...I don't have to get up at 5am.....I like to sleep in on weekends....I don't really consider 7:00am LATE, when we're talking "sleeping in", but apparently KELLOGG (photo at right) was PO'd! He didn't get out of the coop at the expected early hour that he has become accustomed to! OMG....it was all of 8:15 am when I went to the barn to open the coop for the day. AND DID I SEE ANY GRATITUDE???? NO-O-O-O-O!!!!! The little bastard attacked me! And NOT just once! I noticed him get that "look" in his eye....like Buddy used to.....and KNEW he was psyching himself up to get me. I had stopped bringing my walkin' stick with me after Buddy left, thinking I would no longer need it! Boy, was I wrong! Just like Buddy, Kellogg tried to use the "sneak up from behind" method....but I'm wise to that trick. I saw him coming & turned just in time to land a good solid kick to his chest. Didn't phase him.....rubber boots don't pack much of a whollop, ya know? I knew there was a heavy hoe handle up at the barn entrance (that was a good 200 ft away!) so as I headed back to get it, Kellogg stalked me the entire trip....displaying threatening postures & mumbling chicken curse words under his breath. Once I reached the hoe handle & started back, the fight was on!! He came at me with a vengeance...feathers all puffed out & spurs a shinin'. I used the hoe handle to ward him off. Poked him in the chest with it, each time he came at me. I think he must've called some sort of truce, as he finally wandered off. I was relieved that I didn't really have to HURT him....and that he hadn't actually hurt ME. I then went outside into the yard to see if all the babies had made it out....DANGED IF HE DIDN'T COME AT ME AGAIN! This time, I truly think he was out for blood. We went three rounds. I walked away the champion....this time! I think he now knows that I mean business & will NOT tolerate this sort of treatment from him....or any OTHER rooster! I also think he is the vindictive type. He was rather humiliated to lose three rounds in front of all the girls....and oh, they were all watching intently! Especially when I turned that hoe handle into a baseball bat and dared him to try one more time!
I'm really shocked and surprised that Kellogg would treat me this way. I have been nothing but NICE to him.....giving him preferential treatment and choosing HIM to be the "keeper" when I found new homes for the other 4 roosters. I have to go back to the barn this evening to close the coop. This time, I'll be ready for him if he tries it again. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. The whole time he was in "attack mode" this morning, he was putting himself between me and the hens. Maybe he's become just a little TOO overprotective where they are concerned. Or, maybe my bright hot pink shirt, denim capris, sunshades & 'updo' disturbed him. Maybe he didn't recognize me.....or maybe he doesn't like hot pink! Either way.....I may just change clothes before my evening trip to the barn. If he attacks again, I'll know it had nothing to do with my outfit....and everything to to with his ATTITUDE! Guess I'll have to clue him in that I don't HAVE to have a rooster in order to enjoy my chickens.....and still have eggs! He may have convinced himself that he is indispensable. He's in for a very rude awakening, if that's the case!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
"Coppertone" Chicks
OMG! Just when you think you've solved all the immediate problems for the Coop Community residents! Well.......NOW I know why so many of "the girls" are lounging INSIDE the barn, even on a beautifully glorious sun-shiny day!! SUNBURN!!!!!! Yep, you heard right! Who'da'thunk it??
If you've been following the chickens saga......you'll know that many of my girls were missing feathers, due to the brutal treatments by the excess of roosters. Their feathers are FINALLY beginning to grow in again, but many of them still have very large bare spots. (see photo at right) This is Ophelia. She is one of several with embarrassing baldness. You'll see, she has quite a large unfeathered area! Now imagine it beet red and sunburned!!
What am I to do?? If I opt for sunscreen, which brand?? If I use a tropical smelling coconut-ty one, will she smell like FOOD and get eaten by the others?? Will this sweet smelling sunscreen attract gnats, flies, and such, which would be a HUGE annoyance to her?? Not to mention that the other hens would inadvertantly peck HER, while trying to get the flies & gnats! WTD? WTD? Should I get oil or lotion?? Maybe I could use the spray on type. That might be easier than wrestling her into a squat position, long enough to get the oil or lotion actually rubbed on. Yeah, I think spray will be the better option. OR......
Maybe I could make little chicken cabanas and cute little brightly colored, individual roosts to sit under little umbrellas!! Instead of a Dos Equis logo, we could use a Chicken Feed logo. We could feature a mariachi band on weekends. Heck, I could probably set up these little umbrella covered roosts over by the horse puddle (yeah, the horses dug it themselves so they could wallow in it on hot days!) Kinda make it a little chicken Oasis! It would give the girls the shade they need, while still allowing them to be outdoors without the fear of sunburn. And I think perhaps some live entertainment might be just the thing to take their minds off their burned butts!!
What am I to do?? If I opt for sunscreen, which brand?? If I use a tropical smelling coconut-ty one, will she smell like FOOD and get eaten by the others?? Will this sweet smelling sunscreen attract gnats, flies, and such, which would be a HUGE annoyance to her?? Not to mention that the other hens would inadvertantly peck HER, while trying to get the flies & gnats! WTD? WTD? Should I get oil or lotion?? Maybe I could use the spray on type. That might be easier than wrestling her into a squat position, long enough to get the oil or lotion actually rubbed on. Yeah, I think spray will be the better option. OR......
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
People of Power
Bet you thought this post was gonna be about politicians, law enforcement officers, the very rich and such, didn't ya? Well, you're about to learn that these are not the ONLY entities who hold positions of power. I'm here to give you MY views about People of Power.
1) Consider....you're at a public event, such as a concert or festival. The only bathroom facilities are those wretched port-a-potties!! There are about 10 people in line ahead of YOU, but the line is just as long at all the other port-a-potties, so you may as well just cross your legs & HOPE you don't pee yourself before it's your turn. The person CURRENTLY occupying the out house is IN CONTROL! That person has the ability to make your wait longer & more uncomfortable than it should be. You're helpless to "hurry" this person along. THEY ARE IN CONTROL. They are... one of the People of Power !
2) It's lunch time. You only get an hour to wolf down a greasy burger and fries before you have to fight traffic to get back to your six foot by six foot cubicle you call your "office". The burger joint is only a couple of blocks from the office so you feel you have plenty of time, even considering traffic. What you did NOT plan on, were things getting "hosed up" in the drive thru lane!! After moving at speeds not exceeding .0004 mph, it's FINALLY your turn at the speaker.
NO!! I DO NOT WANT ONE OF YOUR DELICIOUS, DOUBLE- ICED,TRIPLE- CHOCOLATE, LUCIOUS- LATTE, FREAKIN'- FRAPPE WHATEVERS!!!! I just want to place my damned order!!!!!!
(The marketing guy who invented "suggestive selling" needs to be taken out and shot, if he is still alive!!!!) Your menu is not that extensive! My selection of food items was made, long before I even GOT to your place of business!!!
You place your order and have to repeat it three times before the bimbo finally gets it right. You are advised of your total and told to advance to the "first window, please". Here, (PLEASE HAVE YOUR MONEY READY) they collect your money for your order. THIS is where they get you by the short hairs, folks!! NOW...you're stuck. Trapped. They've got your money, and they've still got your food until you can advance to the next window. You've now been sitting in line... between the first & second windows... for approximately 20 of your 60 minutes alloted for lunch. You decide..."SCREW IT! I'll forfeit my $5.51 and just go somewhere else for lunch!!" WRONG!! See previous comments! You're stuck!! The cars in front of & behind you are so close that there is no way you can maneuver your vehicle out of the line and leave. The bimbo at the second window is steadily passing bags, napkins, straws, & styrofoam cups thru the little window to those in line ahead of you. The line is inching forward. You MIGHT have a chance at finally getting your food with a 15 min. timespan left to EAT IT before returning to work!
Your turn has finally arrived at the second window. Bimbo passes you the drink you didn't order, but you don't have time to argue with her. She passes you all the condiments you really don't need OR want, (completely ignoring their own sign of CONDIMENTS PROVIDED UPON REQUEST)....and THEN....she asks if you'll please pull over to the BLUE parking slot & wait for the remainder of your order to be brought out to you. Seems your burger is still on the grill & just not quite ready to be wrapped, bagged, and passed thru the little window. Your blood pressure is rising, along with your temper; both to dangerous highs. Defeated, you pull over to the area designated, and are resigned to WAIT. They still have your money, and half of your order, and it's too late to go anywhere else for lunch! You may think she looks like a teenage bimbo.....but in fact, she is... one of the People of Power!
3) It's late at night, and raining hard. You've had a sh*t day...you're tired...and all you want to do is GET HOME. You're in the middle of BFE on a winding two lane road which is 45 miles of DO NOT PASS! zones. The speed limit signs say 55 mph. Understandably, most motorists slow down some when driving under adverse conditions. You can deal with....and even appreciate....this. You're whizzing along at 50 mph when a car on a side road, a half mile up the highway, decides to pull out in front of you. FORGET that there is nothing behind you for a ka-zillion miles!!! This inconsiderate *sshole pulls out in front of you without regard to your vehicle's size, mass, or HIS angle of trajectory, should you actually HIT HIM at this speed.
You instantly hit your brakes, all the while cursing him for his stupidity!! Maybe, if you weren't so tired, it wouldn't piss you off so bad, but hey! You can't be sweetness & light ALL THE TIME!!!
You have suddenly dropped from 50 mph to 20. Ok. Let's give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Let's reason that, he just pulled out into traffic.....it's raining.....it's gonna take him a mile or so to get up to speed. Five miles later, we're still fluctuating between 25 and 40 mph. Gramps can't seem to get his vehicle on a constant speed and KEEP IT THERE. There is NO place to pass him. You've even considered passing him on the RIGHT, hoping you wouldn't get caught.....but just can't make yourself take that sort of risk. Gramps is oblivious to you flashing your lights behind him & honking your horn repeatedly. He doesn't need the glasses or the hearing aids you're screaming about, to know you're back there. He KNOWS you're back there....and he also knows there ain't a dang thing you can do about it......he is one of the People of Power!
4) You're at the gas pump with intentions of filling your vehicle's gas tank on your way to work. It's a busy day at the pumps & people are jockying for a spot for their chance to take advantage of the $2.35 gal. price. The guy at the pump just ahead of you has just completed pumping....replaced the nozzle on the pump....and now has to go to the cashier to pay for his gas. DOES HE MOVE HIS VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE PUMP SO YOU CAN GET GAS?????? NO-O-O-O-O-O!!!!!!! He is.....one of the People of Power!
But...
SOMEDAY....YOU will be the one occupying the port-a-potty!!
SOMEDAY....YOU WILL REFUSE to pull over to the Blue parking slot & wait like a speechless, spineless drone!
SOMEDAY.....you'll still be next in line at the pump, but you will have a brand new, shiny Zippo lighter, and an M-80 to slip into his tank's fill spout while he shuffles off to pay for his gasoline!
SOMEDAY......YOU will finally become.....
....one of the People of Power!!
1) Consider....you're at a public event, such as a concert or festival. The only bathroom facilities are those wretched port-a-potties!! There are about 10 people in line ahead of YOU, but the line is just as long at all the other port-a-potties, so you may as well just cross your legs & HOPE you don't pee yourself before it's your turn. The person CURRENTLY occupying the out house is IN CONTROL! That person has the ability to make your wait longer & more uncomfortable than it should be. You're helpless to "hurry" this person along. THEY ARE IN CONTROL. They are... one of the People of Power !
2) It's lunch time. You only get an hour to wolf down a greasy burger and fries before you have to fight traffic to get back to your six foot by six foot cubicle you call your "office". The burger joint is only a couple of blocks from the office so you feel you have plenty of time, even considering traffic. What you did NOT plan on, were things getting "hosed up" in the drive thru lane!! After moving at speeds not exceeding .0004 mph, it's FINALLY your turn at the speaker.
NO!! I DO NOT WANT ONE OF YOUR DELICIOUS, DOUBLE- ICED,TRIPLE- CHOCOLATE, LUCIOUS- LATTE, FREAKIN'- FRAPPE WHATEVERS!!!! I just want to place my damned order!!!!!!
(The marketing guy who invented "suggestive selling" needs to be taken out and shot, if he is still alive!!!!) Your menu is not that extensive! My selection of food items was made, long before I even GOT to your place of business!!!
