How Can it be September?

Whew, it seems like it was just April!

The milo in my compost heap is turning.... telling me that summer is over and the season of harvest is here. 

The salsify says the same thing (and I hope it re-seeds itself a LOT) 

You know I planted in containers this year, and I planted a mix from Burpee that I thought was wildflowers, but turned out to be zinnias, marigolds, and these lovely little sunflowers that have just opened. 

The coleus is leggy but still hanging on.  

Tomorrow, my helper, Grandson Jax, is coming and we are actually going to pull out the tomato plants in the tubs on the patio.  They were started from seed by me, and with one exception, the tomatoes were not to my taste.  I also have realized that the chickens do not eat them (strange!) and many went to waste, since you cannot give a tomato away around here. 

So... no more.  I may plant ONE next year (it will be a Burpee Big Boy) and that's it. 

I did have two planters on the porch with volunteer tomatoes, and I am hoping one re-seeds itself, as those tiny cherries were the sweetest ever!

You all know that I rarely post about my family.  I used to, but I grew to think that for the young kids, it was an invasion of their privacy.  However, I am going to brag a little. 

On Sunday, I drove down to La Cygne (Kansas) where my oldest son Jim has a lot at a lake development. 

He and his family have many friends there and they are all really close.  I have heard about them for years, but have not met them. 

I also had not met my newest great grandson, Wyatt, because his mommy and daddy, his sister Maci, and he all live down there in a house.  

My son Jim met me in La Cygne to lead me to the lot.  

Here are Wyatt and granddaughter Madison, his mom. 

Almost five Maci, and my daughter in law, Amy. 

Son Jim. 

Granddaughter Paiton, on her ATV.  Jax's was out of gas, so she was the chauffer. 

Jax in front of Clifford, the Big Red Truck.  Clifford is his, and that's why Jax is working for me in the yard.  He has to pay for the registration and license, and get his permit.... so he will be working for grandma for a while.  Since Ben left for school, Jax has become my main man. 

I did not get a group picture of everyone else, or Wyatt with his daddy, but by the time I left, they had started a fire in the fire pit, and everyone was gathering. 

Let me just say this... I am not a lake person... but it was nice to see what it was all about, and finally get to meet my little great grand.  I am guessing I won't get to see them again until Christmas time. 

Labor Day weekend, to my family, was going with my dad, a union electrician, to the Labor Day Parade in Kansas City, Kansas, on "The Avenue"... Minnesota Ave... where we celebrated union successes with many other families. 

Things are different, and I am not saying worse.  I am so glad the kids have a place to gather with their friends, relax, eat some good food, and have fun. 

Look who is back!

OUT OF THE BLUE. 

After eight days, I heard a noise while doing chores last week, looked down, and there was Mama at my feet! 

I did not even see from which direction she had come. 

You can see in this picture from the porch cam that she re-attached herself to me immediately. 

She is hanging on the porch or here.... 

You can just barely tell, but she spends hours laying under the bird feeder.  Needless to say, NO ONE is using this feeder. 

I have not seen a bird on it all day today.  I will scoop up the feed I put on it this morning and put it back in the bin so the raccoons don't get it. 

IF she does this for a while, Jax and I will store the feeder in the barn and bring it out when it is colder. 

While she is focused on this one, the birds are eating from the more permanent one in the garden. 

I am rarely seeing squirrels now, they are too frightened of the cats. I miss the squirrels, I admit it. 

Both Bullseye and Mama are lethal hunters. 

After literally a year and a half, the beautiful Cleo will let me stroke and pet her. 

I feed her at the Little Red Hen House, whose porch is slowly deteriorating.  I had to feed her up high, 

so the sheep would not get into her food.  There is a bowl out during the day, and I leave a little at night. That was a project I had for Ben to do that we never got to... rebuilding that small porch and tightening up that building. 

A week ago today, I looked out my bedroom window to see this in my front yard! 

