Introducing...

Our new rooster. His name? I think it's going to be Big Easy. I've never seen such an easy introduction of a rooster to hens. I wanted to name him Fabian because the girls love him but when I told Buddy how easy he is with the hens, he said we should call him Big Easy.

He's a Faverolle X Ameracauna but I don't see any Ameracauna in him.

Happy Trails...
Berte

Snow?

Do you see it? It looks like snow in the field behind us. No, of course, it's not snow. It's just plowed up cotton. This farmer, like most around here, are collecting on the insurance because of the drought and having to plow it up. So sad.

Did ya hear? We're supposed to have a cold front coming in. It's supposed to be in the mid 90's instead of 113-117. I'll take it! It's been too hot to do anything! Still no rain...

Farm news update -

flies - the jar helped but we still had flies. Hopefully, the change in the weather will keep them down. They're everywhere we go.

Pong and his mama didn't make it. That coyote's hunger was stronger than his fear and he came right up to the house. I watched for him a few evenings since. He came up a couple times and just stared at us. Buddy shot over him both times and we've not seen him again. Plus the field behind us is now plowed up. I hope he's gone.

Happy Trails...

Berte

Flies, Flies and More Flies

I don't know what it is but we've been invaded by flies. Not sure if it's the heat or what but they are coming in droves to this area. We've got dogs and critters but these flies are everywhere around us. It's disgusting. It seems I'm not the only one with this complaint. Even when I hang clothes out on the line, they are all over them....yuck! For some strange reason, they are also very attracted to the concrete outside. I have put out Sevin Dust and they seem to love it. I have googled and searched for some type of fly control. I then try this ->

I read the instructions...simple enough. You can see in the bottle it has a tube of liquid in there..you snip off the end, pour it in and fill half full of water. NO WHERE does it say to wear a gas mask or use gloves....this stuff is repulsive! I would closely compare it to the smell of dead fish and bad urine. I think that's what it is....old urine! Oh...my....gosh!!! It's attracting some flies but not near enough. I also think it must have attracted every wild animal we have left around here.. the dogs barked all night.

I'm also saving 2-liter bottles to make my own concoction. First you remove the cap. Then cut the top part of the bottle off about an inch below where it stops curving. Invert the top into the bottom so the mouth of the bottle is about an inch or so above the bottom so it does not touch any liquid when filled. Then pour in vinegar...or, if you're so inclined...you can pee in it. Slap a label on it and we'll all be rich! ha...just kidding but it's the same thing as the Captivator. But somebody did it and I'm crazy enough to buy it.

If anyone out there in blogland has any suggestions on how to get rid of flies and still keep the dogs safe, I would greatly appreciate it.

Happy Trails...

Berte

Cotton Prices and the Texas Drought

This is the irrigation canal across the road from us that supplies the cotton crop next to it. It's looking pretty good.

And then this is the cotton crop behind us that is not irrigated. This year it costs $100 just in seed to plant 100 acres and, with no rain, if it's not irrigated, there is little yield. And we can only guess that cotton prices are going to skyrocket. Hay is like gold around here...hard to find..

This is looking out across my front yard. Just across from our brown grass is the road, then the canal and then the irrigated crops.

Well, it does provide a nice swimmin' hole for the dogs. It's pretty deep out in the middle.

Sarah's fitting in real good with the "crew"..you can see she's the first one headed back to the house! Maybe someday she'll feel comfortable enough to jump in the canal with everyone else.

Happy Trails...

Berte

A Promise to the Dying

This one might be long so bear with me. Last year, a church member and dear friend of my husband's became ill. He was the same age as my husband. One day he passed out while driving and wrecked his beautiful vintage turquoise truck. Ray was okay but the truck was no longer driveable besides the fact that Ray didn't need to be driving anymore. Because Ray was no longer driving, it ended up that it was either me or Buddy toting him back and forth to the doctor and various appointments. His cigarette smoke about knocked me over but Ray was, of course, very respectful of not smoking in my truck so I never pushed the issue of suggesting quitting to him. And at the point, why would I? Shortly, after the first of the year, Ray was diagnosed as terminal and died in April. Now, after all that, comes my story. Ray had one stone deaf little dog, a wild dog that no one could get near and was elusive because the entire time Ray was alive, I never saw her, and four cats as old as dirt. Ray found Jesus as his Savior the last year or so of his life and never doubted for once where he was going after death. He had time to make arrangements for the deaf dog but was worried sick about Sarah because no one could get near her. Of course, in the last few weeks of Ray's life, Buddy promised Ray he would take care of Sarah and to quit worrying. Shortly thereafter, Ray died. Ray's family all lives out of town so now we (get the "we" part?) were committed to taking care of this dog. To say the very least, I have been after Buddy to do something about that dog! We tried finding her a home but we didn't know a thing about her except that Ray had all his pets neutered and immunized.
We did know that Ray had her and her littermate since puppies and Sarah saw her littermate mauled by another dog and has been shy ever since...well, duh...I think I would be too.