You place your order and have to repeat it three times before the bimbo finally gets it right. You are advised of your total and told to advance to the "first window, please". Here, (PLEASE HAVE YOUR MONEY READY) they collect your money for your order. THIS is where they get you by the short hairs, folks!! NOW...you're stuck. Trapped. They've got your money, and they've still got your food until you can advance to the next window. You've now been sitting in line... between the first & second windows... for approximately 20 of your 60 minutes alloted for lunch. You decide..."SCREW IT! I'll forfeit my $5.51 and just go somewhere else for lunch!!" WRONG!! See previous comments! You're stuck!! The cars in front of & behind you are so close that there is no way you can maneuver your vehicle out of the line and leave. The bimbo at the second window is steadily passing bags, napkins, straws, & styrofoam cups thru the little window to those in line ahead of you. The line is inching forward. You MIGHT have a chance at finally getting your food with a 15 min. timespan left to EAT IT before returning to work!
Your turn has finally arrived at the second window. Bimbo passes you the drink you didn't order, but you don't have time to argue with her. She passes you all the condiments you really don't need OR want, (completely ignoring their own sign of CONDIMENTS PROVIDED UPON REQUEST)....and THEN....she asks if you'll please pull over to the BLUE parking slot & wait for the remainder of your order to be brought out to you. Seems your burger is still on the grill & just not quite ready to be wrapped, bagged, and passed thru the little window. Your blood pressure is rising, along with your temper; both to dangerous highs. Defeated, you pull over to the area designated, and are resigned to WAIT. They still have your money, and half of your order, and it's too late to go anywhere else for lunch! You may think she looks like a teenage bimbo.....but in fact, she is... one of the People of Power!
3) It's late at night, and raining hard. You've had a sh*t day...you're tired...and all you want to do is GET HOME. You're in the middle of BFE on a winding two lane road which is 45 miles of DO NOT PASS! zones. The speed limit signs say 55 mph. Understandably, most motorists slow down some when driving under adverse conditions. You can deal with....and even appreciate....this. You're whizzing along at 50 mph when a car on a side road, a half mile up the highway, decides to pull out in front of you. FORGET that there is nothing behind you for a ka-zillion miles!!! This inconsiderate *sshole pulls out in front of you without regard to your vehicle's size, mass, or HIS angle of trajectory, should you actually HIT HIM at this speed.
You instantly hit your brakes, all the while cursing him for his stupidity!! Maybe, if you weren't so tired, it wouldn't piss you off so bad, but hey! You can't be sweetness & light ALL THE TIME!!!
You have suddenly dropped from 50 mph to 20. Ok. Let's give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Let's reason that, he just pulled out into traffic.....it's raining.....it's gonna take him a mile or so to get up to speed. Five miles later, we're still fluctuating between 25 and 40 mph. Gramps can't seem to get his vehicle on a constant speed and KEEP IT THERE. There is NO place to pass him. You've even considered passing him on the RIGHT, hoping you wouldn't get caught.....but just can't make yourself take that sort of risk. Gramps is oblivious to you flashing your lights behind him & honking your horn repeatedly. He doesn't need the glasses or the hearing aids you're screaming about, to know you're back there. He KNOWS you're back there....and he also knows there ain't a dang thing you can do about it......he is one of the People of Power!
4) You're at the gas pump with intentions of filling your vehicle's gas tank on your way to work. It's a busy day at the pumps & people are jockying for a spot for their chance to take advantage of the $2.35 gal. price. The guy at the pump just ahead of you has just completed pumping....replaced the nozzle on the pump....and now has to go to the cashier to pay for his gas. DOES HE MOVE HIS VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE PUMP SO YOU CAN GET GAS?????? NO-O-O-O-O-O!!!!!!! He is.....one of the People of Power!
But...
SOMEDAY....YOU will be the one occupying the port-a-potty!!
SOMEDAY....YOU WILL REFUSE to pull over to the Blue parking slot & wait like a speechless, spineless drone!
SOMEDAY.....you'll still be next in line at the pump, but you will have a brand new, shiny Zippo lighter, and an M-80 to slip into his tank's fill spout while he shuffles off to pay for his gasoline!
SOMEDAY......YOU will finally become.....
....one of the People of Power!!
Of Meat and Potatoes.....
I am carnivorous. I LOVE MEAT.....beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, crawfish, snails, shrimp....well, you get my drift. I've been eating meat all my life. I love my steaks rare. I love my chicken fried (like mama used to make it!) I love many varieties of fish....fixed a variety of ways. And now....SUDDENLY....it occurs to me that.....I've been eating CREATURES. How hypocritical of me...NOW...to still want to eat chicken....as long as I didn't raise it, and don't have to kill them. If TYSON does the deed......I'll buy the frozen, fully cooked fajita chicken stips to add to my salad & pig out! Speaking of pigs....I never met anything PORK I didn't like! (good thing I'm not Jewish!) I've even gone so far as to HEAR THE CRAWFISH SCREAM upon being dunked ALIVE in boiling water......and I eat them with gusto! HOW BARBARIC!!!!
These thoughts did not come to me simply because I am now raising chickens. These thoughts came to me as I was preparing a fresh salad, consisting of lettuce, celery, onions, radishes, carrots, etc. I thought: How cool is this to eat a PLANT that grew out of the ground?? As I was preparing the salad, and communing with the vegetables, I began thinking of all the animals on earth that also eat from the bounty of the earth. I am living in the country...surrounded by horses, chickens, ducks, geese, birds of many, many varieties....and the one thing in common is: THEY ALL EAT FROM WHAT GOD PLANTED IN THE EARTH!
Then....oh, THEN.....the "preacher's daughter" in me appeared. I remember the Bible lessons taught to me all my life...how, in the beginning....the VERY beginning.....in the Garden of Eden....EVERY CREATURE ate from the bounty of the garden! There were no carnivores!!! The lion really COULD lie down with the lamb....because the lamb didn't look like a meal!! DO YOU GET WHAT I'M SAYIN'??? God put enough plants, grasses, etc. on this earth to FEED EVERY CREATURE. That includes you and me!
It wasn't until Eve listened to the serpent (Satan) and ate from the ONE tree God had forbidden them, that blood was shed. Can you imagine......the enormous bounty of fruits and vegetables that must have been available to Adam & Eve??? I'm sure it would have shamed the buffet at Western Sizzler or even Golden Corral!! (and let's don't even get into the "Eve gave to Adam" thing. HE HAD FREE WILL and made his own choice to eat of the forbidden fruit, just like she did!) SIDEBAR: Do you see that this "it wasn't my fault" crap had it's origins in the beginning of time??! And also....just for the record....the Bible NEVER states what type of "fruit" was on the forbidden tree. Somewhere along the way, we humans decided it was an apple. Go figure!
Anyway, once Adam & Eve sinned & tried to cover their nakedness with fig leaves (apparently it didn't work so well), God had to kill an animal to provide them with hides/furs to cover themselves. Guess once THAT deed was done, God didn't want the meat to go to waste.......something or someone had to eat it. THIS is when carnivores came to be. Imagine how God must've felt having to KILL one of his beautiful animals because Adam & Eve screwed up! (I wonder if vultures were then created to help with the "clean up" of dead animals?? Until this point, there would have been no real need for their existence....except maybe to eat dead PLANTS??)
Oh, but I am really getting off track here. I did not intend this post to turn into a sermon! I simply meant to convey how my thought processes are constantly changing! I can hardly look an animal in the eye, now, knowing I am EATING their relatives! Maybe I should determine that, going forward, I will NOT eat anything that has eyes!?
Oh, but wait a minute! POTATOES HAVE EYES!!
(But, they don't have "feelings"....do they??) :-{
These thoughts did not come to me simply because I am now raising chickens. These thoughts came to me as I was preparing a fresh salad, consisting of lettuce, celery, onions, radishes, carrots, etc. I thought: How cool is this to eat a PLANT that grew out of the ground?? As I was preparing the salad, and communing with the vegetables, I began thinking of all the animals on earth that also eat from the bounty of the earth. I am living in the country...surrounded by horses, chickens, ducks, geese, birds of many, many varieties....and the one thing in common is: THEY ALL EAT FROM WHAT GOD PLANTED IN THE EARTH!
Then....oh, THEN.....the "preacher's daughter" in me appeared. I remember the Bible lessons taught to me all my life...how, in the beginning....the VERY beginning.....in the Garden of Eden....EVERY CREATURE ate from the bounty of the garden! There were no carnivores!!! The lion really COULD lie down with the lamb....because the lamb didn't look like a meal!! DO YOU GET WHAT I'M SAYIN'??? God put enough plants, grasses, etc. on this earth to FEED EVERY CREATURE. That includes you and me!
It wasn't until Eve listened to the serpent (Satan) and ate from the ONE tree God had forbidden them, that blood was shed. Can you imagine......the enormous bounty of fruits and vegetables that must have been available to Adam & Eve??? I'm sure it would have shamed the buffet at Western Sizzler or even Golden Corral!! (and let's don't even get into the "Eve gave to Adam" thing. HE HAD FREE WILL and made his own choice to eat of the forbidden fruit, just like she did!) SIDEBAR: Do you see that this "it wasn't my fault" crap had it's origins in the beginning of time??! And also....just for the record....the Bible NEVER states what type of "fruit" was on the forbidden tree. Somewhere along the way, we humans decided it was an apple. Go figure!
Anyway, once Adam & Eve sinned & tried to cover their nakedness with fig leaves (apparently it didn't work so well), God had to kill an animal to provide them with hides/furs to cover themselves. Guess once THAT deed was done, God didn't want the meat to go to waste.......something or someone had to eat it. THIS is when carnivores came to be. Imagine how God must've felt having to KILL one of his beautiful animals because Adam & Eve screwed up! (I wonder if vultures were then created to help with the "clean up" of dead animals?? Until this point, there would have been no real need for their existence....except maybe to eat dead PLANTS??)
Oh, but I am really getting off track here. I did not intend this post to turn into a sermon! I simply meant to convey how my thought processes are constantly changing! I can hardly look an animal in the eye, now, knowing I am EATING their relatives! Maybe I should determine that, going forward, I will NOT eat anything that has eyes!?
Oh, but wait a minute! POTATOES HAVE EYES!!
(But, they don't have "feelings"....do they??) :-{
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Braggin' Rights!!
I received the below msg. in an email this week! I must say, I was quite surprised & especially PROUD to have won FIRST PLACE in a Limmerick Contest!!
Hi "Stella",
Congratulations on winning the April Limerick Challenge.
http://writeononline.com/2010/05/10/write-on-online-aprl-challenge-winners/
I will forward your email address to iScript, so they can send you info on your prize.
Thanks for entering. Best of luck on your projects!
Deb
HERE IS MY WINNING ENTRY!
There was a wee man, name of Evans
Whose lottery card was all sevens.
On the night of the draw
It stuck in his craw
That the jackpot was had with ELEVENS!
YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi "Stella",
Congratulations on winning the April Limerick Challenge.
http://writeononline.com/2010/05/10/write-on-online-aprl-challenge-winners/
I will forward your email address to iScript, so they can send you info on your prize.
Thanks for entering. Best of luck on your projects!
Deb
HERE IS MY WINNING ENTRY!
There was a wee man, name of Evans
Whose lottery card was all sevens.
On the night of the draw
It stuck in his craw
That the jackpot was had with ELEVENS!
YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roadside Observations
I have been living "in the country" now for nearly two years. It's a 30 min. drive to the nearest Walmart. My newly acquired job is 17.4 miles (one way) from my home. My daily route to work takes me thru some back roads, known only to the "locals". I doubt you'd find these roads on a map. Even my GPS wants to route me over an old logging trail, thinking it's an actual ROAD. Not!! The logging trail is gated & padlocked at both ends. (So much for GPS!)
My point is....I LOVE IT! I see things on my drive to work and back, that a city dweller will NEVER see! For instance: I've seen more deer these past two years, than I've seen in my previous 56 years! Last week, I saw, what I thought, was a friendly pack of dogs, sniffing around the trashcans of a nearby neighbor. Turns out....it was a friendly pack of dogs... AND A PIG....a pig who THOUGHT it was a dog!! That pig was doing everything the dogs were doing! I wouldn't be surprised if it also barks....but I didn't have time to stop & find out. And I guess the pack doesn't chase cars....lucky for the pig. I doubt his stubby little legs would allow him to keep up with the pack at any speed.
