Now, Where Did I Leave My Body Parts?

There is a common expression, and one I've used personally, that refers to the non-sensical issue of losing an item. It goes something like, "if my head wasn't attached I'd lose that too". Losing anything is frustrating as well as time consuming.

All too often we're in a hurry to get somewhere, or even finish a project. I'm a good one for leaving my tools in odd spots when I'm working in the outbuildings. Since my memory is so vague I spend more time retracing my steps trying to find where I left something than actually getting anything done. Now, if I also had to deal with keeping track of my various body parts along the way, I don't think I'd ever find myself in one piece again.

I can imagine looking for the tape measure and finding one of my ears hidden under a newspaper. Or looking for the hammer and realizing, "oh, that's where I left my toe!". It's one thing finding my coffee cup on a fence post, but to find a butt cheek flopped over the clothesline is another thing.

I've even misplaced a shoe before, but to find the foot I've been missing along with the shoe would really make me question my sanity. Although, much to my relief, I have looked in an old jacket only to find an item I thought was lost for good. But to find where I left my nose would feel like winning a jackpot.

And what about finding lost items on the road? Many of us drive cars so it would be much easier to find our missing body parts in our vehicles. But what about those of us who ride motorcycles? Heaven forbid if we're ever behind a motorcyclist who doesn't have their head on right.

I know I've lost my mind before but at the present time I'm 93% sure it's where I left it. But, naturally, that's not saying I won't lose it in the future along with a few other things. Makes me think that's why fanny packs were invented. Why else would they be used?

                                                                   

5 Things To Do Outside During Rain*

Below is a post from a year ago. It seems rain is popular at this time of year.

I'm trying to look at the wet situation outside in a more positive light. Even though the light out there isn't all that positive. It's more like a dim light in a dark closet. Stupid clouds!

So, in an effort to exude a more positive outlook on this stinkin' Michigan weather I have come up with five things a person could actually do outside in the rain. Now, keep in mind, I'm not saying such a person would be in their right mind, or they haven't been smoking something illegal in most US states.

1. Take a shower.
2. Wash your clothes
3. Give the cat a bath
4. Dig little trenches to drain off the water
5. Put little leaf boats in the trenches and watch them go bye-bye

* Disclaimer: Please do not attempt if you live around neighbors. Check local ordinances for any required permits.

16 Uses For Baling Twine

Oh, what a beautiful day it was! 

Peacock Sr

Waking up to sunshine can’t be beat. Add in the welcoming sounds from the animals and a good cup of coffee and you‘ve got a pretty good start to the day. And, its a toss-up as to who is the loudest in the morning. Between the horse, goats, chickens, peafowl and ducks, I think Ducky is the noisiest. In fact, she gets rather excited when she sees me first thing: she sneezes after she quacks. I find this trait of hers funny. Why would a duck sneeze? It made me think of the expression “nothing to sneeze at“ and where it originated. Take a look here because I’m sure you’ll find it quite interesting. I know I did, and now I’m beginning to think Ducky isn’t so cute.

Ducky & Dizzy

Trouble & Sandy sunbathing

As I sat in the sunshine for a bit this afternoon untangling baling twine that I refuse to throw away, knotting it together and then winding it onto a hose reel I got to thinking of the reasons why I was taking the time to bother. Well, let me count the ways:

1. Use to tie the lid down when hauling something in a vehicle trunk
2. Make braided lead ropes with clips for the horse, goats, cat, etc
3. Use it to make a straight fence line, seed rows or plant a straight line of bushes
4. Weave a floor cloth
5. Tie newspaper bundles
6. Crochet a rug
7. Use it to tie packages.
8. Make a fish net
9. Use it for temporary clothesline
10. Use it for tying down tarps 
11. Hang the chicken feeder
12. Use it for tying down tents
13. Make a string trellis for morning glories
14. Use it for string beans to climb
15. Use wood and baling twine to make a trellis panel
16. Use several strands together to make a hammock

I’m sure there are more uses, and I know there are some who would consider my reel of twine an eccentric habit. But it got me to wondering if anyone else would use my reel of baling twine after I’m gone. Naturally, I will leave it to my son. And I would hope he would gladly use it and think of me. But who would use it after him? He and his wife don’t have any children. Who is going to remember it was me that started that reel of twine? And why am I thinking of this baling twine as one of the two things I'd be leaving to posterity? Do I really want to be remembered as that crazy old woman who had a reel of twine and a sneezing duck?

More Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill

I heard yesterday we have two more months of winter. Therefore, I thought I would add some more ways to save on your electric bill. I had mentioned among other things that if you had a sweater, it would help to keep you warm if you turned down your thermostat. You might want to add three shirts, a pair of long johns, knit cap, mittens, sweat pants, and two pair of thermal socks. Fashion is right up there with interior design when it comes to things we aren't concerned about at this point.

Here are a few more suggestions you might want to consider.

1. Go outside for awhile. It's amazing how much warmer the inside of your house feels at 63 when you first come in compared to -20 outside.
Inexpensive alternative: see number 2.

2. Visit a neighbor within walking distance. Someone else's house always seems warmer than your own. Chances are your neighbor is heating with wood. Or better yet, they're heating with wood and baking at the same time. Now where would you want to be?
Expensive alternative: drive to your neighbor's house.

3. Unplug anything that doesn't need to be plugged in 24/7. There are many appliances that steal electricity when not in use just by being plugged in. For example, tv, dvd player, vcr, radio, clock, modem, computer, and kitchen appliances. Its not difficult to plug something in when you need it and then unplug it when you're done.
Inexpensive alternative: see number 4.

4. Read a book. Turn the heat down more, grab several blankets, a thermos of hot tea and some reading material. Nothing takes us farther away from our current life in sub-zero weather than reading a good book. And its legal in all states.
Expensive alternative: move to Colorado.

5. Carry a flashlight. By doing this you can have all the lights off in your house and still be able to see where you're going. Or, don't use any light at all and practice being blind just in case you may need the experience one day. Note: this may not work if you live with someone else, or a dog. Stepping on a dog bone could cause some discomfort, but stubbing your toe and falling face first over the ottoman because someone wanted to add some excitement to the winter is not a good thing.
Alternative: save on batteries and use a solar flashlight. Then lock the other mammal in a spare room.

6. Turn off the water heater. This appliance can suck electricity faster than a spaghetti eater in a contest. Save the dishes and laundry for every other day or more. Only turn on the water heater long enough to get these chores done, and take a shower. Who needs a shower every day? If you work in a cubicle, who's going to notice?
Inexpensive alternative: set water jugs in a sunny window.

7. Take cues from the cat. Cats fend for themselves rather well and are excellent survivalists. Turn down the heat to where the pipes won't freeze and find the cat. You will have found a very warm place.
Alternative: sleep by the door with the dog.

* Again, Please Note: These tips are suggestions only. Don't hold me responsible if you were trying to plug the cat in instead of an appliance while all the lights were turned off in the house and the batteries were dead in your flashlight.

How To Save On Your Electric Bill*

For those of you who are set up to live without the electric company, I applaud you! I want to be just like you when I grow up. But for those of us who are bound by ball and chain to the electrical current running from our local provider, take heart. There are ways to lower your utility bill even though we are in the tight grip of Old Man Winter with Alzheimer's. It appears he forgot where he put his train ticket in order to get the hell out of Dodge. Maybe, if we all chip in we can carry him to the south pole. They probably wouldn't notice an increase in cold and snow down there...

Anyway, there are many simple steps that each of us can take to lower our electric usage such as turning off the lights in a room when not needed, opening the drapes to a south window on a sunny day and/or lowering the thermostat a few degrees.

But what if you've been as vigilant as the self-appointed Electric Gestapo, and you still can't seem to make much of a dent in your electric bill. Then I would say it calls for some drastic measures! Keep in mind the following suggestions are not for everyone. It requires an open mind, willingness to try, and an outlook on life as one long adventure to a Survivalists Weekend.

