Michigan

[swampducks]

Dang, I so wanted to go and then my wonderful car became un-driveable and now I've got just a beat up old truck with lousy gas mileage and in iffy engine and/or transmission! Anyone want to swing by Barton City on their way down? I'll help pay for gas I'm just off the corner (well 8 miles east) of M65 and M72 The corner south of Curran and north of Glennie. Though I suppose anyone going south will probably already be on the 75.

Just a reminder that we are three (3) weeks from Chickenstock.

Another MI person posted in the pot-luck thread. Every time I edit the first post, the spacing format changes. Sorry about that, chief.

 

[Mom 2em All]

M2 - I'm not generally a homeschooling proponent, but even I think you should give it a bit of thought for Kayla.

I would love for my kid to be home-schooled. However there are many reasons why I have not.

One- I have to work 40 plus hours a week, and helping my kid with homework after that drives me mad. It takes HOURS. Cant imagine being responsible for her complete education. That would make me insane.

Two- I wouldnt have the first idea how to do it, what to do, etc.

Third- I am pretty sure I am not smart enough to teach someone else a school curriculum. Im not qualified to do the job.

Four- I do believe the social groups and relationships that are formed in a school setting are important. As is learning from different people. Different ways of communication, different styles, etc. Thats life- I wouldnt know how to duplicate that at home. *Well yes, I agree, Mr. So and So is indeed a 'Butt-face'..but too bad. Once you have a job, you may have a boss/coworker who is also a 'butt-face', and you will still have to go to work. Deal with it. "

Five- I like to have a relationship with my child as her parent. That includes teaching other areas of life. If she only has me to be both parent,school teacher, etc- well, I think we would get sick of each other. Does that sound stupid? There is no release. How awful for her. "Fine you didnt want to clean your room? You didnt do the dishes like I asked? Ugh, you have had a bad attitude all day...Here, now lets work on these algebra problems- you know, the ones you hate? "

Who wanted moss? I have TONS of moss that grows here.

I wanted moss. me me me..

I, as a teacher, for many years and many years ago can appreciate your feelings of resentment and anger. Schools are far from perfect. Everyone knows that. Improving basic education is and will continue to be difficult to say the least. Too many people expect too many things to be taught in school. Many of the functions of parents have been imposed upon schools.

I appreciate your years of dedication and teaching. However, why is it that whenever I talk to any teacher they fail to admit that some teachers have no business doing so? That they perhaps grew bitter, grew tired, stopped caring and are just counting the years until retirement.
There are people like that in every field. My own field it happens quite often. And when it does, its time to say goodbye. No one who is in charge of someone or something elses life should stick around to do a job that requires time, compassion and understanding when they no longer have it to give.
I can count the number of teachers on one hand, in the 17 years I have been involved in the school system, that have been willing to help, willing to understand, willing to give extra help to the child that really needs it. Classrooms are overcrowded, teachers are overworked, overwhelmed and paid very little for what they do- I appreciate them. I am grateful for the ones who really love their job and the kids. I can say, the ones who make an impact and who make a difference are worth their weight in gold. My kids and I truly appreciate what they do.

I cant comprehend some of the things the school requires of a child. Apparently they now own the kids' summer vacations. My kid is going into eleventh grade. Meaning school starts in September and she will then be an eleventh grader. Until then, she is a tenth grader. She brought home a STACK of homework DUE on the first day of class, along with a list of books/novels (6)~incl. The Great Gatsby, and 1984 by George Orwell~ that must be read and reported on- and she must learn the Constitution of U.S. - line by line, tested on the first day of school. The letters that came home from the teachers state that if this is not done, they will be asked to be dropped from their classes.

Josh could read at grade level by second grade, ( we never expected that) but he did the best he could to keep up with the other kids, after all he had 20 some teachers his age, Math he never did get very well.. I always felt if he could read, there is no reason the kids from "poor home situations" couldn't. nuff said

Im sure having such a large number of teachers to give one on one teaching to him helped him excel. I wish public schools would dedicate larger numbers of educators to the students.

My husband used to be beaten when he couldnt read his homework. Literally. With a belt. Forced to spend hours at the table trying to read and when he couldnt, he was hit. Now, that horrifies me. I cant imagine hitting someone because they didnt understand. Turns out- my husband has some form of dyslexia, and still at 53 has a hard time reading.
My son was easy as pie to teach, caught on right away. Then came my hearing impaired daughter- I couldnt do it. Frustrated the heck out of me. She couldnt grasp it, made me crazy. Finally she got it, but I sure couldnt imagine physically disciplining her for not understanding.
Still trying to help my youngest 'get it'. Im not qualified to teach her- of this I am sure. We both end up too frustrated.

Just a reminder that we are three (3) weeks from Chickenstock.

Another MI person posted in the pot-luck thread. Every time I edit the first post, the spacing format changes. Sorry about that, chief.

RaZ, I havent posted over there, I dont believe. I am bringing coolers of water, and sodas, etc like I do every year.

 

[EeyoreD]

LOL! I remember those days, it's always fun when it's a new person. I liked to see how long it'd take them to say, "What IS that???"

Oh see everyone knows about my "Rural Adventure" but since most folks are in Boston or NY or DC the question usually is: "Are they really that LOUD?! I never knew!"

They just have sirens in the background.

 

[Mom 2em All]

It's early days but I kinda like it - it provides entertainment for the folks on my conference calls. Especially when the tom joins in on the noise.