Another day, I saw a dog being chased by a duck!! I kid you not!! The duck was flying low & fast, and was right on that dog's butt! The poor dog had that tail tucked between his legs, tighter than Dick's hatband, and was running for all he was worth. The duck wasn't just fooling around...I think he was out for blood! I wish I could've seen the final outcome....it looked like the duck was winning!
Coming home one afternoon, I had to slow my vehicle, way down to a crawl, to allow a herd of pigmy goats to clear out of the road! They acted like it was their private playground, and they weren't too happy about having to move! Gosh, they were cute!! (Is there anything sweeter than little goats frolicking with each other??)
Then there was the time I saw an old black man IN TOWN on horseback. He sure looked out of place amongst all the automobiles! What was even more odd, was to see that he was heading out to retrieve the herd of horses ('bout 10 of them!) he had left tied to trees, and grazing the lush grass along the side of the highway. Guess maybe they don't use mowers, in this neck of the woods, for highway maintenance?? I can see the advantages....well, sort of. Horses do leave some unpleasant "exhaust" in their wake....but it is totally biodegradable. It's just not pleasant to look at until it DOES bio-degrade!
Goodbye, city life!! Honey, I love ya, but give me that countryside!! :-)
My point is....I LOVE IT! I see things on my drive to work and back, that a city dweller will NEVER see! For instance: I've seen more deer these past two years, than I've seen in my previous 56 years! Last week, I saw, what I thought, was a friendly pack of dogs, sniffing around the trashcans of a nearby neighbor. Turns out....it was a friendly pack of dogs... AND A PIG....a pig who THOUGHT it was a dog!! That pig was doing everything the dogs were doing! I wouldn't be surprised if it also barks....but I didn't have time to stop & find out. And I guess the pack doesn't chase cars....lucky for the pig. I doubt his stubby little legs would allow him to keep up with the pack at any speed.
Another day, I saw a dog being chased by a duck!! I kid you not!! The duck was flying low & fast, and was right on that dog's butt! The poor dog had that tail tucked between his legs, tighter than Dick's hatband, and was running for all he was worth. The duck wasn't just fooling around...I think he was out for blood! I wish I could've seen the final outcome....it looked like the duck was winning!
Coming home one afternoon, I had to slow my vehicle, way down to a crawl, to allow a herd of pigmy goats to clear out of the road! They acted like it was their private playground, and they weren't too happy about having to move! Gosh, they were cute!! (Is there anything sweeter than little goats frolicking with each other??)
Then there was the time I saw an old black man IN TOWN on horseback. He sure looked out of place amongst all the automobiles! What was even more odd, was to see that he was heading out to retrieve the herd of horses ('bout 10 of them!) he had left tied to trees, and grazing the lush grass along the side of the highway. Guess maybe they don't use mowers, in this neck of the woods, for highway maintenance?? I can see the advantages....well, sort of. Horses do leave some unpleasant "exhaust" in their wake....but it is totally biodegradable. It's just not pleasant to look at until it DOES bio-degrade!
Goodbye, city life!! Honey, I love ya, but give me that countryside!! :-)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Roo Removal
My roosters, better known as "the boys" have been adopted out. I was sorry to see them go and will really miss THREE of the four who left! (I wasn't so smitten with the 4th one....I still think he was either gay, or a transvestite!)
Having just recently learned how IMPORTANT that "hen to rooster" ratio really is ...I had no other option than to part with my beloved roosters. ESPECIALLY after the death of poor Beulah (see post titled"Chick-Obit") The girls were harrassed night & day....without ceasing...and there was no place to hide. Poor things!!
The boys left this morning while I was at work. Honey handled the departure affair for me (God love him!) When I arrived home tonight & went to the barn to check on the Coop Community, things were eerily quiet! Always before, there had been almost constant pandemonium.....the poor hens had no respite whatsoever, and even nights on the roost were tense with emotion. Most of the girls slept with one eye open!
The only members of the community IN the coop were Mama-Mia and her 10 new chicks.....and a couple of the other "mama-wanna-be" hens, checking out the nest boxes for size, comfort, and view. The rest of the girls were out in the pasture with Kellogg (the only remaining rooster). They were having a WONDERFUL picnic and were in no hurry to return to the roost. Kellogg, (seen here at right) actually looked like he was standing just a little taller! NOW, he is truly, in charge.....and he takes that responsibility very seriously! He seems greatly relieved that he no longer has to keep tabs on the actions of the other four roos, or run himself ragged defending the girls against the brutal attacks that were becoming common place.
Out in the pasture, while the girls feast on grasses, bugs, and what-not, Kellogg patrols the picnic grounds, alert to every change of wind and nuance of breeze. He has the girls' best interests at heart & they seem to really appreciate his watchfulness on their behalf. There has been, however, a few sad faces in the crowd. Some of the girls lost boyfriends and are mourning lost love. (Can a chicken experience "puppy love"??) That's a sad thing to see in the face of a chicken! (Chickens DO have other expressions besides just that "duh?" look!)
I know I'll adjust to the loss of my little feathered friends. I hope they will adjust to their sudden change of address!! And lastly.....I hope there aren't any roosters in the ten recently hatched chicks!! Time will tell!!
Having just recently learned how IMPORTANT that "hen to rooster" ratio really is ...I had no other option than to part with my beloved roosters. ESPECIALLY after the death of poor Beulah (see post titled"Chick-Obit") The girls were harrassed night & day....without ceasing...and there was no place to hide. Poor things!!
The boys left this morning while I was at work. Honey handled the departure affair for me (God love him!) When I arrived home tonight & went to the barn to check on the Coop Community, things were eerily quiet! Always before, there had been almost constant pandemonium.....the poor hens had no respite whatsoever, and even nights on the roost were tense with emotion. Most of the girls slept with one eye open!
Out in the pasture, while the girls feast on grasses, bugs, and what-not, Kellogg patrols the picnic grounds, alert to every change of wind and nuance of breeze. He has the girls' best interests at heart & they seem to really appreciate his watchfulness on their behalf. There has been, however, a few sad faces in the crowd. Some of the girls lost boyfriends and are mourning lost love. (Can a chicken experience "puppy love"??) That's a sad thing to see in the face of a chicken! (Chickens DO have other expressions besides just that "duh?" look!)
I know I'll adjust to the loss of my little feathered friends. I hope they will adjust to their sudden change of address!! And lastly.....I hope there aren't any roosters in the ten recently hatched chicks!! Time will tell!!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Chick-Obit
Beulah Rhode Island-Red, age 8 mos. (that's adult for a chicken, BTW), of Rye, AR died Monday, May 10th, 2010, after a brief illness. Beulah Red was the victim of a brutal attack and rape, on Saturday, May 8th. Beulah had been undergoing treatment & was under close observation at the Chicken Infirmary, but her injuries proved to be more extensive than initially diagnosed. She apparently slipped into a coma and died peacefully while under the care of Dr. Stella Cinderella of Rye, AR. Associate physician, Dr. MLN, also of Rye, is credited for funding the recent construction of the Chicken Infirmary and was also instrumental in bringing Beulah's attackers to justice.
Beulah was preceded in death by one sister, Bertha Rhode Island-Red, and two close friends, Alice and Aretha Araucana, who were all attacked and killed by the homestead's dog last January. The dog has since been permanently banned from the barn & remains on indefinite probation. All efforts are being made to rehabilitate the dog, but results are not promising.
Funeral services for Beulah were handled by the Homestead Hospice, and interment will be at the county landfill. Out of respect for the Coop Community, there will be no graveside services for Beulah, and empty feed bags will be flown at half mast for the remainder of the week. In lieu of flowers, friends and family of the deceased are asked to contribute egg cartons of any variety. Cartons can be mailed to (or dropped off at) the Homestead between the hours of 7am-5pm Monday thru Friday.
Beulah will be greatly missed. The Coop Community plans to establish a memorial fund in honor of Beulah. Monetary Donations will be accepted by the Homestead at any hour, of any day. Please contact PayPal for further information.
Beulah was preceded in death by one sister, Bertha Rhode Island-Red, and two close friends, Alice and Aretha Araucana, who were all attacked and killed by the homestead's dog last January. The dog has since been permanently banned from the barn & remains on indefinite probation. All efforts are being made to rehabilitate the dog, but results are not promising.
Funeral services for Beulah were handled by the Homestead Hospice, and interment will be at the county landfill. Out of respect for the Coop Community, there will be no graveside services for Beulah, and empty feed bags will be flown at half mast for the remainder of the week. In lieu of flowers, friends and family of the deceased are asked to contribute egg cartons of any variety. Cartons can be mailed to (or dropped off at) the Homestead between the hours of 7am-5pm Monday thru Friday.
Beulah will be greatly missed. The Coop Community plans to establish a memorial fund in honor of Beulah. Monetary Donations will be accepted by the Homestead at any hour, of any day. Please contact PayPal for further information.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Grim and Grievous Goings-On
I had to open a Chicken Infirmary today. I was very distraught to have to do so, but glad to know Honey had the "makings" for such an establishment in the other barn. If you've read "Gang Bang In the Hen House" (April 2010) then you will understand what my poor hens are having to deal with.
Well, last night, one of my 'girls' was brutally attacked, right in front of me!! I pushed the offending rooster out of the way, to allow her to get up, and she just lay there, not even attempting to get up. I was quite upset!! I gently picked her up & held her. I talked to her for a bit till she came out of the daze she seemed to be in. Once she seemed coherent again, I carefully placed her on the topmost rung of the roost. I thought things were gonna be ok; NOT SO!!
Today, when I went to the barn to turn the chickens out for the day, this same poor hen was again viciously & brutally attacked. This time was worse than before. Not only did she make no attempt to get up.....she rolled over onto her side; closed her eyes; curled her little feet up, and went completely still. She didn't appear to be breathing.....and I truly believed she had died!! I picked her up to pet her & see if she was dead. She hung limp and lifeless in my hands, but was still breathing. THANK GOD!
I immediately found a portable wire pen large enough to house her....a small water bottle.....and some feed. I filled one end with straw & placed her inside. I then covered three sides and the top with old feed bags, to give her some privacy and allow her to rest peacefully. (Honey tells me they don't need privacy....they just need to be left alone and allowed to recover. I think Honey finds my country ignorance very humorous!) I've placed the Chicken Infirmary on the opposite side of the barn from the coop so it will be somewhat more quiet for her. The wire pen is up on top of some hay bales to keep her off the ground. She seemed to be doing a little better when I last checked on her. She had taken a good long nap and had turned herself around in the pen to get more comfortable. I think, with some rest & solitude, she'll recover. Physically anyway. God only knows what sort of emotional scars she may have now!
Most of my 'girls' are bedraggled & disheveled looking. Very few of them still have any tail feathers to speak of, and some don't even have feathers on their lower backs any longer, due to the constant mating attacks from the roosters! Bottom line here is......I HAVE TOO MANY ROOSTERS!!
I'm researching again, online, and have taken a 'consensus' of all the articles I've read. Seems that a HEALTHY ratio is ONE ROOSTER FOR EVERY 25-30 HENS!!!! My God! No wonder my 'girls' are over-wrought!!! I have 18 hens and FIVE ROOSTERS!!!!! Something's gotta give here, folks!! But what??? How do you find new homes for adult roosters?? And if you DID find new homes.....try catching the suckers!! THEY'RE FAST AS GREASED LIGHTNING! And, how do I decide who goes & who stays?? I'm so attached to them....well....FOUR of them, anyway. I'm not real attached to Milton (see "Chicken Cross-dressers?" 03/20/10 for clarification) HE could go & I wouldn't really miss him. He's kinda weird, anyway, and can't crow very good. He's also the most brutal of the five when he decides to "visit" the girls.
Buddy is just that.....my little buddy! He was the first roo to let me pet him. He & I have a rapport. He sings to me when I close up the coop at night! I can't get rid of HIM. :(
Then there's Kellogg. He's "king of the coop", and the head roo in charge. He comes to greet me every night when I enter the barn to close up the coop. His "second in command", Hot Shot, is always at his side.
The two of them go everywhere together. I can't let either of them go to another home!!