Ready? Many of these tips are multi-purpose. Don't scoff until you've tried 'em:

1. Lower your thermostat another five degrees. If you have carpet in your house, stuffed furniture, window curtains, short ceilings and a sweater, then a person can easily survive in 63 degree temps in their home. The softness of surrounding furnishings seem to help in keeping the chill factor at bay.
Inexpensive alternative: heat with wood that you have cut, hauled and stacked yourself.

2. Use heavy fabrics for curtains. The sheer lacy versions are for warmer weather. Get out the quilts, heavy blankets and sleeping bags to use as curtains over windows and doors in the winter. We're not in a home decorating contest at this point.
Expensive alternative: move to Florida.

3. Use rolled up rugs. One thing about winter is you will always find where the cold is sneaking into your home. And under the doors is one of the places it will leak. Rolling up heavy towels or rugs and placing them along the inside bottom of your entrance doors will help in keeping you and your floors a little warmer.
Inexpensive alternative: make the dog sleep along the bottom of the door.

4. Close off any unused rooms. If you don't need the space, turn your spare rooms into refrigerators. It may come in handy when the electric service fails. And, even if it doesn't, put your food in there anyway and turn off the fridge. This will also give you a chance to give the refrigerator a good cleaning.
Alternative: move to a one room hut.

5. Use the outdoors as a freezer. By placing your frozen items in ice chests and putting them in a safe northern location outside away from sunlight (or in an unheated garage/shed) you can turn off your freezer for a few months. This will also allow you to clean the inside of the freezer without rushing to get the food back in before it thaws. Note: the word "safe" is a key word here. Any type of animal will find a way to get to food if not stored securely.
Inexpensive alternative: go on a diet.

6. Keep blankets and throws handy. Place these throughout the house for chill attacks. Or just drag one around like its your security blanket. Sucking your thumb is up to you.
Alternative: where your one-piece jammies day and night.

* Please Note: These tips are suggestions only. Don't hold me responsible if your other half divorces you, your family disowns you, your neighbor wants nothing to do with you, your dog doesn't want to be your best friend anymore, and the cat finds a way to live with the neighbors. I'm only saying...

Chime in if you have found unique, out-of-the-ordinary ways to save on your utility bills. We can all help each other, even if we think you are a little goofy.

Cabin Fever, Anyone?

It's that time of year into winter, between sanity and the deep end, when the idea of counting the hairs on my head would make a perfect cabin fever commercial for Loony Tunes Travel Agency.

The snowdrifts between me and the outside world are getting higher with every passing day of cold, blistering winds that race across the fields west of me. I can handle the snow and cold when it comes to feeding and watering the animals, but when the wind piles the snow right where I want to walk or open the gate, then I would say it's getting a bit ridiculous. Every time I have to navigate over a snow drift or climb over the gate to water the horse I imagine myself as the abominable snowwoman on a trek across Siberia.

Fortunately, the animals seem to be taking this cold rather well. 5-year-old Miss Kitty races around like a kitten on caffeine, and the Peafowl still roost outside at night in the sub-zero weather even though they are provided with roosts inside their house. The goats with their long Angora fleeces munch on hay in their shelter like it was any day of the year. Out in the rabbitry Gizmo and Fuzz are coping with the cold. But then again they would prefer cold to hot weather any day. In the chicken house the chickens are taking the weather in stride and producing eggs after a short hiatus of mutiny in the chickenhood. I know Ducky and Dizzy will be glad for warmer weather when they can play in the water.

In the house, Moose (a Lion Head rabbit) and Herbie the chicken are totally unaware of the cold their kin have to deal with outside. They spend their days keeping each other company listening to the water circulating in the fish tank. With an occasional acknowledgement from Purdy the cat.

