Beauty is everywhere – yes, even in the desert – or maybe, especially in the desert. We can become immune to it, if we see it every day. I find that happens to me when I stay too focused on the work-a-day world. I try to remind myself to seek out the beauty and the humor. This time of year, after spring rains and before Monsoon, can definitely seem bleak; it becomes quite warm and dry, we’re at a dull brown/green right now, but if you go up into the Huachucas – the Sky Islands – you see a different world. This is a photo of an Elegant Trogon – they come up to southeast Arizona to nest in wooded canyons this time of year. They – and other birds – are beautiful additions to our bleak season. Continue reading →

Chicken butt! Originally, I simply entitled this post “Tuesday” but – after writing everything and looking at the photos, I thought the “guess what” was a bit more funny. Pardon my playground humor. Anyway… Here we are, beginning the new schedule. I’m hoping this works out ok. On Tuesday, we really just have Monday to talk about, as Sunday is our Sabbath. So let’s see what we’ve got to share with you about yesterday and today. Continue reading →

I’m speaking of Summer. It is true that we haven’t yet reached the first day of summer, but we have begun the summer season. It’s after Memorial Day now – we can wear white, we can garden in our swim suit (I don’t do that), and enjoy all sorts of frivolities. However, what I’m really talking about is mowing season. It has officially started, as of today. You know how I know this??? The mower deck was ceremoniously placed onto the tractor this morning. Adorned with bowers and flowers. OK, maybe not with the decorations, but definitely with pomp! Continue reading →

Our sign posts have been interesting lately, haven’t they? I suppose the status quo report is: basic. We’re basically doing well. Basically progressing. Basically making small progress steps every day. Sometimes people want to shake up the status quo, but I maintain that a lack of excitement is occasionally welcome. I’m not sure about Sue, but I’ve had enough excitement for a while now. Continue reading →

…of the same. Sort of. I just don’t really know what to talk about. The winds are still visiting us. They are taking their toll on the animals, on some of the infrastructure, the house, and the humans. The winds have been steady since Sunday now; gusting up into the high 40’s. Ripped the wind screen right off of the doves’ enclosure, we replaced it this morning. The gutters are coming off of the deck – but we don’t dare get any one up on a ladder right now to reinforce it. We’re hoping that the morning will provide us with at least enough time to get a ladder up and fix it. Continue reading →

It’s been a long week with a whole lot of  stuff going on… but not so much on the farm. Just lots going on for us in the outside world. We’re just really glad it’s Friday! Thought I’d give you a quick update on a couple of things that we touched on this week and talk a bit about the weekend. As usual, the weekend plans are up in the air – always depends on the weather – but we have hope that we’ll be able to move the RCW to a new spot again; it’s time. Continue reading →

I’m back and we’re on to our regularly scheduled programming for the foreseeable future. Right after I got back, Sue began work on another little chicken tractor for the meat chicks. So she’s honing her construction skills, yet again. The meat birds are growing like gang busters and will be ready for the outside by sometime next week, most likely.  Sue’s making another tractor so we can put them out to pasture. This is a pic of the frame all done. She’s making this one quite a bit smaller so it’s easier to haul around the field. These birds don’t do too much wandering around, they mostly sit and mack out on the feed, so they don’t need a ton of space, simply protection and the ability to stretch their legs should they choose. Since our friend, Ron (he is ever so helpful, that Ron guy), fixed the solar charger, we’ll be able to hook the smaller electric fence up to help protect these guys out in the field. They will be the happiest meat birds on the block! Continue reading →

I know that Friday was a rather brief post and you are all lining up for more – like chickens waiting for their afternoon scratch. They beg just like dogs – as you can see here, they hang their heads out between the fence, just watching for Sue to emerge with the white bucket of scratch. To our chickens, all food comes out of a bucket. If you walk into their run with a bucket, they will follow you everywhere. Continue reading →

They are here, yes indeed. I think this will be a pictorial post with all the new chick (and duckling) cuteness we could come up with.  So incredibly sweet.  The chicks all arrived safe and sound. they were really crammed into their box, but seemed none the worse for wear when Sue brought them home and opened up the box. It was then a matter of getting them under the warming light, dipping their beaks in the water for their first drink, and letting them eat and sleep. Grow, grow, grow little guys. Today was the first day I saw the little duckling out of the nest. He was peep-peeping for his mama today and she really didn’t want me getting very close to him at all, but we were able to snap a few photos of the little one. Let’s just share what we have below.

Ok, that’s it for our Friday. We’ll have more information for you on Monday, plus the egg and weather reports! Hope you all have an amazing weekend. Until then, as always~
Thanks for reading!

It’s the first of May, so happy May day;  here are some roses for you to celebrate! This is one of the climbing rose bushes that mom gave Sue, which we planted this Spring. They are settling in just grand and are set to bloom and bloom and bloom. Glad they like their spot. We’ll continue to add more to the front fencing area. Continue reading →