Animals

Hot, Hazy, Humid With a Chance of Thunderstorms

We've reached the tipping point of summer...

where the humidity and the temperature are both in the 90's.

Evening thunderstorms drive moisture into the ground;

which then ascends the next afternoon, hanging in the air like a heavy velvet curtain.

Outside work, on days like these, is reserved for early morning and late evening.

Thankfully, the garden is receiving maximum water with minimal effort!

Yesterday afternoon, I packed three large coolers full of ice into my vehicle

and headed down the road. (explanation of coolers coming forthwith)

The valley we live in is called Turkey Valley...I guess that explains the turkey!

All of our country roads are edged by tiger lilies (or outhouse ...really sh**house lies)
...making for a beautiful drive.

I had received a call on Monday from our Amish neighbors that our

30 pasture raised chickens were being butchered and would be ready to pick up Wednesday at 1:00 sharp.

When this call comes, the calendar is cleared and vacuum-packaging and freezing chickens

becomes the task of the day (it's not something that can wait!).

Their farm is pristine...I would have loved to have taken pictures of their gardens and children;

but, out of respect, restrained myself.

Their horses (family mode of transportation) didn't mind the photo.

Three hours later, the chickens were safely stowed in our chest freezer...

ready to be turned into about 90 meals this winter (yes, they are BIG chickens!),

(Come November, I will return to the same farm to pick up two turkeys for Thanksgiving

and later.)

and I headed out to do another blueberry picking... another three quarts.

Wilted and overheated, I decided to sit in the shade inside the donkey yard and visit with the girls.

The horses (not loving this heat) stay out of the hot sun.

The donkeys?

Well, they don't seem to mind the heat at all.

I suppose since their ancestry is Sicily and Sardinia, they are built for the heat.

You might notice that Daphne (like our pony Scarlet) takes her fly mask off every chance she gets.

It's a full time job just keeping everyone's masks on!

BTW, I tried a new product...a roll on fly repellant by Absorbine (as some had suggested)

but found that the applicator just does not dispense enough liquid for adequate coverage.

In essence....it did not work for me.

So, fly masks are my first line of defense for the face.

- News Flash!
The seven inches predicted turned out to be just 3 more inches.But on top of that we received a little light rain yesterday morning. Carefully, I made my way around the farm for early morning chores.Almost finished, and heading for home, I hit a patch...

- Blueberries, Turkeys And Dogs, Dogs, Dogs...and More Dog?
If you stop by the farm for a visit and cannot find me....check the garden or the blueberry patch.They are keeping me quite busy these days! Our 100 blueberry bushes are quite productive this year.We have been picking them every other day and getting...

- What I've Been Up To
Seems like this week has been a flurry of activity,and, gosh, it's only Wednesday. The bear trap has left us...the game warden came and picked it up yesterday.No bear.Just a silly old coon and a nasty looking 'possum...both of whomprobably still...

- A Lazy Morning
Outdoor work has halted....except for the essentials, due to extreme heat. Yesterday morning I took a little time before the temperature climbedto unbearable to take some photos around the farm. I always have the best intentions of setting out with my...

- For The Birds
Yesterday afternoon, we headed out to the barn to feed the horses and goats. Jack continued on up the hill to the chicken house and yard. Usually, on our late afternoon rounds, the chickens are let out to run around the farm a bit. Even though they have...

Animals