A man keeps a small herd of cattle in my neighbor's pasture.  Twice before, his cows have gotten loose on the road, and I ran them into my yard.  Two years ago, he brought a trailer over, caught the cow and took her back.  Last year, despite my request that they not do so, his wife and daughter ran the cow back through the fence, and of course said "We'll come back and fix it".  They did not.  

I noticed when I mowed last Tuesday that the fence was low in the corner, but by Wednesday, when this big girl came through... it was down to the ground.  Why the rest of them did not follow her, I do not not know. 

My good neighbors from across the road came over and helped me run her back into her pasture... and then, Gary came back after they did an errand, and he and I (well, HE pounded) three tee poles in, and we pulled the fence up and Gary tied it to the poles.  No other cows have tried it since then, thank heavens. 

That afternoon, Jax worked for me.  He called out to me to tell me there was something black in my garden area.  I said "That the water fortex for the birds" and he said no, it was something else. 

It was THIS.  I came over and said "Cow pat" and he looked at me like I was nuts. 

I still don't know if he was pulling my leg or not. 

Can you see the hummer sitting on the light wire on the left?  They are feeding furiously now, getting ready to go.  As I type this, there is one sitting out there! 

I hung two tiny little feeders a friend suggested I order last week.  They have one feeding port on them, and that is one in the picture.  The hummers seem to really like them.  I have two regular feeders hanging too, but they have to be cleaned almost every day with our humidity. 

Regular scene.  I am going broke buying wet and dry. 

(that's Bully, Mama, Molly and Coco) 

Since I am making this about family, 

here is my husband Keith as a teenager.  One of his relatives sent it to me last week. 

His birthday and my stepson Brandon's, Keith's youngest boy, are on the tenth. 

Keith would have been 63, and Brandon, I think... would have been 30.  (I cannot remember his birth year since I wasn't there!) 

I remember all my loved ones on their birthdays. 

 

Back where she should be. 

Merry Christmas!

My last post was November 15... does that tell you what the last six weeks have been like? 

Oh, for the days when I was REALLY busy and yet, posted every night! 

I hope everyone has had a good December, and is having a peaceful Christmas. 

This is my sixth Christmas without Keith, I just can hardly believe it.  He was Mr. Christmas, he loved it... he loved giving gifts and he loved seeing everyone happy. 

We had our family gathering last Sunday.  Here's my little great granddaughter, Maci, 

opening her gifts.  That is her Aunt Paiton behind her. 

On Tuesday, I went down to Garnett to see my two 

big grandsons, Chris and Nathan.  Here is Nathan with his 

daughter, my second little great-grand... Aurora, who is six months old. 

We have had stunning weather for NE Kansas, it was 73 degrees yesterday on Christmas Eve.  I know I should be concerned about climate change... I am, actually, but if I never saw snow again in person I would be happy.  How on earth did our parents cope with the horrible heavy snowfalls of our youth?  

I know most of the moms stayed home then, but even walking to school was hard... ask me, I will tell you. 

Even though I have cut way back on feeding... I make sure I still have enough 

out for the squirrels daily.  I have so much fun watching them chase each other around the maple tree. 

I have to bring Bullseye in every afternoon for a while, so he doesn't intimidate them. 

Zoey, out in the yard she loves. 

All of my dogs in the past have sat in this same spot and 

looked out over "their" yard.  I looked out the door one morning in 

late November, and saw Zoey doing it. 

I knew she was staying right then. 

So, I went to Petsmart, because Snowy's groomer is 

on maternity leave.  I interviewed the groomer! 

(I know, I'm nuts). 

I took her the next week... and she came home to me all trimmed up. 

She is mine. 

She fits in perfectly at ten, we are all old except the cats. 

She gets along okay with the cats, very well with Jes. 

She can be Miss Growly Lip sometimes, and guard 

things.... but that does not last long and I always have a talk with her. 

She barks if she hears something outside, which I love... I have not had a barker since I 

lost Fritzi.  

She is a good little doll. 

I tried to get a Christmas picture of Jester, me and Zoey.  It did not happen. 

However, she WILL wear a little sweater outside. 

