A Mourning Dove Saved...

 

from the jaws of Cricket.

 

The day was sunny and warm.  The doors of the house were open, screening providing fresh air to flow into the house.

 

I was cooking dinner in the kitchen when I heard a cat’s loud ‘MEOW’.

 

Of course, I was obligated to investigate. 

 

Cricket sat by the back deck door, large bird in mouth; but, still able to create a rather boisterous, repetitive caterwauling.  On closer observation, I noticed the captive mourning dove blink an eye.  I much prefer my Mourning Doves cooing lined across the top board of the wooden fence  or rambling on the ground under the bird feeder for its share of free food.

 

I scooped Cricket up in my hands.  She held tight to her treasure.  I gently shook the ball of fur trying to coax Cricket to open her mouth.  Within seconds, I saw a flash of bird quickly fly off into a safe direction.  Soft, grey feathers floated to the deck from Cricket’s lips. Cricket looked at me with total disregard.

 

Fortunately, I was around this time to save a bird in need; but, next time?

 

My Sugar Maple exhibiting today's 2012 autumn color change - amount of color changes daily

 

 

Adventures With Ann - Part Two - Bold Rock

 

 

The day was one of absolute autumn splendor, as last Friday’s escapade got a later-than-planned start because Ann did not get home from the RomneyRyan Rally, the day before, until after midnight. 

 

However, two days in a row, leaving from my house (traveling north) was definitely a first for us. 

 

Ann drove again; which, initially, was fine with me.  She has the superior, more comfortable car.  But, within minutes of driving to our destination, up and over a timbered mountain on a narrow curvy road,  my chronic  motion sickness suddenly struck…I was sick.  I popped a mint in my mouth, took a short fresh air break, got back in the car, rolled the window down to catch the cool mountain breeze and we were off…again.  I tried to remain motionless as my eyeballs strained left and right to catch glimpses of the swaying leaves sporting the commencement to their change of color.  We were surrounded by a multitude of autumn hues!

 

First stop…lunch in the Nellysford/Wintergreen area of the Blue Ridge Mountains.   Food does help my motion sickness, but I downed a Dramamine that I found in my purse for extra relief.  Our waiter was a young, very attentive man.  He handed us our menus and asked if we were ready to order.  We had not yet cracked open the menus.  Halfway through our meal, he asked if we wanted boxes; we were still eating. I said he was funny.  Ann said he was new.  

 

Just minutes down the road, we arrived at one of our destinations for the day, Bold Rock cidery.

 

We were warmly greeted in the tasting area and enjoyed their two main samples, Virginia Apple and Virginia Draft, of hard cider. We also sampled a brand new product, yet to be advertised, Crimson Ridge. The first bottling was just completed.  Ann bought a case. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a quick tour of the facilities, Ann treated us to a cold bottle of Virginia Apple, apple cider with a buzz (alcoholic content).  We wandered to a quiet deck shaded from the late afternoon sun by table umbrellas.  We sat and talked and sipped; very tasty and very refreshing.   Lazy… enjoyable…contentment. 

 

We had intended to stop next at a trail and take a leisurely walk; but, time was fleeting and Ann wanted to buy apples.  We passed my favorite orchard (see 11-28-11 blog - Stocking Up On Apples from the Flippen-Seaman Orchard) on the way to Nellysford,   so we backtracked and arrived at the orchard store just minutes before closing.  The apples are huge this year.  Even though I was still harvesting off my own apple trees, I thought I better take this opportunity to purchase a half- bushel of these beauties.  I have to admit that my apples look like they belonged in the ‘reject’ bin in comparison, but they are flavorful despite their unattractiveness.

 

Unfortunately, we drove that same curvy road back home; actually, that road was the only option. And, again, my motion sickness returned.  I kept my head stiff, my eyes looking straight, and made it home without incident. (Those who suffer from motion sickness know what I mean)

 

The day’s activities ended with Ann and I convoying with Glenn, each on our own 4-wheeler, down to the lower pasture to check the flerd.  The cool evening air helped my nausea, but I did not regain normalcy until late the next day.

