May 10, 2008

more pictures

I try to walk with the dogs every day - this is one of our routes - a week or so ago, the redbud trees started blooming -

And yesterday, I saw that wasps can also help with pollination:

Posted by Beth at 12:08 PM | Comments (2)

April 18, 2008

About our clay soil here in Eastern Kansas

JimC asked in a comment if I was making any amendments to the soil as I plant my veggies and flowers and berries.

Actually, I'm testing out several different methods of planting. I have a couple of raised beds in the manner of Square Foot Gardening - but that requires using a professional soil mix which is way too expensive for everything, and because there is no organic material in it, a lot of fertilization is required, so I'm pretty sure, those two beds will be a one time only thing.

Then, I have several beds, also raised, that I made using the Lasagna gardening method. I think it is the easiest, but it is difficult to make it look orderly, so I suspect I'll plant the landscape stuff around the house with that method, and not so much the truck farm plants.

Lasagna gardening is clever - you put wet newspapers or cardboard over the sod where you want your bed. Then you put compost, peat moss, hay or grass clippings, leaves, more peat moss, etc, and you just push aside the layers and plop your plants in it, and it should grow like crazy - even if the compost is not cooked.

Then, I started looking closely at the soil in the area where I am planting things. It's not too bad - it has been both a cow and a horse pasture in the past, and there is some pretty loamy soil there - there is also a lot of clay soil, so I intend to till in the bedding and poop from the chicken run as well as horse manure and bedding.

Also, I have sprayed Earth Right all over the area - it is supposed to help clay soils drain better, etc., and it has micronutrients and stuff like that in it - ain't cheap, but Toby Tobin says it works, so it must!

Posted by Beth at 6:45 PM | Comments (1)

Springtime is finally here

I have a zillion things to do, and it's been raining for most of the week! That's okay, the ground needs lotsa water, just not all at once, and I would prefer that the rain waits until I get some plants in the ground!

Yesterday, I made about 40 deviled eggs using my chicken's eggs for a dinner. That is a whole lot of eggs to peel! But they were good. I think John ate what was left over.

It rained all day yesterday and all night long, so it is quite muddy. Willy is quite muddy, because he was in the paddock all night, so right now he is grazing the grass next to the barn - no fence. Willy doesn't go to far and he will come when I call him, so I think I'm pretty safe.

Last night, the guineas, chickens and ducks slept in each other's houses. Apparently it was agreed upon by all, because no one was upset.

The baby chicks are growing like crazy. They are almost ready to go outside, and I have not started the addition to the chicken coop for them. I would really like to buy a shed, or even better, somehow move the shed we built in the backyard of our old house to this house, but I don't think that is possible. A shed with a plastic floor would be so easy to keep clean!

John and I put one together before, we know how to do it now!

But, they ain't cheap.

Oh, I'm all muddy, too. In their exuberance to see me walking out this morning, Kiki and Gunner ran me down and knocked me over into the mud.

I'm beginning to think I need to just embrace the mud.

So, how is everyone doing?

Posted by Beth at 10:23 AM | Comments (2)

April 13, 2008

OMG, OMG, OMG!

There is sooo much to do!!! Fortunately, John makes me get into the hot tub every night, so I can relax and go to sleep!

We went over to the old house today to bring back more stuff. (yeah, I know, we moved here months ago and we still have all kinds of stuff in the other house!). I got all my stained glass supplies and my craft table and a bunch more, but since the room in the barn (milking parlor) that I want to turn into my studio is unfinished and needs wall repair, paint and lighting, everything is sitting in the main part of the barn. Probably not the best place.

That room is also going to be my pottery studio.

So. My goal this week:

(drum roll please). Patch the walls of that room and paint it so I can move my artsy stuff in there!!!

Updates to follow!

Posted by Beth at 9:36 PM

March 6, 2008

Just call me . . . The Poop Patrol

I realized today that at least 60% of my time is invested in discovering and dealing with poop. There is horse poop, chicken poop, dog poop and kitty poop.

Soon there will be more chicken poop and goat poop. ( I have 25 chicks that should be delivered to the feed store on March 15th, and 2 baby angora goats that should be born into this world sometime this month).

All the different kinds of poop need different treatment. The horse and chicken poop are composted with any non-meat kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, straw, whatever. The horse poop that is out in the pasture will be hopefully mixed into the earth with my drag harrow, as soon as the ground thaws!

The horse poop in the stalls in the barn has to be taken out and thrown on the compost pile daily. The chicken poop in the chicken coop only has to be cleaned out when the weather thaws - when it starts to smell - well, except for under the roosts - that needs to be cleaned at least once a week, depending . . .

It makes me not even want to think about people poop and the cleaning of toilets.

Gah.

Kitty poop - well, we have 5 litter boxes, and they need to be cleaned daily. I must admit, sometimes I only get them every 2 days, but with 7 kitties, that is a lot of poop.

And, we have one kitty who is somewhat elderly, and has some tummy problems with the resulting icky kitty poops, often close to a litter box, but not in it.