Purdy seems to know when I'm getting a touch of cabin fever. Between the two of us we have conversations that usually start by her looking up at me. "Are you staring at me?" I'll ask her. She quietly says "mew". I'll ask what's on her mind.  She responds with a "meOW". I ask her if she really knows what she's talking about. She reaches a paw to my face and quietly purrs.

I think I'll hold off a bit counting hairs...

Out on the (Funny) Farm

Grab something to drink, sit back and relax a bit. This is going to take a while.

I know I should write about events as they happen here on the farm, but I don't always have the luxury. It has been a full spring and summer, and among the many things that kept me moving during that time was tending to the bed and breakfast, mowing grass, planting and watering flowers, working on the caboose and building the deck, operating the thrift shop along with two big sales, refining the Lavender Tea Room space and helping Sandra with a number of teas, getting the pond ready for the liner, unloading the railroad ties and contemplating the location and size of the raised flower bed, working on the outbuildings, and last but not least, tending to the resident critters who inhabit and create an interesting, pleasant world. There have been changes to the animal population here on the farm, some good, some bad. But overall, if everyone is happy, life is good.

Horse of Course! Glory Be!

Among the long-standing residents Glory, the Arabian mare, is always a joy. Her pleasant personality and easy keeping is wonderful in spite of the fact she hates to have her rear hooves trimmed. On my to-do list is working with her so she feels comfortable having her feet handled.

Peanut and Popeye

Popeye

The Angora goat males, Peanut (buck) and Popeye (wether), have been in the west pasture with Glory all summer. They both had their fleeces clipped earlier this year on the goat stand I built, but their fall shearing has been cancelled due to lack of planning on my part and the onset of cold weather. Or maybe it's because I don't have the energy to chase them around the goat yard trying to get a rope around their necks. (Although... I can foresee being able to catch them this winter to trim some of their fleece when they become weighed down with snow and ice).

Peanut

I had a beast of a time getting Peanut's horns through the head
stock on the stand in the spring, and I know they have grown over the summer. Different measures will need to be taken when I shear him next year. In pre-goat-stand-days I have wrestled him to the ground and positioned my leg over his neck to trim his fleece with scissors. Now, I have sheep shears that I brought from Florida this year and I'm hoping the job will go faster than the hour and a half per goat. Hey, I'm learning! It does help to have the right equipment, and any poor soul willing to help.

Peanut is happier now that I put him and Popeye in with the girl goats. Planned pregnancies. I aim to be more prepared next year when the kids start popping.

Sadie and Sarah

Sadie (female goat) is doing well, and she was still nursing ten-month-old Sarah in July when I sold Sarah to a woman from Indian River, Michigan. I don't think it affected Sadie all that much when Sarah left, but it was a sad day for me. She was the first goat birth for six-year-old Sadie, and my first experience of goat labor and birthing; a difficult one too. And Sarah was a joy to watch as she grew to be taller than her mom Sadie.

Removing Sarah's first fleece in the spring was an interesting experience for I found that when I started out trimming with the scissors all I really had to do was pull her fleece off; a sheet of curls with a felted bottom. The result of mixing an Angora goat with a hair goat.

Sarah

With Sarah gone I had to learn how to milk Sadie. Let me tell you that was fun! I think I'd rather like to learn how to bungee jump from the Mackinaw Bridge. But, after both Sadie and I got the hang of the whole process it wasn't really bad at all. She settled right in to the routine, and I was able to squeeze out milk at a good clip.

Pepper and Patty

Pepper

Pepper (female goat) is like the middle child. She is there, but doesn't really get noticed all that much because she stays in the background. Well, with the surprise birth of Patty this year I watch her a little more closely.

Little Patty was totally independent when it came to my attention. She wanted none of it. Born without my help she figured she was good to go. And that she did. I sold her in September when she was six months old to a woman from around the Cadillac, Michigan area. It wasn't so bad for me, but I think Pepper missed her for a few days.

Patty

Now, when it came to milking Pepper after Patty was gone: it was a miserable process til the end. I would have to hold a rear leg with one
hand while milking with the other. I think we were both glad when milking wasn't required any longer.

