UPDATE ON THE LADIES
The Co-Op mourns the loss of two Ladies in the past two weeks (but not really…)
Both I and Tom had issues with getting the birds back into the coop. I had two go Rogue on us, and then Tom, who was up at their Cottage on Hess Lake, had one do the same to him. This is no big loss really, and I’ll tell ya’ all why. (Please note that Emily's comments are in blue)
Of the two of mine that decided to not go in (and by not going in, I mean no matter how hard you chase them, what you throw at them, or how many times you crank rounds off in their direction – kidding; they absolutely refuse to go in) one was Cybil. That was the one that went off the Reservation on us last fall for several weeks. She was always a pain in the butt to get to go back in anyway, and she always seemed to have several companions that wanted to follow her by not going back in. Needless to say, I discovered a pile of feathers in the yard the other day that matched her description on the run-a-away report. Chalk her up to the Raccoons or Opossums – the former of which are the most devil creatures to ever walk this Earth, but I’ll tell you why I think that some other time…
Needless to say the other Lady, perhaps witness to attack on Cybil, came back into the coop the very next day. Lesson learned I’d say.
Tom’s rogue Lady was the white Polish crack-head (I believe crack head is a bit harsh, ecentric is a more appropriate description)that Emily named Truvy, after some character Dolly Parton played in some movie; Emily will have to fill you in on this later. (only the best charachter in the history of charachters: Truvy Jones, owner of Truvy's Beauty Parlor in Chiquapin Parish in only the best chick flick in the history of chick flicks: Steel Magnolias) . Truvy Anyway, she is MIA and assumed KIA. Although I know many of you thought she was the best (Jon, Jay, Emily, et cetera) she was the one that laid that little white pigeon eggs you’d get in the dozen every now and then. Small chicken, small white egg, small loss. (I disagree with husband's ridiculous statements....more like small chicken, big personality, irreplaceable loss. Truvy, if you are out there - in chicken heaven.... you will be missed. I am convinced, if our little red chicken coop was Ciquapin Parish, you'd have yourself a little hen beauty shop... fixing up the ladies feathers...fluffing and makin' everybody pretty. Enjoy your chicken beauty parlor in the sky!)
If you are wondering why the eggs are slowing a bit, we are only averaging about 10-12 eggs a day now. The Ladies do not like the heat and are showing it in their egg production. I assume this will pick up again sometime in August, but depending on the heat, it may not be until September when we get back up to our 18 eggs a day average we were getting.
GARDEN UPDATE
And speaking of heat, man did Patty and Erin pick the wrong week to weed. Stay hydrated this week when you are out there, and you can always join Henry, Liam and I in the AC for a break as we look out at you from the slider.
Weeds are the name of the game right now. Tons and tons of weeds. Heat + Water = Weeds. I was going to ask everyone to do a little extra duty when they are up to get things under control, but then Patrick came up to do his part, and he is an absolute weeding Machine! It's amazing how many weeds get pulled when you're not gardening in a suit and wingtips!!! ;) A huge thanks to him and his effort.
Everyone has their first small amount of produce. This week will be another bigger bag, and in about two to three weeks we should be in full peak. Everything is doing well except for the cold crops. Cold crops no likey Heat!
So don’t expect a lot of Peas, Broccoli, or much salad stuff at all. Erin replanted the salad stuff that the Skunk got into, but it’s having a hard time growing because it’s so hot. I have an idea on the salad stuff for next year, especially because this is two years in a row the salad stuff has sucked. But we will get to that this fall when I try a little experiment…
Hopefully you like Zukes, Summer Squash, Beans, Onions, Hot Peppers and Potatoes. These are coming on like a wild fire.
PLEASE NOTE:
ONION: please dry them in the kitchen for 7 days.
PEAS: these are snow and snap and you eat both IN the pod.
PEPPERS – if you get peppers that appear to be Hot Peppers – they are. If you get Hot Peppers in a plastic bag, they are not – they are actually mild Banana Peppers. So plastic bag = mild. Anything lose = Devil’s spit fire from Hell.
The Tomatoes and Bell Peppers are poor right now, but they thrive in the heat. This week should turn them into the bumper crop we all want and are hoping for.
So that’s the update. Just like the previous years, we have stuff doing great and stuff that sucks, but that’s farming and that’s why everyone doesn’t do it.
Later all.
