UP!

There is a new movie out called "UP". I have not seen it yet, my children all gave it positive reviews. The other night I went out to do chores after dark...it has been so warm that sometimes I am willing to brave the random nocturnal, tree-hung spider webs to avoid working in the worst of the heat. I had decided earlier in the day to let the aforementioned Super Mom hen and her kids free, as keeping them in their "chick box" in the barn was just too hot. Chickens know that after dark, "DOWN" is bad and "UP" is good. So this inventive gal found a place to take herself and her offspring "UP!" Occasionally with a frightened peep, one would tumble down, only to clamber back up. Too cute!

Murphy's Law #3,478

Murphy's Law #3,478, which I believe states "If you spend alot of money and time doing a car repair at home, there is an inverse effect on the car's life expectancy". The corollary to this law states, "if said car repairs where done in 99 degree weather, the life expectancy of the vehicle is even shorter". Here at Rock Farm we are blessed to have the man of the house quite talented in the repair of all things motor. In preparation for his upcoming deployment, he spent the entire weekend replacing the brakes and struts on my Taurus, so it could continue to be the dependable vehicle it has always been. Being far more familiar with things four legged than wheeled, I had no idea how complicated replacing struts can be. He labored for the better part of 2 days, and also had to spend time after work Monday. All in 99 degree heat. At last the job was finished. Today during an errand run to town, I returned a special tool to help install struts that we had rented from the car parts place. When we left for home, our 17 yr old decided to drive. At the curve on the dirt road close to home, with a Y shape "intersection", tall weeds, and limited visibilty, the Taurus met its fate. In what felt like a long time, but was probably a second, we collided head on with a Lincoln Continental. Seat belts are mandatory in our family, and they did their job. Both vehicles were demolished. We walked away with very sore necks and chests, praising God that we were intact.

On the other hand, maybe it was Murphy's Law #4,653 "If you try to bring four Sonic Route 44 drinks home (extra big) you will get exactly what you deserve!"

They are not designed for high impact crashes.

A Case of Mistaken Identity...Or Home Delivery?

Here is the problem as I see it. I have a chicken who thinks she is a cat. Or....she is extremely helpful and wants to provide us with home delivery of her eggs. This carpeted cat hideaway is right outside our door. Now the hens love to try and steal cat food in the morning. A couple enterprising gals either identify too strongly with cats now, or they are trying to convince me that is alright for them to hang around the cat bowl...by providing Home Egg Delivery.

Hard Time in the Garden

Boy do you pay a price if you do not stay on top of those garden weeds. Yes I should have mulched better....it would help alot. ThursdayI spent two solid hours chopping/hoeing/pulling weeds, all of which the goats dearly loved. I thought it might be interesting to see what I brought in from our little farm that evening. Martin the bottle baby goat wants to be involved in everything now. This will buy him a place in the goat pasture with the rest of the caprine gang very shortly.

Anyway, the Chinese pea pods are still producing but tapering off. The broccoli and cauilfower is still making. The hens continue to do their duty. There were blueberries, a few from these new little bushes, and very sweet. They did not last long enough to be photographed!

As for the violet blossoms, who would have thought potato blooms could be so pretty? Clearly I am enjoying beginner's luck, as my potatoes did not rot in the ground like those of so many more experienced potato growers.

Summer Walks Of An Evening

"Of an evening" was term I had not heard before I moved South. It seems most often be used in conjunction with "I'm going to sit on the porch (of an evening)" or "why don't you come by sometime (of an evening) and we'll visit awhile". Well, in this sweet part of early summer, we try hard every day to "take a walk of an evening". The walk usually involves all four (yard dogs, two or three kids, and at least one goat. The smell of wild honeysuckle is in the air, birds are calling, and the occasional cow is heard lowing off in the distance. The slanted light is cooler, and makes the green so brilliant.

Yes, that is baby goat Martin her arms. His little hooves got tired.

She Could Have Been an Easter Bunny...

.....because she sure can hide eggs! Yesterday after a fast errand run into town, we got out of the car and heard peeping sounds. Now it had rained hard the night before, so I was wondering what chick had gotten loose, and lost, in the rain. Well, under the carport, under a kid's wagon, was a secret place. One of the Buff Orpington hens had hidden, and after 21 days successfully hatched, 15 chicks! That is a new record for Rock Farm, and they all look alike which is unusual. Usually other of our free range hens will also lay in an already started nest. Even though it was a complication I did not need for my busy morning, who can't smile about new chicks! We caught them and their grumpy mother, and put them in an old empty horse water tank with feed, water, and a hunk of old cattle panel to keep the cats out, although it would take a brave cat indeed to go up against this protective parent. You can't see them all in this pic, some are hiding under her skirts. I can't help but think of the Bible verse, and God's love for us, His hardheaded children:

..."how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling..."

No Pictures of Fireflies

This is the the of year that fireflies just love. Do you remember them when you were a child? Did you ever try catching them in a jar, and watch as they flickered on and off? I don't know if folks in big cities ever get to see these little marvels. Last night my husband and I were coming home from a quick Wally World run. As we turned off the highway onto the dirt road near our home, we pulled over for a minute. The meadow was alive with little sparkles, it was God's version of white Christmas lights. I grabbed my Canon PowerShot and made an attempt at a photo...it was dusk and I knew it was unlikely but I tried...to no avail. The camera may be capable of those types of shots, but until I force myself to read the owner's manual I won't know how! Those are the times I wish I had the old Canon AE Program 35mm in the car. I knew how to monkey with F-stops and speeds and such. I am less certain with the newer Auto-Everything cameras. So I will leave it to your imagination, that lovely green field bordering the Lake, and the thousands of fireflies winking on and off in flight.

I'll attach a couple pictures if the Iris , they are history now, but oh, what a show we got this year. My friend Sydney gave me starts of ever so many iris about three years ago, and this year they were gorgeous.