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Post by Ozarks Tom on Apr 17, 2024 22:46:44 GMT
Interesting day today. Last week I'd hired a part-time handyman to help with some of the stuff around here I'd rather not do, back problems and all. He worked a half-day last week and was due to come back today for a full day. The first thing on my list was pulling the weeds in the three island flower beds, then in the flower area in front of the house. Imagine how surprised I was to hear him say he couldn't pull weeds, his back wouldn't take it. Yeah, I gave him $20 for showing up and sent him on his way. Who applies for a handyman job on a homestead that can't even pull weeds? An idiot, that's who.
The ducklings we moved to their new, temporary home yesterday have finally gotten the nerve to come out of the little coop. It's a 4'x9' enclosed run with a 2'x2' coop with hay on the floor. I had to move the water and feed about two feet from the coop opening so they'd finally come out. They're still scared of everything, but at least they're not cowering in the little coop thirsty and hungry.
Got the 26 Cornish-X meat chicks moved to the chicken tractor this morning. They're having a ball, sunshine, grass, clear views of everything. They immediately found the two waterers hanging from a crossbar, and the feed trough at one end so no problems so far. We'll process them in another month at nearly 7 weeks.
We'll be heading to Sam's tomorrow morning, my back allowing, and our main purchase will be a lot of garlic. If y'all remember our aggravation with the deer eating our hostas last year in front of the house, well, those darn hostas are sturdy little buggers. They're coming right back after being eaten right down to the ground last year. Sweet Bride read where ground up garlic will keep them away, so that's our project. Hey, if the hostas won't give up, neither will we.
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Post by Tricky Grama on Apr 18, 2024 12:21:34 GMT
Had a lucky table at bingo, one friend won twice & another once. Me notsomuch.
Got up to 87 tho...ack not even May.
Got a few vines pulled but too hot to do much. Got seedlings & new seeds watered. Got some cherry tomatoes flowering!
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Post by Tricky Grama on Apr 19, 2024 12:27:38 GMT
Got more vines pulled. Hoping to check out Tractor Supply for the 'tordon' weed killer Tom uses, supposedly they have it. I guess it would be good to call 1st.
Transplanted 2 cherry tomatoes. Betcha that doesn't work. Got cages around the rest. Lettuce is coming up! THAT will be producing b/4 we leave for ME!
Rearranging the screened porch-waaaay too much out there, too many plants & 2 antique tables that I have no idea where to put. Some time ago brought home an outdoor bench, 2 chairs & small 'coffee' table & I'm trying to fit that in. Spray painted the bench but didn't finish b/c it was either raining or too windy. So have the bench painted & the rest 'natural'. Plus the paint already is fading on the bench. Shoulda bought brush-on.
Went out to eat at fish place w/neighbors. Was yummy. DH got butter/garlic trout that was sooo good & crossed our fingers that he wouldn't get sick. So far so good! All nite w/o the heaves. Finding he can eat catfish & now trout...no more shrimp, salmon, crab. Has had a bite of lobster w/o effects but afraid to try more.
Forgot to mention today is our 38th anniversary!
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Post by cornhusker on Apr 19, 2024 12:51:40 GMT
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Post by Ozarks Tom on Apr 19, 2024 13:29:15 GMT
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Post by themotherhen on Apr 19, 2024 20:18:28 GMT
Tricky Grama, happy anniversary! I chuckled when I saw your post talking about 87° and flowering tomatoes. We're supposed to get snow tomorrow 🙂
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Post by Ozarks Tom on Apr 19, 2024 23:08:15 GMT
Went to Sam's today, and when we got home we had a couple surprises.
One, about half our meat chicks had escaped the chicken tractor. They hadn't gone far, just hanging around outside the wires, but doggone, catching 12 fast chicks takes a team effort. How'd they get out? The ground isn't all that even where I put the tractor together Monday, but we'd put some 2x4s in the low spots. Well, in their curiosity the sheep had moved the boards in one corner just enough for them to escape. Luckily we got them all back in and reset the boards with reinforcements so it won't happen again.
Two, while we were out chasing chicks, Sweet Bride noticed our first lamb of the season. Barbie, a yearling, and not really looking all that pregnant had delivered a lambette while we were gone. Pretty little thing (aren't they all?), and we're expecting to be covered up with lambs in the next week or two. I know, not baby animal posts without pictures, but give me a few more adorable babies and I'll take some pictures.
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Post by Tricky Grama on Apr 20, 2024 11:40:34 GMT
So the sheep are in cahouts w/the chicks! Sounds like animal farm to me!
Had to grocery shop yesterday. Why do I hate that so much? Too much $$$ I guess. Hate to go to 2 stores but aren't that far away. Got some good buys tho. Bacon at 3.99. For a smaller & smaller pkg it seems. Apples .99 lb.
Defrosted some NY strip for dinner & DH grilled it. Yum.
