We are so very close to Monsoon season, I can truly feel it! It is so darn hot and muggy – that’s the feeling it part. The clouds are also making monumental appearances each day, there just hasn’t been any rain. We are praying for rain, daily… we are living in a dry and thirsty land at the moment just waiting to bless the rain. As I’ve been thinking about that, it’s funny that a friend of mine and I had a long text exchange about that song by Toto, “Africa”. I’ve embedded my favorite cover of it above… right before the rains begin, this song runs through my mind. Enjoy. Continue reading
i’d bless the rain
13 Wednesday Jun 2018
Midweek roundup! Well, update anyway. I had promised some photos of the RCW because Sue had been working so hard to get it completed. The goal is still to get it out in the field this weekend with the chickens out there and the fence up. Here are a couple of photos, inside and out! Sue isn’t really sure of about the Fire Engine red (called “Safety Red” on the cans) but i think it’s GREAT! And the inside looks amazing as well. She and Dustin are adding another couple of window on each side for 
as much ventilation as possible, because it is getting pretty hot in there at this point in time. Want to make sure as much breeze comes through as possible. The flashing looks great along the bottom, don’t you think? Looks so spiffy and clean. Also – love the red ramp!!! “High ceilings and low floors.” Trying to decide what we should paint on it for the decoration portion. Do you remember that at first I wanted to decorate it like a Romney caravan wagon – that’s why I call it the Romney Chicken Wagon… but lately I’ve been leaning more to something a bit more modern. I mentioned the huge sunflower I envisioned immediately when Sue sent texted me a photo of the first coat of red. A few days ago I was thinking I could maybe do a fun chicken head on one side… So, this is what I’m talking about:
Happy Memorial Day (Side note: actually, that always struck me as an odd saying – remembering those who have given their all for our country, isn’t necessarily a Happy occasion; however, I am grateful for those who have fought to protect our liberty.) Here’s a quick post for a Memorial Day Monday. Writing while eating – so forgive me if there are little food stains on your screen :). We worked outside all day today. Lots to do and a great day in which to do it. We’re making headway on many projects. Dustin came over to caulk the RCW – our goal is to move it, and chickens, next weekend. We laid out the drip line for the chestnut trees and I also started on the circle garden. The Chestnut orchard took the entire 500 feet of black line, plus maybe 20 feet more of used line. The water does make it all the way to the top of the orchard at a good clip, so we should be fine in that respect. That was the day today, but not really what I wanted to talk about. So let’s go there. 
Write no this evening from the midst of the Neighborhood Market. This is our second time here, still trying out. Lots of really great vendors with fun stuff to eat/make/purchase. Lovely customers coming for the very first time and liking what they see! So far, I think this little trailer is my favorite. I haven’t tried any of her baked goods, but saw this little trailer and it made me think of my friend Caylor… she could totally pull off a trailer makeover like this. Has a great little kitchen in there. So fun! There are
only two problems with being the only one at the booth: it’s difficult to visit the other booths and you don’t have anyone to give me a potty break! Last week Mom was here to help- so I was fine. Then miss Holly came by with Gus and Jack- so I could even go and eat! Need to make a friend here :). Plus, I need someone to help me with my sign. The wind was drying out my chalk pen before I was halfway done with the wording. Hey! wait, there are Holly and Mrs. Higbee with the whole family. Thank you, Mrs. Higbee, for giving me a potty break! Now I’m back, and- Look! Sue came to check everything out. Cool, maybe I can talk her into buying me a cookie from that cute little trailer.
The folks are here, so its been a fun weekend. Saturday was a busy day as usual. Mom and I went to the Bisbee Farmers’ Market, to see what we could sell. It’s a bit difficult to unload “inventory” when almost every booth is selling eggs. But I think we have the corner on the market for “interesting” eggs. We’ve had a repeat customer looking for the Bantum eggs, which I only started taking on a whim, but she’s been seeking them out now a couple of times. So, I’m hoping that she is a customer for life now 🙂 . And we garner a great deal of interest with the Goose’s eggs. Not too many people are brave enough to try them, but sometimes the kids can talk their folks into getting them. I’ve started taking little cartons to box up the goose eggs, one at a time, if they sell. Came in handy at the Neighborhood market, one young man was quite excited to try the egg. (A quick side note about the Neighborhood Market: Friday I stated that I wasn’t sure if we made enough to cover our booth fee, but what I found out is that the first time was free – so everything we made there was profit. Nice!) We also have the only Welsh Harlequin Duck eggs around and people have been seeking them out lately as well. People who have baked with the duck eggs know how good they are. Maybe I should print up some recipes to hand out with the duck eggs so people who are curious will have something to try. 
This is going to be a short post because I am way tired and it has been a very long day. Today was our first sojourn to the Neighborhood Market here in Hereford. Mom and I went tonight. I didn’t realize that they had switched to Summer Hours, so it was actually 4pm – 7pm. I was hoping to sell the majority of the eggs, but we only sold 5 dozen. I don’t think that covers our stall fee. It is a relatively small market and I think today there were only slightly more customers than vendors. But, it was a nice community Market with lots of great families and kiddos playing. I’m hoping that it’ll pick up in the near future. Jessica, the lady who runs the Market is doing lots of social media postings, different places, photos, doing interviews with customers and vendors… she is getting it out in the paper and on the community calendars – all over town. Sometimes these things just take a while to catch on. It’s a great meeting place for the community though. So we’ll just see how the market grows. 
We made it to midweek. The last couple of days have been lower wind days – at least in the morning. Sue’s been able to tackle a couple of her projects and we’ve done some other things. My folks will be here tomorrow for a visit, so we’ve done some cleaning around the house. Things kinda going slow. Here’s the midweek roundup. 
Wing and a Prayer 