Eva’s Friends

[lightm]

Your chickens are so lovely and pretty. They are great pictures. I love fluff Vivienne.

 

[Callender Girl]

I understand not being hungry -- until you CAN'T eat anything! The blizzard that hit here this week didn't interfere with fasting, but nearly every church canceled its Ash Wednesday services.

Glad there was no damage to the Muddy Run! A large tree branch is resting on one of my fences, but otherwise, we all got through the blizzard okay. I was lucky that I only lost power for a few minutes; some folks had no electricity for hours and hours.

Drifts were as high as my deck railing, and snow piled against the coop doors and runs. All the metal latches froze shut, as did my kitchen door.

I'm still snowed in. By the time I shoveled snow off the deck, ramp and chicken coops/runs, I was too exhausted to even start on the driveway. It's snowing again now. I guess I'll just wait for the weekend thaw.

I am always struck by how handsome Stan is -- even if he's not always well behaved, he's always good-looking!

 

[Evadig]

It's already Sunday again!

The family got home safely on Thursday. I was glad they were back but also missed having the house to myself.

Friday my sister and I had a doctor's appointment. They wanted to run blood tests, but while they were drawing my blood, I fainted. I didn't know they were planning to do blood tests, and I hadn't eaten for awhile. Anyhow, when I regained consciousness I thought I was at home on the couch, waking up from a very nice nap. Then I was wondering why a man was standing over me (it was the doctor, who had been in an appointment with another patient). They finally let me go after half an hour, and now I have to make another appointment to finish the blood draw .

Nothing much is going on here at the Muddy Run. I created some labels to put on my egg cartons when I sell/give away the extra eggs; I thought it would look more professional.

Your chickens are so lovely and pretty. They are great pictures. I love fluff Vivienne.

Thank you!

Glad there was no damage to the Muddy Run! A large tree branch is resting on one of my fences, but otherwise, we all got through the blizzard okay. I was lucky that I only lost power for a few minutes; some folks had no electricity for hours and hours.

Drifts were as high as my deck railing, and snow piled against the coop doors and runs. All the metal latches froze shut, as did my kitchen door.

Gracious! Do people tend to have an alternate source of heat up there (like a Franklin stove or a fireplace)? I couldn't imagine not having some way to heat at least one room in the house!

I hope some of our upcoming warm weather makes its way to you so you don't have to shovel so much!

Only a few pictures tonight:

This Sunday I took a trip to Antietam Battlefield:

Annie

Eva

The Miller House

Eva and Annie in front of one of the cannons

The label I made for the egg cartons

 

[Callender Girl]

How awful that you fainted! Was it only because you hadn't eaten before the blood draw? I would have been more than a little unnerved. And, I wouldn't be eager to have blood drawn again!

The egg carton labels sound like a nice touch. People here are so desperate for reasonably priced eggs that I could probably sell them loose in plastic bags and still have buyers lined up. Folks are offering to pre-pay to ensure they get eggs. But I can only sell the number of eggs my girls produce; nothing I say or do will make them lay more or faster!!

Only three of the newest girls are laying so far. But the others -- Cochins and Cuckoo Marans -- are typically slower to mature. A couple of my older girls are doing remarkably well, and I've gotten my first goose eggs of the year. Those, I'm keeping keep for myself; it only takes one to make an omelet.

I hope all the serious winter weather is over. I have a fireplace in the living room that runs off propane and puts out a lot of heat. However, it won't be of any use until a part gets replaced. And, I never think about having someone do that until it's really cold and nasty out. I should put it on my spring to-do list.

Annie and Eva both look as if they are pondering serious matters at Antietam. Maybe they can sense something people don't? I've visited other battle sites, but when I visited the Little Bighorn battlefield many years ago, it was so eerie. The very air felt odd and heavy -- and it had nothing to do with the weather; it felt as if something very wrong and evil had gone on there. Of course, it had.

On a happier note, the snow is all but gone and the mud is drying up. Today, I plan to scrub mud off the stepping stone paths and remove it from all the places that my beloved chickens have left their footprints -- especially on the lids of the garbage cans where they know I store their food. The new girls think it's fun to jump onto my head or shoulders (I disagree). So, there's even mud on my hoodies. I rarely go outside bare-headed!

 

[Evadig]

It has been so nice these last few days. Warm, no rain, and no wind. I began cleaning up the branches from the tree that fell down last week.

My mom decided to take over the chicken-keeping, at least for now, so I really don't have much to say in that quarter.

On Tuesday, I took Francine in to get spayed. When I picked her up, the doctor gleefully informed me that "she" is in fact a boy! I was quite shocked; he is so small, with such a peaked little face that it is hard to imagine that he will grow up to be a tom cat.
Of course, Francine no longer fits, and we didn't want to use Frank to remind of us of a certain Brown Chinese gander that once graced our yard, so after much deliberation, kitty is now called Finnian.

He is doing well. But on the way down to the vet, he let me know quite plainly that he does not approve of my singing! I had to keep quiet the whole way!

My mom actually told me we should get more chickens...we've gotten some every year since we moved here, so why should this one be an exception? Only, when I went to order chicks, I found that every hatchery and feed store is completely sold out. I have never seen anything like it.

I have successfully gotten cleared to take the ASVAB and my physical at MEPs (the Military Entrance Processing Station) in two weeks. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

How awful that you fainted! Was it only because you hadn't eaten before the blood draw? I would have been more than a little unnerved. And, I wouldn't be eager to have blood drawn again!

I'm assuming it was just because I hadn't eaten anything. I had blood drawn two years ago by a student nurse, and I still did fine (she did well too!).

Folks are offering to pre-pay to ensure they get eggs. But I can only sell the number of eggs my girls produce; nothing I say or do will make them lay more or faster!!

