If I see it all written out, will I be able to tend it better? Lets c

[rhoda_bruce]

I'd say thats probably it. Seems it has a nice smell, but I'd have to pay better attention when the time comes. Looks like it gets flowers often, but just a few and then in spring.....full bloom.

 

[Denim Deb]

Personally, I can't stand the smell, but others like it.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

Just got in from what has been my daily ritual, these past few days......things really looking good out there. Well while I was cleaning around the hives, I noticed some strange activity with the bees. I was scared they were thinking on swarming and me not ready with a catch box. DH had said we needed to go flip boxes when our off time starts, and this has been part of why I'm out there....although he doesn't think I need to clean up to flip....I just like having the wagon to bring along as a portable workbench. Maybe its just God warning me not to get lazy. Gotta flip and soon. Don't wanna lose anymore bees than necessary.
I think I got a sting, but a wimpy one. I know that sounds stupid, but really stings don't feel like they used to, plus as cold as its been, I wonder if the stings might not be as mean. I wasn't impressed because I like to get stung about 5 X or so every now and then. It really helps me feel good and wipes out a lot of my pains.
It looks like I'm really sparking the interests of the goats. Like I'm setting out the buffet. The meaner one came in my area and started nibbling on blackberry vines. By the time I came inside, I noticed both of them were together in that area.
Told DH about the muscovies tasting like veil.......he don't believe it. Well I told him I can certainly find out. All I have to do is locate someone selling ducks and if they have one, buy it. I can slaughter a male when I'm doing my drakes. Also discussed Embdens and Jumbo Pekings. He didn't have a problem with the Embdens, but he wants me to find someone who has ducks and just buy some eggs.......indicated that he likes our Rouens. Told him, I'm not sure if the skin will be pretty, but we will see in a few days. Well if I can get eggs, I hope its from a local breeder who has everything separated and I can buy a real nice variety.....including muscovies. Or I can buy a few females.....one rouen, one muscovie and one kaikie. Meat and egg combo. I wonder what the ducks and geese will do if I let them at the bee area. I can use the help with the young ragweed coming up.

 

[pinkfox]

the geese wont bother the bees...

the ducks however might.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I wasn't worried about the bees. I think the guineas are the bigger threat to the bees. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee it. I was wondering if they would eat some of the young ragweed. I chased them all in. After I walked to the house, I could see they were all eating on something. I left the gate opened, so they have free access to that area. Seems like about this time last year, I had goose eggs. Guess it shouldn't be long. I emptied out their water to clean up while I was at it with them. They can sure make a mess fast outta their water. I'm not sure if I ever read anywhere just how often should the water be changed for water fowl. I try to do it every week or two. Its only for drinking. They can't get inside.
DD called me at work, about an hour b4 I was to come home. A Latin American couple was here, wanting a hen to eat. She told them they needed to wait for me, but they wouldn't leave. Not sure if they didn't understand her, or just insisted on staying. I was nervous, but I told her I am only selling the broilers.......explained which one was the cockeral and all the rest pullets. They took the cockeral after all, with a pullet. But I got nervous waiting for her to call me. I made my 8 year old stand by the door looking into the coop, telling me exactly what was going on. DH leaves, and within an hour, I'm off, so they pretty much always have a parent, plus MIL lives with us, but was sleeping and really can't handle that kinda thing. All was fine, but I rather if I deal with my customers myself. I knew the parish was digging ditches in front of our house and because they are my co-workers, I almost called our secretary to explain the situation and make one of our guys keep an eye on DD. Good thing, my off time is about to start. It was a nice couple; just probably a language barrier. Otherwise, they would have waited for me.
Made a real quick gumbo for supper.....tres bien. Gotta teach a little. No such thing as telling them what assignment and turning your back on them and expecting them to do it.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