Rooster, the Ladies and Herbie

2013 pullets

Since I've been raising my own flock of chickens over the last eleven years this is the first year I have had more than one hen set on eggs. Six hens to be exact. They helped hatch out fourteen chicks. Key word here is "helped". The hens totally reared thirteen chicks on their own: set, hatched and raised. I was able to put six young roosters and the year-and-a-half-old white Columbian Wyandotte rooster in the freezer. Makes for some yummy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.

Now as for the fourteenth chick, that is a whole 'nother story. The hen that was setting on it before it hatched started out with seven eggs. But with other hens wanting to lay eggs in the same nest box as she was setting resulted in six of the eggs getting broken, ending with only one egg in the nest. It came down to the last day for hatching. I go out in the morning to find the one egg warm in the nest and no hen. Well, I figured she was getting food, water, a little fresh air. I go back out in the afternoon to gather eggs. And I find the one egg now cold in the nest. No hen. How much fresh air does she thinks she needs anyway?! Great! Twenty-one days wasted and no chicks. "This egg will get tossed".

If there is one thing that still works good for me is my hearing. My eyesight is less than desired, but I can hear a pin drop a mile away as long as my ears aren't ringing too loudly. On this particular day (9/24/13) after I gathered all the eggs I kept hearing a tiny peep. Didn't know where it was coming from until I realized it was coming from the twenty-one-day-old cold egg I was holding in my hand. In my mind I'm picturing the doctor who put Frankenstein together exclaiming, "It's alive!".

As I'm quickly walking to the house with this cold egg I'm talking to it like it needs my encouragement to stay alive long enough to hatch. (At times it really is a good thing I live by myself, and no guests). In the house I turn on the oven light, grab a large pan, add a towel, the egg and thermometer and place it all in the oven, all the while making a mental note that the use of the oven is off-limits for a couple of days. Again, in my mind I'm picturing a new dish titled "Baked Egg Surprise". Not a good thought.

Before I go to bed that night I talk to the egg in the oven. Now, by this time I have named what is inside the egg "Herbie". I'm actually hoping for a male chick that would grow to someday replace Rooster when he is no longer around. In the course of my conversation with the peeping egg I explain there is nothing I can do on my end except keep it warm. I want so badly to open a hole in the shell to help him along, but that can end badly.

The next day I check on Herbie and he's peeping louder than the day

Herbie

before. This is really a good sign. He's alive for one thing, and there's hope he will hatch. Let's just make it quick. I wanna use my oven. All morning long I talk to the egg and it peeps in response. Before I head outside in the afternoon I give it a good pep talk. "Come on, it's up to you Herbie. I can't do it for you. Let's get with the program". It must have worked. I came in early evening and there he was all hatched out and wobbly, still attached to the shell.

So, Herbie spent the first week of his life in a tote in the kitchen with a light. But, with the onset of cold weather Herbie will have to stay in the basement (no electricity in the outbuildings), and he won't go out with the other chickens until spring. But that's not the kicker. Herbie is a pullet.

Moose

Moose

My friend Mary will send me e-mails whenever she receives any that concern animals that people are no longer able to keep. One of the e-mails she sent to me involved a Lionhead rabbit. His name is Moose. After several e-mails with the girl who had Moose, my friends Melissa and Mary stopped by to pick him up in Ann Arbor, Michigan before they headed up to my place for the day on 7/16/13.

Moose is a cute, stocky dude with white and black fur. The fibers gleaned when I brush Moose can be spun and plied to make a soft yarn.

Herbie and Moose facing off

Moose is an indoor rabbit, neutered, trained to use a litter box and lives in the basement with my cat Purdy, and now Herbie. Purdy plays with Moose by tackling him, and Herbie has a blast chasing him around occasionally.