Then, of course we have the two dogs - they are very well house broken, so we mostly have to avoid stepping into any of their poop outside.

Posted by Beth at 7:24 PM | Comments (8)

February 4, 2008

Daily Farm Report, Monday, 2/4/2008 (yes, it's the fifth, but I'm doing my best)

Well, the weather is being very weird today - but it is February in Kansas, and not at all atypical.
It got up to 59 degrees here, quite warm. And tomorrow, a winter storm watch - LOL!

Anyway, I got up extra early this morning - 4:35 am. I noticed that Hal was most definitely under the weather - and, he was peeing blood. So, I drove him to our vet, and Hal got x-rayed and special food and a pill thing that is supposed to make it easier to give him his antibiotic. (It is not easier).

I planted some daffodil bulbs that I didn't get into the ground in the fall. I still have more I need to plant, but the weather - oh my!

I took hay out to the horses - they were on the far side of the farm. While driving out there, I could see that I have a lot of drag harrowing to do if we ever thaw out completely! Darn this global warming, anyway.

I missed my pottery class - it was too pretty outside to go sit in a basement and play with mud, but now I kinda wish I had gone. Reminder to self - set up my wheel so I can play with clay here.

Okay, that's it for Monday.

Posted by Beth at 5:38 PM

February 3, 2008

Daily Farm Report

I think I shall endeavor to write a daily farm report. I find myself so busy running around after horses, dogs, cats, chickens and guineas, that I am exhausted by the time I sit down to log onto my computer. I should keep a diary of sorts, and this seems a good place!

Okay, here goes.

Last night, none of the guineas would go into the chicken run. I tried everything I knew to get them in there, but they are tired of winter and wanted some freedom. So they slept on the barn roof. Gunner was all upset about something, so he went out late running after some critter, and then spent a good chunk of the night on the deck, keeping an eye on my guineas.

John let him in the house at some point, and he jumped in bed in between us and wiggled and wagged to get some attention.

I woke up around 5:30, and I got up and threw on my boots and a coat over my nightgown so I could check on the guineas. I managed to get 2 of them into the chicken run, Dusty and Bill, who were napping on the ground under the elm - idiots! If they are going to sleep outside, they need to sleep up in a tree or something to avoid the ground predators!!

They were so sleepy, I merely walked over to the two of them, picked them up and stuck one under each arm to return them to their proper roosts in the chicken run.

The others were on the roof all night, and all survived. I figure God watches over really dumb critters like Guineas, otherwise, they would be extinct!!

I made the mistake of letting Gunner out this morning with guineas and chickens out of the chicken run - it seemed to be okay for awhile, he was checking out things on the other side of the farm, but he came back, saw birds out of their normal place and tried to herd them into the pen.

Naturally, all the birds freaked out, and Gunner did his weird thing of chasing down one of the birds (this time Bill, the Guinea) and laying by it until I come to get it. In fact, he was holding poor Bill down with a paw, I'm amazed the bird did not have a heart attack on the spot. They were almost the entire way down the steep hill behind our backyard, so I (still in my nightgown) had to hike down there and pick up Bill and carry him back to the pen.

John and I did take Gunner for a walk this morning (I guess maybe a mile and one half), but it started sleeting, snowing and raining, so we headed back home.

Major and his brother, Andy, came by to borrow our big trailer so they could go pick up a couple of round bales for the horses - their dad brought a big truckload back from Oklahoma yesterday, but he took it all up to their land in Atchison County.

It is a gray, chilly, wet Sunday. I completely cleaned the ugliest bathroom on earth today - tackled the ugliest bathroom tile on earth with really strong cleaner to see if I could make it less dingy, and I did! It's still ugly has hell, but at least it is not quite so depressing.

Hal, our fat cat, is still having bladder issues. He was at the Vet for two days last week, catheterized, so he could pee. He's home now, on antibiotics, and not a very happy camper. We are probably going to have that surgery done on him that will change his urinary tract so he can't get any more crystals stuck and prevent him from going potty. This is his third problem in three months.

And poor Little Girl is really showing her age. She has a hard time keeping food down, and spends nearly all her time sleeping. We have to brush her an bathe her because she just doesn't keep herself nice anymore.

All the other critters are pretty good.

And all this running around has finally kicked my metabolism, and I'm losing weight - hurray!

About 30 pounds so far.

Okay, that's all for today's Farm Report!

Posted by Beth at 11:56 AM | Comments (2)

January 18, 2008

One of the Guineas has laid an egg!

It was very cold here last night, so cold that the eggs I failed to gather yesterday had frozen and burst. But there were a couple of eggs laid this morning that I did bring in - and one belongs to one of the Guineas! My guess, Blanche, because she is always staying close to the coop and pen when all the other guineas explore the pasture, yard and barn area.

Anyway, guess which of these two eggs is a Guinea egg!

Posted by Beth at 4:22 PM | Comments (4)

January 12, 2008

Helga is back!

I don't know how, why, when or where, but this morning, as soon as I woke up, I pulled on my boots and ran outside to the Run of Argghhh! to count the chickens. And yes, I was wearing my flannel pajamas with penguins on them. Good thing no one can see our house!