 

 I certainly spent a wonderful two days with my special friend.

Adventures With Ann - Part One - RomneyRyan Rally

 

 

2012 has been a bonus year for me.  My friend Ann and I have been out together more this year than in past years.  I am fortunate that we are both making that concerted effort to see more of each other. We always have a good time!

 

Just this past week, we were able to share two days, back to back.

 

 

I-64 traffic backing up (in distance)

 

 

First, we attended a RomneyRyan Rally at a venue just about 30 minutes north of me.  Of course, the evening started with dinner at a new-to-us restaurant.  After all, you cannot attend a rally on an empty stomach.  As we were getting close to the rally site, the traffic was lining in all directions.  At one point, the motorcade passed us - about 15 motorcycled officers passed complete with flashing blue lights, several white vans, two black vans with tinted windows, followed up with more security.  Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan had arrived.  Within one mile, we were greeted by the distant view of a huge American flag waving in the breeze; the symbol we can all support.  Once at the rally, we met up with two friends.  Susan and her husband, Mark, had American flags and RomneyRyan signs for us to wave.  We were set.

Mark and Susan with Ann

 

The rally was full of energy and excitement.  A huge screen flanking the stage continuously flipped scenes of Mitt Romney while we waited for the ‘show’ to begin.  Later, this screen displayed the live presentations.  I could view the stage clearly, so I rarely watched the screen.   Though crowded, I could walk about unimpeded; And, I did. There was no pushing, no shoving; just a considerate group of Americans.

 

Standing near the press riser, I was able to get a photo of Carl Cameron, who follows the campaign trail for Fox News, putting on his make-up.  He wielded his powder puff with ease.

 

The introductory speakers included many Virginia state politicians including Representative Bob Goodlatte, state representative Ben Cline, Susan Allen on behalf of her husband George Allen who is running for state Senate, and Virginia’s Lt. Governor, Bill Bolling.

U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte

Virginia State Representative Ben Cline

Susan Allen

  Then,  NRA’s Executive Vice President, Wayne LaPierre took to the stage to remind the crowd, though unnecessary, about our Second Amendment right.

 

Next, a mini concert featuring country music star, Trace Adkins, a vocal supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, raised the crowd’s enthusiasm to a higher level.

 

 

Paul Ryan took to the stage first for a few comments before being joined by Mitt Romney.  The crowd gave them their full support.  Since this rally was held the very next day after the first televised 2012 Presidential Debate, I admittedly concentrated on getting a few good photos rather than on the speeches.  Every sentence was followed by hoots, whistles, yells and the lifting and waving of lots of RomneyRyan signs.  Clear photos were a challenge.

 

A brief burst of fireworks ended the festivities. 

 

The short walk to the car among the thousands of attendees, and long wait in the bumper to bumper exiting traffic continued the exhilaration of the rally.

 

I certainly recommend a dose of ‘hands on’ politics to everyone; be engaged in your country and in your rights.

 

Back at home, Ann stayed and talked with Glenn and myself until after midnight before starting her 30+ minute drive home.  Ann was due back the next morning at 10:00 AM to pick me up for our next adventure…

 

To be continued….

Water System, Phase Two - Remaining Details Complete

 

 

 

The finishing details on the new water system at ‘55’, phase two, are decisively complete.

 

 

The other day, Glenn and Becky finally had a few extra minutes to complete the stock waterer corral.  They needed to hang the last two of four gates to finish the project. 

 

The corral fences off one of the two stock waterers on the farm.  This corral acts like a hub.  The gates allow only one section of pasture to be accessed by the cattle at one time; yet providing easy access to water -  a principle of our grazing system.

 

My comments at the work site were not appreciated, so I left walking back through the pastures to find better company; perhaps, the cats.