Gizmo and Fuzz

Fuzz

Gizmo, the Angora rabbit, is still going strong. I know he's a couple of years old because that's about how long I've had him. But other than that he could be a hundred years old. He lives in the rabbitry where he has the chickens for company. But since 10/10/13 he has company by the name of Fuzz, a small black Lionhead rabbit, given to me by the father of a son who would no longer take charge of his care.
Fuzz is adorable, and tiny compared to some of the rabbits I've had. I haven't investigated whether Fuzz is male or female. It doesn't matter at this point because I don't intend to use Fuzz for breeding.

Ducky and Dizzy

Ducky as a duckling

I believe I have mentioned Ducky and Dizzy before. Maybe not. My memory is right down there with my eyesight. Anyway, I received Ducky (my guess is Peking Duck mix), when she was just a few weeks old, from Mom back in March of this year. I had the duckling for about a month when I decided it needed a friend. I found a woman in Bentley, Michigan who raises Indian Runner ducks. She had one that was just a week old, and blind. She gave me the duckling and I brought it home.

When the weather turned warm enough in

Ducky

the spring I put the two ducks outside in their own pen. I still hadn't come up with a name for the blind duck until one day as I was watching him walk in circles wherever he went. The name Dizzy just seemed to fit.

Dizzy and Ducky

Being blind, he was easy to catch when he was younger. But now, he has developed acute hearing and he can hear me walking. As he has gotten older though, I've noticed that he can distinguish color and shape out of his right eye, but he is totally blind in his left eye. If I need to catch him, all I have to do is sneak up on his left side reeeeeally quiet.

Back in August of this year I had gone to Canada for a week with John fishing for Walleye and Pike. When I returned one of the things I found new with the animals is that there was a pile of wood shavings in the inside corner of the duck house. In the top of this pile were duck eggs.  At that time I hadn't known if the ducks were male and female. But now I knew one of them was a female, but didn't know which one since I couldn't catch one or the other on the nest. After researching on the internet, I realized Dizzy was a male Indian Runner. That left Ducky as the one laying the eggs.

Ducky finally began sitting on the eggs. She must have figured she had enough.

Ducky's nest

The only time Ducky would leave the nest was to make a mad dash to get water and food, and back she would go again. When the day neared for the eggs to hatch I kept my eye on Ducky to see what would happen. The day came (I had figured 10/15/13) and went. Add a few more days, and I guess Ducky decided nothing was going to happen so she stopped setting. Thanks, Ducky! Leaving me to do away with a pile of rotten eggs.

What's a person to do? Grab a bucket and begin counting duck eggs. Twenty-three to be exact. And as I'm doing my job, I begin pondering the whole situation about these eggs. First of all, I thought it was kind of late in the season for a duck to lay eggs, let alone set on them for close to a month. Second, I never saw Ducky and Dizzy get reeeeally friendly. The only time I saw Dizzy on top of Ducky was when he would trip over her because he couldn't see where he was going. Don't they need to be in water to mate? I guess I need to research the mating habits of ducks. And then at least I would know if there was any hanky-panky going on.

Peafowl

In the month of June my friend Sandra was moving and couldn't take all her peafowl so I acquired three of them, a India Blue peacock and two India Blue peahens. Did you know peafowl are related to the turkey and pheasant? It has been fascinating watching and learning their habits over the summer.

Barred Rock hen and peachick

Prior to receiving my three peafowl Sandra had been getting eggs from her flock of peafowl so she brought over a few to put under my chickens that were setting on eggs at the time. Three of the peafowl eggs hatched on June 23 and 24. Of the three one white peachick lived, and is now 19 weeks old and doing well. I have no idea whether its male or female. Time will tell. In the meantime, it thinks it's a chicken.

Peacock, peahens and peachick

The peafowl must have felt comfortable in their new home, because by the end of July the two peahens were setting on a shallow nest of four eggs. When I returned from the trip to Canada one of the other new things I discovered was a new peachick running around. Once this youngster had hatched the peahens stopped setting on the other three eggs. The new peachick is now over eight weeks old and growing well. Again, time will tell whether it is male or female.