We have had some very cold mornings, and Jester will not move one step if you 

put any kind of clothes on him. 

Santa pointed at the setting moon one morning this week. 

I will miss Big Santa on my deck, but he will be deflated tomorrow morning and put away for another year. 

It was a beautiful day for a trip to see Keith.  It looked like 

Wreaths Across American made it to his section with just a few wreaths left, so put them partially on the front row, you can barely see them. 

These are marshmallows that have chocolate inside... dipped in caramel, and then 

rolled in Rice Krispies.  They are so good. 

I made so much stuff, that when it got down to the nitty gritty, I could not go on. 

I went to a local grocery and bought two trays of cookies, which I gifted.  I literally could not bake another thing.   I am rethinking everything for next year... 

Christmas crack (Chex Mix) 

A lot of this went out, too... but I saved a bit for me and my son to snack on. 

We had biscuits and gravy for breakfast, which is a rare treat for us. 

My brother Pete used to make it for Christmas morning, 

we would go to mass early and then go to his house 

and have a big breakfast.  Those were wonderful days. 

Keith and his little grandson Carson, many Christmases ago.  

I don't want you guys to think I am desperately lonely... Christmas is a time to look back.  I had wonderful friends visit me yesterday, and then went to see more wonderful friends and enjoyed a good visit.  

My family is close and I can see everyone regularly. 

The pandemic is still scaring me... and I am still wearing a mask everywhere, and as of tomorrow, I will be switching from cloth to "professional" masks... I have had two shots and a booster but I still do not want it. 

I have had two close friends with it recently (also had had two shots) and I just do not want it. 

I am still active at the National Agricultural Center and 

have so much fun there. 

The Smith House on December 10, we had a lovely bus tour that day of folks from Illinois and Indiana. 

If you want a laugh, you can google "Camel Loose in Bonner Springs" and see the story of Lucy, who broke away from her trainer on Saturday night of the first weekend and was finally caught 

twelve miles away, having made it down a very busy highway without being hurt or hurting anyone. 

Lucy's replacement. 

Merry Christmas, everyone.  

Thanks for reading Calamity Acres. 

 

Still Spring Here

As I write this, I have another batch of banana bread in the oven! 

I just reread my last post, I was baking then, too. 

I have one of these small loaves earmarked for an elderly 

friend, and hope to run there today and leave  

eggs and bread outside the door. 

Yes, folks, I am wearing a mask when I go out.  It's reality. 

I noticed this morning when I had to pop in the store for a few 

things that even men are wearing their masks with pride. 

We have had some beautiful days here lately. 

Two days ago, we broke the record for heat, it was 

88 degrees out!  I actually broke shorts out for the afternoon. 

I was really, really worried about Niblet and Fluffy, the two wool sheep. 

So, let's talk about them. 

I wrote about Fluffy almost knocking me down a week ago. 

Well, my Good Neighbor Troy was able to find someone for me 

to shear.  The other night, they turned up at my door. 

I would show you the pictures but frankly, I cannot get the phone 

pictures to come over right now. 

The young man, Troy and I tried to catch these two inside the pen, 

they would absolutely NOT go into the barn where it would have been easier. 

They broke a post and pulled all the wire loose trying to go through. 

Yes, the young man finally tackled each.... but as they ran at me, my life 

passed in front of my eyes. 

As the young man sheared, he asked "Did I ever trim hooves".  I shook my head and told him : 

"This is why I  need to rehome them, I cannot take care of them alone". 

And then, a miracle happened. 

The next morning after the Shearing Rodeo, the young man called and told me he 

had asked his mother and my sheep will be joining their flock.  I am overjoyed, to know

they will go to a home that knows sheep and can handle them right. 

Here is the better part.... He will use my pasture and Troy's for several months this summer, 

bringing his flock over (there are about thirty).... and then they will all go home in August. 

I get to watch them all summer, which makes me very happy.  He will be over daily to check on them. 

This young man, Samuel, is on the Stranger Creek Fire Department with Troy. 