Last.....but not least....is Bart. He's a GORGEOUS white Delaware with black tipped wings & tail. He was the only yellow chick in the bunch when I got my first chicks from the breeder. I, at first, called him "Goldie"...not knowing he was a HE. He's forgiven me for that.....admitting that it IS very difficult for humans to know the difference between males & females when the chicks are so young. I renamed him Bart after the little guy on the cartoon "The Simpsons", because he acts just like that kid!! He & I understand each other. I simply cannot get rid of HIM!!
Geez! You see my dilemma?? Maybe I should just get some more hens? But my coop isn't big enough to house very many more. I'm concerned NOW, wondering how many of my new baby chicks will turn out to be roosters??! Where does it end?? I can see this situation getting WA-A-A-A-AY out of hand in a short period of time!
Honey says he doesn't see a problem, and mentioned Hot Wings and BBQ chicken! I may have to "re-think" my earlier views on why he bought me the new automatic incubator! Was it REALLY just to insure a steady supply of Hot Wings & BBQ chicken?????
Surely not!!?
Well, last night, one of my 'girls' was brutally attacked, right in front of me!! I pushed the offending rooster out of the way, to allow her to get up, and she just lay there, not even attempting to get up. I was quite upset!! I gently picked her up & held her. I talked to her for a bit till she came out of the daze she seemed to be in. Once she seemed coherent again, I carefully placed her on the topmost rung of the roost. I thought things were gonna be ok; NOT SO!!
Today, when I went to the barn to turn the chickens out for the day, this same poor hen was again viciously & brutally attacked. This time was worse than before. Not only did she make no attempt to get up.....she rolled over onto her side; closed her eyes; curled her little feet up, and went completely still. She didn't appear to be breathing.....and I truly believed she had died!! I picked her up to pet her & see if she was dead. She hung limp and lifeless in my hands, but was still breathing. THANK GOD!
I immediately found a portable wire pen large enough to house her....a small water bottle.....and some feed. I filled one end with straw & placed her inside. I then covered three sides and the top with old feed bags, to give her some privacy and allow her to rest peacefully. (Honey tells me they don't need privacy....they just need to be left alone and allowed to recover. I think Honey finds my country ignorance very humorous!) I've placed the Chicken Infirmary on the opposite side of the barn from the coop so it will be somewhat more quiet for her. The wire pen is up on top of some hay bales to keep her off the ground. She seemed to be doing a little better when I last checked on her. She had taken a good long nap and had turned herself around in the pen to get more comfortable. I think, with some rest & solitude, she'll recover. Physically anyway. God only knows what sort of emotional scars she may have now!
Most of my 'girls' are bedraggled & disheveled looking. Very few of them still have any tail feathers to speak of, and some don't even have feathers on their lower backs any longer, due to the constant mating attacks from the roosters! Bottom line here is......I HAVE TOO MANY ROOSTERS!!
I'm researching again, online, and have taken a 'consensus' of all the articles I've read. Seems that a HEALTHY ratio is ONE ROOSTER FOR EVERY 25-30 HENS!!!! My God! No wonder my 'girls' are over-wrought!!! I have 18 hens and FIVE ROOSTERS!!!!! Something's gotta give here, folks!! But what??? How do you find new homes for adult roosters?? And if you DID find new homes.....try catching the suckers!! THEY'RE FAST AS GREASED LIGHTNING! And, how do I decide who goes & who stays?? I'm so attached to them....well....FOUR of them, anyway. I'm not real attached to Milton (see "Chicken Cross-dressers?" 03/20/10 for clarification) HE could go & I wouldn't really miss him. He's kinda weird, anyway, and can't crow very good. He's also the most brutal of the five when he decides to "visit" the girls.
Buddy is just that.....my little buddy! He was the first roo to let me pet him. He & I have a rapport. He sings to me when I close up the coop at night! I can't get rid of HIM. :(
Then there's Kellogg. He's "king of the coop", and the head roo in charge. He comes to greet me every night when I enter the barn to close up the coop. His "second in command", Hot Shot, is always at his side.
The two of them go everywhere together. I can't let either of them go to another home!!
Last.....but not least....is Bart. He's a GORGEOUS white Delaware with black tipped wings & tail. He was the only yellow chick in the bunch when I got my first chicks from the breeder. I, at first, called him "Goldie"...not knowing he was a HE. He's forgiven me for that.....admitting that it IS very difficult for humans to know the difference between males & females when the chicks are so young. I renamed him Bart after the little guy on the cartoon "The Simpsons", because he acts just like that kid!! He & I understand each other. I simply cannot get rid of HIM!!
Geez! You see my dilemma?? Maybe I should just get some more hens? But my coop isn't big enough to house very many more. I'm concerned NOW, wondering how many of my new baby chicks will turn out to be roosters??! Where does it end?? I can see this situation getting WA-A-A-A-AY out of hand in a short period of time!
Honey says he doesn't see a problem, and mentioned Hot Wings and BBQ chicken! I may have to "re-think" my earlier views on why he bought me the new automatic incubator! Was it REALLY just to insure a steady supply of Hot Wings & BBQ chicken?????
Surely not!!?
It Happened at the Homestead
My fault, I suppose. I left the frisbee within her reach when I went to put the chickens up for the night. I wasn't gone more than 20-30 mins. I come back to PLAY FRISBEE, and WTF? There ain't no frisbee, no mo'!! As much as she absolutely LOVES to play frisbee, I am just amazed that she would shred it into confetti! And this isn't the first one she has destroyed. We're talking NUMBER THREE here. After the first two demolitions, I got smarter & would not leave the frisbee in the yard, or anywhere she could reach it. I had RELIGIOUSLY been bringing it into the house after each session. I had no idea she would shred it in the length of time it took me to put the chickens to bed. I TOLD her I would be right back & that we would play some more when I came back. She was PO'd cause I wouldn't let her go to the barn with me, so this was simply a SPITE thing! Guess she thought she'd make her displeasure known. What she didn't realize is that NOW, there is no frisbee to throw! She kept picking up the larger of the pieces, handing them to me, and then run out for the catch. I couldn't make her understand that PIECES of frisbee do not sail in the air like a WHOLE FRISBEE!!
Well.....I have a new frisbee, still in the package....that I had as a "spare". SHE doesn't know it yet. I figure I'll make her think about what's she's done for a few days before I break out the new one. And I'll be much more careful about where I lay the dang thing when I go to the barn, cause NOW, I can't afford to replace it!! Grr-r-r-r!!
Here a duck....there a goose....everywhere a chick-chick......
Geez!! This "farm girl" thing can really get INTENSE at times! I'm still learning about chickens and NOW, I've got GOOSE EGGS to contend with!! WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?????
We have a couple of resident geese who were attempting a family. "Something"....we're not sure what....destroyed her nest. The eggs were scattered and one broken. My Honey brought the remaining eggs in and gave them to me. I'm assuming he intended for me to try and "save" them. (I sure hope he didn't have omelets in mind! These ARE rather large eggs!)
Immediately, I thought, well....I'll just put these in the hen house. Maybe the hens won't notice the size difference. (yeah, right!!) I have heard that feathered fowls would "sit" eggs of another species to hatch them. Whew! Problem solved, I thought. NOT!!!! After depositing the goose eggs in the hens nest boxes, I began doing some internet research to see how best to care for the goslings, should they actually hatch. I mean...I wouldn't want them to think they were CHICKENS, and I don't exactly know how to teach them to be geese, ya know?? I don't swim that well, and certainly don't fly....and I have no idea what they eat!
Did you know that goose eggs have to be maintained at a temperature of 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit?? Did you know that goose eggs have to be maintained at a humidity of 86% ?????? DID YOU KNOW THAT A CHICKEN IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO TURN A GOOSE EGG SEVERAL TIMES A DAY????
Did you know that...........well, nevermind. Why WOULD you know these things? Most people never even think about "how" geese come into this world. I know I didn't. I mean, I knew they hatched out of eggs, but I had NO IDEA the science involved in getting those eggs to the point of becoming baby geese!
So.....after leaving the goose eggs in the chicken house for around 48 hrs, I decided that just wasn't gonna work, and I was gonna have to "hatch" them myself, under a more controlled environment. (I think the chickens were relieved that the responsibility had been taken off their shoulders....figuratively speaking, of course, since we know chickens don't really HAVE shoulders.) So.....(again).....here I am, trying to "mother" 4 goose eggs.
Well, it's been a challenge right from the start! I've never even SEEN a goose's nest, let alone, BUILT ONE. So, I'm just "winging it" (yes, pun intended...LOL) First, I had to find a suitable container in which to "build" my nest. Ah- ha!! I have a plastic tub that will work just fine. It's deep enough that the eggs won't roll out, and it's water proof (for that 86% humidity thing). I've lined the bottom with a damp towel, gently placed the eggs inside, and have hung a heat lamp a foot or so above the "nest". For the next TWELVE HOURS.....it's like having a newborn baby in the house again. I just couldn't sleep......kept getting up to make sure I wasn't "cooking" those eggs! The humidity stubbornly would NOT get above 68%, and the temperature INSISTED on hovering around 102 degrees. I raised the heat lamp a few more inches and added a second damp towel to cover the eggs. Each time I check on them, I have to remember to give each egg a quarter turn. Exhausted, I finally fall back into bed around 3:30 am and try to get some sleep. It's tough having a job NOW.
The alarm goes off at 5am & I instantly hit the floor & head straight for the 'nest'. OMG!!!!! The humidity has dropped to 47% and the temperature has climbed to 110 degrees!!! OMG!!! Have I cooked the little guys???!!! I frantically move the entire tub out from under the heat lamp, and run to the faucet to wet the towels with COLD water, in an attempt to cool the eggs down some. (will it be a shock to their little systems??) I turn the little guys over & pray I haven't killed them already!
I HAVE to get ready for work, but it is difficult to tear myself away. I can only put it in the Lord's hands. If HE wants these little geese to make it, He's gonna have to help. I finish dressing for work & have time to write a long, detailed note to Honey on how he needs to handle these eggs until I get home from work. I advise him he'll have to check on them constantly throughout the day, to make sure the temp & humidity are right, and please don't forget to turn them a 1/4 turn at least 5 times before I get home. Oh, and use that spray bottle next to the 'nest' to mist the eggs several times today. "Love you, Honey, and thanks for keeping an eye on them for me!!" Off to work I go, praying the eggs are gonna be ok.
All day at work I'm worried about the eggs. I KNOW Honey is capable of caring for them, and I know he will.....but still.....his day may get really busy & he won't have time to turn the eggs.....or he may get a call out & not be there to monitor the temp & humidity. Worry, worry, worry!!!
Whew! Day's finally over & I rush home to check on the eggs. All seems well. The humidity is down a little, but I figure that's normal, so I just mist the eggs & re-wet the towels. I then decide that the temperature is too high, so I opt to exchange the Heat bulb for a standard 100 watt bulb. I also decide that the humidity might be better maintained if I made the nest out of straw and built it on top of the damp towel. For these changes....I'll need a bigger container. I find an unused office-type plastic trash can & begin again. Wet towel in the bottom; a nice "cush-y" layer of straw; 100 watt bulb; an old hand towel soaked in warm water & placed on TOP of the eggs to keep them moist & closer simulate a mother goose sitting on them. Things seem a little better now.
After caring for the "children", I go in to say thanks to Honey for taking care of them for me while I was at work. He says, "You're welcome. Oh, and just so you'll know.....I've ordered you an automatic incubator. It should arrive sometime next week. Hopefully, you can keep the eggs alive until it arrives."
I am touched beyond description. His generous gesture is more than what meets the eye. I know how expensive those things are. Buying me the incubator means he's postponed buying that screen door he wanted (needed!) for his home office (he has no windows in that room). I am overwhelmed by his sacrifice.
That's LOVE..... in action!
We have a couple of resident geese who were attempting a family. "Something"....we're not sure what....destroyed her nest. The eggs were scattered and one broken. My Honey brought the remaining eggs in and gave them to me. I'm assuming he intended for me to try and "save" them. (I sure hope he didn't have omelets in mind! These ARE rather large eggs!)
Immediately, I thought, well....I'll just put these in the hen house. Maybe the hens won't notice the size difference. (yeah, right!!) I have heard that feathered fowls would "sit" eggs of another species to hatch them. Whew! Problem solved, I thought. NOT!!!! After depositing the goose eggs in the hens nest boxes, I began doing some internet research to see how best to care for the goslings, should they actually hatch. I mean...I wouldn't want them to think they were CHICKENS, and I don't exactly know how to teach them to be geese, ya know?? I don't swim that well, and certainly don't fly....and I have no idea what they eat!
