Tut! Tut! Looks like sleet!

November 5, 2010

First sleet of the season and I am not ready! You heard it here first. I am not ready and I’m not afraid to admit it! I received an invitation to go on a Fiji familiarization trip at a steal of a price. I did go to Fiji about two years ago but part of the trip was ruined by Cyclone Gene. It is very tempting to skip out of here right as it is turning cold and run away to the South Pacific for some beach and sun… but it is for November 28^th and that is not enough time to plan. Plus… it is over hunting season and this is my second year and I don’t want to miss it. Excuses, excuses. (I must be loosing my mind!)

I was a bit late getting to the pen to let the chickens out this morning and somebody laid an egg and it wasn’t Jenny’s usual teaspoon size eggs. This one was a regular sized egg. This means that one of the Red Devils is layin’ but nobody claimed it. As a matter of fact… one of the chickens actually pecked it and broke it open! But then again, one of the younger ones may have just been curious about the egg. Could be something more sinister happening… Maybe one of the other hens was jealous and wanted to kill the egg. 

I still have no chicken coop and this weekend is going to be our first cold snap. I am probably over worried about my chickens but they are a bit like pets to me. At least the banties are! This week I did buy an infrared heating lamp for them but that sucker draws a lot of power. I have bought compact fluorescents for most of the house helping it will compensate for the extra energy used. Note to self… would love to get some solar panels one day!

This week also marked another growing up moment for me. Years ago I had a Rolling Stone subscription that I had paid for. It was before I met John. Way back when Kalin and I were roommates. Since then I have not wanted any other magazines other than T3 during the brief time it was in print here in the States.

Sharing a blanket on a chilly night.

Yesterday I ordered two subscriptions. Back Yard Poultry; which makes sense as I’m very into this whole back yard poultry movement. The other magazine was something I remember seeing Tom Littlejohn have; Mother Earth News. He really liked it and I had a very deep respect for him while growing up that has never changed. I’m glad he was a big part of my life even though there were times that I rebelled against it! I miss you Tom and there are many days that I wish I could ask your advice about things.

I don’t want to sound too sad but doesn’t everyone get like this during the changing of the seasons? It is a time to reflect back on the past year and get ready for winter. I am not ready… but I am working on it. Sunday I am going to pick up more wood for the stove which is our primary source of heat. And next week I’m meeting with some friends who are carpenters who will help me with my chicken coop. I’ve got over a month before the official start of winter so no need to panic yet. Then sometime over the next couple of weeks I need to break up the soil for the garden we will have next year. So much to do on this cold, wet fall day. I think I will curl up with Zoe and have a nap!