Oh, my. I've been basically giving away eggs for free over here. I just don't know how to charge people when I've been giving them away for the last year (before the egg prices went up).

Annie and Eva both look as if they are pondering serious matters at Antietam. Maybe they can sense something people don't? I've visited other battle sites, but when I visited the Little Bighorn battlefield many years ago, it was so eerie. The very air felt odd and heavy -- and it had nothing to do with the weather; it felt as if something very wrong and evil had gone on there. Of course, it had.

That would be interesting to know if dogs can sense that.

I remember when we visited Vicksburg Battlefield several years ago, many vultures were circling around, as if the dead were still lying there. While it was probably a coincidence, it made us all feel very uncomfortable.

I really do think that certain places are forever impacted by the events that occurred there. But maybe only people who love history can recognize the difference?

On a happier note, the snow is all but gone and the mud is drying up. Today, I plan to scrub mud off the stepping stone paths and remove it from all the places that my beloved chickens have left their footprints -- especially on the lids of the garbage cans where they know I store their food. The new girls think it's fun to jump onto my head or shoulders (I disagree). So, there's even mud on my hoodies. I rarely go outside bare-headed!

I'm glad it's getting warmer and the mud is decreasing! The chickens never want to get too close to me, but Annie likes to jump up and put her two front paws on my clean clothes, especially when she was just splashing in the pool .

Tonight I again only have a few pictures.

The Canada Goose couple that lives on the pond came all the way up to the house today. I know there's a risk of them carrying the Avian Flu, but I couldn't bring myself to chase them away. In the spring there will be a brood of little goslings in tow...

Annie

Finnian when he came home from surgery:

Winston was kind enough to pose with that lovely long tail of his:

 

[lightm]

I have successfully gotten cleared to take the ASVAB and my physical at MEPs (the Military Entrance Processing Station) in two weeks. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

 

[Evadig]

The First Storm​

All day long, a heavy weight hung over the valley. The heavy rain and severe thunderstorms, forecasted by the weatherman, had not yet arrived. The few sprinkles that fell upon the crowds of worshippers leaving church gave no prediction of what was to come.

In the afternoon, the winds began to increase, and the dead tree leaning against another dead tree toppled over, shaving off three feet of a promising young pine tree. The skies now became a purplish gray. The birds, which had chirped intermittently throughout the morning, slowly desisted.

But no one quite believed the storm would really come. The dark clouds were still several miles off, on the other side of the ridge. It was highly likely they would pass on, leaving the valley watered by the gentle rain which now fell from the heavens.

Dusk came, and with it the storm. It was heralded by a fierce wind, which rocked the trees and howled through the valley. Then hail fell with a crack like machinegun fire, blanketing the earth with white stones and making any conversation impossible. Thunder echoed between the ridges while lightning ripped through the darkening sky.

The storm was spent. Silence descended upon the valley. It was pitch black, now, but the air was clear and cool. Rain still fell, but it tapped on the windowpane instead of pounded. And then, almost imperceptibly, a chorus arose from every pond and waterhole - the song of the spring peeper after the first storm.

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Ok, now that I've probably bored you to death, there's been some changes over here at the Muddy Run.

The rabbits are now living in the Muddy Run. That way they can take advantage of the nice big fenced area, and I don't have to bring them in every night. But they also need their own space, and the Old Girls were getting a little crowded since Liberty joined them.

The new setup is:

Winston, Lyd, and Rose are in the red prefab. coop.
Liberty, Mitzi, Agnieszka, and Patience are in No. 1 of the Yellow Turnip.
The rabbits are in No. 1 of the Muddy Run.

Finnian is doing well. Brianna went after him but he hissed at her and she backed off.

There was, of course, the storm today, and a dead tree that had been leaning against another tree fell, taking off the top of a lovely young pine tree.

Both the Virtues and Matilda celebrated their birthdays this week. The Virtues are a year old and Tilly is two.

I believe that's all for now .

Pictures my feelings exactly!

The sky with and without lightning

Annie

The Old Girls getting settled in their new home

Finnian

Amelia

The Virtues

Winston and the Mean Girls in their new (old) home

 

[Callender Girl]

Your writing isn't boring; I enjoyed reading "The First Storm." You made me see, hear and feel the volatility of the weather.

Hope everyone is good with the changes at the Muddy Run. I intended to move some chickens into different coops. But that might interrupt their laying, and so many people want to buy my girls' eggs!

It was 75 yesterday (good weather for cleaning coops), is expected to be in the mid 60s today -- and tomorrow, we are supposed to brace for another blizzard. Crazy!!

 

[Evadig]

I am really tired, and there isn't much to say.

I can't even remember what I did Monday, except for Easter choir practice. That was awful. I don't know what our director was thinking when she picked out the music!

Nothing happened Tuesday. Though I did clean out my car and noticed buds on the apple tree.

Today I drove my dad to the airport, my sister to her eye appointment, and a couple chickens to their new house. Yes, that is right...

Meet Priscilla and Betsy Lee. They are five years old; Priscilla is a Plymouth Rock and Betsy Lee is a Speckled Sussex! I've wanted a SS for a while - that's how I ended up with Jenny, 'cause she looked like an SS - but now I have both .

I don't have the capabilities to integrate slowly right now, so I just put them up on the roost at night.

Everyone up on the roost, the new hens are at the end

Sunset tonight

Bald Eagle at a battlefield

Priscilla and Betsy Lee

Miss Lydwinne

Matilda

Annie

Eva

Constance...
comes to sit on the keyboard multiple times a day now

Starry night

 

[lightm]

Constant so adorable.

The Starry night picture is just, WOW!