No Worms for You!

They're officially late. Watching paint dry is more exciting than this. At least with paint you get to see it go from shinny to dull. This is just dull. I was beginning to suspect that they were all duds. It would just be my luck to have one rooster shooting blanks and the other shooting duds. But I think I see a pip forming. A pip is the start of a tiny hole the chick first makes in their long journey out of the egg. I have to go somewhere this evening. What do you want to bet they'll all hatch then?

I suppose shaking the incubator to wake them all up would be bad?

If The Early Bird Gets The Worm...

these baby chicks are going to starve to death. We've got nothing. Not a rock. Not a roll. Not a peep. Not a pip. Nothing. They're being slow pokes.

Meanwhile Old One-Eyed Calico Jack and I are getting tired of the cafeteria food. We want babies and we want 'em now. Poor bugger is wearing a hole in the ground he's pacing so much.


Something needs to hatch soon or I may have to go buy some peeps to make him happy.

It's Best to Stay Busy When You're Waiting

They say a watched pot never boils so I tore myself away from the windows in the incubator and set to work outside today. First I ripped the 100 year old fence out of this tree line...


and balled it up with my bare hands...


and flung this 400 lb metal gate to the side out of my way...

Okay, okay we hired some young strappin' guys to do it for us. They're going to take out the old fence and put up a brand spanking new one. I couldn't believe how quickly they were able to get the old one out. It was completely encased with vines growing all over it.

Of course it helped that they were wielding a chain saw. And it made quick work of removing the apple tree that's been hit by lightning twice since we moved in here. Removing it really was the humane thing to do at this point.

But it's not like we've just been sitting around eating bon bons watching the young kids work. Nope. I completely cleaned out the coop today and replaced all the shavings. Then did some more yard cleanup. The Engineer filled in some holes around the coop run, removed the old no -longer-in-use internet satellite dish and drove Old Blue to town and fetched supplies and we started building the Sheep Shack.

Okay, okay, maybe the Engineer is building the Sheep Shack and I just helped hold things down. I'm invaluable for that. And offering suggestions. Like making sure the writing on the plywood is facing the center so the sheep will have something to read.

I don't know what he would do without me.

Chick Watch 2009

It's time. Time to turn the egg turner off. Time to press my ear to the incubator and listen for peeps. Time to pace back and forth wringing my hands. Time to get the brooder ready. They'll be hatching any day now.

We are down to two of Blackbeard and the Wench's eggs. I don't know which because I can't tell their eggs apart. Four of Jack and Sweet Pea's. And six of Jack and Precious. Unless Pearl or Minni happened to sneak one in there disguised as Precious. If we hatch one with feathered feet, we'll know it was one of theirs.

Then there is the lean, mean egg hatching machine on the back porch. Polly is still working hard at hatching her little clutch of eggs. She refused to get off the nest long enough for me to candle them. I tried once to scoot her out of the way and she nearly ripped my arm off. Did you know chickens can growl? I hope she's actually sitting on something that's fertilized.

The Engineer Wants a New Lawn Mower

I'm going to go pick out two or three for him in a couple of weeks once the new fence is up. :)

It's World Autism Awareness Day!

I don't discuss it here much, but my son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome six years ago. It is both a blessing and a curse. If the world were more knowledgeable and accepting of AS life would be much easier for those affected. I ask that you please spare a few moments to learn a little bit about it.

Whether a friend or family member has received an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, or you just want to familiarize yourself with the signs of autism the following link is a great place to learn the important things to know: Autism Speaks .

Thank you!

Do You Ever Feel Like You're Being Watched?

My girlfriend and I were hanging out the other day. You know, doing girl stuff. Like giving each other pedicures, applying makeup and just talking girl talk.


When we kept getting that creepy feeling.

That feeling like someone was watching us.

It was weird.