Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[hallerlake]

Quote: I don't think Washington state recognizes common law marriage. Would baby mama be the right term?

 

[VelvettFog]

What a lazy day. Rested, then rested some more.

It was absolutely criminal the way I lazed about. LOL

Finished the day of dishwashing/laundry with a dinner consisting of breaded porkchops, stringbeans and my Dad's recipe for "lyonnaised" potatoes. So good!

6 eggs from 8 hens. (I think one is not laying, but don't know which one)

Mike,

You know how to look at the vents and tell if that bird has laid recently?

 

[VelvettFog]

Quote:
I call them family.

 

[VelvettFog]

Grrrr ....

It looks like it will rain today. RAIN?!?!

I live in the freaking desert on PURPOSE -- we don't need no stinkin RAIN !

I hate rain!


Yesterday I got the arbor finished. Today, I'll continue to work on fencing off the garden from the pack of wild, on-the-edge-of-starvation, rabbits. They ate everything - twice - last year, until I got smart enough to put up a fence. It was only temporary. This year I'll put a permanent fence in (at least for the east side of the garden. It will look nice from the house.

Out of 34 eggs that made it to lock down, only 14 hatched (3 others got shrink-wrapped). Something went wrong with that hatch. When I opened the lid on day 22 - there was a really bad odor. I cannot find an egg the blew up - but I think one of them certainly had a small crack and really stunk up the place. I'll be sure to give that hatcher a good spritzing with the bleach bottle before I use it again.

I did get a good ratio of M to F -- 5 males and 9 females. Which is both good and bad. Good because pullets are easier to sell and I can charge more. Bad because I really am after a rooster from this breeding for the next step in my Hambar project.

Did I mention that I dislike rain?

Dislike is not a strong enough word.

 

[sirius]

Looks kind of overcast out there...Coop work will continue inside the shop today.
Trying to figure out how to post picture...
Have a super morning everyone.

 

[lilfarmmomma]

Good morning!! DH fixed my rider yesterday, so I spent all day yesterday mowing. He tilled my garden, so today I have to pick the weed clumps out. I did however find a cucumber that apparently re-seeded itself? I moved it and stuck it in a pot, so we shall see.

Dave, I did manage to get more pics of Buckbeak, but have not moved them to the puter. However, in looking at her now, I am happy to report that I am pretty sure she is a pullet!

I also have to report that I love, love, LOVE my Silkie roo. He is the sweetest thing I have ever seen and allows the smaller chicks that I moved out to snuggle under his fluff at night. If I had not heard him crow, I would think he was a hen. I am SO glad that I got him.


Anyway, it is light out now, so I suppose I better get busy, lots to get accomplished since planting time is here.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

What a lazy day. Rested, then rested some more.

It was absolutely criminal the way I lazed about. LOL

Finished the day of dishwashing/laundry with a dinner consisting of breaded porkchops, stringbeans and my Dad's recipe for "lyonnaised" potatoes. So good!

6 eggs from 8 hens. (I think one is not laying, but don't know which one)

Well Mikey I hate to burst yer bubble but ......8-2=6 therefore you have 2 hens that didn't lay.

How are ya ever gonna learn chicken math.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Well, off to bed for me. Then when I get up I get to dust the whole flock. Elphaba has mites and that means most likely everyone else does too. Oh goodie. Gonna be interesting wrestling my 12lb Pig Pen into the tub for his dusting.

 

[Greg Richardson]

If you have never read this before this is the original version straight from the authors website.
This will be a great way to start your day.
If you have ever dealt with government employees before you will really enjoy this!
Thank God not all government employees are like this. LOL!




STATE OF MICHIGAN

• • Reply to:
    GRAND RAPIDS DISTRICT OFFICE
    STATE OFFICE BUILDING 6TH FLOOR
    350 OTTAWA NW
    GRAND RAPIDS MI 49503-2341

JOHN ENGLER, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HOLLISTER BUILDING, PO BOX 30473, LANSING MI 48909-7973
INTERNET: http://www.deq.state.mi us
RUSSELL J. HARDING, Director

• • December 17, 1997

CERTIFIED

Mr. Ryan DeVries
2088 Dagget
Pierson, MI 49339
Dear Mr. DeVries:
SUBJECT: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023-1 T11N, R10W, Sec. 20, Montcalm Count-,),
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent
unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity: Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond.
A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files show that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301,. Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws annotated.
The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially, failed during a recent rain event, causing debris dams and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all unauthorized activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the strewn channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 1998. Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff.
Failure to comply with this request, or any further unauthorized activity on the site, may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action.
We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

• • Sincerely,

• • David L. Price
    District Representative
    Land and Water Management Division
    616-356-0269

dlp:bjc
cc: LWMD, Lansing

• MontcaImCEA
  Pierson Township
  Lieutenant Mary C. Sherzer, DNR LED

Reply:

Stephen and Rosalind Tvedten
2530 Hayes Street
Marne, MI 49435-9751
616-677-1261
616-677-1262 Fax
[email protected]​