I slept poorly last night because I was worried about Helga. I prayed that maybe St. Anthony (patron saint of lost things) and St. Francis (you should know about him!) would intercede with the Good Lord above and get Helga back safely.

Hey, I'm Irish Catholic, we do a lot of those kinda prayers, asking Saints to ask God to help us out - because we figure they are really on His good side, more so than us earth-bound sinners, and He will listen a little closer to the good Saints.

Anyway, I ran out in the 26 degree morning air and Helga was in the run. She made her nice chicken noises at me, and then hopped into the nest box, to lay her egg of the day.

I owe Gunner an apology. He wants to herd the birds, and scares them when he does, but he did not injure any of them.

Do any of you know anything about dogs who want to herd things? I need to understand what Gunner is trying to do. We are pretty sure he is a border collie/lab mix, and the border collie part of him is very strong!

This morning, in about a 5 minute session, I taught him to roll over. He is very quick!

Posted by Beth at 8:16 AM | Comments (5)

January 11, 2008

Farms make you exercise! (or what happened to Helga?)

So, today I planned to rearrange the living room, do some laundry, vacuum and clean the bathrooms when I got back from my massage/haircut/color job on my gray hair. It's no longer gray, but that is about the only thing I got done today because of .....

Critters. The critters made my afternoon crazy. I'm so pooped that I just poured myself a glass of wine, hoping to slow my heart rate to a normal speed after running all through the pasture, barn yard, front yard and back yard.

It started out as a walk out to the pasture to check on the horses - I had not laid eyes on all of them at once for a couple of days (they really like the far side behind a hill or two and the pond and the woods). Gunner, as always, needed some exercise, so I took him with me. Kiki followed slowly behind (she has a neurological injury that affects her left rear leg, so we are trying to keep her as quiet as possible to see if the steroids she is taking can help her).

And yes, I love parentheticals. I think that way (you know, always going off on tangents).

Anyway, the dogs and I headed across the road that bisects our land and I climbed through the barbed wire fence to go check out the horses and to cut the nylon cover on the round bale off, so the horses can get at the hay. Gunner and Kiki were very, very good, and stayed right with me. This end of the pasture is a soggy, muddy mess. The snow and ice and rain of the last few weeks have really done a number on it, so it is treacherous going.

We made our way over to the small stock pond, and I spotted Willy, grazing. Pretty soon, he saw me and started to stroll over to say hi. Pretty soon, all 12 horses came over to check me out. I pet them and checked to verify that Petey still had his shoes on (if you have never owned a horse who needs shoes, mud is the number one cause of lost horseshoes - it just sucks the shoes off their hooves!)

Gunner and Kiki were still being very good, in fact Gunner was just laying down watching.

When I was done with the horses, I headed back toward the barn, Gunner ran ahead and lost his fricking head and chased after the guineas and chickens (they all free range from morning until sunset.)

Damnit! Gunner cannot resist trying to "herd" the guineas and chickens. By the time I had sloshed through the mud and puddles in the pasture to the barn, Gunner was no longer in sight. I called and called and called, but he must have been ignoring me, as he did not come back. It was then that I realized I was missing one of my hens, Helga. She lays the prettiest brown speckled eggs, and she is the biggest of the hens.

I started searching for her - the other hens and Rocky the Rooster, following as I checked under bushes and behind the barn and in the coop.

I was getting pretty damn mad at Gunner - had he killed my lovely Helga?

I didn't even try to count the Guineas - they had flown off in several directions, ungraceful as they are, and they can normally get up into a tree to avoid bad, misbehaving dogs who think they can herd birds.

I gave up, and went into the house, with the intention of feeding the cats and Kiki, the only obedient dog around this farm!

I figured I'd go out on the deck to see if I could locate Gunner or Helga from a higher spot.

I spotted Gunner, about halfway down a rather treacherous hill behind the house. I called him, and he did not move. I thought, "Oh, shit, he must be feasting on Helga, my wonderful big, black hen who lays the best eggs ever".

I called him and called him, and he would not move one iota. Damn dog. So I walked down the hill to grab him and make him come up to the house.

I was about 2 yards away, and I saw a bird - only it was a guinea, not my hen. Gunner was very proud of himself - he had found the guinea and would not leave it to come to me. I was afraid that the bird was dead (it was Bill, the Guinea). But as I got closer, I could see the bird breathing, playing dead, I think. I picked him up, and his eyes opened and I could feel his little heart beating like crazy. I carried him up the hill, checking him out, and I saw that there were no visible wounds, and there did not appear to be any broken bones. Gunner continued to walk with me to the Chicken/Guinea Run of Argghhh! I set Bill down by the bird food, and he stood up, and ran into the coop. So he is okay. Apparently Gunner felt it was his job to watch over him, after he scared him half to death!

So, now I'm not sure if Gunner is responsible for the absence of Helga or not. He just ate all his dog food, so whatever the case, he didn't eat her. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if she shows up for dinner tonight. (her dinner, not mine).