Once I did spy Sarah, I saw that she had on a tag but getting close to her was another thing. Four months later...yes, I said four months, I told Buddy I was going to sit and wait it out in the heat and get Sarah. Ray's neice had provided us (way back at the time of the funeral) with sedatives to use for her. Now was the time. Mind you, everything has been shut off over at this house since Ray's death so we've been toting water over there...and it was hot! To shorten this story, the sedative never took affect but I finally got her....yes! The dog tag was from a clinic in a nearby town. It was Monday and they didn't open til Wednesday. Since it's been 110 here, my dogs have been coming in and so did Sarah...and always on a long leash while outside. She's been with me constantly. Wednesday comes and I call the clinic..wouldn't you know it? The tag on Sarah belongs to one of the cats! What?! I still know nothing about this dog except that she is one of the sweetest dogs I've ever been around in my life...and I've been around a few...ha! This dogs does not want me out of her sight! And I need to add, she is no longer on a leash. Of all the dogs that I have had to be "compadres", this one has chosen me. All because of granting a dear, sweet man a dying wish and letting him go in peace. Now, why is that? Neither Buddy or I can take Ray's phone number out of our cell phones. Maybe one day but for right now... we have Sarah Ray.
Happy Trails,

Berte

Just How Hot is It?

It's hot enough to start cooking an egg before it ever makes it into the house! Now that's hot! And if the heat is starting to cook eggs, what is it doing to my animals? I'm getting only two eggs a day so I'm gonna have to start catching them when layed to have any eggs! The forecasted temp for today is 107. This is dangerously hot to do anything outside.




Buddy had a big job scheduled for the next four days and it fell through..I'm almost glad he's not going. I know that God is watching over us and will provide. Times are tough for everyone.













Want some good news? This is too cute! When I went to close up my chickens last night, I noticed that one of my first batch hens (Dec '09) has adopted Pong. I've never seen that in chickens but I'm thankful. Not that he needs the heat from the underside of a mama but just that he has that sense of protection.












Happy Trails...
Berte

Cold Watermelon on a Hot Day

They come scrambling for some cold watermelon.
Even little Pong is getting in on it. He's a survivor....no more Ping or Mama hen but he's making it.

Stay cool and Happy Trails...

Berte

The Texas Drought - Before and Now

Look at the difference between my header and this one now during the drought. Nothing but dry, dusty dirt and no pecans forming on the trees. Ugh.. It's 104 with an expected heat index of 110. I think I'll do some more praying and get out my umbrella.
Happy Trails...
Berte

The Sandwich Poll continues

Thanks for all the comments on the sandwich poll - they're great! Of course these sandwiches are going to be made fresh and will "packed" so I'm looking for something that is easily transported yet appealing. I would like to offer 3-4 choices so keep the ideas and the comments coming! Ya'll are great!
Happy Trails...
Berte

I'm taking a poll and need your help

This question is directed more to the men so, ladies, please ask your guys this question. If you were given a choice of sandwiches for lunch, what would you choose: chicken salad, ham & cheese, roast beef, tuna or other?
Thanks,

Happy Trails...

Berte

Too cute!

I know I just posted but I had to post this...this is too cute. When I went out to close up the chicken house, Pong had made it all the way to the highest roost with the big girls. He's (remember I call him a "he") moved from a corner on the floor, up to a stick, up to the middle roost and now to the top. Gee, I hope this little guy makes it.

Goodnight all,

Happy Trails...

Berte

Chicken Attack

Okay, I know..it's been awhile since I posted anything..no excuses. Just no motivation. I think it's the heat. The heat and drought is bringing up coyotes into the yard (or near the yard). My 20+ hens, one rooster and two clutches have been reduced to 8 hens and one chick. Talk about sickening!! And they are quick! Each day when I was on the lookout for the coyotes, it seemed they came up an hour earlier each day. I would glance out the window and see one trotting off with a chicken and before I could get out the door, they were gone. The only thing that saved them several times was the field fence between me and my neighbors'. They would just stand over there and watch me.

So now my chickens have been moved closer to the house. They are actually in their own yard in my yard. I love having them close. I love my chickens!