Did you know that goose eggs have to be maintained at a temperature of 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit?? Did you know that goose eggs have to be maintained at a humidity of 86% ?????? DID YOU KNOW THAT A CHICKEN IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO TURN A GOOSE EGG SEVERAL TIMES A DAY????
Did you know that...........well, nevermind. Why WOULD you know these things? Most people never even think about "how" geese come into this world. I know I didn't. I mean, I knew they hatched out of eggs, but I had NO IDEA the science involved in getting those eggs to the point of becoming baby geese!
So.....after leaving the goose eggs in the chicken house for around 48 hrs, I decided that just wasn't gonna work, and I was gonna have to "hatch" them myself, under a more controlled environment. (I think the chickens were relieved that the responsibility had been taken off their shoulders....figuratively speaking, of course, since we know chickens don't really HAVE shoulders.) So.....(again).....here I am, trying to "mother" 4 goose eggs.
Well, it's been a challenge right from the start! I've never even SEEN a goose's nest, let alone, BUILT ONE. So, I'm just "winging it" (yes, pun intended...LOL) First, I had to find a suitable container in which to "build" my nest. Ah- ha!! I have a plastic tub that will work just fine. It's deep enough that the eggs won't roll out, and it's water proof (for that 86% humidity thing). I've lined the bottom with a damp towel, gently placed the eggs inside, and have hung a heat lamp a foot or so above the "nest". For the next TWELVE HOURS.....it's like having a newborn baby in the house again. I just couldn't sleep......kept getting up to make sure I wasn't "cooking" those eggs! The humidity stubbornly would NOT get above 68%, and the temperature INSISTED on hovering around 102 degrees. I raised the heat lamp a few more inches and added a second damp towel to cover the eggs. Each time I check on them, I have to remember to give each egg a quarter turn. Exhausted, I finally fall back into bed around 3:30 am and try to get some sleep. It's tough having a job NOW.
The alarm goes off at 5am & I instantly hit the floor & head straight for the 'nest'. OMG!!!!! The humidity has dropped to 47% and the temperature has climbed to 110 degrees!!! OMG!!! Have I cooked the little guys???!!! I frantically move the entire tub out from under the heat lamp, and run to the faucet to wet the towels with COLD water, in an attempt to cool the eggs down some. (will it be a shock to their little systems??) I turn the little guys over & pray I haven't killed them already!
I HAVE to get ready for work, but it is difficult to tear myself away. I can only put it in the Lord's hands. If HE wants these little geese to make it, He's gonna have to help. I finish dressing for work & have time to write a long, detailed note to Honey on how he needs to handle these eggs until I get home from work. I advise him he'll have to check on them constantly throughout the day, to make sure the temp & humidity are right, and please don't forget to turn them a 1/4 turn at least 5 times before I get home. Oh, and use that spray bottle next to the 'nest' to mist the eggs several times today. "Love you, Honey, and thanks for keeping an eye on them for me!!" Off to work I go, praying the eggs are gonna be ok.
All day at work I'm worried about the eggs. I KNOW Honey is capable of caring for them, and I know he will.....but still.....his day may get really busy & he won't have time to turn the eggs.....or he may get a call out & not be there to monitor the temp & humidity. Worry, worry, worry!!!
Whew! Day's finally over & I rush home to check on the eggs. All seems well. The humidity is down a little, but I figure that's normal, so I just mist the eggs & re-wet the towels. I then decide that the temperature is too high, so I opt to exchange the Heat bulb for a standard 100 watt bulb. I also decide that the humidity might be better maintained if I made the nest out of straw and built it on top of the damp towel. For these changes....I'll need a bigger container. I find an unused office-type plastic trash can & begin again. Wet towel in the bottom; a nice "cush-y" layer of straw; 100 watt bulb; an old hand towel soaked in warm water & placed on TOP of the eggs to keep them moist & closer simulate a mother goose sitting on them. Things seem a little better now.
After caring for the "children", I go in to say thanks to Honey for taking care of them for me while I was at work. He says, "You're welcome. Oh, and just so you'll know.....I've ordered you an automatic incubator. It should arrive sometime next week. Hopefully, you can keep the eggs alive until it arrives."
I am touched beyond description. His generous gesture is more than what meets the eye. I know how expensive those things are. Buying me the incubator means he's postponed buying that screen door he wanted (needed!) for his home office (he has no windows in that room). I am overwhelmed by his sacrifice.
That's LOVE..... in action!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Talk about Diet Diversity!!
I've been soliciting my friends, family, and co-workers to save their egg cartons for me. The hens are laying more eggs than I have cartons for! I think my hens must have overheard some of my conversations, and are attempting (in their own way, of course) to help me remedy the carton shortage I'm experiencing!
When I turned the chickens out yesterday to forage, the lot of them went to the other barn & began pecking at the base of the building. I went to investigate, to see what they could possibly be eating. Turns out, they were eating the styrofoam insulation from underneath the siding. You know the kind....busts up into little BB sized pieces?? Kinda like what's inside a "BeanBag" chair?
Well, they were all eating that styrofoam as if it were some sort of delicacy! (The hens had a purpose in doing so....the roosters just ate it because they thought they were being left out!) Now, personally, I've never eaten styrofoam, so can't speak with any authority on the matter, but just guessing.....I'd say it couldn't possibly have much taste! And the consistency of the stuff, compared to the grains the chickens are used to, must really seem odd to them.....yet they were goin' at it like there was no time to lose!
I can only assume that they are aware of the carton shortage & are ingesting the stuff in an attempt at laying eggs, already cushioned in styrofoam!! Granted, it would be rather difficult for ANY chicken to "lay" an entire carton (w/Lid), but WHO (other than a chicken) would've ever considered individually styrofoam-cushioned eggs?? I can hardly wait to see the finished product! This could really revolutionize the egg industry, folks! (Of course, I'm sure the government will want to get involved, as well as the FDA, EPA, and all those other acronym Depts. that like to "get a piece of the pie".)
Will this make eggs tougher & stronger? Less easily cracked? Will breakfast take longer to prepare, due to the tough new styrofoam eggs?? And how will this affect baby chicks trying to hatch out of their eggs??? (This will probably get P.E.T.A. on my *ss!)
I can see so many pros & cons of this new styrofoam egg thing! I may need to have a real "heart to heart" with my chickens & let them know that, although I appreciate their wanting to help....they probably should just stay away from the styrofoam insulation, and let ME worry about the cartons!
When I turned the chickens out yesterday to forage, the lot of them went to the other barn & began pecking at the base of the building. I went to investigate, to see what they could possibly be eating. Turns out, they were eating the styrofoam insulation from underneath the siding. You know the kind....busts up into little BB sized pieces?? Kinda like what's inside a "BeanBag" chair?
Well, they were all eating that styrofoam as if it were some sort of delicacy! (The hens had a purpose in doing so....the roosters just ate it because they thought they were being left out!) Now, personally, I've never eaten styrofoam, so can't speak with any authority on the matter, but just guessing.....I'd say it couldn't possibly have much taste! And the consistency of the stuff, compared to the grains the chickens are used to, must really seem odd to them.....yet they were goin' at it like there was no time to lose!
I can only assume that they are aware of the carton shortage & are ingesting the stuff in an attempt at laying eggs, already cushioned in styrofoam!! Granted, it would be rather difficult for ANY chicken to "lay" an entire carton (w/Lid), but WHO (other than a chicken) would've ever considered individually styrofoam-cushioned eggs?? I can hardly wait to see the finished product! This could really revolutionize the egg industry, folks! (Of course, I'm sure the government will want to get involved, as well as the FDA, EPA, and all those other acronym Depts. that like to "get a piece of the pie".)
Will this make eggs tougher & stronger? Less easily cracked? Will breakfast take longer to prepare, due to the tough new styrofoam eggs?? And how will this affect baby chicks trying to hatch out of their eggs??? (This will probably get P.E.T.A. on my *ss!)
I can see so many pros & cons of this new styrofoam egg thing! I may need to have a real "heart to heart" with my chickens & let them know that, although I appreciate their wanting to help....they probably should just stay away from the styrofoam insulation, and let ME worry about the cartons!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Weekend "Word-ier"
You've heard of the proverbial "weekend warrior", right?? Well, I am the OFFICIAL "weekend word-ier". Having FINALLY landed a job after two years of (involuntary) unemployment has REALLY put a damper on my ability to post on a regular basis! [I know all my fans are concerned!!] LOL
Don't get me wrong....I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL to have a job!!! I'm also extremely thankful to God, that it is a job that I enjoy IMMENSELY, and one where I truly feel my employer repects me as a person, and treats me accordingly. Praise be to God, and ALL the Heavenly Hosts. This new job is without a doubt, "divine intervention" on my behalf. I FINALLY, once again, love what I do....and enjoy the people I work with. That being said.....I'll get back to the topic at hand.
I now arise at 5am, and most often don't get home till 6pm. Once supper is prepared & consumed....it's late. I seldom even have opportunity to read emails.....so if you've sent me one & wonder why I have not responded, please know that I will eventually get to it!! While at work...I see NO personal emails and my cell phone is off the entire day....so calling me WITHOUT LEAVING A MSG, will only frustrate YOU. I only return calls to those who leave messages. Otherwise....I figure YOU can just call back. Anyway......
My "creative juices" have been somewhat stymied, since going back to work. Believe it or not....I actually have to make myself notes, now, on future topics. Without the notes, I'll forget what I wanted to say, long before I get a chance to sit down to my keyboard & write! I really should be using "sticky notes"....but they haven't come up with "virtual" sticky notes for the MIND yet, and with the paper ones... where do I stick them?? Some of my thoughts come to me while in the shower. (sticky notes don't stick well when wet!) I tried posting them in the kitchen......but HE thought the one that said "chicken" was an abbreviated shopping list, and he came home with 4 breasts and a package of frozen chicken fajita meat! When he found the one that said "eggs".....he brought home a dozen, then questioned me as to WHY we were buying eggs when we had chickens??? So, posting these notes in the kitchen simply isn't working!
Other times....I think of something I want to blog about, but am not within reach of pen & paper. I have saved 'draft' msgs on my cell phone that I can refer to later. It's becoming quite a challenge to maintain my former, prolific, posts. "Free" weekends like this one....are so-o-o satisfying to the blogger inside of me!! I can type, post, print, ponder, perform, and whatever ELSE one can (or wants to) do in PRINT! It's a real "flow4all" when I can "think out loud" for an entire weekend, with the help of a keyboard!!
I hope my FOLLOWERS (fans?) will understand the delays....and better appreciate my posts... WHENEVER they occur. :-) Afterall....the pen really IS mightier than the sword!!
Don't get me wrong....I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL to have a job!!! I'm also extremely thankful to God, that it is a job that I enjoy IMMENSELY, and one where I truly feel my employer repects me as a person, and treats me accordingly. Praise be to God, and ALL the Heavenly Hosts. This new job is without a doubt, "divine intervention" on my behalf. I FINALLY, once again, love what I do....and enjoy the people I work with. That being said.....I'll get back to the topic at hand.
I now arise at 5am, and most often don't get home till 6pm. Once supper is prepared & consumed....it's late. I seldom even have opportunity to read emails.....so if you've sent me one & wonder why I have not responded, please know that I will eventually get to it!! While at work...I see NO personal emails and my cell phone is off the entire day....so calling me WITHOUT LEAVING A MSG, will only frustrate YOU. I only return calls to those who leave messages. Otherwise....I figure YOU can just call back. Anyway......
My "creative juices" have been somewhat stymied, since going back to work. Believe it or not....I actually have to make myself notes, now, on future topics. Without the notes, I'll forget what I wanted to say, long before I get a chance to sit down to my keyboard & write! I really should be using "sticky notes"....but they haven't come up with "virtual" sticky notes for the MIND yet, and with the paper ones... where do I stick them?? Some of my thoughts come to me while in the shower. (sticky notes don't stick well when wet!) I tried posting them in the kitchen......but HE thought the one that said "chicken" was an abbreviated shopping list, and he came home with 4 breasts and a package of frozen chicken fajita meat! When he found the one that said "eggs".....he brought home a dozen, then questioned me as to WHY we were buying eggs when we had chickens??? So, posting these notes in the kitchen simply isn't working!