I did find a piece of a Chinese newspaper on the ground close to the Run of Argghhh!- could a Chinese chef have come and stolen my hen? Is this the beginning of a true mystery, or a murder story?

Or is Helga safely in the bushes across the street, with the horses?

Stay tuned ...

Posted by Beth at 4:34 PM | Comments (1)

January 9, 2008

Roosters have feelings too!

Ad you might remember, Satchmo, my White Crested Black Polish Rooster, has been living in our garage because Rocky, my Plymouth Rock Barred Rooster, and the hens were trying to kill him by pecking at his head - they pulled out quite a few of his crest feathers, and drew blood.

So, Satchmo has been confined to the garage to recuperate. His feathers are growing back nicely, but his appetite is off, and he seems to be depressed.

John was a little worried about him, so I thought I'd go in and spend some quality time with him. Yes, he is a rooster, but apparently, he needed some attention.

I picked him up, walked over to a chair and held him on my chest and just petted him and spoke to him softly. Pretty soon, Satchmo was actually snuggling with me, making his little rooster noises very quietly.

Then he climbed up to my shoulder and did not want to let go, so I walked around the house with this silly rooster on my shoulder. He even let John pet him.

I need to find Satchmo a little bantam hen who won't try to pull his feathers out so he wont be lonely any more.

Then, I'll have to build him and his honey their own coop in a separate run, so the full-sized hens and rooster won't pick on him ever again!

In the meantime, John and I need to give Satchmo some extra attention each day, and let him feel loved.

Yes, this is corny.

Posted by Beth at 8:36 PM | Comments (5)

January 6, 2008

Guinea flying

KCSteve asked if Guineas can fly straight up to a tree, or do they have to fly to the lowest limb and then make their way up higher.

I remembered that I had a picture of one of the guineas flying to the roof of the barn. It ain't pretty, and I think they may be defying the laws of gravity:

Yes, this guinea is flying up, not falling down after being shot!

Posted by Beth at 10:01 AM | Comments (3)

January 4, 2008

Guineas hanging out in the front yard trees

Posted by Beth at 8:38 AM | Comments (3)

December 7, 2007

Pictures

I spent a lot of time outside today. I'm thawing out right now, so while I'm getting warm, I thought I'd share some of the pictures I took today.

I really like this one of Ruby and Rocky - it reminds me a bit of American Gothic - only chicken style!

The guineas are not fond of the snow, so they have gathered under the deck, next to the basement windows. They are complaining loudly about the weather:

I hauled a couple of bales of hay to the horses out in the pasture this morning. Most of the grass is covered with snow, so they need hay. Below are some pictures:

Petey looks like a lolhorse in this pic:

Posted by Beth at 12:22 PM | Comments (5)

November 29, 2007

Farm Life

I am finally feeling a lot better about losing my job. I found this week that I could actually complete some projects!

I have been working on building nesting boxes and installing it on the outside of the coop for - um - awhile. Yesterday, I finished it! And I was very please to see that 2 of the hens figured out what it was and laid their eggs there, only the bedding was not thick enough for one egg - it was cracked at the end, so I have added more stuff to the boxes. The chickens really like to relax in these old planters I have - they seem to like the cocoa fiber that lines the planters, so I took the liner out of one of them and put it in the nesting area.

I have been spoiling the fowl - it was only 22 degrees this morning, so I made them a whole bunch of hot oatmeal with milk and sugar - they loved it!!

Actually, they love just about everything. What's very handy is that I no longer have to worry about trimming the grass around the house or barn - the chickens have done it all for me!

Satchmo has learned to climb the steps to the deck. When he wants me to come out, he crows from the deck. I swear, the bird grins at me!

The temperature got up to 47 degrees today, and it is nicely sunny. I replaced the weather stripping on the back door this afternoon - the old stuff was as brittle as glass. I think the new should really help with the draftiness. I still need to do the door to the garage, the front door and the door from outside to the garage. I have not checked the door from the basement to outside yet, so I guess I'll check that.

We have new French Doors in the bedroom - they seem to have a pretty tight seal, so I'll not worry about them - the windows, however, are very drafty. I have been putting off putting up the quilted curtains( I got the red floral) I got at great expense because Plow and Hearth screwed up and only sent one curtain rod. I finally just went to Wal-Mart and got a couple of very nice curtain rods for less than half of what Plow and Hearth charges for theirs. I love the stuff Plow and Hearth carries, but I'm not impressed with their customer service!!

And I will, of course, buy more from them in the future.

John is a bit chagrined that my decorating desires have turned kinda countryish. Well, darn, we are in the country now! So, even though I have fallen in love with chickens and roosters (Venomous Kate will laugh so hard at this!), I will not buy the quilted rooster wall-hanging that would be perfect on the wall in the hearth room across from the fireplace.

I do want to remove the ivy border in the hearth room - and I'd like to paint this room eventually. And naturally, I want to paint it RED!!!!! But I need to do much outside first.

