Spring Stroll

                                                                             

Spring Stroll

I hope you enjoyed this stroll with me through the HomePlace today.

No S##t?

Yes, a continuation of a previous post. Hangman and family made another visit, and this time he brought DIRT!!!! Just as wonderful as his last visit. He filled one freezer with paper shreds and dirt and topped off another freezer from his last visit. The line of recycled "coolerators" (fridges and freezers) demand lots of filling before being turned into raised garden beds. Fabulous for folks not personally aquainted with the ground because they'd never get up again if they got down there. Like me.

Check out these veggies! Nero De Toscana kale.

He also brought another batch of fig twigs; if they all take root, I will have 18+ fig trees. For some reason, I have trouble starting fig trees, so Hangman brought extra for insurance. 10-Q, Hangman.

I like figs, but am only one person. Art doesn't eat figs. I will need to get seriously creative with figs. Anyone need some fig leaves? Regular streaking is "so last season". This would add a classic/Biblical flavor. No leaves available at this time,so dont start shedding your clothes yet, folks.  The twigs are still green and hanging in there.

This fig twig from last year is ready to plant, and I have just the spot. It'll replace the plum tree burned in the fire last year. Just look at those healthy leaves!

While it grows, I have plans to plant pole beans around that poor plum tree if it's sturdy enough to hold the vines. 

Transplanted squash last weekend with the Grandbabies, and we started cucumbers and pattypan squash. I never cease to be amazed at the miracle of planting seeds.

Keep that dirt coming, Hangman. I have another freezer, and there's tires to start filling, too. Thanks for the effort you put forth digging, hauling it up here, and off-loading it. I still have some of those seeds left you brought last time and am eager to get them planted!

Bunnies for Sale

Bunches of bunnies being handled daily; it takes hours of holding and cuddling in the fresh air to ready them for sale. Unlike most sellers we offer a flyer with contact info in case the bunny needs help or doesn't work out. We do take them back, but offer no refund.

We never got to the 100 rabbit goal, and I'm glad. We did get to 50, however, and caring for those appropriately kept us busy enough. Need to contact some folks that want breeders before we sell out.

It's amazing how many folks want bunnies for food stock. A sign of the times, no doubt. Looks like we'll also be tapping into the 4-H Rabbit Project next year, thanks to our tax accountant.

Give a thought to sustainable living, and raise rabbits; if they don't sell they'll keep your "backbutton and belly-bone separated".

Oh, S**t!

A month early exactly, Hangman arrived with my traditional birthday gift. Yes, that's right! 400 pounds of composted cow manure! How many men would give this gift from the heart knowing it would be appreciated, and not scorned? Or possibly misinterpreted?

Yeah, I gotta admit he looks a bit scary in his pic above, but what a sweetheart!  My favorite gift every year! S**t, something he knows I can use in the years to come. I can look at the brown gold and think of his generosity. Most folks might interpret that to mean his gift wasn't worth s**t, but not me. You should see those bean plants growing!

Squirrel kisses to ya, Hangman, and thanks!

Bunny Marco Polo

Another great explorer joins the annals of history!

We brought a baby inside to treat it for an eye infection. You'd think a large  plastic storage tub could hold a bunny less than two months old. It certainly looked deep enough! Never underestimte the wanderlust factor in a rabbit, especially one getting eyedrops. 

Last night we came home to an empty tub. No sight of the bunny anywhere, but a cold trail of "rabbit raisins" strewn across my desk. "Yoo hoo, Bunny!" No answer. She's not in the corners under the desk, not in the closet, not behind the large plant, and not in the pantry shelves. Shake the food dish? No answer.

Sooner or later someone hears the call of nature and treks to the bathroom. Who is huddled next to the potty? White rabbit in camoflage, that's who! How long was she there? Who knows. A regular miracle with five cats in the house roaming free. Like Peter Rabbit she squeezed under the gate (door). "Lipptey  lippety" up the hall she went. Had she gone to the bedroom, site of kitty afternoon naps, the story may have ended differently.

Cured, with eyes shiny bright and back to normal, the great rabbit explorer found herself snatched up and delivered back to her littermates outside. I wonder, what tales did she tell of the Tub of Isolation and her journey to the Great Porcelain Ediface?

Update: New School Days

Completed my first week of substitute teaching last week. Actually subbing feels pretty good; at the end of the day I walk away without the crippling-to-carry-takes-hours-to-check student work. Just me, the truck keys, and my lightly packed bag ( lighter still 'cause bottled water and lunch are gone). No prep for the next day either!

 I stand amazed at the current crop of high school students in the small nearby town I've signed on with. I'm not used to students sporting beards and moustaches! The "young folks" are polite and well-spoken, save for two I met that day. Quite a difference from my old school district.Not saying that some of the students in my old district weren't polite, but overall, I'm very impressed with these kids from a town that has to remain nameless for security's sake, and ethics reasons, too!
The only problem Friday was concerning water fountains ( "bubblers", for the northern readers); where are they hidden in a modern school? I checked several hallways to no avail. Maybe in the bathrooms? That sounds too awful for words. I did find the teacher bathroom, and was very glad of that.

Next time at the high school I'm going to locate them, just for information's sake. I prefer bottled water in a school situation; you never know what germs lurk in the fountains of public schools. Everything seems to be spotless,though, wherever I look. Whatever germs lurk, I'm avoiding them. My resistance isn't as current as it used to be, out of teaching two years.

I found everything at the elementary school just fine. Seems like home, except you have to be "buzzed in" like at a jewelry store, and all outside doors must be opened with a key card. Don't get between buildings without one, or you'll be making a trip to the office -- probably from the far end of the campus, besides. Security sure has improved in the schools.

Next week is pretty well booked, no problem my being on crutches as far as the schools are concerned. Friday is open, so I'll decide what to do if called on that day. Maybe I'll work, and maybe not. I get to choose these days!

How Much Hay Fits Into a Rabbit's Mouth?

More hay than you think fits in a bunny mouth. Bonnie is building her nest rapidly in these photos. Her kits will be born in just a few hours. Unlike every other rqabbit we've had hers were born in the afternoon. She did manage to get them in the box, but Art had to snuggle them into her fur-lined nest, and cover them. Apparently she's a first time momma, despite her large size. When Art was through settling her babies, she hopped into the nest box to check on his work. It seemed suitable to her, so out she leaped. With the female's litter in the next cage (born Thursday), the baby bunny count is at 40. Two more does due next week Friday, and we'll have close to 50. Then the re-bred does due in two more weeks, but not soon enough to wean for Easter.

I'm actually relieved, in a way, even though I'd aimed for 100 bunnies. The Kleins (wire cutters) have disappeared, and we need some time to build some large holding cages for weanlings. After the sales, the rest will be grown up for meat. Momma needs a new freezer!

Waiting for the next two does to build their nests. No matter how many bunnies we have, it's still exciting!