Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The 'Mommy scolded me' sad face, super cute

That was the before picture.

 

[Cebarmlds]

That was the before picture.

I guess Boxers always have that look!

 

[jvls1942]

good sunday morning
moving kinda slow today.
to break my dogs from chasing chickens, i sat on a chair in amongst the chickens. the dog on a leash.
when the dog showed too much interest with the chickens, a slight tug on the leash and a firm NO. usually didn't take very long .
i had a female maremma who would lie down and let the baby chicks climb all over her like a huge white mountain.
Annie went to town for groceries. I sent the gas cans along. won't do any grading until she gets back. i have to pull onto the road to turn around. don't want to run out of gas at that point

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We took Trixie to visit my mother in law who is in hospice care at one of her sons apartment. Trixie is such a good pup. Lays there and is gentle. My mother in law likes petting her, than Trixie fell asleep across her legs.

Jim, Trixie isn't too bad about the chickens. It was some of the bulldogs that turned it into a free for all. They all know better, but occasionally they throw caution to the wind and try to catch a chicken. When they were pups I would toss an empty plastic coffee can in their direction which would startle them off their shenanigans. I didn't have one handy as a reminder. I feel Trixie is too docile for that technique. Usually a no and walking towards her works.

 

[Callender Girl]

Trixie's just a lovely little lady, isn't she? It must be heartwarming to see her and your mother-in-law enjoy each other's company.

Neither of my dogs has any interest in the outdoor chickens, and Dinah and my house chicken have always gotten along fine. Blind George, on the other hand, is a little too interested in Dottie. I've had to attach baby gates to her kennel so he doesn't stick his nose through the wire, where she rewards his curiosity with frightening pecks on his head. As many times as he's gotten "attacked," he never learns to leave her alone.

I bought a wooden urn for Goo off Etsy. It arrived Saturday and I was thrilled -- until I tried to insert his ashes. I can't open the screwed-on back. The head of the tiny screw is well below the surface of the wood, and even with the small screwdriver that came with my eyeglass kit, I can't turn the screw.

In the last of my multiple exchanges with the seller, I was told to use a Phillips head screwdriver. Because, you know, I wouldn't be smart enough to look at the screw head and use the correct tool. Grrr!!

Alice, the hen who spent a night outdoors on her own two days ago and was grounded yesterday, went into her coop last night on her own. I think we were both very happy.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's horrible about the urn Barb. Can you mail it back?

 

[Callender Girl]

There were several messaged exchanges, including one where I explained that I used a Phillips head screwdriver, that the screw was far below the surface of the wood and that the screw might have been stripped because it didn't move at all.

I was pleasantly surprised by the response to that and must now erase all my evil thoughts about the seller, who said they would send a new urn. I have been notified by Etsy that it is already on its way!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a huge relief.

 

[Callender Girl]

Yesterday was a good and busy day.

I transplanted 8 white balloon flowers from pots on the deck into a flower bed that had been decimated by last year's playful kittens. I also planted 6 yuccas, gifted to me by a family friend. The dug-up plants sat, bagged, in my sister's garage, then in mine. So, I'm hoping for the best, but, hey, they're free plants.

When I was planting, I noticed a baseball-sized watermelon, one of only 2 produced this year. I don't remember the variety name, but they are adorably tiny. Bugs had gotten to it before me, so I cut it open and treated the chickens. There's another ripe Anaheim pepper, and I ate two beautifully sweet ripe strawberries, straight off the plant.

My German White Hardy Garlic arrived, and I prepped the bed. It will be the first time I've tried to grow garlic.

After I poop-scooped coops, I was heading out to the compost heap and saw one perfect, bright yellow daylily in bloom, well after I expect them all to be done for the year.

And, of course, I am being sent a replacement urn for Goo's ashes.

Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of Jim's death. Whether it was coincidence, providence or something else, the day was much better than I anticipated.

How's the grading going, Jim?

 

[jvls1942]

righty tightie left loosie . lol
if the threads are stripped, maybe you can just pry the cover off . then put a different screw in when you close the urn. save the urn for future use.
the grading is going so,so.
i have about half of the driveway done.
it is hard to feel the dips from on the tractor.
at night they show up just fine with the car headlights. maybe i should work at night.
today i will go at it after the mailman comes.
i pulled a radish yesterday. i took a picture of it.
will try to send the picture on a separate post.
when you mentioned Jim's passing, it reminded me of my dad's. he passed on Sept 22, about 4o years ago. i usually don't forget that.
t he phone is ringing off the hook today. all robo calls. glad we have caller i d so i don't have to answer .