How terrible the man lost his house. Iowa has been under "red flag warnings" lately due to a combination of dryness and high winds. Though honestly, why someone would start a fire when it's windy -- or predicted to be -- is beyond me. I see that as much different than a fire sparked, unintentionally, by equipment in the field.
Jim, how is Annie doing?
March is proving to be more challenging than I appreciate.
There's the weather, of course. I was hoping after two blizzards this month that Mother Nature would take a break. Nope. Yesterday, although it was 40 degrees, it SNOWED! Big, fluffy, wet flakes for about half an hour.
The snow -- which melted quickly -- gave way to rain and now the ducks and geese can bathe in the deep driveway puddles. After the rain, the sun came out -- about an hour before it set.
There's still snow left from the biggest drifts, and there's ankle-deep mud. Ah, spring in Iowa!!
Today, I have an appointment with an avian vet in Ankeny -- about an hour and a half away -- because the new local vet who "treats" birds is a disappointment. I took Lucille to him on Tuesday and he wasn't able to diagnose what was wrong, just gave me some meds and sent a fecal sample to a lab. On Saturday, she seemed worse, but I found out he doesn't work Saturdays or Mondays. Apparently, no one calls with lab results then either.
On happier notes, maybe all the snow and rain will start to chip away at the drought conditions, and I now have proof that all six of my pullets are laying. Arabella, a Blue Cochin, and Lavinia, a gorgeous Silver-Laced Cochin, were the last to join the Layers Club.
Jim, how is Annie doing?
March is proving to be more challenging than I appreciate.
There's the weather, of course. I was hoping after two blizzards this month that Mother Nature would take a break. Nope. Yesterday, although it was 40 degrees, it SNOWED! Big, fluffy, wet flakes for about half an hour.
The snow -- which melted quickly -- gave way to rain and now the ducks and geese can bathe in the deep driveway puddles. After the rain, the sun came out -- about an hour before it set.
There's still snow left from the biggest drifts, and there's ankle-deep mud. Ah, spring in Iowa!!
Today, I have an appointment with an avian vet in Ankeny -- about an hour and a half away -- because the new local vet who "treats" birds is a disappointment. I took Lucille to him on Tuesday and he wasn't able to diagnose what was wrong, just gave me some meds and sent a fecal sample to a lab. On Saturday, she seemed worse, but I found out he doesn't work Saturdays or Mondays. Apparently, no one calls with lab results then either.
On happier notes, maybe all the snow and rain will start to chip away at the drought conditions, and I now have proof that all six of my pullets are laying. Arabella, a Blue Cochin, and Lavinia, a gorgeous Silver-Laced Cochin, were the last to join the Layers Club.