Billie

Billie

When I received Fuzz, the little black Lionhead rabbit, at that time I also inherited from the same people a female, white and black pygmy goat by the name of Billie. She is about the size of Pepper. She has a very nice temperament and has settled into her new home. In talking with the previous owner I discovered Billie is about nine years old and never been bred. Well, since she is now in with the other does who are accompanied by Peanut, her non-pregnancy life may have changed. We'll see what happens in five months with all three does.

Pond Fish

Last year I began catching the bright-colored or uniquely marked ornamental fish from my small pond. I put them in a large 81 gallon fish tank and it sits right inside the side door entrance of the house. I figured it would be a good spot that could hold 850 pounds of tank, water, gravel and fish. Under the wood flooring is cement.

There are two doors from the house going into this room where the aquarium sits, and last winter most of the time the inside doors were closed and I kept blankets over the tank to help keep it warm (the fish do not need to be fed once the water temp goes below about 54 degrees). Well, I learned that this year at least one door must remain open to allow heat into the room.

One evening last winter as I was checking doors I stopped in my tracks by the fish tank. For some reason I wasn't hearing the gentle sound of the filter or water. I gently lifted the corner of the blanket and to my horror the top half of the water had turned to ice. I immediately set up the heater in the room, and after about three days the ice was gone. The fish was fine, much to my relief. But the result of that ice, I'm assuming, did not show itself until months later in July.

Red Shubunkin

It was July 14, 2013 early in the morning when I ventured to the kitchen in my pjs to get a cup of coffee. However, again I stopped in my tracks because I was hearing something that didn't sound right. I open the kitchen door to find water all over the floor from a leak that was spewing out from the fish tank about a third of the way down. My first reaction was to naturally put my finger over the leak to keep any more water from evacuating the aquarium. Ok, now what do I do? I'm standing there in my nighty with a finger on the fish tank unsuccessfully stopping the flow of water. There was a way to go before the water level was down to where the hole in the tank was located. And I wasn't going to let all that water end up on the floor. Or was I? Oh, what the hell! I ran outside to find a hose to siphon the water from the aquarium. What a mess! It took me a few hours to clean up all the water, transfer the fish to the outside bath tub and finish siphoning off the remaining water in the tank.

By August 13 I had repaired the aquarium by removing the old sealant, adding new and letting it cure, filling the tank, adding gravel, set up the filter and add the fish a few days later. So far, so good.

I still have fish in the bath tub because I caught the rest of the fish from the pond, and I will need to move them to the basement for the winter. I'm in the process of getting the pond ready for a liner, and then it will need to be filled and allowed to condition itself for a few months. By spring I figured I can put the fish from the basement back out in the pond.

I look forward to marking one more thing off my list as done...

Beware of Toads Underfoot

Do you ever get the feeling you should have done something right away when your gut was telling you to? Coulda-shoulda-woulda kind of thing.

Not everyone knows this, but I have toads in the basement. I don't know where they come from, but I don't mind them there. I'm sure they get a few bugs every now and then. So, every once in a while I'll see one that has come out of hiding from Toadville. I've gotten acquainted with a few over the years. In fact, last year I put one out in the garden because I figured he was getting too big for his confines.

This morning I came across a small toad that I had never seen before. Since I was working in the basement we crossed paths several times; where he was venturing I'll never know. Something was telling me to put him outside where he could dig in the dirt, and catch more bugs than he could dream. Yeah, I coulda done that. But I didn't.

When I was finished in the basement I headed outside, which by the way, is nice and sunny today. A far cry from all the rain we've had lately. Well, anyway, a couple of hours pass and I head back in the house and down to the basement. I'm used to walking down there without the lights on. Now, keep in mind I'm barefoot; I don't like to wear shoes unless I have to. Can you see where I'm heading with this? I shoulda turned the lights on. But I didn't.