Other times....I think of something I want to blog about, but am not within reach of pen & paper. I have saved 'draft' msgs on my cell phone that I can refer to later. It's becoming quite a challenge to maintain my former, prolific, posts. "Free" weekends like this one....are so-o-o satisfying to the blogger inside of me!! I can type, post, print, ponder, perform, and whatever ELSE one can (or wants to) do in PRINT! It's a real "flow4all" when I can "think out loud" for an entire weekend, with the help of a keyboard!!
I hope my FOLLOWERS (fans?) will understand the delays....and better appreciate my posts... WHENEVER they occur. :-) Afterall....the pen really IS mightier than the sword!!
Purely coincidental??
OK, I find it very odd that the three Recipe websites I subscribe to are ALL touting Mexican foods!! (Well, there is that Cinco de Mayo thing this month, but.....) I wonder if it has anything to do with the recent UPROAR in Arizona over their stand on illegal immigrants?? Seriously. Is this some sort of subliminal message to the reader, that because we love Mexican FOOD, we should love.........I mean.....why NOW?
Why wasn't I receiving recipes for Mexican foods, oh, say last September??? Well, you see what I'm getting at, right??
When it comes to ILLEGAL immigrants, I have an opinion just like everyone else, and my opinion on illegal immigrants is: BECOME A CITIZEN THE RIGHT WAY.....OR GO HOME!! As for those "anchor babies" we're hearing so much about...(some of them in this country so long they're already attending college!) I reallly hate it for THEM. Their parents should have assured that their offspring were LEGAL citizens. Yeah, yeah, yeah.....I know you're gonna say the Constitution of the United States GUARANTEES anyone BORN in this country, citizenship. Well....and that's really as it should be.....IF THE PARENTS WERE IN THIS COUNTRY LEGALLY.
Honestly....I can't fault anyone...of any race....for wanting to better their lot in life & seek a better way of life for their children. The problem I am having is that these immigrants, who are here illegally, are benefiting in ways that most natural-born, US citizens never will! Our tax dollars are supporting these people. They receive food stamps; housing assistance; medical care; schooling; CASH.....the list goes on & on. Please understand me.....I do NOT resent this assistance to people who are LEGALLY in this country. However....I DO HIGHLY RESENT SUPPORTING PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY. Where do we draw the line at LEGAL vs. ILLEGAL???
Does this 'new attitude' in America, regarding illegals, make it OK for me to shoplift a cart-load of groceries from the supermarket, because my family needed food?? Afterall....I was unemployed for TWO YEARS. My UE benefits ran out & I still had to eat!! So...can I now get away with just TAKING what I think I need?? Will the law "excuse" my STEALING, simply because I needed food?? Will it be declared something other than stealing, if it's for the betterment of my family??? Is it now OK to steal a car, because I didn't want to walk or ride the bus?? Where does it stop?? Can we just suddenly say, 'well, it's not really LEGAL, but.....'. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME!
OK, how 'bout this: Those of you here, illegally, who do NOT wish to go back to Mexico....y'all can stay here....BUT WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE FROM THE US GOVERNMENT, FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE. Furthermore....you WILL begin to pay, not only TAXES, but you WILL PAY RESTITUTION to this country for the benefits you have already received ILLEGALLY, to date. In addition, you...and your entire family....are required to become FLUENT in ENGLISH (both written & verbal) within 90 days of your initiation into becoming an American Citizen. If you choose to speak Spanish in your homes, privately, I think that is a wondrous thing. Your children should NOT be removed from their heritage. Keep your language and your customs.....it's what makes you a unique people. BUT RESPECT THIS COUNTRY FOR WHAT IT OFFERS YOU!!
This county will no longer be bi-lingual. Auto Zone can take down all those stupid signs they post in Spanish! If you wish to place or receive a phone call...ANYWHERE within the 50 states of America....you can bet your ass it will be done in English and you won't have to press ANY damned number to make it happen!
And just for the record.....it is not illegal immigrants who are destoying this country....IT IS OUR OWN GOVERNMENT, WHO IS SELLING US OUT!!
(and finally......just how many of you...here illegally or otherwise, even KNOWS why you celebrate Cinco de Mayo??????)
Cinco de Mayo:
May 5, observed by Mexican communities in Latin America and Mexican-American communities in the United States in commemoration of the 1862 defeat of French troops at the Battle of Puebla.
Why wasn't I receiving recipes for Mexican foods, oh, say last September??? Well, you see what I'm getting at, right??
When it comes to ILLEGAL immigrants, I have an opinion just like everyone else, and my opinion on illegal immigrants is: BECOME A CITIZEN THE RIGHT WAY.....OR GO HOME!! As for those "anchor babies" we're hearing so much about...(some of them in this country so long they're already attending college!) I reallly hate it for THEM. Their parents should have assured that their offspring were LEGAL citizens. Yeah, yeah, yeah.....I know you're gonna say the Constitution of the United States GUARANTEES anyone BORN in this country, citizenship. Well....and that's really as it should be.....IF THE PARENTS WERE IN THIS COUNTRY LEGALLY.
Honestly....I can't fault anyone...of any race....for wanting to better their lot in life & seek a better way of life for their children. The problem I am having is that these immigrants, who are here illegally, are benefiting in ways that most natural-born, US citizens never will! Our tax dollars are supporting these people. They receive food stamps; housing assistance; medical care; schooling; CASH.....the list goes on & on. Please understand me.....I do NOT resent this assistance to people who are LEGALLY in this country. However....I DO HIGHLY RESENT SUPPORTING PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY. Where do we draw the line at LEGAL vs. ILLEGAL???
Does this 'new attitude' in America, regarding illegals, make it OK for me to shoplift a cart-load of groceries from the supermarket, because my family needed food?? Afterall....I was unemployed for TWO YEARS. My UE benefits ran out & I still had to eat!! So...can I now get away with just TAKING what I think I need?? Will the law "excuse" my STEALING, simply because I needed food?? Will it be declared something other than stealing, if it's for the betterment of my family??? Is it now OK to steal a car, because I didn't want to walk or ride the bus?? Where does it stop?? Can we just suddenly say, 'well, it's not really LEGAL, but.....'. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME!
OK, how 'bout this: Those of you here, illegally, who do NOT wish to go back to Mexico....y'all can stay here....BUT WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE FROM THE US GOVERNMENT, FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE. Furthermore....you WILL begin to pay, not only TAXES, but you WILL PAY RESTITUTION to this country for the benefits you have already received ILLEGALLY, to date. In addition, you...and your entire family....are required to become FLUENT in ENGLISH (both written & verbal) within 90 days of your initiation into becoming an American Citizen. If you choose to speak Spanish in your homes, privately, I think that is a wondrous thing. Your children should NOT be removed from their heritage. Keep your language and your customs.....it's what makes you a unique people. BUT RESPECT THIS COUNTRY FOR WHAT IT OFFERS YOU!!
This county will no longer be bi-lingual. Auto Zone can take down all those stupid signs they post in Spanish! If you wish to place or receive a phone call...ANYWHERE within the 50 states of America....you can bet your ass it will be done in English and you won't have to press ANY damned number to make it happen!
And just for the record.....it is not illegal immigrants who are destoying this country....IT IS OUR OWN GOVERNMENT, WHO IS SELLING US OUT!!
(and finally......just how many of you...here illegally or otherwise, even KNOWS why you celebrate Cinco de Mayo??????)
Cinco de Mayo:
May 5, observed by Mexican communities in Latin America and Mexican-American communities in the United States in commemoration of the 1862 defeat of French troops at the Battle of Puebla.
And, who figured THIS out??
Just when you think you've heard it all...
I was on the web today, looking up info on how to "date" eggs, as to their freshness. Lot's of good info out there. Most every article I read was simply a slight variation of the previous writer's opinion, so I simply settled for the "most common" & I think I'm good.
Once finding out what I wanted to know, one site caught my attention with an article on "How to find your hen's nest". This article was referring to "free range" hens who lay where they will, and ususally keep their nests very well hidden. I can see where this would pose a problem if you wanted to get into the egg business. If you can't find the eggs.....you can't sell or share them! But the METHOD they suggested, for FINDING the nests, just left me shaking my head in wonder and amazement!
I'll give you the "short version" of what the writer suggests: Put a whole black pepper corn (aka: seed) in the chicken's rectum. I kid you not!!! That's what they suggest!! The claim is, that the pepper corn will cause itching.....which will "fool" the hen into thinking she needs to lay an egg. She runs off to the nest to lay an egg....you simply follow her to the nest and VOILA!!! Help yourself to some fresh eggs!! Simple, right??
Now, picture this: First....you gotta actually CATCH the chicken. My chickens are what I would consider "domesticated"....in that they see me EVERYDAY, in their coop. I am a familiar person to them......but most of them still won't let me even get near them, let alone actually hold them. Very few actually want my attentions, and I think they merely tolerate my petting them. So, Yeah, right....go ahead and try catchin' ya one of those 'free range' chickens!! I dare ya!!
Once you've got one tucked up under your arm, in a choke hold.....just TRY to shove a pepper corn up it's *ss!!! First of all....that chicken ain't gonna let you even FIND it's butt....let alone put something there that does NOT belong!! Have you ever even tried just FINDING a chicken's butt through all those feathers??
Well, if you think this pepper corn method will work for you....knock yourself out!! Personally.....I'll just keep my hens in the coop at night. They KNOW where their nest boxes are....and I know where to find their eggs. No pepper corns involved.....EVERYBODY'S HAPPY!!
I was on the web today, looking up info on how to "date" eggs, as to their freshness. Lot's of good info out there. Most every article I read was simply a slight variation of the previous writer's opinion, so I simply settled for the "most common" & I think I'm good.
Once finding out what I wanted to know, one site caught my attention with an article on "How to find your hen's nest". This article was referring to "free range" hens who lay where they will, and ususally keep their nests very well hidden. I can see where this would pose a problem if you wanted to get into the egg business. If you can't find the eggs.....you can't sell or share them! But the METHOD they suggested, for FINDING the nests, just left me shaking my head in wonder and amazement!
I'll give you the "short version" of what the writer suggests: Put a whole black pepper corn (aka: seed) in the chicken's rectum. I kid you not!!! That's what they suggest!! The claim is, that the pepper corn will cause itching.....which will "fool" the hen into thinking she needs to lay an egg. She runs off to the nest to lay an egg....you simply follow her to the nest and VOILA!!! Help yourself to some fresh eggs!! Simple, right??
Now, picture this: First....you gotta actually CATCH the chicken. My chickens are what I would consider "domesticated"....in that they see me EVERYDAY, in their coop. I am a familiar person to them......but most of them still won't let me even get near them, let alone actually hold them. Very few actually want my attentions, and I think they merely tolerate my petting them. So, Yeah, right....go ahead and try catchin' ya one of those 'free range' chickens!! I dare ya!!
Once you've got one tucked up under your arm, in a choke hold.....just TRY to shove a pepper corn up it's *ss!!! First of all....that chicken ain't gonna let you even FIND it's butt....let alone put something there that does NOT belong!! Have you ever even tried just FINDING a chicken's butt through all those feathers??
Well, if you think this pepper corn method will work for you....knock yourself out!! Personally.....I'll just keep my hens in the coop at night. They KNOW where their nest boxes are....and I know where to find their eggs. No pepper corns involved.....EVERYBODY'S HAPPY!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Followers??
OK....my number of followers has remained at SEVEN for several weeks now. I'm disappointed. Please ask your friends and co-workers to "follow" my blog, if they find it interesting; funny; annoying; biased; or WHATEVER. How am I EVER going to make it 'BIG' if you folks don't do your part??
Seriously, I'm not really sure what point it serves to show "followers".....except maybe when my ego needs a boost. Non-followers can read my posts without leaving "tracks", so where is the incentive to become a FOLLOWER???
How 'bout we just say......BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD!?? So FOLLOW!!!! OK?? :))
Maybe next year, I'll run a contest of some sort & y'all can compete for prizes or something.....maybe I'll write a blog featuring YOU!! Who knows? But for now....I need to see these numbers increase, folks!! LOL
Seriously, I'm not really sure what point it serves to show "followers".....except maybe when my ego needs a boost. Non-followers can read my posts without leaving "tracks", so where is the incentive to become a FOLLOWER???