My parrot talks nonstop and causes so much background chatter and noises that every call I make sounds like I am in the middle of a call center.

I have actually had sales/utility people say to me, "Do you want to take that other call?" when my bird is ringing his head off...

 

[RaZ]

: "Are they really that LOUD?! I never knew!"
They just have sirens in the background.

I guess it is what people get used to. I would much rather hear natural sounds than the city noise I get everyday: jets in & out of Metro; helicopters & ambulances to the hospital; sirens; ice cream trucks; and worst of all; screaming brats and the parents that scream right back at them. Give me a crowing rooster anytime.

 

[EeyoreD]

My parrot talks nonstop and causes so much background chatter and noises that every call I make sounds like I am in the middle of a call center.

I have actually had sales/utility people say to me, "Do you want to take that other call?" when my bird is ringing his head off...

That's hysterical! "No no, I'll answer it later, it's just my bird..."

I guess it is what people get used to. I would much rather hear natural sounds than the city noise I get everyday: jets in & out of Metro; helicopters & ambulances to the hospital; sirens; ice cream trucks; and worst of all; screaming brats and the parents that scream right back at them. Give me a crowing rooster anytime.

I agree, and really so do many of the people I'm on calls with. It's a joke that I'm out in ruraland doing whatever I'm doing, but the jokes often seem more wistful than mean. Not that they want to do exactly what I'm doing, they just can't believe I'm doing it and they kind of want to do something, too. But they don't think they can. Which is silly, a year ago I lived in Brooklyn, NY. (2 years before that, in Manhattan right around the corner from a hospital - it really is amazing how you don't hear the sirens after a while - I always hear the roosters out here - mine and others - and they never fail to crack me up.)

 

[M.sue]

Hello Everyone! I haven't been on because I have been super busy and out of town several times. 786 posts behind and it'll stay that way. Hopes all is well and going smooth for everybody, congrats to anyone where it is needed & hugs to those who need them.

Important Question: What is the best & most effective medication to treat worms? Something that has a broad spectrum range coverage? The reason why I'm asking is because I think I might have an issue. Not really sure this is the case and getting information overload reading too much. I found blood (bright & fresh) in the shavings under the roost twice this week. I look at the shavings & droppings didn't see anything. I first noticed it on Wed morning when I was leaving for 3 days

. I asked DH to observe them while I was gone.....he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary

. This morning I go out to feed and I noticed it again. Basically in the same spot as the previous time I noticed it and just as fresh. I have an idea of which hen has been roosting there the 2 times I've noticed but can't be 100% positive. DH also said that the one I'm suspecting the bloody droppings are from was also on that roost while I was gone . They all are a year old, never been wormed, had a fecal test last fall (negative), eating, drinking, free ranging and all. Acting normal & Nothing odd. So, what could it be and what should I do? Would greatly appreciate some advice here before I worry myself to death.

 

[NovaAman]

Oh, I wish I could help with that one... Sorry...

Ok The kids came and we went over and go the run. It turns out it is 6x10 and 5 high. SO, will have to rethink the roofing plan. I thought it was 6 high also, which would have made things very simple. NOW, I actually have to measure stuff. I hate to measure. LOL. Anyway, here it is all put together. I didn't put it square as you can see. That would have required re-arranging coops. Yeah, not happening. That sucker is TOO HEAVY! Um. We tried too. HEHE.
Yup... that's me, whining on the inside! LOL. I need to get apron work done on it too, so until it is predator proof, the chicken in the one coop facing out, will have to continue to be closed up at night. Now... what can I put in there to make it a more happening place... Hmmmm... LOL. Cant wait to build center poles for the roof either. WOOHOO that will be funsies.

And here is a pic of my neice and her friends. Talk about great drawing skills...
My niece is the one on the right.

 

[Olive Hill]

Oh see everyone knows about my "Rural Adventure" but since most folks are in Boston or NY or DC the question usually is: "Are they really that LOUD?! I never knew!"

They just have sirens in the background.

Everyone knows that I live on a farm, but I don't think what that means really registers until they hear it. Most are in big cities, like your coworkers, and I think they have a hard time fathoming the reality of being greeted by a gaggle of geese every time you pull in the driveway or walk out on the deck.

 

[chicken grandma]

Hello Everyone! I haven't been on because I have been super busy and out of town several times. 786 posts behind and it'll stay that way. Hopes all is well and going smooth for everybody, congrats to anyone where it is needed & hugs to those who need them.

Important Question: What is the best & most effective medication to treat worms? Something that has a broad spectrum range coverage? The reason why I'm asking is because I think I might have an issue. Not really sure this is the case and getting information overload reading too much. I found blood (bright & fresh) in the shavings under the roost twice this week. I look at the shavings & droppings didn't see anything. I first noticed it on Wed morning when I was leaving for 3 days

. I asked DH to observe them while I was gone.....he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary

. This morning I go out to feed and I noticed it again. Basically in the same spot as the previous time I noticed it and just as fresh. I have an idea of which hen has been roosting there the 2 times I've noticed but can't be 100% positive. DH also said that the one I'm suspecting the bloody droppings are from was also on that roost while I was gone . They all are a year old, never been wormed, had a fecal test last fall (negative), eating, drinking, free ranging and all. Acting normal & Nothing odd. So, what could it be and what should I do? Would greatly appreciate some advice here before I worry myself to death.

Cocci - take a stool sample in to the vet. Worm medicine does not cure coccidia so you have to know what your dealing with first before you can pick a medicine.