First of all, I'd like to say that last week I went toe to toe with Mr. Johnson. I was cooking up dinner and looked out to find that Mr. J had flown over the orchard fence and was scratching away at what appeared to be my newly planted peas in the garden. Normally when a hen gets in the garden it is my fault. As we've clipped their wings they don't usually fly the coop. And when they escape, I can pick them up or herd them back into the orchard. Silly me. I attempted the same approach with Mr. J. And that guy got his hackles up and came at me with his talons. Good thing I was wearing my tall leather boots!
I realized I was going to have to trick Mr. J. into making the decision to return to the orchard on his own. I walked down the fence line calling his girls, "Here chick, chick, chick!" Of course they all realized that means I have some treats. So, they started following me. Well, Mr. Fancy Pants rooster was all a twitter at this. I just lured away his harem. So, he began to chase me. I ran right through the gate and into the chicken yard headed for the can of organic scratch. He was going to let me have it. But before he knew it, he was stuffing his crop with corn and I latched the gate shut behind him. Ha! Take THAT!
Later, I saw how he escaped. See this picture of Agnes deciding to jump back into the orchard instead of the garden. What a good hen!
So that night, for our entertainment, we hired Rex and Valerie to go out and give Mr. J the old "one wing" treatment. Now, this is where I needed to insert the picture of those two all dressed up. They put on their heaviest coats, gloves, goggles, boots (and some chain mail) and headed out the back door with some pitch forks and torches -- I mean, scissors and a flash light. We admonished them on the way out that we did not want that rooster injured. He's a good guy and does his job well. Rex and Valerie returned covered with feathers and collected their cash for a job well done.
On Monday morning of this week I got a call from the post office informing me that my chicks were in. I was so excited. And then I realized, Hey! To arrive on a Monday, those little critters had to have been shipped on a Friday. Can you imagine? 27 little fluff balls crammed into a dark box without food and water for three days bumped around from Iowa to California? I was kind of bummed they didn't ship on a Monday to arrive Tuesday. But, hey. I guess I wasn't the one in charge of making those decisions. Some really thoughtful person at McMurray's Hatchery decided that was a good idea. Nice going.
I opened the little box of peepers and picked them up one by one, dipping their beaks in water and setting them under the heat lamp. I ordered 25 White Plymouth Rock Roosters. They gave me a bonus rock roo. And then they also gave me a bonus mystery chick. So, I have 26 classic yellow male chicks and 1 fluffy brown chick whose gender and breed remains a mystery. Seriously, I'll put up some pix as soon as I find that camera card. They are pretty darn cute.
Even with the heat lamp, it was too cold in the garage. So, I moved them back into "Valerie's Pet Shop". I would like to thank Valerie for being such a sport. And really, you can't smell the chicks because the smell of the rats over power everything. Did I mention that her room is like cat bait?
Speaking of Mr. Whiskers, aka: Steve Austin: the 6 Million Dollar Cat ... he is no longer allowed outside. He's too expensive. So, he's inside lazing around and getting bored. He managed to get into Valerie's room the other night while I was out at my organic gardening class. Poor Shaina, our sitter (for pets and kids). She's been through everything with the pets. She was the one who had to inform us that Turbo Fluff died while we were in Costa Rica. And she's also the one who had to inform us that Lucky went missing while we were in Santa Cruz. Well, fortunately nothing died Monday night. But there was a bit of a scuffle with Mr. Whiskers and one the of the little chicks was later found on the opposite side of Valerie's room behind her dresser. Valerie put the semi-injured chick into a box within the box under the heat lamp with a couple of its friends. By morning they were all flocking together in the brood box and tragedy was avoided.
Shaina, I would like to thank you for continually coming back to sit for our kids and pets in spite of everything you've experienced!
In other news we're planting 25 five gallon potted cherry laurel trees along the back fence. I was going to put black berries back there (natures barbed wire that makes a fine cobbler!) But Michael really wanted a nice green wall that would block out the neighborhood lights behind us and the sight of their Hummer. How obnoxious is that? So, we've been doing a lot of digging. And I'll admit, it's nice to have something evergreen back there. It will make a nice wind break and habitat for birds and stuff.
I also replaced our dead avocado tree with a donut peach tree. And I replaced the four grape vines I killed with 4 new ones. (Red flame, Thompson's Seedless, Chardonnay and Muscat ... yum!) In the front yard I planted a small ceanothus tree and an elderberry bush. Yes, this is getting a little expensive. The good news is that the gardening class the other night was about propagation. So, anyone willing to donate cuttings ... I'm ready for you!
Before taking off for Chicago Michael designed, built and installed the world's longest clothes line. I guess I could do laundry for the whole neighborhood. I have to measure how long it is. But I would say at least the length of a full ladder fire truck.
I've got my little pepper/tomato/huckleberry starts in my office window. Yay! They look like they are doing okay and happy. I can't wait to start another round of those guys.
Also, the kids worked hard in the orchard last weekend. Rex painted white socks on all the orchard tree trunks to prevent sunburn. And he put together signs that Amira and I painted so that we know what kinds of trees we have back there. The only two that didn't get labeled are the Bing Cherry and Emerald Pluot. But it's so nice to look back there and know that this is the Muir Peach and that is the Fairtime Peach. Oh, and this is the Eversweet Pomegranate and that is the Ambrosia Pomegranate. I get a lot of satisfaction looking out there at those signs and those trees!
I picked up some pallets upon which my bee hives will sit. I'm counting down the weeks until I've got bees to deal with too! I want to paint their new home too. I'm not an artist or anything. But I like that homespun kitschy feel. And I finally ordered some turkeys from Carol Albrecht out at Chaffin Farms. She thinks she can hatch out some Bourbon Reds. Waaahoo! Can't wait for those guys ... well, yes I can. I really have a lot going on.
Oh, and someone is dropping off an incubator today. Yes, just what we need. I think we'll put that in Valerie's room too! I'm going to get a sign that says, "BARN ENTRANCE" and put it above her door.
So, this is all what is going on here. Still sheet mulching the front. Kids still taking music lessons (piano, cello, etc.) I'm dreaming of an edible yard. Michael is bucking up and funding this whole adventure. Thanks, Honey!
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