I am so impressed with him, and glad to make his acquaintance. 

Yes, friends, I am giving the sheep to him, I was never in this to make money. 

I asked him not to tell me what would happen to Cookie, the wether, my pet. 

I have to let go. 

So, last Saturday, I decided to keep Gemma. 

She was whelped on June 1st, 2003.  She will be seventeen on 

June first. 

She is a chicken killer... she had Buddy down yesterday and by the time I got her, 

I thought he was dead.  He can no longer be in the yard daily because of it....  he did revive, 

after his comb and head had turned blue from shock.  I have him all fixed up in the little henhouse today with one hen... he has a makeshift fence in front, and while he would like to be out with 

the main flock, he is happy and has good shelter.  The thing is, she can't get to him. 

She will literally pace back and forth at the fence for an hour, so I only let her out for 

little bits of time. 

As you can see, she has fit in. 

I no sooner had paid her fee on Saturday,  when I had a crisis with Fritzi.  Fritz had been going in and out 

at frequent intervals day and night, and I should have tipped that there was something very wrong.  I rushed her to an emergency vet hospital last Saturday when my son and I noticed she was 

trembling badly on her bed. 

Fritzi was diagnosed with diabetes and it was touch and go for two days.... she did not come home until Wednesday. 

She gets shots twice a day, and is on various meds for a few more days, 

but is much, much better. 

On our left in this picture is Abby, and in the middle, 

Gertie, and leaning on her, Hannah. 

These three girls were our beloved pugs, they had been 

preceded by Addie Mae, who had already died. 

Abby became diabetic.  Keith and I were not shown how to 

give her shots, and we were given a prescription for human 

syringes and needles, and not trained to use them. 

It was a nightmare, which culminated in Abby dying at home. 

For four days, I agonized about giving the shots to Fritzi. 

Guess what? 

NO PROBLEM. 

I think it's mindset, and a vet tech at the hospital took time to have me practice with 

sterile solution.  The syringes are much different, and I am getting ones designed for 

animals now.  My vet has the Vetsulin. 

So far, I have had only one tiny yip, and yes, she does not like them... but is 

taking them like a rock. 

I'm proud of her.  We are on a different diet, supplemented with 

some chicken breast cut into it, and she loves it.  It's a whole new world for us, and one in which I believe she will be around for years to come. 

The porch cam caught this bluejay looking for cat food this morning at sunrise. 

The camera caught Gems as she came out, too!

It is going to be a strange Easter this year.  I did drop off 

a makeshift Easter basket for my two youngest grands yesterday, 

and an Easter "sack" for our little friend Brayden.  How good it was to see him. 

Mass will be said on tv and also on Facebook, and I will watch 

from my home.  

My traditional thing to do on Easter (besides cook) is cut grass, 

but I have actually already started cutting this year, you know. 

I am going to do a little trimming with the push mower this afternoon, to get ahead of the game. 

We are expecting thunderstorms late this afternoon, spring is truly here in Kansas. 

Last Sunday was the seventeenth anniversary of this. 

That is my stepson, Brandon, in front of Keith and me at our 

wedding.  

What a happy day that was for us, and we did not know 

we would only have thirteen years together before 

Keith was called on ahead of me. 

Brandon has gone on ahead, too, and they actually shared a birth date. 

I hope they are not laughing to hard at me as they look down on me. 

Everyone stay safe, and have a blessed Easter! 

My Roosters and Other Stories

At one time, in another land and far far away, while Keith was still alive, 

we had over a hundred chickens, ducks, geese and/or turkeys. 

At one time, we had 16 roosters, and I am not exaggerating, we 

literally had sixteen among the four hen houses. 

This is a shot of the little red hen house, where our bantams lived. 

The little fence Keith made around the front deck is gone, and you can 

see the ramp is simply leaning, and no longer attached.  The last 

chickens that lived in there were probably eight years ago, 

and two years ago, it sheltered the four feral kittens I took in 

from Kitty Cat Connection, until the raccoons broke them out. 