I only have 4 chickens and two hens and I'm already planning to add to the flock in the spring. I figure I'll double the size of the Chicken Run and build a real 8x10 building and put the big chickens there, and my current coop can be converted to use as a brooder and as a coop for Satchmo and other bantams that I need to get to keep him company, and the guineas, of course, assuming they are still coming in every night.

I am sure I can sell the fresh eggs from free range chickens who leave the chicken runs early every morning and don't return until about 4 pm at night.

Also, all my chickens have names - I think it would be fun to have a picture of them on the egg cartons with their names. If it doesn't cost too much!

I have not yet gone for my daily walk, so I'm going to head out now and check on the horses. Major has a black pregnant mare who was looking a little wobbly earlier, she is getting pretty big. I don't know when her due date is, but if she looks to be in labor, I'll bring her into the barn.

Posted by Beth at 2:58 PM | Comments (1)

November 27, 2007

Farm Life

So, the dogs started barking like crazy. They were in the living room, throwing a fit! I went it to see if someone was at the door - there were 10 Guinea Fowl at the doorstep, on the picture window ledge, on the rocks, everywhere - they were admiring their reflections in the window. I must buy them a mirror and put it over by the barn so they can admire themselves there!

Posted by Beth at 12:05 PM | Comments (1)

November 25, 2007

Sunday Morning Walk

John and I went for a walk this morning. We have been taking a lot of walks lately, it is a good way to check on the fields, the streams and the horses!

It was pretty cold when we started out, but we quickly warmed up as we walked. I thought I'd share some pictures with you, so you can get an idea of how pretty the lands of Castle Argghhh! are.

This is on the top of the hill that overlooks the big pond:

After walking around the pond, through the woods, across the creek and up another wooded hill, we end up here:

Our intent is to check on the horses, but there are no horses yet.

Finally, Petey shows up:

And then Willy:

And then the rest of the herd starts milling around, hoping for treats (which, of course, they got!)

It was a lovely, yet cold, morning. Hope all of you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Posted by Beth at 2:04 PM | Comments (2)

November 20, 2007

Autumn is a great time for exploring!

John and I explored our creek over the weekend. The leaves and weeds are nearly gone, so we can see the ground and manage to walk in and along the creek bed.

Here is one of the pictures of the creek:

Posted by Beth at 1:36 PM

November 5, 2007

This is my new rooster!

When Major and his brother, Andrew, came over to put a wire poultry netting roof on my chicken/guinea run, they brought me this cute little rooster. His name is Satchmo. He is so tame, I can pet him and pick him up and one of the guineas has taken a real liking to him - I've been told that guinea fowl can mate with chickens - wouldn't that be a sight to see - a 1/2 guinea 1/2 Satchmo chick?

Posted by Beth at 5:43 PM | Comments (6)

November 2, 2007

Weather too good to spend time blogging!

It's November, and with cold weather just around the corner (we have already had a hard freeze), I have a bunch of building chores to do. I am finally shingling the chicken/guinea house, and I'm building nesting boxes and I'm going to enclose the run with chicken wire on top. I have three nice days to get this done.

In addition, Major has switched out some of his horses and my horses, Willy and Petey, are having some pecking order issues with a couple of very nice black geldings - one of whom looks to be recently gelded (by his neck size and his attitude). I've patched up a couple of bites and cuts, but I think they are now settling down and getting along with each other.

Speaking of pecking order, Rocky, our Barred Plymouth Rock rooster, has decided that he needs to also lead the guinea fowl. The guineas do not quite understand this, and look at him quizzically as he tries to heard them around.

Kiki and Gunner spent 6 hours exploring the farm - 6:00 am until noon! I was getting worried, and I looked around and the two of them were right behind me.

And Smudge, the outside cat, has decided that her job is to watch all the birds. The horses were just a bit too big for her to keep an eye on.

I need to get back outside. I promise to bring my camera with me, so I can post some pictures of all the goings on at Castle Argghhh!

Posted by Beth at 11:47 AM

October 21, 2007

Oh boy! New critters added to the poultry yard!

Major just dropped off 4 hens and a rooster! Woo woo! They are in the guinea's pen, and all appear to be ok with each other.

I'll take pictures. Oh, and John, I will take pictures of the vault - I was just messing with you on the phone!

Posted by Beth at 6:13 PM | Comments (2)

October 13, 2007

Farm update

I have really been bad about recording what's going on here at the farm. The land is incredibly beautiful. In fact, a neighbor and his son rode their horses over the other evening and he thinks this is the prettiest property in the county. I have to agree. I have started hiking through the woods and pastures, and I am amazed at how much beauty there is.

The horses are really helping to clear parts of the undergrowth in the woods by making trails through the trees. So I can now walk through them without getting stuck with thorns, etc.

I have been taking early morning walks (unless it is raining, as it is today!) Here is a picture I took a few days ago at dawn:

If you would like to see a larger version, click on the picture, and it will take you to my Exposure Manager pages.

Posted by Beth at 8:48 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 30, 2007

Farm stuff!

