Official Squatch Watchers

[rjohns39]

Gawd our power has been out for two weeks before. We got down to just eating handfuls of cereal and drinking warm pepsi. Didn't gripe though, it wouldn't have helped anything. When we could finally get out "we were snowed in" everyone looked terrible! Greasy, dirty, hungry as a mofo. It is funny now, but not when it happened.

During one of our winter storms we lost power, when someone hit a pole, got it restored for about an hour and lost it again for two weeks. I can't tell you how many people lost food because they weren't smart enough to just stick it in a cooler in the snow. As hot as it is in SC/NC, I'd be canning with my propane burners like crazy. And if I ran out of propane, the rocket stove comes into play.

 

[Redhead Rae]

During one of our winter storms we lost power, when someone hit a pole, got it restored for about an hour and lost it again for two weeks. I can't tell you how many people lost food because they weren't smart enough to just stick it in a cooler in the snow. As hot as it is in SC/NC, I'd be canning with my propane burners like crazy. And if I ran out of propane, the rocket stove comes into play.

Yup, If we lose power, that is what I'm doing, canning like no tomorrow. Fortunately, we have gas wells on our property so we are set for that.

 

[Chickassan]

Had to google if cleomes are poisionous. I swear I can't do anything around those birds! Was gathering the last seeds and they decided to start eating the beans. They are not poisionous, thank goodness. Must be pretty good though.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I been through what I would say are 2 really bad storms.

When I was 11 we got snowed in for 2 weeks. We didn't lose power BUT it was Thanksgiving and relatives had shown up unexpectedly......if you met my family you would understand why it was bad.
Oh and mom had not gotten food before all heck broke loose.
There was a mom-n-pop store 20 blocks away. They lived in the back so were open. My little sis and I had to make that (waist deep fun) trip.

The other was an ice storm..... UM we aren't supposed to get those.
Power was out for nine bitterly cold days. I think we hit 3° on one of those days.
Chickens, geese and ducks were confined to the barn.
I lost one bantam in that storm.

 

[apryl29]

Very glad you're ok Chicka!

Lots of molting here now too.

They get nutty as teens for sure.

Some of you may remember I had an accidental rooster last spring......
The couple that took him in are divorcing.

I cannot take him back or take in any of their hens.

I really hope they don't ask.

I have the same response for you and @Chickassan tell them to post the flock for free on craigslist. Someone will take them.

I’m hoping this is a sprain and nothing more. No bumble. Range of motion is good. She doesn’t seem to be in pain when I manipulate her leg. It’s hard to tell cause she doesn’t really like me touching her in general.

Jackie had a similar problem, limping, but looked fine otherwise. I confined her for a few days, it didn't help. I put her back w everyone else & did nothing and she was fine eventually (months later). (disclaimer: I have no idea what I'm doing. Your results may vary.)

Just sayin hi.
DH was out on the roads this morning. Said he can’t wrap his head around how catastrophic some areas looked.

Glad your doing ok.

Thanks buddy. Im trying to stay “zen” down here.
What’s your weather looking like?

Being on here is:
A. Keeping me out of dh’s hair while he works from the dining room table, and

B. It’s keeping me from killing my daughter.
I feel guilty to have the luxury of some power to run a fan and a lamp and charge my phone, and she’s complaining about food.

At this point, everyone’s else’s food is long since spoiled.

If the rain would stop I could get out there and kick a path to the grill and COOK something yummy.

Do you have an electric skillet or a roaster? Heck, even a crock pot will make something in a few hours. You could even temporarily plug in the microwave and make some scrambled eggs. Most frozen, boxed, & pouch foods have microwave instructions.

 

[Chickassan]

@apryl29 I told them to do just that. They just figured since my hens are fat and happy i'd not have an issue taking four more. I had to explain mine are all pets and theirs wouldn't do well here. They are already two years old and haven't been handled at all. I'm a softie but i'm not crazy.

