The Old Folks Home

[scottcaddy]

A day in the life of Wisher -

My DH has been wanting some salmon patties for a couple of weeks. He brought home canned salmon, and Panko, and put them in the pantry. I decided to make them tonight but soon realized that I didn't have any onions. I called my closest (this side of the road) neighbor, a recent widow, to see if she had an onion I could borrow. She said she did and I thankfully told her I would send my youngest to her house on our Ranger. It is only about a quarter of a mile, counting both of our long driveways, from our garage to her front door. I selected a beautiful rainbow of fresh eggs and arranged them in a carton to send to her in exchange. DS#3 came back shortly, and I asked how she liked the eggs. He said 'fine' and went back to his game. Shortly, I was ready to dice the onion and couldn't find it. I asked where my onion was. DS#3 said he didn't know. "Wha'? Where is the onion, SON?' "They didn't give it to me." "Well, go back and get it, I need it, that was the whole purpose in you going!"

He didn't want to go, he was embarrassed, but I assured him that all he had to do is say "I forgot the onion" and she would give it to him. In a bit, he was back with the onions, two onions! Which is what I actually needed (for tomorrow's meatloaf) but didn't want to ask. I asked what she said and he replied, "He just said, 'Oh, you need some onions?' and gave them to me." HE? I had a fleeting thought of a new boyfriend, but then was just confused.

DS#3 said, "Wait. Where was I supposed to take them?"

 

[chickisoup]

Quote:

I agree. However I would find it funnier if I had not raised a teenager just like him
some of those memories were not funny till years later when I could tell them to his wife!

 

[chickadoodles]

I agree. However I would find it funnier if I had not raised a teenager just like him
some of those memories were not funny till years later when I could tell them to his wife!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I like that nickname.

How is everyone in the south doing after that storm? We're getting it today, around 14 inches of snow then some sleet/ice on top of it (better than on the bottom), but we're so much better equipped to deal with it than you are.

Ron, how are you feeling?

I have a couple broodies, now. One's a cornish that's about the craziest chicken I've ever met. If I so much as peer into her nest box she comes immediately flying out, just a mass of feathers, beak and claws right at your face. And then next door to her is my GLW whose sense of seasons is all messed up - she only wants to hatch in the dead of winter. Wonder if this means spring is finally coming or that we're only halfway through winter.

 

[Pozees]

I like that nickname.

How is everyone in the south doing after that storm? We're getting it today, around 14 inches of snow then some sleet/ice on top of it (better than on the bottom), but we're so much better equipped to deal with it than you are.

Ron, how are you feeling?

I have a couple broodies, now. One's a cornish that's about the craziest chicken I've ever met. If I so much as peer into her nest box she comes immediately flying out, just a mass of feathers, beak and claws right at your face. And then next door to her is my GLW whose sense of seasons is all messed up - she only wants to hatch in the dead of winter. Wonder if this means spring is finally coming or that we're only halfway through winter.

Yes



A week ago we were struggling to top zero, today the predicted high is 60 - although we get lots of wind to accompany it. Weekend temps are supposed to approach 70. Birds will be happy little campers

 

[ChickenCanoe]

In my case, after I was suddenly retired without advance notice I might add. All I tried to do was get all of the 'To-Do-when-I-have-time' list done. I am still working on last years list

I don't know what happened, But I had more time off when I had a real day job!!

Scott

That was my case too. I had a little notice but I wasn't ready to retire. They just sent 2400 of us packing here and over 25,000 company wide. I found several jobs in my field but almost none were near home. My only job close to home was a programming gig that took all of 4 hours. The longest was 9 months. I got tired of being away from home and not finding any real work so I just gave up. - Like so many others over 55 that will never find the work they used to do.
When I had a job, I knew I only had maybe 4 hours a day to do chores so I was more focused. The added chores, lack of focus and being away from home off and on for 4 years caused everything to mount. I still haven't dug my way out yet either.

...
How is everyone in the south doing after that storm? We're getting it today, around 14 inches of snow then some sleet/ice on top of it (better than on the bottom), but we're so much better equipped to deal with it than you are.

...

... Wonder if this means spring is finally coming or that we're only halfway through winter.

We lucked out and finally missed a storm. It's about 8 right now. It seems like it's been in the single digits at night or lower all winter. I know it hasn't.

I think the end is in sight. Today is the first day above freezing in a long time. It's getting into the 40s. Back close to 10 tonight with a couple inches of snow and then finally we're supposed to have normal temperatures for a couple weeks.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I like that nickname.

How is everyone in the south doing after that storm? We're getting it today, around 14 inches of snow then some sleet/ice on top of it (better than on the bottom), but we're so much better equipped to deal with it than you are.

Ron, how are you feeling?

I have a couple broodies, now. One's a cornish that's about the craziest chicken I've ever met. If I so much as peer into her nest box she comes immediately flying out, just a mass of feathers, beak and claws right at your face. And then next door to her is my GLW whose sense of seasons is all messed up - she only wants to hatch in the dead of winter. Wonder if this means spring is finally coming or that we're only halfway through winter.

Thanks for asking SCG. We are on day 2, round 2, of this storm. Weather forecasts say we may not get round 3.

DH and I just got back inside from assessing the destruction. Both chicken tractors are just about solid ice. I had put a waterer in the bottom corner of the new one, so all I would have to do is pour the warm water through the chicken wire to thaw it. The top access doors, frozen with 1/2" ice. Couldn't get them open to thaw the top waterer.

The chicken run......we had...emphasize "had" covered with bird netting. It is ice covered, laying on the ground. Chickens won't be using their run till it thaws, and we can pick it all back up. Pictures later......

We have big snow flakes, falling on top of ice crusts, on top of snow and rain. Yuk...

I am glad I made that big pot of chili on Tuesday. We are working our way through it. Made a big pot of steamed jasmine rice to go with it last night, for supper. Tonight, we'll see. It might end up as burritos.

As for the main flock...they are iced into their coop for today. DH said to let them out to free range later...perhaps. I have to stay out there with them, if they do. Not like they will be able to dig and scratch much anyway, perhaps in the underbrush that is accessible in various places.

DH will be pulling out the Kubota later on. Scrape the driveway if possible. Last time we had ice like this, Feb 2011, he couldn't get out of the driveway for a week. But he didn't have the kubota then.

 

[chickadoodles]

So far we have had so much artic mess that three of my roosters now have frostbite on their combs. I put vaseline on them and had a heat lamp in the coop, it did not help.
I am now thinking of getting some Buckeyes so I won't have to deal with frostbite.
I have
Orps- frostbiten
Welsummer- frostbitten
BA - frostbitten

The only one of my roosters that does not have frostbite is my EE rooster. lol
That is kind of why I am thinking of Buckeye's, they have the same combs. lol

What do ya'll think?

 

[drumstick diva]

I think she looks good with that shade of lipstick. Only she must have put on with shaky hands- as she couldn't have lips that big.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Every one of my Penedesenca roosters has frostbitten combs and wattles. Some severe, some not too bad. I only have one other rooster and he's half penedesenca with a Jaerhon mom. His comb is just about as tall as the others but not as thick. His isn't frostbitten at all and he was in the same building as the two worst penes.
IDK but I'm thinking it could be his Norwegian heritage.

I planned on putting Vaseline on half of the roosters this winter to check it's effectiveness. I'm glad I didn't waste my time. It was so cold for so long, I'm sure it wouldn't have mattered and if it did, I would have had to do it for 2 months. Not happening.