Still At It

In some ways, the busy summer season just doesn't seem to want to end this year.  I'm still dealing with putting up peppers, trying to avoid the dirty looks I'm getting from the apples not yet turned into applesauce, and sorting the already-ripe from the not-yet-ripe tomatoes on the counter.

We've been in a wet, gray period weather-wise which is very good in that it has brought us some much needed rain, but it has also kept me from doing outside chores in the garden before feeling I have it ready to be tucked into bed for the winter.

Our temperatures that were hovering in the low 40s during the day and freezin g at night have flipped up into the 50s and strangely, aren't fall much at night.  Great for our wood supply, but creating a vague uneasiness.

Deer come out of the woods to graze in our small hay field each night at dusk.  Could there be new growth sprouting out there in this mold spring-like weather?  Most likely they're just chowing down on what they can find before killing temperatures turn it all brown and crunchy.

The chickens, joined by a small flock of wild Mallards who have moved in for a visit, are busily out and about every day even in the rain stoking up on whatever gourmet chicken vittles are still available.

Our Golden Laced Cochin Mama Bantam and her four little ones are right out there with everyone else all day long.  I get such a kick out of her babies; they are still about the size of newly hatched standard sized chickens but they're completely feathered out.  Tiny miniatures of big birds.

Will they ever grow bigger?  Obviously, they'll make it to full-grown bantam size like their mom and pop, but in the meantime it sure is comical to watch these little wind-up toy chickens.

Our adult hens are moulting which means a drastic drop in egg production.  I incorporate so many eggs into our diet that it makes me nervous not to have several dozen as back-up.  Our eggs are also for giving to friends and neighbors and bartering so being low on them isn't a comfortable situation.  But it's the normal cycle for chickens and, as usual, we'll survive this ugly chicken/meager egg supply period with no real problems.

The forecast today is for sunshine although it doesn't look to be that way so far this morning.  I'm hoping it clears and I can get out into the garden for some clean-up duty.  Then maybe I can start to think about heading into a slower, hibernating period like a big, old bear.  I'm ready for that, how 'bout you?