I learned how to drive the tractor yesterday! I cannot believe how complicated it is. You have to worry about hydraulics and all kinds of stuff. But I did manage to mow a bunch of weeds down. Took me a long time, those tractors move pretty slowly. I also managed to discover a tractor weight from the previous owner - the mower hit it - and some rocks. We have some pretty rocky land. I think I'll see if John can raise the cutting height to something like 8 or 9 inches off the ground - maybe even 10 inches - that way, the mower will miss most of those rocks!

John put the round pen up for me yesterday. At least most of it - we are going to use it as a temporary paddock for Willy and Petey until we finish the stalls (if I can get the postholes dug and the posts set today, I can finish the stalls tomorrow).

John got the 150 gallon stock tank filled with water and set up with a float that will keep the water level even.

John hurt when he got up this morning - I'm causing my sweet husband pain with all this moving stuff and horse stuff and farm stuff.

Oh, Friday evening - around 7"00 pm - it was so, so cool - I could hear the honking of geese, but I could not see them - then they flew around the barn and over the house - they were flying so low that I could actually hear their wings flapping. They were most definitely headed south.

The hummingbirds left on the first day of Autumn. It was weird - one day, I have humming birds everywhere, the next day, they are all gone, and they are different species, so it was even weirder.

I have limited time to spend on the internet right now, as I have to drive back to the house in town to use it until AT&T gets their act together and sets everything up at the farm!

Today, we bring the horses home!!! And, I have to get all their tack and stuff from the stable at Ft. Leavenworth to our new home.

Very exciting for me!

Posted by Beth at 8:19 AM | Comments (7)

September 27, 2007

Moving - oh, how I hate moving

The movers will be here at 8:30 am or so tomorrow morning. They will only be taking the stuff we want to keep that we can't move ourselves. But, I have to have all the booze out of the bar, all the appliances out of my huge Southwestern pine armoire in the kitchen, all the stuff off of my handmade mexican tile table (the tile is hand made, and I hand made the table top) and so on and so forth.

Major dropped off a couple of his horses last night - but they are not within sight of the house, they must have wandered far back into the acreage - there is a lot of grass for them!

My horses, Willy and Petey will come to the farm on Sunday. The cats, tomorrow, the dogs, tomorrow.

I have a shitload of work to get done, and John is hauling a WWII Jeep Willy's to a parade this evening, the brat! I'll be working my ass off while he is getting to play with his friends.

He

Will

Pay.

I need boxes. and help.

damn.

Posted by Beth at 4:14 PM | Comments (6)

September 23, 2007

Reflections on being neighborly in the country

I feel like I've been struck by lightening. After living in cities and suburbs and towns my whole life, I finally understand what it is to be a real neighbor when my closest neighbor is nearly 1/4 mile away.

We have neighbors right next door in town. I have always tried very hard to be neighborly - giving them tools to borrow, sugar, aspirin - trying to give their kids some time with the puppies and cats, but we rarely even got a thank you back from them.

Out at the farm, I have learned that people help each other. If you do someone a good turn, it does come back to you, a thousand times over. John saw that our neighbor's US Flag was getting old, so he gave Allan a new flag.

Allan noticed that I had broken the lawn mower, so he mowed our law.

Major needed pasture for his hoses, I needed help with all the work of getting this rather neglected farm back in shape - so we help each other out!

Allen, our contractor, needed some land to release quail and hunt them. He noticed that I need shingles for my chicken coop roof. He is bringing me shingles that he has handy, and John is going to let him hunt on our land.

And it is so, so easy to be neighborly out in the country. I don't dread hearing a car drive up the road. (If anyone is driving up the road we live on, they are coming to see us, because we are the ONLY people living there! (or almost living there)).

Here in town, it seems more of a one-way street with our neighbors. We give them all kinds of things, from jump starts at 5 am to letting them use our lawn mower every week. But after awhile, I feel a bit used - for they don't give anything in return.

Perhaps that is why welfare is so damned useless. We give to people who need help, but they have no opportunity to give back. And they should. It would be so much more neighborly, don't ya know?

Posted by Beth at 7:34 AM

September 21, 2007

Great Advances at the farm this week!

The very nice young man who works at Horse Country (our local feed store and animal supply and tack store), came out to the farm yesterday to help me with the chicken run. I now have a completely enclosed run (except for a roof, which we can take our time on.

Major, young man's name, has about 40 horses 30 miles north of the farm. He has 6 or 7 young horses that he is going to start training, but with the price of gas, it's expensive for him to drive up there every day.

So, we made a deal. Major will bring 6 or horses to our farm. They are pasture horses, so they don't need anything for shelter, or anything other than the acres and acres of pasture that has not been touched for a couple of years.

In return, he will help me get things done around the farm. Like the chicken run, stalls, fencing, corrals, etc. Plus, I get to play with young horses and watch this remarkable young man (he is only 20), train his horses.

If I'm lucky, maybe I'll be able to save enough money to purchase another horse - one that I can ride around without fear of being bucked off (Petey's a real pain if he is in a mood).

