Now is time for the rest of the CX story, and yes it is a MOM story.
I did not expect the chicks today. Last night we did not get to bed until real late. At Midnight we were out banding the year old birds, We needed to do that because in another week we may not be able to tell the first ones hatched from the old birds. After that we came in and had an adult beverage. Mikes Lemonade for those of you wanting all the details. then we decided to watch an episode of "orange is the new black"> I will have to re-watch that episode as I fell asleep in my recliner... It happens.
Not expecting the chicks I did not put the house phone near me or the bed. I woke up at 5:30 like I always do, but being tired I went to bed, again not taking the house phone with me. I promptly fell asleep for 2 hours.
I got up, showered made coffee and read the news in the bedroom. I came out for more coffee at 8am.
Now I need to explain a "weird" thing we do, Don't worry it is not X rated. We have 2 homes on our farm, they are about 200 ft apart. My mother lives in one. My DW and I have a house phone and we gave my mother a receiver for the phone, we have a strong wireless phone and it reaches her house with no problems. We normally keep one of our receivers on the charger at night, the other one we have has been temporarily misplaced. Yeah, we lost it....
We both keep our cell phones next to the bed incase one of the kids calls or someone needs us. We do not lock the doors when we are home. Little details needed for you to understand my miserable little life.
Back to the coffee, I came into the kitchen to make another cup, and the intercom on the phone buzzed. It is not a loud ring just a little buzz. Mom is on the phone..
Mom: I got your chickens
Me: What?
Mom: Your new chicks, I got them from the post office,
Me: You did, when? Where are they?
Mom: well, they called at 6 and I went in got them.
Me: Why didn't you call me?
Mom: I tried but you were sleeping late again, You need to keep a phone closer to your bed, you never answered it, so I had no choice but go get the poor birds.
Me: You called me and I never answered?
Mom: Yes, a whole bunch of times and you slept right through them.
Me: I don't see any missed calls on my cell..
Mom: No, I called you on the intercom thing.
Me, Oh, we can't hear the intercom when we are in our bedroom, remember we said call our cells at night.
Mom: oh, I forgot, Why were you sleeping so late again anyways?
Me: Where are the chicks now?
Mom: I put them in their pen.
Me: You did? Did you water every one?
Mom: No, I just put them under the heat light in the box.
Me: What you put the box under the heat light?
Mom, Yes, I didn't want them to get cold.
Me: Mom, the box is made to keep them warm in normal temps not under the heat lamp, I am going out thee, Bye.
I went out and removed them from under the light. Mom came out just as I removed them.
Mom: It's a good thing I put them under the light, look the temperature is only 73 degrees.
Me: The box was setting on the receiver for the thermometer.
Mom: that makes a difference?
Me: shhh, I am counting chicks ( I am dunking their beaks in water making sure each one drinks, I am on about number 5 )
Mom: What number are you on?
Me: 5
Mom then gets in the pen and grabs 2 chicks from the box.
Mom: here, I will help, you're going too slow.
Me: its okay I like to feel each chick, look them over and make sure they take a long drink.
Mom: Oh, 7
I gave up at this point
Me: 8
Mom: 9
Mom 10
Mom 11
Me: 12
Mom: 13
Mom: 14
Mom: 15
Me: 16
Mom: 17
You get the idea, I was not fast enough......
Me: Mom, I want them to drink a little more between chicks
Mom: Mine are all drinking really good..
Minutes pass, seeming like hours to me.
Mom: 59
Me : 60
Mom stopped counting, but I notice she puts 2 chicks down.
Me: Mom, we need to count the chicks.
More to follow