Got off @ noon for a week.....YeeHaa!! Went straight to work after nourishing myself a bit. I knew right away I must have lost a guinea. Feathers everywhere. I blamed it on a coyote. DH and I heard them howling furthur down the bayou when he was taking me to work. But it was the dog we keep on a run. He got loose a few days ago, but has been behaving......we though. Well, he got caught going nuts this afternoon, chasing them.....nearly got one. I tied him up. On the way back to the bees, I found a dead guinea, with missing feathers. Had not been eaten....just beaten to death, apparently. A few ants is all that ate on it. It was very cold and stiff, so I know it happened during the night or early morning. Not cool, but I do think it was a male, so at least I won't lose eggs.
I'd get rid of the dog, but he sounds the alarm for me, which tells the inside dog to go crazy.....I let her out and investigate, so I'm one of the only houses that haven't been ripped off. But I guess the animal needs to be restrained better.
Worked my butt off today and my feet, legs and back are kinda stiff.
I swear, if I can get all 5 of my kids to have just one serious farm kid week, we can have this place looking real nice, real quick.
In a few hours, DH is off too. Hope we can be productive. He texted me that we have to get the gardens turned, so I know Spring Fever is setting in.

 

[snapshot]

Sorry about your guinea! I hope you have a fun and productive week off!!!!!!

 

[rhoda_bruce]

The incubator is plugged in and has water, so if the temp is right, my araucana eggs are going in. I have only saved 25 in the past 7 to 10 days, so that is my first batch. Guess I will also separate my RIRs from my sex-link project so I can pick up some of those eggs too. Yesterday a returning customer came by for eggs and also asked me if I had chicks and when will I have them, so spring fever is starting up here....gotta deal with it. Looks like rain, but not sure.
Seeings as DH won't be home for another 5 hours and will more than likely need sleep, I guess I'm on my own mostly for the day. I can at least kill my 2 remaining broilers to free the stall.
I caught up on a little flylady chores yesterday and last night. That should make things easier today. The cup is half full.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

Egg saving, incubator temp watching, light cleaning where I see fit. I'm on my 'on week' at work, so don't get here til noon.
I sold off RIRs 2 days in a row, to thin out. It looks like every now and then, the locals get scared over impending doom.....and then I get people who want laying hens. I only have Americanas to sell now and only because I want to improve my araucana flock and do away with all tails, if I can.
Would like to start some asparagas seeds in a big container for a year of growing. After that, I can determine if I've set up enough raised beds to talk DH into giving me the one made with the retaining blocks for an asparagas bed. I figure I'd need either that one, or one just like it because as far as I know, after I plant the year old crowns, I'd still need to go up with the bed and soil to a higher degree and go on burying it deeper over a period of time. I have Mary Washington seeds. I admit I don't know anyone who grows asparagas, but I can see no reason why I can't have a bed of them. I started to grow some before, but I failed to see it through and give it the deep root system I would have needed to. My family can eat up some asparagas. If I can serve it whenever I want, I will consider myself rich, esp with the cost of asparagas....its like the Cadalliac of vegetables.
I don't think my family helps me out enough. I am thinking if I get a little reading material and dvds especially designed for their inspiration to turn them on to farming, it would help me out. MIL doesn't do enough either, but for her, I think its depression.....not sure how to help her with that one....I can do a lot, but I can't bring back the dead or back up time.
Things are starting to get really green fast, so I gotta stay motivated and clean up at least a couple of hours this week to get the garden going. Every year I wonder, 'What if this year, I actually NEED the garden.' And the past couple of years, I hear it in my head louder than usual.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

This week was horrible in some ways....and yet, not really. I am now on my 2nd off day and its raining, but I still want to get outside and do something. I feel like I have to, but I'll stay busy as possible.
It started on the 11th.......my birthday. My mom called me @ work to first wish me a happy birthday and 2nd to inform me that my grandfather had died. Now, I'm trying to stay positive, but you think I'll ever forget this birthday? I'm looking on it like I share a birthday with Grandpa now......me into this world and him, into eternal life.
I plant, weed, harvest......and I think of who taught it all to me, my mother, sibs....it was him. I'm completely out of grandparents. But it was coming after all. 46 year olds aren't supposed to have grandparents. Death is part of life after all.
Let me live this week well, and thus give honor to those that gave their time and knowledge to me.