Anyway, I drove him around the farm today on our Polaris Ranger, and we decided that the fencing on a good chunk of the land is pretty good. The fencing close to the barn and house, though, sucks.

I'll publish a picture of the chicken run (with a door, even!!!!!), later on today.

Posted by Beth at 4:25 AM | Comments (4)

September 19, 2007

Little green bug on wildflower

Posted by Beth at 5:51 AM

September 9, 2007

The awful part of living in the country

Sometimes, critters get killed by other critters. Yesterday morning, as we pulled up to the house for a day's work, John commented that the guineas were out - which should not be possible, as they had been nailed into the semi-finished chicken coop the previous night (I do this every night, as I'm having real trouble figuring out how to make a door). Well, I've been using hardware wire, and apparently, evil racoons pulled the wire away and killed some of my keets. John counted body parts that added up to about 4 birds, but there were only 9 keets hanging around.

Eventually, other keets, who had run/flown into the fields and woods to escape the marauding raccoons (most likely a sow and her cubs, according to Major - the nice guy who works at Horse Country and also does lots of side jobs - I have him signed up to come and help me on the 20th of the month) showed up and rejoined the flock.

One of the keets found her way back to the barn, and couldn't figure out how to get to the coop (on the outside of the barn) and started making that very loud "I'm unhappy and separated from my family" noise that they make. It was quite a challenge to catch her and take her back to the other birds. Good thing no one was shooting a video - our lack of athletic talent would have been pitiful to watch!

Anyway, that is the way of the farm. I'm still hoping that maybe one more keet will return home.

It is taking me too long to finish this project. I'm depressed enough that I find myself taking too many breaks that last too long to simply sit and worry and fret about having lost my job. But John is right, I hated the job. I whined about it, and the poor man had to listen to me whine. I have to pull myself out of this funk so I can finish getting the farm ready for us to move into.

Posted by Beth at 6:21 AM | Comments (7)

September 7, 2007

While taking my daily walk

In between my rather mediocre efforts at building a suitable chicken run and coop for my guinea fowl, I take walks. I have started bringing my new, and ever so wonderful Nikon D80 with me.

Thistles are a scourge on farmers. I had hoped they were all gone, but it looks like a few more popped up. I need to chop them down, but it is very hard to do that when they attract so many butterflies. Butterflies love thistles.

Posted by Beth at 6:18 AM | Comments (7)

September 6, 2007

Keetergarten update

Short note - I'll remember to bring the camera home tonight so I can download pictures - yesterday, whilst I was doing some stuff in the house, all the keets got out of their quarters. Every single one.

I walked outside, and there were 19 keets having a blast eating bugs and whatever else they could find.

Fortunately, my little flock all stuck together, so after I let them play for about an hour, I just had to walk behind them and guide them back into the coop. Which I have to finish.

Advice to all - have your critter housing ready before the critters arrive! They grow faster than you can imagine!!!!

Posted by Beth at 6:45 AM

September 4, 2007

Power Tools!

I never would have thought it would take this long to build a decent chicken run and coop. But, I'm just learning how to build some things and just getting used to some of our power tools.

Today, I mostly used our Porter Nail http://www.epinions.com/content_70965366404Gun. We bought it last fall when we were putting together our garden shed. I was scared to use it then, but now, I'm very comfortable with it - you just have to understand how it all works. And you have to understand that it quits working when there are 5 or fewer nails left.

The first time that happened, I spent several hours trying to figure out why the nailer would no longer work. Checked the compressor. Put oil in the nail gun. took the 4 nails out and put them back in. Still wouldn't work.

Today, I thought that maybe it just wanted more nails. I put them in, it worked! Woo hoo!

Posted by Beth at 9:31 PM | Comments (1)

September 2, 2007

SWWBO Lives!

She's just busy, what with Keetergarten and building the Guinea Coop of Argghhh!

Which she is determinedly doing herself, with me occasionally functioning as an extra hand.

But not often. This will be SWWBO's baby for her babies!

Posted by John at 7:30 PM | Comments (2)

August 25, 2007

The first day of my farming life

Well, kinda anyway! I woke up very early (3:00 am) and after putting the dogs out and letting them in and trying to go back to sleep, I just gave up and went to Walmart to get some Pine Shavings for the Keets (the paper towels get too wet and icky now that they are growing like crazy!) and then I drove out to the farm and cleaned their brooders.

I checked on our bedroom, and it is so close to being finished!! The flooring is mostly down, the painting is finished, all that will be left is for the molding and the new doors to go in. YAY!

Then John and I can start moving things out there.

The basement has been started, but I did not go to check that out, as I had an appointment for a massage, and I wanted to get back home. I'll check it this afternoon.

I washed my car and cleaned all the dust from the gravel off of all the places that darned dust managed to get! Now, I am getting ready to go trade my car with John's truck (he is at work today) and then to buy some wood and stuff and go out to the farm to work really hard at finishing a chicken run and coop for the guineas!

I'll check in later. Hope everyone has a great Saturday!