So, what does a person do when they walk barefoot into a dark basement, and they step on an unsuspecting toad? Well, I'll tell ya what to do. First, you yell at the stupid toad they shouldn't have been in the middle of the stinkin' floor! Then, you get a grip and try to get the "feeling" of the toad off your foot. Then scoop him up in a dustpan and throw him outside to the chickens.

Life on the funny farm.

Sideways Chickens

Once again it's the onslaught of brutal gray skies, and enough pouring rain to require a rowboat to feed the critters. After yesterday's rain the wind is blowing hard enough I'm thinking it's trying to knock the caboose off its tracks.

I figure it's time for a Florida Flashback. I can look at the photos and instantly find myself walking the two-mile stretch of road. A far cry from sitting here watching the chickens walk sideways.

Tree at the bend in the road

Stop and smell the flowers

On the edge of the orange grove

Lots of sunshine

Clouds and sun

An Ohio sunset

5 Things To Do Outside In The Sun*

I know it wasn't anything I said in my last post. Who am I to threaten Mother Nature? I'm just a lowly individual striving to maintain a sense of sanity just slightly above the current water level in my yard.

But I do feel rather empowered today. Could it have anything to do with the massive amounts of sunshine I woke up to at 8am this morning? Well, if so, take that Mother Nature! I will NOT LINGER inside anymore than I have to today, I will FLOURISH in the light reigning on my world and I will RELISH THE SPLENDOR of mud ON MY BOOTS!

There. I feel so much better.

Five things you can do outside in the sun:
1. Go outside
2. Roll around on the ground like there's no tomorrow
3. Pee on what's left of the snow and ice
4. Drape yourself over any inanimate object like a sick, drunken sailor
5. Stand on the highest point on your property with your arms raised high holding a shovel and a rake

* Disclaimer: do not attempt if you are at any acceptable level of sanity. Check with local authorities for any required permits.

Sunshine State of Mind Two

I'm sitting here looking out my kitchen window at pools of water. Everywhere. Ever since I got home to Michigan from Florida on Sunday it has been raining since Monday, and four days later it doesn't look like there are immediate plans of the rain stopping anytime soon. I require true sunshine, and the gray days just don't cut it.

It's nice to reflect on the photos I took while in Florida. Sunshine is the perfect illuminating source for the vibrant colors found there. And the various animal tracks I shot are more interesting than my muddy boot prints recently.

Turkey tracks

Bug tracks

Leaf tracks

My shoe tracks

iPod tracks

Bass fishing

Sunshine State of Mind

I've been away...thought I'd tell you just in case you haven't noticed. It was far away from the dreary skies of Michigan to a land drenched in sunshine. Where the color green lasts all year, and flowers bloom in February. The smell of orange blossoms fill the air, and the sound of bees overpower the ringing in my ears. Where fire ants are considered a minority, and humidity can ruin a million-dollar hair-do. Florida: the hanging-off-part of the United States. What person wouldn't grab at the chance to visit? My Mom for one, but that's a whole 'nother story.

Truthfully, it was nice to experience some decent sunshine; the kind that sinks to my bones and chases the chill away...that is, until I get a hot flash and think for the next three minutes how the Michigan cold has its good points.

Walking made up a good hour or two of my daily routine while in the Sunshine State. And on these many walks I would see tracks from various critters (human and otherwise) that intrigued me. And of the hour or two I spent walking and looking at tracks, I would say, a good hour and fifteen minutes were spent reminding myself to "bring the camera next time". Well, better late than never is what I say; I did remember the camera on the last day of my walks.

I was able to take quite a few photos of some recognizable tracks, but there are others that could have been from tiny green aliens for all I know. I flunked my CSI exam so I can't tell you the makes of the tire tracks either. However, if anyone would like to shed some light on any of the track originators, please comment.

I'm posting only a few photos of my trip to Florida, and a few more later. Who wants to look at a boat-load of photos from someone else's vacation? "Ooooo, look at the pretty bug...."

Much needed sunshine

Racoon tracks?

Hog tracks

Vole tunnels?

Turkey and tire tracks

Little green alien tracks