The Front Porch Swing

[perchie.girl]

Ken has a meeting in Cody tonight so it's just me home for dinner - most of you know me well enough to know what that means - chislic and a cold beer! Oh, boy!!!!

Oh mannnnn... I just came home from dinner and am drooling....

deb

 

[LBejaran]

Ken has a meeting in Cody tonight so it's just me home for dinner - most of you know me well enough to know what that means - chislic and a cold beer!  Oh, boy!!!!  

That sounds so good right now!

Well, I was going to make spaghetti but everyone decided to go out and do their own thing, so my sister and I are home alone. I decided to just make us a pot of blue-box Mac & Cheese and some sweet tea. We'll save the spaghetti for another day.

 

[lazy gardener]

Y'all might enjoy hearing about my day. This morning, I went out and inspected chicken butts. I wasn't looking for just any chicken butt, but a particular chicken butt! It had to be squeaky clean, and attached to one of my prettiest and most well behaved chickens. The first Dominique I caught, failed the squeaky clean part. But, the butt of Dom #2 was both squeaky clean, and attached to a beautiful, well feathered, mild mannered bird. Into the cat carrier she went. Then, we drove to a local, though not so local grade school, where we went in and put on a 60 minute assembly for 80 first graders. The topic was: relationship between chickens, farmers, and gardens, and a host of other chicken related trivia. We even cracked open an egg to find out if it was fertile (it was) and discussed meat spots, air cells, and chalazae. The kids got to pat the hen after scrubbing their hands. She was a model citizen. She posed for about 100 pictures with the kids, she clucked almost on cue, and she leaned in for a facial massage, which amused the kids to no end, as they could see that she was thoroughly enjoying it. And, she never once pooped while she was out of that cat carrier! I think she held it back until we got home, cause, it was pretty close quarters in that truck cab, and I didn't smell anything! (Good girl!) The kids were disappointed that she didn't have a name, so I suggested that they could have a vote, and come up with a forever name for her... at least until I eat her. (I was brutally honest with these kids about the plans for chickens on my farm after they stop laying!) The great question of the day: "Why is her face all red?" The great answer of the day: "Because, God decided that she should have a red face. And if you were a rooster, you'd think she's beautiful!"

On the way home, we stopped to pick up a couple of cattle panels. How hard can that be? For those of you who are not familiar with these marvels of agricultural engineering, they are 50 inches tall and 16 feet long, and constructed of extremely stiff, thick galvanized and welded wire. They're indestructible, and work great for making chicken coops, green houses, trellises, and any kind of garden fencing your little heart could desire. BUT, they're a beast to transport. Not a problem, as hubby and I have done so on several occasions, and I even brought one home alone last summer. In the past, we've loaded one end onto the truck, then you get at the other end, and get a running head start, pushing that end up towards the tail gate, and pushing up on the middle of the panel so it eventually is folded into an upside down U, and held in place with the closed tail gate. It looks kind of like the frame of a Connastoga wagon, only sideways. A few cross ties with ratchet straps, and nameless hen and I were ready to finish our trip. It was a bit wobbly, so I stopped several times to tighten the straps. Just for good measure, I took the side roads, then got to a little short state route, and picked up speed a bit. Peeked out the rear view window, and it looked stable... until I saw the whole thing go sailing off the end of the truck. I find it amazing that such a simple little thing, like tying the bottom down to those little U hooks on the bottom 4 corners of the truck can make such a difference between staying put and going flying.) OH how I thank GOD that there was no traffic in either direction. That could have caused a fatality. As it was, all it did was embarrass the daylights out of me, and put me in a predicament. Once I dragged those panels out of the road, I realized that there was NO WAY I could re-load them. So, I called my son, (an other miracle. My track phone gets horrid reception, and often that entire stretch of road is a dead zone, but not today!) who works at the church about 3 miles away. (an other blessing, that he was working today, that he was there, and that he was available to help me) Then, I started removing the ratchet straps. Hadn't gotten very far with that when a car pulled up, out hopped a young man, and an older copy of the same model. They assessed my mess, and started grabbing straps and panels before I could do much more than stand there with my mouth gaping like a fish out of water. By the time my favorite (and only) son showed up, they had the panels loaded, and were cinching them down. (I found out that there was more than one way to load those beasts into the bed of my truck.) They had them wedged in there so tight that it took a lot of effort to pry them back out! My son played with the straps a bit more after my good Samaritans left.(I think just so his trip wasn't in vain!!) The rest of the trip was uneventful.

 

[KentuckyMom]

@lazy gardener

Wow! You had QUITE the day! Sounds like , all said and done, it turned out to be pretty amazing. You made those first graders day and, in turn, two, no three, good Samaritans, helped you. Isn't it amazing how that works sometimes?

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm just super thankful that I didn't kill anyone. When I fessed up to hubby, he just shook his head and said, "Well, Cow Girl, you're not gonna earn your spurs that way!" At least I didn't have to call AAA this time. Last November, in the middle of an 18" snow storm, I buried the truck in mud up to the frame. Only one wheel that wasn't buried over the axle!

 

[LBejaran]

I'm just super thankful that I didn't kill anyone.  When I fessed up to hubby, he just shook his head and said, "Well, Cow Girl, you're not gonna earn your spurs that way!"  At least I didn't have to call AAA this time.  Last November, in the middle of an 18" snow storm, I buried the truck in mud up to the frame.  Only one wheel that wasn't buried over the axle!

I'm glad you and everyone else is okay! That could have been trouble!

Just thought I'd post a little tidbit on a couple women I respect deeply. They were two of three women that influenced my mother, one the best people I have ever known. One of these women passed away yesterday and I love her very much.

Celina Dominguez on the left, Juanita Dominguez on the right

My Tia Celina passed away yesterday evening. She was a woman with incredible posture and a lust for life. She never missed an opportunity to tell a joke or show her wit. She and my grandmother were partners in crime and were always on a mission to have some fun.

Juanita on the left, Celina on the right

These two women were my mother's heroes and they have given me the greatest gift by being there to teach her to be an outstanding woman. Grandma passed away several years ago, but Tia Celina has always been there for us and has been a second mother to my mom.

I just wanted to share this little thing with you all. I'm very proud to have known these women.

 

[Blooie]

You are so blessed to have these women in your life, and you are wise to recognize their contribution to your family and the examples they set. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know you feel it deeply.

 

[LBejaran]

The fortune I've been given is present in every laugh and comforting embrace I've ever received from my mother. I know that by giving Mom the knowledge and wisdom she needs to live her life, they also have taught me how to be a better person. I'm grateful for every moment I've had with them.

 

[lazy gardener]

They are beautiful women inside and out. Their legacy lives on. So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and your family during this time of mourning and rememberance.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Sorry for your loss @lbejaran
That is a beautiful tribute for Tia Celina.