 

[apryl29]

@apryl29 I told them to do just that. They just figured since my hens are fat and happy i'd not have an issue taking four more. I had to explain mine are all pets and theirs wouldn't do well here. They are already two years old and haven't been handled at all. I'm a softie but i'm not crazy.

Right? Last fall my ex asked if we would take in a chicken from somebody he knew that was living like two and a half hours away from here. I told him no. First I would have to quarantine it for at least several weeks and I have nowhere to do that. And also I already had 14 birds, including an aggressive cockerel.. I needed another chicken like I need another kid. He got all pissy because I didn't even think about it & immediately said no. I think I know my limitations. Adding to your flock of a big deal. Especially when they aren't chicks. The only reason Loki got her babies was because they were incubator hatched.

 

[pitbullmomma]

Hot sunny and dry for the moment. If Florence ever leaves you and follows it's predicted path I might see the westerly edge. Just to brighten your day, the teenagers got to come out today and checkout the pasture. They're out exploring now, so hoping everyone comes home for dinner.

View attachment 1534867

Look at all those beautiful chickens!

 

[pitbullmomma]

You guys!!!

The most amazing and coolest thing happened to me today. It was like a freaking Disney moment.I can't stop thinking and talking about it; I know my husband is sick of hearing about it! But it's something that has probably never happened to 99.5% of people.

So I got a kayak. And today I took it (her?) out for its maiden voyage, down Cedar Creek by my house. I've never kayaked before, only canoeed. Anyway....

I started going down the creek along the banks, where all the cedar and pine trees grow and hang over into the water And I heard this little sound, like a baby, or a cat crying. "Meeew, meeew, meeew"... a little squeak. I paddled on, and kept hearing it.

I turned around and looked, and it was this little tiny beaver swimming in the water, about the size of a squirrel.

It followed me about ten, twenty feet as I paddled. I stopped and grabbed onto a bush and started talking to it. It kept making its little noise, and then swam up to me alongside the kayak! It looked at me with its round beady eyes and let me pet it. Then it went up onto a log and sat down. It washed its face, drank some water, and looked at me.

I just sat there and held my breath. "Come here, little beaver," I said to it. "Come over here." It swam over to me again. It let me pet it again.

And then....it let me pick it up. I picked it up, put it in my kayak, and petted it. It was small and sleek and shiny, and had a rubbery paddle tail. I felt like I was tripping on acid, it was so crazy. I briefly thought "I hope this critter doesn't have rabies" (I didn't realize--having never seen a beaver before--that it was just a baby).

After a moment, it decided it had enough lovin', waddled to the front of the kayak-- rubber paddle tail waggling back and forth--jumped off, and slipped back into the creek. It was an amazing and awesome moment that I really still can't believe happened. I wanted so badly to snap a picture but my phone was in a dry bag.

This is what it looked like, but tiny (mine was way cuter, too):

It was an otherworldly experience, I can't even describe it. It's rare that something wild in nature interacts with a human like that. I wanted to take it home with me; it was precious.

You know I am going to revisit that part of the creek a million times, to try to see it again. I fell in love with that baby beaver. I hope it lives a long, beautiful life.

XO

PS: Here is a photo that is closer to what it looked like (but teensy). So, so cool!

 

[Chickassan]

Tell me about it! Iv'e got molting going on a pullet nearing point of lay, four preteens, and a weirdo rooster and they're all doing really well all around. I have no urge at all to take in four heathen devil hens that love to peck to the dang bone and you can't even look at without them freaking out. I am not a flippin chicken whisperer.

Right? Last fall my ex asked if we would take in a chicken from somebody he knew that was living like two and a half hours away from here. I told him no. First I would have to quarantine it for at least several weeks and I have nowhere to do that. And also I already had 14 birds, including an aggressive cockerel.. I needed another chicken like I need another kid. He got all pissy because I didn't even think about it & immediately said no. I think I know my limitations. Adding to your flock of a big deal. Especially when they aren't chicks. The only reason Loki got her babies was because they were incubator hatched.