Nate, Cori and the kids are in Honduras this morning. I
remember those mornings as I traveled with my parents and my siblings when I woke
and listened to the sounds of the morning in a different country; not just a different
bed in a different house, but in a different country. I hope the kids feel that
experience this morning. I assume their flight went without issue once they were
able to take off. As I understand it, they were on the plane waiting to seal up
the cabin door when all passengers were asked to deplane. For some reason, the pilots
took notice of the kids and invited them into the cockpit. Since this was their
first time on a plane, I am sure that will add to the overall experience. Blake
stated early on that he wanted to be able to look out the window and see the
what things looked like from that high up. Hopefully, he got his wish. He
certainly got the right seat.
When I got home yesterday evening, the Wycoff’s were there
getting two more of the little piglets. This time from Molly’s litter. That still
leaves us three piglets to sell off. They also gave us five hens from a batch of
chicks recently purchased. We are raising hens and roosters from the same batch
and are also disappointed with the lack of growth in the birds. But we have
allowed ours to continue to grow. The Wycoff’s have killed off the skinny
roosters and started with a new batch of chicks. They did not believe the birds
were worth the feed they were being given. They took five of our skinny
roosters with them. They will not survive the week. With the new hens unfamiliar
with the routine of the coop, it was a bit of a chore to get everyone into the
coop for the night, but we managed to get most of them bedded down properly.
Those that do not adapt will not survive long. Coyotes and coons make short
work of any un-cooped, exposed chickens.
After the Wycoff’s left, I had to do a couple of repairs
for Mama before I was able to get to work on the shop but still managed to get
a portion of the front wall done. The activity does the rest of my body good.
It is not always good for my back but I have faith my back will heal as I continue
to gently press forward with the work I need to be doing on the farm. With us
now at the middle of August, I only have about ten weeks before I have to be
prepared for freezing weather. That time will pass all too quickly and I have
to be careful to get the right things done on the farm to make the best use of
it. As for work, I will be traveling for at least three of those ten weeks
which shortens the timeframe considerably. I am sure it will all work out.
Since Nate and I discovered a wasp nest under the metal
siding last week, I took the tractor and lifted the stack so I could see the
nest. It was a big one. It was the red wasps. I do not know if they are really
more aggressive than any other wasps but I have always held that belief. Maybe
it is because they are red and look angry. Just the gentle lifting of the
bundle of siding got them stirred up but it gave me opportunity to spray the
nest and kill most of them – once they settled down from the initial disruption.
It should be safe to start using the siding now. As with all areas of the farm,
if we leave anything sit still the wasps and the rodents will find a way to
make a home in it; whether it is a bundle of metal sheets, a steel drum, a
pallet or the suitcases in our closet, they will build their nests and store
this scavenged food in any dark, dry place.
Mama is scared of the wasps – regardless of the type – but her
loathing and fear of the rodents is visceral. Unfortunately, having farm animals
only invites them in. So far, her love for the animals has won out over her
hatred for the rats and mice. But that is subject to change at any time. In the
meanwhile, it costs me time to put in barriers, move things around and hunt
down scratching noises in the ceiling and walls.
All part of the fun!
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