1/6/98

David L. Price
District Representative
Land and Water Management Division
Grand Rapids District Office
State Office Bldg., 6th Floor
350 Ottawa, N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2341
Dear Mr. Price:
Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N, R10W, Sec 20; Montcalm County
Your certified letter dated 12/17/97 has been handed to me to respond to. You sent out a great deal of carbon copies to a lot of people, but you neglected to include their addresses. You will, therefore, have to send them a copy of my response.
First of all, Mr. Ryan DeVries is not the legal landowner and/or contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson, Michigan - I am the legal owner and a couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, nor authorize their dam project, I think they would be highly offended you call their skillful use of natural building materials "debris". I would like to challenge you to attempt to emulate their dam project any dam time and/or any dam place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no dam way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.
As to your dam request the beavers first must fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity, my first dam question to you is: are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers or do you require all dam beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request? If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, please send me completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws annotated. My first concern is - aren't the dam beavers entitled to dam legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said dam representation - so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer.
The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event causing dam flooding is proof we should leave the dam Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling their dam names. If you want the dam stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition - contact the dam beavers - but if you are going to arrest them (they obviously did not pay any dam attention to your dam letter -- being unable to read English) - be sure you read them their dam Miranda first. As for me, I am not going to cause more dam flooding or dam debris jams by interfering with these dam builders. If you want to hurt these dam beavers - be aware I am sending a copy of your dam letter and this response to PETA. If your dam Department seriously finds all dams of this nature inherently hazardous and truly will not permit their existence in this dam State - I seriously hope you are not selectively enforcing this dam policy - or once again both I and the Spring Pond Beavers will scream prejudice!
In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their dam unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam right than I to live and enjoy Spring Pond. So, as far as I and the beavers are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more dam elevated enforcement action now. Why wait until 1/31/98? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then, and there will be no dam way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them then.
In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention a real environmental quality (health) problem; bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the dam beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! (The bears are not careful where they dump!)
Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.

Sincerely,
Stephen L.Tvedten

 

[lilfarmmomma]

If you have never read this before this is the original version straight from the authors website.
This will be a great way to start your day.
If you have ever dealt with government employees before you will really enjoy this!
Thank God not all government employees are like this. LOL!




STATE OF MICHIGAN

• • Reply to:
    GRAND RAPIDS DISTRICT OFFICE
    STATE OFFICE BUILDING 6TH FLOOR
    350 OTTAWA NW
    GRAND RAPIDS MI 49503-2341

JOHN ENGLER, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HOLLISTER BUILDING, PO BOX 30473, LANSING MI 48909-7973
INTERNET: http://www.deq.state.mi us
RUSSELL J. HARDING, Director

• • December 17, 1997

CERTIFIED

Mr. Ryan DeVries
2088 Dagget
Pierson, MI 49339
Dear Mr. DeVries:
SUBJECT: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023-1 T11N, R10W, Sec. 20, Montcalm Count-,),
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent
unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity: Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond.
A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files show that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301,. Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws annotated.
The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially, failed during a recent rain event, causing debris dams and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all unauthorized activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the strewn channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 1998. Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff.
Failure to comply with this request, or any further unauthorized activity on the site, may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action.
We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

• • Sincerely,

• • David L. Price
    District Representative
    Land and Water Management Division
    616-356-0269

dlp:bjc
cc: LWMD, Lansing

• MontcaImCEA
  Pierson Township
  Lieutenant Mary C. Sherzer, DNR LED

Reply:

Stephen and Rosalind Tvedten
2530 Hayes Street
Marne, MI 49435-9751
616-677-1261
616-677-1262 Fax
[email protected]​

1/6/98

David L. Price
District Representative
Land and Water Management Division
Grand Rapids District Office
State Office Bldg., 6th Floor
350 Ottawa, N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2341
Dear Mr. Price:
Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N, R10W, Sec 20; Montcalm County
Your certified letter dated 12/17/97 has been handed to me to respond to. You sent out a great deal of carbon copies to a lot of people, but you neglected to include their addresses. You will, therefore, have to send them a copy of my response.
First of all, Mr. Ryan DeVries is not the legal landowner and/or contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson, Michigan - I am the legal owner and a couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, nor authorize their dam project, I think they would be highly offended you call their skillful use of natural building materials "debris". I would like to challenge you to attempt to emulate their dam project any dam time and/or any dam place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no dam way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.
As to your dam request the beavers first must fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity, my first dam question to you is: are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers or do you require all dam beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request? If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, please send me completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws annotated. My first concern is - aren't the dam beavers entitled to dam legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said dam representation - so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer.
The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event causing dam flooding is proof we should leave the dam Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling their dam names. If you want the dam stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition - contact the dam beavers - but if you are going to arrest them (they obviously did not pay any dam attention to your dam letter -- being unable to read English) - be sure you read them their dam Miranda first. As for me, I am not going to cause more dam flooding or dam debris jams by interfering with these dam builders. If you want to hurt these dam beavers - be aware I am sending a copy of your dam letter and this response to PETA. If your dam Department seriously finds all dams of this nature inherently hazardous and truly will not permit their existence in this dam State - I seriously hope you are not selectively enforcing this dam policy - or once again both I and the Spring Pond Beavers will scream prejudice!
In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their dam unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam right than I to live and enjoy Spring Pond. So, as far as I and the beavers are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more dam elevated enforcement action now. Why wait until 1/31/98? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then, and there will be no dam way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them then.
In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention a real environmental quality (health) problem; bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the dam beavers alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! (The bears are not careful where they dump!)
Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.

Sincerely,
Stephen L.Tvedten

Just got word from DH that I may be able to acquire 10 already laying hens and their coop from a good friend of ours. Don't know the details yet, but fresh eggs now and they come with their own quarantine area? Sounds like a win win to me. Yay!! Just have to find out if it is a permanent coop or more like a tractor so I know where I want to put it. If it is a tractor type, then I can put it anywhere. Actual coop, I will have to do some planning.