Like it or not, winter has set in. It was a whole 42 degrees at one point today, but at the moment it is 35 and falling. Earlier a trip out to the middle coop was my intention, so a fresh sheet of black plastic to cover any drafts from the door went up with mostly no trouble. Had to make some strips of wood to hold the plastic down as the wind tends to blow the plastic off the nails. Anyway, that is done. Have been out there to clean the water bowls and fill one up so that they have fresh water tonight. You can bet your bippy that the ones outside will freeze tonight. Have one in the main shed that has a warmer on it. Will also plug in the heat lamp in that part of the coop. They have a flat screen heater, but no light, so the heat lamp will give them light, too. Hoping the other hens do well tonight. Have never had this many hens before, so have no idea how well the ones in the other two rooms will do.
Got tickled at Athena. She was sitting in one of the square boxes that the hens use for a nest. Apparently one of the bigger hens disturbed her, so she got off the nest and was walking around squawking her indignation for anyone who cared to listen. She must have gotten her way finally because a white egg was in that nest later. She is the only one that lays a white egg. She is also my oldest hen. Got her to keep one of the red sex-link hens company after my sister-in-law's dog killed the other hens--all except that one. Chickens are flock birds and don't do well without company. A nice man on the other side of town just gave her to me. Wondered later if it was because she has such an attitude!
Got a shipment from Amazon that they said could not be returned. Wanted a thing to go on the side of the tub in order to be able to pull up more easily. This one might work if both sides are square and are not too far apart, but not even with a board slipped under the side lip will this thing work. Actually, not sure it would work all that well on a regular tub since the screw to tighten it hardly moves at all. Oh well. If anyone wants this one or knows someone who needs it, here it is.
Connie and Rebekah are on their way--driving--home to WF. Please pray for them in their travels. They think they will be here by Thursday. Sent her a message and told her we are looking at a chance of freezing rain on Wednesday. Brrrr. Wish they were already here, but you know the saying about wishes--if wishes were fishes, the whole world would swim. And yes, do realize that the plural of fish is fish.
Know how the cattle feel after winter goes away and the sun warms everything up--and lets grass really grow again. Sitting here nodding my head over the idea of warmer weather, sun shining, grass growing. sigh Just so glad to live in Texas and not in Finland or Russia. Not sure even England would do for an old country woman from Texas. Just blessed to have sunshine as often as we do. Just hope we get rain when we need it this year.
The dogs helped me eat the last of the potato soup--no, they did not get any of the onions. Know better than that. But they will eat a potato from my fingers--each waits patiently until the other has had a bite. Sweet dogs. My life is so much better with these two critters to keep me company. They love each other, too. Wonder how our forbearers made it through the first winters in the New World without dogs and cats. The Indians had dogs, but you can almost bet that space aboard the first ships into North America from Europe would not have been allotted to a dog. Read a story about one of the first women to survive the first winter at Jamestown. She had some hens in cages on the ship that actually lived through the trip. Know what my girls would look like if they had to live in a cage for months!
Have not done enough to be tired, but such is the case nonetheless. Feel as if a nap is really needed, but will resist the temptation to lie down until after the hens are latched up for the night. No sense in getting comfortable and just having to get up again.
The bird for the day is called the Blue-naped Chlorophonia. Somehow can't see myself going to Brazil or Colombia to check it out, but it is a pretty bird. Watched a video of a flock eating bananas in Bogota. They are small and chippy sounding. Guess the folks down there can enjoy them if they set out fruit for them. Will try to remember to attach a picture.
Apparently Jerry has a new friend over at his house who has a little black, fuzzy dog. Naturally it had to come into my yard to do its thing. ARGH! My dogs are not happy about this at all. Not that the old woman is exactly pleased. Maybe his friend will find another place to stay soon.
Since my attitude is almost as bad as the weather, maybe we should call it a day. If God gives us another day, maybe we can have a better outlook.
Rest well my friends. You are loved.
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