Right now, I have it bedded with straw inside, and the door is propped open so that 

Rusty, the feral cat, can get inside and sleep if he needs to get out of the weather. 

This little hen house was always a problem, I had to keep a short ladder under it, 

and stand on it to crawl in and reach for eggs.... and it was hard to reach with a heat lamp (that still hangs in there)... I had to run a line from the old hen house to it for bitter cold.  

(Chickens should not need a heat supplement, but this hen house was not well 

insulated). 

That's Ferdie, my old rooster (really only three years old!) 

He is the father of Buddy, 

his clone. 

They look like twins. 

And Singleton, who is actually a year older than Buddy. 

Singleton spent the summer at the Ag Hall with six hens, 

and is home for the winter. 

I am lucky, all three are very mellow roosters, 

but the two younger have started running dad out of the half of the yard 

that comprises the chicken's domain. 

He spends his days hanging out by the deck, but never coming up on it. 

He eats birdseed and drinks from the water I keep out for the wildings, and in the evening, 

I put him back in the big hen house, where he avoids his son Buddy. 

This is why I quit hatching, though I fully intended to when I moved back, 

there is a 50/50 chance you will get cockerels and no one wants them.  I actually don't know 

anyone anymore who butchers their birds to eat, so these three will live here until they die. 

I absolutely love to watch the squirrels, I look for them daily.  They drink out of the fortex you see, 

and I keep seed at the base of the big maple.  There is another heated water container to the right, out of the camera range. 

They literally run back and forth all morning, there are actually four eating here, but only two in this picture. 

They aren't the only things eating here. 

Elvis, the black possum in the rear (has a black outer coat) is often pushed away by this larger possum, who is living under the little hen house, the one that is empty now.  I literally have to watch the birds in the evening, because the girls of the big hen house will not go in if the possum is out eating.  He often comes out while it is still day light, so I keep an eye on things in the late afternoon. 

Today a blogger/Instagram poster wrote about rehoming one of her surplus roosters, and 

discovered the hen house at the new home had not been cleaned in months. Well, 

that is the sad state of affairs here.  During the summer, while I struggled with my leg, 

I managed to rake mine out once, and clean it decently.  I need to do it again. 

I am going to try to get to it on Saturday, when we should still have decent weather. 

Our temps are going to fall precipitously next week. 

The old hen house has been cleaned several times (the ducks were in there in the summer), 

but the big hen house needs a good raking out.  I used to take all that over to the compost heap, but 

now I rake it into the fenced yard, and it is picked over by the hens, and adds to the dirt in there. 

Ten years ago, while I cooked our meal, Keith spent a cold Thanksgiving wiring a receptacle on the deck so I could have some Christmas lights.  I'll never forget the selflessness, he 

could have watched football but did this because he knew I wanted some lights. 

We had a good meal and then turned them on for the first time. 

This fall, I had my nephew re-wire them and make it so the porch light 

could be off while they were on, and every time I look out the door, 

I think of how Keith worked so hard that day. 

This sweet little girl has been such a good addition to our lives. 

I have had day after day like this, yesterday was 14,000 plus steps. 

We are still working hard to get the National Agricultural Center ready for the 

Santa Express and Country Christmas on the 14th and 15th. 

One of the men volunteers said yesterday "And then we have to take it 

all down".... JANUARY, I pray.  The only thing I am going to do is 

bring home those of my things that I need for Christmas here. 

I'll take some pictures when I am there tomorrow, so you can see how things have 

progressed.  If you are local, it is going to be really spectacular, and we charge only 5.00 a CARLOAD for admittance.  

The volunteers and employees Judy and Cameron have been working countless hours to make it a great experience for families. 

I checked out Cabela's Christmas Wonderland yesterday, it is 

very small, and they charge 20.00 for a child to sit on Santa's lap and get a picture. 

A blast from the Calamity Acres past. 

(Big Mama, Yankee, and Inca) 

Three of our four little pug girls, Abby, Gertie, and Hannah, resting her head on Gertie. 

Keith loved Christmas... he is ready for it this year.