How 'bout we just say......BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD!?? So FOLLOW!!!! OK?? :))
Maybe next year, I'll run a contest of some sort & y'all can compete for prizes or something.....maybe I'll write a blog featuring YOU!! Who knows? But for now....I need to see these numbers increase, folks!! LOL
Sporadic Thoughts.....Do YOU have them??
This post may take a while to publish. I'm gonna keep it open a few days just to record the vast and various array of thoughts I have during the course of a day.....or a week. If I were to keep an ongoing journal of these thoughts, say, over a period of several years....they'd probably have me committed to a mental asylum! Well, just keep reading and judge for yourself...
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Consider nose holes....HUMAN nose holes. My mind always 'saw' them as round. They are not round at all. They're more like elongated slots. EXCEPT.....when we're babies. Next time you see a baby, take a look. Their nose holes are perfectly round little holes. At what age to these little holes turn into slots?? I now find myself looking at other people's nose holes. I wonder if I could get a Government Grant of say, oh...$500,000.00 to "study" this over a defined period of time and then publish my findings?? (Hey...stranger grants have been granted already by our esteemed government!)
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Saltine Crackers.....why do they have holes in them? THIRTEEN holes, to be exact. Does that make them "unlucky" to eat?? Seriously....why the holes?? When I put mayonnaise on them, to enjoy with cheese....the mayo squirts thru the holes. Same with peanut butter. Very messy!
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Fish Tacos. ARE YOU SERIOUS?? I can't think of a more disgusting thing to put in a taco!! What do they put with the fish? Lettuce? Sour cream? Cheese? WHAT????? Absolutely NOTHING about a fish taco sounds any kind of edible!! Well.....unless you're a cat. Or a bear....an otter....some animal that already eats FISH as a steady diet. But then, I guess these animals wouldn't appreciate the corn tortilla and all that other stuff!
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Bathroom exhaust fans (aka: fart fans)......I do believe that these were initially intended to vent steam and moisture OUT of the bathroom. (probably a man who determined they were fart fans). If they were REALLY fart fans.....don't you think they'd be positioned much closer to the toilet???
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And that makes me wonder......how does a fart behave in space? As in....the space shuttle. Do they float around in a little weightless "bubble" of odor?? Could you bat it around like playing ping pong? Wouldn't that be hilarious!? Talk about the old kids' game of "Keep Away"!! LOL
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I'd like to know WHO determined where the letters on a typewriter keyboard should be placed?? HOW did this person work out the details as to where each letter went?? There seems to be no rhyme or reason to their placement, yet most of us who took typing class know just where to put out fingers to type what we want to say. AMAZING! In days gone by, when I typed "for a living", I could type up to 72 wpm with no more than 3 mistakes. I'm down to around 55 wpm now, but still....just knowing where the letters are, without LOOKING at the keyboard is a wonderful thing. I'd really love to know who & how this layout was determined. Er, um.....I'd like to know why this person didn't see fit to put the danged NUMBERS where we could easily type them?? They obviously gave up on the idea...or, by the time they figured out the LETTER placements, they were mentally exhausted..... as the numbers are just strung out in ascending order across the top of the keyboard!
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BED SKIRTS! These dastardly things were apparently invented by some spoiled-rotten Diva who never had to make her own bed.....and I'm talking changing the sheets! I HATE THESE DAMN THINGS!!!
First of all, to even get the damn thing ON the bed, you have to remove the mattress. Not much of a problem if it's a twin size bed....but TRY REMOVING A KING-SIZED MATTRESS. Better yet, once you get the bed skirt on the box springs....try getting the dang mattress back ON the bed, without completely wadding up the bed skirt in the process!! ONE person cannot possibly do this! It's at least a 2 to 4 person job! OK, so let's say you finally do get the bed skirt positioned where it is supposed to be. Looks real pretty, huh?? TILL YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE SHEETS AGAIN!!
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And one that has puzzled me for YEARS......WHY is pubic hair curly????? All my life, I envied people with curly hair...ON THEIR HEADS....Mine is straight as a board & won't hold curl, even with a $100 perm!! So WHY the curly hair "down there", where it does me no good???? It just doesn't seem right, somehow. But then, I guess if hair "down there" was STRAIGHT, that would look even more weird!! Go Figure!!
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I've got to publish this NOW, before it becomes so long no one will even attempt to read it! YOU have random thoughts like these...don't you?? (please say you DO!!)
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Consider nose holes....HUMAN nose holes. My mind always 'saw' them as round. They are not round at all. They're more like elongated slots. EXCEPT.....when we're babies. Next time you see a baby, take a look. Their nose holes are perfectly round little holes. At what age to these little holes turn into slots?? I now find myself looking at other people's nose holes. I wonder if I could get a Government Grant of say, oh...$500,000.00 to "study" this over a defined period of time and then publish my findings?? (Hey...stranger grants have been granted already by our esteemed government!)
********************************************************************************
Saltine Crackers.....why do they have holes in them? THIRTEEN holes, to be exact. Does that make them "unlucky" to eat?? Seriously....why the holes?? When I put mayonnaise on them, to enjoy with cheese....the mayo squirts thru the holes. Same with peanut butter. Very messy!
********************************************************************************
Fish Tacos. ARE YOU SERIOUS?? I can't think of a more disgusting thing to put in a taco!! What do they put with the fish? Lettuce? Sour cream? Cheese? WHAT????? Absolutely NOTHING about a fish taco sounds any kind of edible!! Well.....unless you're a cat. Or a bear....an otter....some animal that already eats FISH as a steady diet. But then, I guess these animals wouldn't appreciate the corn tortilla and all that other stuff!
*********************************************************************************
Bathroom exhaust fans (aka: fart fans)......I do believe that these were initially intended to vent steam and moisture OUT of the bathroom. (probably a man who determined they were fart fans). If they were REALLY fart fans.....don't you think they'd be positioned much closer to the toilet???
*********************************************************************************
And that makes me wonder......how does a fart behave in space? As in....the space shuttle. Do they float around in a little weightless "bubble" of odor?? Could you bat it around like playing ping pong? Wouldn't that be hilarious!? Talk about the old kids' game of "Keep Away"!! LOL
*********************************************************************************
I'd like to know WHO determined where the letters on a typewriter keyboard should be placed?? HOW did this person work out the details as to where each letter went?? There seems to be no rhyme or reason to their placement, yet most of us who took typing class know just where to put out fingers to type what we want to say. AMAZING! In days gone by, when I typed "for a living", I could type up to 72 wpm with no more than 3 mistakes. I'm down to around 55 wpm now, but still....just knowing where the letters are, without LOOKING at the keyboard is a wonderful thing. I'd really love to know who & how this layout was determined. Er, um.....I'd like to know why this person didn't see fit to put the danged NUMBERS where we could easily type them?? They obviously gave up on the idea...or, by the time they figured out the LETTER placements, they were mentally exhausted..... as the numbers are just strung out in ascending order across the top of the keyboard!
**********************************************************************************
BED SKIRTS! These dastardly things were apparently invented by some spoiled-rotten Diva who never had to make her own bed.....and I'm talking changing the sheets! I HATE THESE DAMN THINGS!!!
First of all, to even get the damn thing ON the bed, you have to remove the mattress. Not much of a problem if it's a twin size bed....but TRY REMOVING A KING-SIZED MATTRESS. Better yet, once you get the bed skirt on the box springs....try getting the dang mattress back ON the bed, without completely wadding up the bed skirt in the process!! ONE person cannot possibly do this! It's at least a 2 to 4 person job! OK, so let's say you finally do get the bed skirt positioned where it is supposed to be. Looks real pretty, huh?? TILL YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE SHEETS AGAIN!!
********************************************************************************
And one that has puzzled me for YEARS......WHY is pubic hair curly????? All my life, I envied people with curly hair...ON THEIR HEADS....Mine is straight as a board & won't hold curl, even with a $100 perm!! So WHY the curly hair "down there", where it does me no good???? It just doesn't seem right, somehow. But then, I guess if hair "down there" was STRAIGHT, that would look even more weird!! Go Figure!!
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I've got to publish this NOW, before it becomes so long no one will even attempt to read it! YOU have random thoughts like these...don't you?? (please say you DO!!)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
You can take the girl out of the city.....
...and sometimes.....she goes full blown COUNTRY!! :)) In all the time I've lived here with my Honey, I've thought I simply "enjoyed" the peaceful country surroundings; watching the horses in the pasture; the geese and ducks on the pond; and the stress-reducing benefits of raising chickens. TODAY, I have learned that I have truly become a "farm girl". How do I know this you ask?? Well.....just let me tell you!
In anticipation of the baby chicks...due to arrive just any day now....I decided I'd better get the coop cleaned up some, and build another "nursery" for the babies to use, when they finally get here. The nursery actually is just several bales of hay, turned up on their sides, to form a square enclosure. Once the chicks hatch, I'll move them to the nursery & let "mom" tend to them there. They'll need their own watering can & feed, but "mom" will protect them from the other, bigger chickens, as well as keep them warm till their feathers come in. I'M SO EXCITED!! :))
In cleaning out the coop, I had to move the old bales of hay that formed the previous nursery. I had just left them in the coop because the chickens like to sit on them. HOLY CRAP!!!!! I moved the first bale & little mice scattered everywhere. I counted at least 8 before they all disappeared. THEN, I found the nest!! There were 10 tiny baby mice, in the nest & none of them over an inch long. I don't think they even had their eyes opened yet! For a very brief moment, my mind thought, "what the heck am I gonna do will baby mice?"....then the next thought was CHICKEN HORS D'OEUVRES!!! I pitched the entire nest of baby mice to the chickens. The feeding frenzy began!!! Needless to say, the babies didn't last long. It was a quick death they suffered. I began to feel like a murderer.....then I had to REASON with myself about how destructive mice can be & the diseases they can carry. They HAD to be eliminated!! The chickens had great fun playing "catch & release" before they finally ATE THEM.
Next, I turned over the second bale of hay. Another flurry of mice scattered in all directions. These were larger ones....probably adolescents and some young adult mice. The chickens FREAKED OUT! It was too funny!! They fought over the little teenie baby ones, but when the larger ones started running around the coop, it scared the crap out of the chickens......at least, at first! Have you ever seen a chicken jump straight up in the air about 3 ft, while screaming?? It really was hilarious! Then, a mouse ran under one of the roosters as he was strolling by. His foot landed on the mouse. He wasn't expecting that! TOO FUNNY!! he jumped like he'd been shot!! Then he proceeded to chase the mouse down & kill it. At one point, nearly every chicken had a mouse, of one size or another, in it's beak!
Then.....(drum roll, please).....I turned over the third and final bale of hay. It looked like a seen from the movie "Willard". MICE RAN EVERYWHERE....BIG ONES!!! Heck, it dang near freaked me out!!
We aren't just talking "nest" here, folks, we're talking an entire village of mice. They had tunnels chewed throughout those bales of hay. There were several larger areas hollowed out, which were, I guess, previous nesting areas and sleeping quarters. No telling how long this colony of mice have lived in those bales! One thing's for sure.....they're all homeless now & will have to scramble around for a safe place to sleep tonight! I gotta say....those mice were pretty smart, making their "community" in the bales INSIDE the coop......no other predators can get to them, inside the coop! The neighbor's cats are gonna have an easier time finding a meal for the next few days!
And me......I think I just handled the situation the way any good "farm girl" would......feed the mice to the chickens! It sure beats buying rat bait! Besides, I wouldn't want to risk my chickens accidentally getting into the poison! That would be catastophic!
In anticipation of the baby chicks...due to arrive just any day now....I decided I'd better get the coop cleaned up some, and build another "nursery" for the babies to use, when they finally get here. The nursery actually is just several bales of hay, turned up on their sides, to form a square enclosure. Once the chicks hatch, I'll move them to the nursery & let "mom" tend to them there. They'll need their own watering can & feed, but "mom" will protect them from the other, bigger chickens, as well as keep them warm till their feathers come in. I'M SO EXCITED!! :))
In cleaning out the coop, I had to move the old bales of hay that formed the previous nursery. I had just left them in the coop because the chickens like to sit on them. HOLY CRAP!!!!! I moved the first bale & little mice scattered everywhere. I counted at least 8 before they all disappeared. THEN, I found the nest!! There were 10 tiny baby mice, in the nest & none of them over an inch long. I don't think they even had their eyes opened yet! For a very brief moment, my mind thought, "what the heck am I gonna do will baby mice?"....then the next thought was CHICKEN HORS D'OEUVRES!!! I pitched the entire nest of baby mice to the chickens. The feeding frenzy began!!! Needless to say, the babies didn't last long. It was a quick death they suffered. I began to feel like a murderer.....then I had to REASON with myself about how destructive mice can be & the diseases they can carry. They HAD to be eliminated!! The chickens had great fun playing "catch & release" before they finally ATE THEM.