Posted by Beth at 12:44 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

August 19, 2007

Updated remodeling update

Yes, that title is a bit redundant. That's why I like it!

The bedroom is coming along nicely. The built in shelves are great and the walk in closet behind them is looking fantastic, too!

There will be a pocket door between the bookcases - here is a picture so far - please note, the color on the wall is a primer, not the final color!

Posted by Beth at 11:15 AM | Comments (2)

Updated pics of keets!

Took these pictures of the keets on Friday - these are the youngest bunch. The original two, Georgia O'Keet and Mandy are actually growing their first real feathers on their wings. I'll try to get a picture of that today, with John's assistance.

Posted by Beth at 10:10 AM | Comments (4)

I was trying to be helpful, really

The grass needed mowing badly - the temperature had finally broken and it wasn't raining. I was out at the farm to build my guinea coop, but the grass was so long that I was startled by a snake whilst walking from the house to the barn, so I decided to mow first.

At least I got a lot of the yard mowed before I did this. I broke it. Still have to build the chicken coop - I'll do that today.

Posted by Beth at 10:05 AM | Comments (3)

August 18, 2007

quick note

On my way to farm to build a house for the guineas.
The interview seemed to go well. I have my fingers crossed.
I have more interviews next week.

Gotta go now, or I'll never go!!!!

Posted by Beth at 8:32 AM

August 12, 2007

Guinea Keets

Posted by Beth at 7:53 AM | Comments (11)

August 10, 2007

News from the Donovan Farm

This afternoon, after 4 hours of interviews, I looked at my calendar and realized that this was the first hatch date for my guinea fowl eggs, and I had not set up the brooder for the keets (baby guineas) yet. Also, the automatic egg turner was still on, and I had visions of poor little mangled birds dead in the contraption.

So I raced out to the farm, after stopping to get the medicated chick starter and I also brought Kiki with me (our blab - half bloodhound, half lab). We got out to the farm, and Kiki jumped out of the car and started chasing S'mudge - our barn kitty - S'mudge went up a tree, but later on taught Kiki a lesson by pouncing on her feet from under my car.

So anyway, back to the guineas - I went into the kitchen (where the incubator is) and I could hear cheeping. I was almost afraid to look.
Two keets had hatched. One was definitely okay and all dry and the other was kinda caught in the egg turner, but I grabbed her out of there as fast as I could and held her close to keep her warm while I tried to set up the brooder with my other hand. I think the second one will make it, but I'm so glad I thought to check the calendar and check the dates for my flock to start hatching. There are 4 other eggs with peeps coming from them - and I could see the beaks through the little holes the keets are making.

Anyway, the first and strongest keet is named Georgia O'Keet - unless of course, she is a he, and then it will be George O'Keet. The second one is Mandy.
I have them all set up with a red lamp and water and food in the brooder.

Kiki and S'mudge were very interested in the keets. Kiki was very upset when Georgia was pecking a bit at Mandy, and I was afraid she was going to pick one of them up and mother her to death.

There is a lid on the brooder now, so the keets are safe from the household pets.

I forgot to bring my camera, so I'll run out first thing in the morning and get some pictures - geeze, I hope they live through the night!

Posted by Beth at 8:51 PM

August 2, 2007

She's still alive.

...she's just really busy looking for a new job, and running between here and the farm, and she just bought a new camera, and she's taking tomorrow off to go fixture and finishings shopping for the bedroom remodel - and she promises a farm update, with pics, soon!

Reeeeeeeeeeeely!

[This is John, in case ya haven't figured that out yet.]

Posted by John at 7:23 PM

July 17, 2007

Time for hay . .

Here is my new category: FARM!
(as requested by SeeJane Mom)

This is the time of year when the hay is mowed, raked, baled and brought in. We had one of the Parson's Brothers come and do the work. The deal was this - we got 110 square bales, and he put the rest of the hay in big old round bales, and kept the round bales for himself in payment. Seems pretty fair to me!

It's very nice brome hay. no weeds at all. However, the yield was not what it should have been because it never got fertilized this year due to Mr. Camp's (the previous owner) illness and death.

Nonetheless, we should be able to get by for most of the winter with the square bales (which are actually rectangular) for our two horses. They will have plenty of wonderful pasture until late in the autumn, then we can start supplementing them with hay.

John and I brought some of the hay in tonight, but those bales of fresh hay are pretty heavy, and lifting them up into the Ford 4x4 is extremely strenuous work, so John did the bulk of the work. We still have probably 50 bales to get into the barn tomorrow - Have to try to do it after the dew is off the hay and before it rains tomorrow night.

And then, we will need to move all the hay to the other barn as soon as it is repaired - because I don't want all that hay in the big barn, It makes me sneeze and I'm afraid it could be a fire hazard.

John decided that next time, we are going to have a party to bring the hay in - with a prize to the person who brings the most bales into the barn from the field. And beer. A keg, maybe! That would be a lot more fun, and we can get our friends to share the work.

This is our first crop! John took pictures, hopefully he will get them posted tomorrow.

Posted by Beth at 10:57 PM | Comments (7)