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Apr 20, 2024 14:25:06 GMT
Had to grocery shop yesterday. Why do I hate that so much? Too much $$$ I guess. I used to enjoy grocery shopping, not any more. Even sticking to a list and eliminating or substituting over priced items, I usually end up spending $100 or more. Currently I’m trying to use up meat that’s in my freezers and avoid buying more unless it’s on sale. I could get by a very long time by emptying out my freezers, but I’m afraid if I do so, meat prices will be sky high by the time I’m ready to restock my freezers….or the variety will be minimal. I notice that a number of items I used to buy aren’t on the shelves anymore, or rarely. Don’t know if that’s due to supply or if the cost has increased so much the items aren’t worth stocking. Having to change my diet due to health concerns and being unable to spend time on my feet to prepare healthy, frugal meals is an issue. As is being unable to shop without a handicapped shopping cart, which are frequently unavailable. Grocery shopping is simply a major annoyance anymore and I avoid it as long as possible. |
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Post by Ozarks Tom on Apr 20, 2024 21:22:41 GMT
The flock is growing. Went out at just past daybreak to let the birds into the open run, then let the sheep out of their night pasture. Sure as the world, Sarah was standing there with twins, and Sugar about 20 feet away with twins also. Each had a lambette and a lamboy. But, an hour later Sarah appeared to have triplets, while Sugar only had one, and she was off in the main pasture with it. Of course mamas know their own, and Sarah was pushing a little boy away. We were figuring Sugar had abandoned her boy for some reason, but a few minutes later she came back for him. Watching nature is wonderful, it's always amazing the instincts born into the animals and how they know just what to do although both girls were first timers.
I've been seriously down in my back for the past several days, but we were nearly out of Meat Maker for the chicks. Off to the feed store where they' graciously load my order, but I certainly wasn't looking forward to what comes next. Got the three bags of chick food dumped, and a bag of scratch in the can, but decided my lifting/carrying for the day was over.
I put an ad on Craigslist for part-time farm help and about a half hour later got a call from a gal who sounded like she'd work out. She'll be here (?) Monday at 8am so we'll see. Lots of little projects to get done so maybe this time we'll get lucky and find good help. A couple weeks ago I hired a guy who I shouldn't have, but he touted his strength and experience on farm work. Yeah, he was 63 years old, had a quadruple bypass, and couldn't bend over to pull weeds. Felt bad about running him off, I could tell he needed the money, but doggone, if you can't do the work...........
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Post by Tricky Grama on Apr 21, 2024 12:20:27 GMT
Tom, I wouldn't get anything done, I'd just be watching those cute lambs & moms!
Hope you're hired gal works out. Was a time when I could help...
Won $15 at bingo!
Rained all day & cold! Can't believe it was near 90 the other day. Need the rain, usually do.
Neighbors invited us to go to lunch w/them in Denison-'bout hr N.-at catfish place they say is best ever. We'll see if DH can tolerate catfish. Its kinda close to Choctaw gambling in Ok so I'm sure they'll try to talk us in to runnin' up there too. They're frequent 'flyers' there. We don't let go of $$$ that frequently! But they win a lot. (She won 10K once, couple yrs ago) DH is lucky at Texas hold 'em-has a group of guys who play 1st friday of every mo. But they don't play for big bucks.
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Post by UseLess on Apr 22, 2024 12:09:57 GMT
Good morning. 45°, mixed clouds & sun at 8AM. It's been wet & chilly here. Clear long enough to get out for a walk at least around the block, not suitable to do much outside work. I can get at some dried stems & weeds from my path, but further than 2-3' in, it's a jungle. Don't want to pack the wet soil down. Otherwise pretty much same ol', same ol'. That's not a bad thing. Just when I think I'm done with health appointments, time for the next round. Replacement crown being installed tomorrow. Lessons as usual. Adjudicating solos out of town next weekend. It'd be my luck it'll be a lovely one to be outside working, walking, bird-watching or ?
My mom would have been 96 yesterday. Just doesn't seem possible she was born that long ago, or has been gone this long. This AM I have thoughts, again, of choosing whether I'm keeping or handing along stuff of my folks' that's in the house. I've never, really, chosen my own decor or furnishings. Furnished apartment to items scavenged from the ex's parents, to my folks' house with what's left after the sibs took what they wanted. Luckily (?) the place was crammed, so there's more than enough left over.
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Post by Tricky Grama on Apr 22, 2024 12:51:16 GMT
Speaking of how old your Mom would be...was thinking the other day about my Great g'ma, she died when I was almost 13, she was born in 1873! It just seems weird that I knew someone born over 150 years ago!
Neighbors/friends took us to Denison to a little known catfish restaurant for lunch & it was best ever. Pretty good prices too. & then on to Choctaw in Durant to show us around the casino. Big place! They dropped a LOT of $$$, we don't have that to toss around. And I've never seen the 'thrill' in pushing a button while you watch a $ fade away! At one time Debbie was $50 ahead...I'd've cashed out right then! No, she hit the button til it was all gone. Sheesh.
It was fun being there w/them tho, but I doubt we go again.
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Apr 22, 2024 12:59:55 GMT
Speaking of how old your Mom would be...was thinking the other day about my Great g'ma, she died when I was almost 13, she was born in 1873! It just seems weird that I knew someone born over 150 years ago! My mom just turned 96, doesn’t use a walker or cane, still drives 😱, likes eating out, shopping, trips, going to casinos, concerts, etc. Her one surviving sister is 101…still does all her own cooking & light housework. Their brother is 93 but uses a wheelchair. All 3 are still sharp mentally. Their mom lived to 103, lived at home by herself to the end, with only a little assistance with housework. Either good genes or a lot of stubbornness. 😁 |
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Post by themotherhen on Apr 22, 2024 22:13:12 GMT
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