I saw many beautiful fall-flowering weeds along the way. 

Again, I came out a winner!

 



Enough with the camera already....
 



Take my picture, take my picture!



Becky's Chickens

 

Our current chicken flock is old (three years) and the laying power has greatly diminished over time; this is to be expected and is very normal.

 

 

 

A decision had to made...buy new laying hens or buy eggs from the grocery store. The answer, a no brainer; buy younger hens.

 

Becky decided to move the egg production operation over to her place.  So, last week, she purchased 31 red sex-link (cross-bred) pullets locally. This breed always produces beautiful brown-shelled eggs.

 

I still have the old hens.  I was getting a couple of eggs per day, but I could not identify the non-layers as all the hens still sported a fairly healthy, red comb indicating that they are a layer.  So, they all remain in my flock.

 

 I asked Becky for four of the young pullets and added them, yes added them, to my current flock.  In the world of chicken, it is a no-no to mix different ages of birds; the pecking order goes into full swing and the young pullets would certainly be the peckees.  I took a chance.

 

 When I added the four pullets, I carefully watched them during their first day with the old hens.  A little beak pecking did occur, but not much; there was no blood shed as could have been the case.  The four pullets were acclimated into the flock within a day’s time.

 

That first dusk, as the older hens entered their house, the new hens were confused.  They did not know where to spend the night; evidently they were not watching the routine.  So, Glenn and I had to manually direct the pullets to the opening of the house.  The four finally entered and we closed the door. All Mountain Glen Farm fowl were safe for the night.

 

The next morning, I discovered that my egg production double; suggesting, perhaps, that some of the older hens were compelled (remain viable as an egg-layer or become chicken stew) to lay or the new pullets produced two eggs each.  I will never know; but, I was pleased.

 

While the weather is still mild, Becky houses her pullets in a movable pen; thus, providing fresh grass daily to augment their feed.  Chicken feed has become quite expensive in the last year; nevertheless, eating fresh and tasty eggs is worth the expenditure; ask anybody who gets eggs from Becky’s hens.  The eggs are gorgeous; but most importantly, flavorful.

a pullet attempting an escape while Becky collects eggs from the nesting boxes

 

Becky now collects eggs several times per day.  Her refrigerator is filling.  She needs new egg customers so that she can break even on her feed bill.

beautiful eggs - 1/2 of a day's gathering

 

You read that right…break even.  Selling farm fresh eggs is not a money-maker; it is more a service of the fresh food movement.

Becky with her new flock


 

 

Farm fresh eggs, anyone?

a simple country pleasure

Pics That Make Me Smile and stink bug update

 

I was going to post just one photo today - the beginning of one of my sugar maples turning red, but I went out with Glenn to check the flerd near dusk and I was rewarded with many photos ops.

 

Animals in motion tend to blurr in my excitement to get the 'shot' - please use a bit of imagination.

 



beginning of the red blaze....

a broken section of split rail fence in the woods from falling trees becomes a mini split rail in my yard

a deer running for cover

moon over the sky of dusk



Glenn checking the flerd under a colorful late evening sky

I was ready, camera  in hand,  as this heron flew for a moment's rest in a nearby tree top - what a treat!

heron on the fly

Update:  On a unpleasant note...Today was the worst ever in terms of dealing with the stink bugs.  They are every where and in plaque-like numbers. Going into or out of my house, I am constantly hit by flying stink bugs and one or two land on me.  I opened the door to my car and counted 25 hanging out around the door seal - this was only one door, multiply by four.    The window screens are covered with 50 (estimate on the low side) at one time.  The bugs crawl inside pockets of the laundry hanging out to dry, or into shoes airing outside. Glenn even started using his old shop vac to vacuum up hundreds at a time.  Whew...the stench; it makes me ill.  The jars of gasoline are filled within hours - it is a constant job catching the bugs inside the house; outside, the problem is worse.  So, what did I do with one of today's jars....

I have no sympathy!!!