It's been 100-107 degrees here for weeks. There is no grass left. I'm now making mud puddles for my chickens to keep them cool. And I'm getting only two eggs a day...if I'm lucky.

I guess this is one way to keep a fuzzy butt cool...lay the egg in the mud!

This is my one little chick that's left. His name is Pong because when he (I call him a "he" in hopes he's a rooster) and the other little chick hatched, they looked like ping pong balls. Ping didn't make it.

Since I've moved the chickens, I haven't seen any more coyotes. I'm sure they're out there looking for something to eat and trying to find water.

Hope everyone out there is staying cool..

Happy Trails...

Berte

New Life on the Farm

Finally! I've had chicks hatch out. This mama hen persevered through extreme heat, cold and even a possom curled up for a nap two "doors" down to hatch out these six little chicks. This is sooo much fun! Now I can share in the excitement that others of you post about when you have little ones.. chicks, goats, lambs, etc. I have chicks!!!

As far as the possum, I went out one day in the morning to all the ruckus and another hen was on this mama's nest. I got her off and the mama got back on her nest. When I went back out in the evening to gather eggs, I lifted the lid on the nest box and thought there was a snake in one of the nest boxes. Yep, I 'bout wet my pants right there! But it was a possum curled up taking a nap. And there was mama hen sitting two boxes down on her nest. My generous BIL gathered up his gun and came over to take care of the possum. That mama hen didnt' budge.

Happy Trails,

Berte

Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter yesterday and got to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With both our trucks loaded up and ready to pull out, our alarms went off yesterday morning at 4am to head out for sunrise service. And it was beautiful. Unfortunately, the morning was so busy, I forgot to take pictures of the first service. Buddy brought a wonderful message and it was a great service out at the rodeo arena. Then we loaded it all up and went down the road to the auction barn where we had a chuckwagon breakfast and 10:30 service. Oh my goodness...there's nothing like coffee cooked over a fire. With all the burn bans and area fires, the fire department allowed us to go ahead with the cookout as long as we had barriers put up. It worked. And the food... there aren't words to describe...we had breakfast tacos and sausage gravy over biscuits. yum, yum....

Check out the size of that skillet! When it's empty, I can't pick it up!

Our dear friends came and cooked for us. Don't ya love it?

We had a great time and lots of new folks came out for both services. God has blessed our church richly!

After second service, it was home again and, I have to admit, I came home and crawled in bed for a couple hours of z's. Then it was cookout time again at home ..homemade elk sausage and potato salad. What a great day!

Happy Trails...

Berte

Cool Water

It has been extremely dry here in Texas with lots of wildfires out in west Texas. We've had no rain to speak of and no rain in the forecast. Besides that, the humidity has been down to 9% which is unheard of around here. What green grass we have around here crunches under you feet as you walk on it.

I have noticed more and more folks putting out water for animals that can't find any water source. Most of the ponds and tanks have dried up. Here, at a lot next to the convenient store, is a sign posted that says "no pets allowed" but there is also a plastic pan set out for the birds. Only one bird stayed at the "watering hole" for the picture.

What month is it anyway?

Why are June bugs called June bugs when they show up in April?

Happy Trails,

Berte

Still hangin' in here

I honestly try and post on this blog but I find myself coming and going. I know, I know... I need to slow down and smell the roses. As a matter of fact, that is just about the only thing that is green and growing around here. We have not had rain in months and everything is dust around here. It's horrible! And the wind will almost blow me to Kansas! We live in the middle of farmland and it's nothing but a cloud of dust. If ya'll think things are getting pricy now, just wait...several of these farmers are considering not even planting their cotton crops this year. That's bad news for us. Cotton prices are going to skyrocket. Okay, enough of that...

The black calf is gone...hallelujah! He never would get big so off to the sale he went. I'm jumping for joy! Now, to figure out what to do with the Longhorn... those horns are dangerous. If only I had a hotshot...

Between the etsy shop, the farm and working on church stuff, my plate has been full. I'm not complaining. I'm so blessed. Buddy worked hard to make a cross for our church. We started a cowboy church the first of the year and we meet in an auction barn so this helped. You might be able to see it in the picture. I wrapped the bottom with a burlap bag since the entire cross is stuck in a Christmas tree stand. What do ya call it?...ambiance? Whatever..it helped. See the podium? One of the guys at church made it for Buddy. It's so cool..it folds up and it goes wherever. It's got a barbed wire cross on the front.

We have another new addition to our menagerie...Meet Jethro. He's three months old and will be Buddy's compadre. Gussie, the red heeler is mine. All the merrier!

To everyone..