Next, I turned over the second bale of hay. Another flurry of mice scattered in all directions. These were larger ones....probably adolescents and some young adult mice. The chickens FREAKED OUT! It was too funny!! They fought over the little teenie baby ones, but when the larger ones started running around the coop, it scared the crap out of the chickens......at least, at first! Have you ever seen a chicken jump straight up in the air about 3 ft, while screaming?? It really was hilarious! Then, a mouse ran under one of the roosters as he was strolling by. His foot landed on the mouse. He wasn't expecting that! TOO FUNNY!! he jumped like he'd been shot!! Then he proceeded to chase the mouse down & kill it. At one point, nearly every chicken had a mouse, of one size or another, in it's beak!
Then.....(drum roll, please).....I turned over the third and final bale of hay. It looked like a seen from the movie "Willard". MICE RAN EVERYWHERE....BIG ONES!!! Heck, it dang near freaked me out!!
We aren't just talking "nest" here, folks, we're talking an entire village of mice. They had tunnels chewed throughout those bales of hay. There were several larger areas hollowed out, which were, I guess, previous nesting areas and sleeping quarters. No telling how long this colony of mice have lived in those bales! One thing's for sure.....they're all homeless now & will have to scramble around for a safe place to sleep tonight! I gotta say....those mice were pretty smart, making their "community" in the bales INSIDE the coop......no other predators can get to them, inside the coop! The neighbor's cats are gonna have an easier time finding a meal for the next few days!
And me......I think I just handled the situation the way any good "farm girl" would......feed the mice to the chickens! It sure beats buying rat bait! Besides, I wouldn't want to risk my chickens accidentally getting into the poison! That would be catastophic!
Siblings...
....Aren't they wonderful? If you are an only child, I'm so sorry for you! I used to think that an only child just grew up lonely, and missed those really early lessons on sharing, etc. I have now come to realize that there is much, much more to this sibling thing than just fighting over who gets to ride "shotgun", or who ate the last donut. It's having other people who share your same memories....and others who can fill you in on the memories you've forgotten.....and even some stuff you were totally unaware of.
Being a mother myself (4 children), I can honestly say that, although I love all my children....I love each of them differently. I am learning that my own mother actually related to each of her children in different ways, as well. I'm 58 years old, and am just coming to this realization! It's been a real 'eye-opener' for me!
For instance.....my younger sister mentioned to me the other day, a comment that our mother made to her, about our dad's attempt at growing a beard. Mom never liked facial hair on a man....especially HER man. But she commented to my sister that she guessed "...sometimes you have to go through the brush to get to a picnic". WHAT?! Was she implying that although she didn't like the beard, she still enjoyed his kisses?? It's just one of those things I'll never know, now, seeing as how mom passed away many years ago.
Then there's my older sister. SHE can talk to Dad about things I would never utter, to my father!!! Seriously! They seem to have the kind a rapport that allows them to talk about the most intimate details of certain subjects...which I will not divulge here. It totally amazes me that she & Dad can do this! Her relationship with Mom was rather strained for many, many years, and my sister was never able to really get close to Mom.....maybe she makes up for that loss by getting closer to Dad. Who can say?
MY conversations with my mom (and my dad) are of a completely different type! My mother had a marvelous sense of humor....my older sister says she never knew that about mom. (so sad!) Mom and I spent many happy hours just making each other laugh! She and I used to LOVE to get up early on Saturdays....have breakfast at Denny's, and then go garage sale-ing for the day. We found some terrific bargains, and had so much fun!! I sure do miss my mom!!
I haven't discussed this with my brother, but I can only assume that HIS conversations with Mom and Dad were of still another type! So, having siblings really serves to give you a much better "rounded" version of the people you THINK you know as your parents! It allows you to really come to terms with how a parent interacts differently with each of their children....even while raising them all under the same rules, boundaries, and limitations, and attempting to instill the same values.
If you have siblings....compare notes and observations next time you're all together. You may be really surprised to hear of a side to your mom or dad that you never knew existed! You'll really begin to see your parents as PEOPLE, with their own hopes, dreams, and wishes....and you'll learn of the sacrifices they made on your behalf.
Being a mother myself (4 children), I can honestly say that, although I love all my children....I love each of them differently. I am learning that my own mother actually related to each of her children in different ways, as well. I'm 58 years old, and am just coming to this realization! It's been a real 'eye-opener' for me!
For instance.....my younger sister mentioned to me the other day, a comment that our mother made to her, about our dad's attempt at growing a beard. Mom never liked facial hair on a man....especially HER man. But she commented to my sister that she guessed "...sometimes you have to go through the brush to get to a picnic". WHAT?! Was she implying that although she didn't like the beard, she still enjoyed his kisses?? It's just one of those things I'll never know, now, seeing as how mom passed away many years ago.
Then there's my older sister. SHE can talk to Dad about things I would never utter, to my father!!! Seriously! They seem to have the kind a rapport that allows them to talk about the most intimate details of certain subjects...which I will not divulge here. It totally amazes me that she & Dad can do this! Her relationship with Mom was rather strained for many, many years, and my sister was never able to really get close to Mom.....maybe she makes up for that loss by getting closer to Dad. Who can say?
MY conversations with my mom (and my dad) are of a completely different type! My mother had a marvelous sense of humor....my older sister says she never knew that about mom. (so sad!) Mom and I spent many happy hours just making each other laugh! She and I used to LOVE to get up early on Saturdays....have breakfast at Denny's, and then go garage sale-ing for the day. We found some terrific bargains, and had so much fun!! I sure do miss my mom!!
I haven't discussed this with my brother, but I can only assume that HIS conversations with Mom and Dad were of still another type! So, having siblings really serves to give you a much better "rounded" version of the people you THINK you know as your parents! It allows you to really come to terms with how a parent interacts differently with each of their children....even while raising them all under the same rules, boundaries, and limitations, and attempting to instill the same values.
If you have siblings....compare notes and observations next time you're all together. You may be really surprised to hear of a side to your mom or dad that you never knew existed! You'll really begin to see your parents as PEOPLE, with their own hopes, dreams, and wishes....and you'll learn of the sacrifices they made on your behalf.
Monday, April 19, 2010
You're Kidding.....Right??
I just read an article concerning TANNING addiction. Say what?!?
Seems there was a study/survey conducted by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the State University of New York, Albany, of 229 students. The subsequent report stated that "...the findings suggest that there may be a subgroup of individuals who are addicted to indoor tanning and have an underlying mood disturbance.." The report also stated that 50 of the 229 students tested, "....also had slightly higher levels of anxiety symptoms, as well as higher rates of alcohol and marijuana use..."
Just when you think you've heard it all. Good Grief!! Are they REALLY trying to tell us that there is a correlation between tannin' and trippin'?? (I also just learned that there is an INDOOR TANNING ASSOCIATION.) Puh-leeeeeeease!! An Association?? Are they for real????
OK...I'm a pretty open minded person, so let me try to see this from a different perspective. I WILL AGREE, that tanning...religiously....could be an indication of some sort of mental disorder. For instance....
why do so-o-o-o-o many white people think they are of a "superior race" because they are WHITE.....and then do their damnedest to tan themselves as dark as they can get??? See? MENTAL DISORDER!!
Why do so many people get naked to tan? They don't want "tan lines" of white skin, beneath a strap or piece of clothing that might reveal that they are really CAUCASIAN! See?? MENTAL DISORDER!!
And how ironic, that these extremely well tanned (half-burnt) people seem to always show up at events to raise money for CANCER RESEARCH?? Don't they know that TANNING can lead to SKIN CANCER??
See? MENTAL DISORDER!! Now it makes sense! Case closed!
Seems there was a study/survey conducted by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the State University of New York, Albany, of 229 students. The subsequent report stated that "...the findings suggest that there may be a subgroup of individuals who are addicted to indoor tanning and have an underlying mood disturbance.." The report also stated that 50 of the 229 students tested, "....also had slightly higher levels of anxiety symptoms, as well as higher rates of alcohol and marijuana use..."
Just when you think you've heard it all. Good Grief!! Are they REALLY trying to tell us that there is a correlation between tannin' and trippin'?? (I also just learned that there is an INDOOR TANNING ASSOCIATION.) Puh-leeeeeeease!! An Association?? Are they for real????
OK...I'm a pretty open minded person, so let me try to see this from a different perspective. I WILL AGREE, that tanning...religiously....could be an indication of some sort of mental disorder. For instance....
why do so-o-o-o-o many white people think they are of a "superior race" because they are WHITE.....and then do their damnedest to tan themselves as dark as they can get??? See? MENTAL DISORDER!!
Why do so many people get naked to tan? They don't want "tan lines" of white skin, beneath a strap or piece of clothing that might reveal that they are really CAUCASIAN! See?? MENTAL DISORDER!!
And how ironic, that these extremely well tanned (half-burnt) people seem to always show up at events to raise money for CANCER RESEARCH?? Don't they know that TANNING can lead to SKIN CANCER??
See? MENTAL DISORDER!! Now it makes sense! Case closed!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
This is no EGGS-AGGERATION!
Things are getting just a little out of hand in the coop!! Today, I collected ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY SEVEN EGGS!!!!! Those 18 hens have sure been busy!!!! And THAT is only the count I collected. I have two hens sitting now.....one on 13 eggs.....and the other claims it's none of my business! (She tries to peck me when I try to get her to move off the nest!) So, who knows how many SHE may be sitting??
Suffice it to say, that I AM IN THE EGG BUSINESS, whether I want to be or not! Ha!! I now have slightly over 14 dozen eggs ,ready to be distributed (or sold) to folks who like fresh eggs for breakfast!!
Since I have Araucans (aka: Easter Egg Chickens - 4 hens; 1 rooster), I have several dozen of very colorful eggs, ranging from light sky-blue to deep green. (Yes, they taste just like any other egg....just have prettier shells) I also have several dozen beautiful brown eggs. Some are dark, and others are nearly beige. All, are delicious!!
The green/blue eggs are slightly smaller....so I'll probably sell them for around $2-$2.50 dozen. The brown eggs are all a nice size, so will probably go for $3.00 doz. These are all organically grown eggs, folks....meaning that my chickens eat only real food! No chemically-treated, "miracle gro" type stuff.
Seems I remember seeing a commercial about a shipping outfit (Mailboxes, Etc.??) that GUARANTEES anything they ship will arrive intact, undamaged, on time etc. And just so you'll know......FRESH eggs remain fresh for up to three (3) months without ANY refrigeration.
Even the WORST shipping company could surely get them to you in that length of time! So.....how many dozen would you like?
Suffice it to say, that I AM IN THE EGG BUSINESS, whether I want to be or not! Ha!! I now have slightly over 14 dozen eggs ,ready to be distributed (or sold) to folks who like fresh eggs for breakfast!!
Since I have Araucans (aka: Easter Egg Chickens - 4 hens; 1 rooster), I have several dozen of very colorful eggs, ranging from light sky-blue to deep green. (Yes, they taste just like any other egg....just have prettier shells) I also have several dozen beautiful brown eggs. Some are dark, and others are nearly beige. All, are delicious!!
The green/blue eggs are slightly smaller....so I'll probably sell them for around $2-$2.50 dozen. The brown eggs are all a nice size, so will probably go for $3.00 doz. These are all organically grown eggs, folks....meaning that my chickens eat only real food! No chemically-treated, "miracle gro" type stuff.
Seems I remember seeing a commercial about a shipping outfit (Mailboxes, Etc.??) that GUARANTEES anything they ship will arrive intact, undamaged, on time etc. And just so you'll know......FRESH eggs remain fresh for up to three (3) months without ANY refrigeration.
Even the WORST shipping company could surely get them to you in that length of time! So.....how many dozen would you like?
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