Happy Trails,

Berte

A WishOut

My posts are most likely terribly boring to anyone and everyone that comes across them. I initially started blogging to keep a journal and let everyone (friends and family) know what's going on in my life especially when we moved out to the farm. I would like to spend more time on blogging but am pretty certain my days are pretty boring.

This past week I kept three of my granddaughters while their mom went on a scrapbook retreat. Oh my gosh, there were some tough moments but I wouldn't trade them for the world. I truly wish all my grandkids lived closer to me so I could love on them all the time.

Anyway, since last Thursday was St. Patrick's Day, I decided we would bake a cake and make it green. The two older ones (ages 5 and 3) were so excited. The youngest (age 1) could have cared less. And then this Nana had to try and find all the ingredients.. a little of this, a little of that and none of that. Ohwell.. we had fun making it. I knew when I put it in the oven, it wasn't going to turn out. So..it came out of the oven and, for sure, it was not going to be the best in the west. But it was green and it turned out edible. It got covered with a towel and left on the counter. I discovered a while later that the 3 yr old had pushed a chair up and had been eating on it. She is so precious. There is no way this nana could be upset.

I had her in my lap talking about what she had done and she looked up at me and asked if would make her a cake for next birthday. Well, of course! I asked her what kind of cake she wanted and she replied, "A wishout".

I finally figured out she wanted a birthday cake with candles on it to blow out and make a wish.

This is one of those posts that only a nana could love.

Happy Trails,

Berte

The New Arrival

Welcome Bronson Herminio

7 lbs 7 ozs

March 16 in West Virginia

Congratulations to Brett and Claudia!

Grandbaby #9!

Happy Trails,
Berte

Another Disappointing Nest

Last May I bought another batch of hatchlings and this darling is one of the Buff Orphingtons that I had big hopes of hatching out a nest...I'm not giving up yet. I bought 6 pullet chicks and one rooster. I think I have 3 hens left and this one has been sitting on a nest for quite a while. I went out today and, apparently, one hatched out, fell to the floor (or she tossed it out) and left it and moved over to the adjoining nest to work on it. I have no idea how many eggs are under her but it can't too many. That's so disappointing. I want some of my own hatchlings on the farm.

Then there is this one that the rooster literally attacks (you can see the back of her scarred head --and that's not love pecks either) and she has chosen a life of solitary away from the rooster. She stays away from the other hens. Lately, she's been taking solace in the chicken house during the day so I carried her out yesterday to the barn to live with a couple other hens. I thought she would love it away from the rooster but she was back in the chicken yard today. Go figure...

Here's Food On The Table...I thought for sure I'd be rid of him last Saturday but the brakes went out on the truck so we couldn't haul him..now it has to wait another week.. All he does is eat and eat and eat some more....

Oh..and tear up the shed...

I'll be soooo glad when he's gone...

And Button is still acting like a dog and growing those horns longer every day. I wish I could get a good picture of how they are starting to turn at the tips.

If anyone has any great suggestions on what I can do to successfully hatch out a nest, I will welcome them. The only thing I can come up with is to put in a nest box closer to the ground. But I've got friends that have their nest boxes up higher and they don't have a problem.
Help!...

Happy Trails,

Where do we park?

With gas prices going up the way they are, it brings much thought to mind... where do ya park the horse while in the store? At what point do we stop paying these ridiculously high prices for gas? The prices are jumping up right before our eyes and not just by a few cents...we saw it go up 14cents before we could round the corner!

(I had to borrow this pic from the internet because, no, I have not yet taken the horse to town) ...but I'm seriously considering it...

Happy Trails,

Busy in the Sewing Room

I'm trying real hard to get back to bloggin' but between being sick, helping kids and trying to get lots of sewing done, I'm not doing too well with the blogging. But I have been busy trying to get lots of items ready to launch my Etsy shop. This gorgeous weather is helping since my sewing machine is facing the window.

It seems like every piece of fabric that I pick up is screaming "spring!" Maybe that's what's wrong with me...I've got a little spring fever. I've got so many things that I want to make, I don't know where to begin. I've helped a friend work on her first quilt so now I've got the quilting bug again. It's been over a year since I've quilted!! What?! The wheels are turning upstairs on what I can make...

I figure with the launch of the Etsy shop, I will work in a giveaway... (my daughter agrees). She thinks it should a Spring/Easter table runner. What d'ya think? And since I'll be trying to promote the shop, I'll need to figure out how to do that and tie it in with the blog. Any ideas? Maybe I should have a little giveaway for the one that can come up with some clever idea for that! I'll be back soon with details.

Happy Trails,