According to my calendar, there are exactly 5 more weeks until spring. Awesome, right? I've not really been bothered terribly by this winter, but I will say that it's been really wet, colder than normal, really wet again and some sunshine. Enough sun to prevent going hairy-cairy anyway.
We even had real snow. Like 3 times, and it stuck around for a while. But to think we're on the downhill side of old man winter, makes me smile. And then my brain gets to thinking of all the things I'd like to do, places I'd like to go, projects I'd like to accomplish, adventures to experience... you see what happens. My brain gets all busy, but trouble is my body doesn't quite live up to what my mind or imagination comes up with. Creeping age, that's what it is.
Here's the girls strutting around the back yard. Had I mentioned that we had chickens now? Acquired chickens is more like it. You see, when our neighbors from behind our property moved out last late summer or early fall - they abandoned a bunch of their chickens. Why, I have no idea. Maybe they didn't lay anymore, maybe they escaped? But for whatever reason, the girls moved to our house. Guess they got hungry. But, I love watching them! I've never had chickens before, and have always had a bit of a fascination with them. Fresh, farm eggs and all that! So we bought chicken feed, save our veggie and bread scraps - they love their bread - and have yet to find an egg. We're down to 5 hens, having started with 13 hens and 1 rooster...I don't know, so don't ask. We have coyotes, lots of hawks and who knows what else. They do and go where they want, we feed them and do our best to provide them with a safe shelter. Trouble is, they keep moving. Lately their favorite roosting spot is in the tops of these trees, except for Henny Penny, who appears to be the "godmother" of the girls and for one reason or another, sleeps by herself in the wood shed. (I stole that godmother name from dancing donkey - hilarious read) My husband even mounted laying boxes on the wall in one of our sheds and they refuse to use them. So, freewill and all things considered, they choose their path. Not unlike us.
Aren't they cool?
We really haven't been doing much lately. Just sort of going through the motions, doing what we need to do every day and looking forward to days where we can spend more time outside. I can't remember the last time I rode my horse. Any of the horses. And that's very, very sad...my body has gone soft over this winter, and that's sad too. *sigh*
Anyway, we're in the midst of a few beautiful days and the dogs and I have gone on a few walks lately, but I don't know how to get my pics off my phone, which is what I seem to carry more often than not lately. Poor quality pictures, but so handy.
We finished viewing the first 3 seasons of Black Sails recently, and I can't wait for the next season to come out on DVD...oh my gosh! Very raw at times, but I love it. One of my favorite characters was hung by the bloody red coats on the last episode, and I'm still reeling from that one. :( What's a girl to do?
Now we're just getting started on a new series that will hopefully be just as good. Outlander, set in 17th century Scottish Highlands - time travel and all that. Oh my word, one episode in and I'm already hooked! See what I mean? This is why my body goes all soft in the winter. Not enough time spent outside being active. Thank goodness winter only lasts 3 months.
Until next time, be well my dear readers.
How do you plan on spending the last days of the winter season?
12 comments:
I love watching free range chickens but we have to keep us our in a protective pen or the flock diminishes rapidely. They also use our nesting boxes instead of hiding the eggs in impossible locations. I'm guessing your neighbors didn't want to move the chickens and left them behind. We had neighbors who did the same thing. I think the area coyotes and bobcats ate well for a few days after that.
We've been watching Black Sails since it started. They just started the final season and I believe we are three episodes in. And yes...he was my favorite character too. I was pretty annoyed when they hung him, but I hope she gets hers. If you know what I mean.
As for Outlander it's a great series and I've seen it. But I think it's better if you read the books first. I have and it's a great series of books that keeps you interested. There are about eight books in the series I think. If you're interested they're the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.
I can't wait to ride either. I've gotten soft too.
I'll spend the last months of winter the way I spend the rest of my year, pretty much. Seasonal outside work, all the usual chores inside and out, riding my horse as often as possible, working part-time, picking up Brian from school every afternoon....
I've had chickens for six years now and I really do love them. Lovely flock you have there.
It's hard to get motivated in winter to do anything but survive. Naps, comfort food, light entertainment...
I won't be riding for a while, we are pretty much snowed in for awhile here, then it's going to be ice/mud season. Probably won't get much riding in until April.
Can you send the pictures on the phone to your email? then you can save them to your computer.
We have had a couple of gorgeous days, making me wish for spring to get here. Right now it's raining hard and blowing hard outside. I will just do what I always do: head to the gym by bus and take a couple of classes after having a nice latte at the coffee shop. Then home before heading off to my yoga class. I keep myself busy! :-)
I'm so confused with weather eight now, because it has been so cool here I feel like it is winter here, then I get surprised to see it still winter up there!
I've got Black Sails marked to to watch at some point. We did enjoy Outlander but we skipped the torture stuff. We watched the first episode of Vikings, but have been warned that there might need to be some skipping in that one too!
What we've been doing is going back though our Jane Austen's again. Ahh, so peaceful. With all the Machiavellian plotting going on at our fire brigade leading up to the AGM, it is nice to step out of all the silliness and relax with concerns so not our own.
I love all my readers comments! Always so interesting...
Annette: I hope ours lasts into the summer, I might figure something coop-wise out and even get a few more ?
Arlyne: Thank you! You pointed me to Black Sails! We love it, and have shared with friends. Yes, I know what you mean and agree. She's a cool one.
Michelle: I'm glad it's just weeks and not months more to go. If I had an arena like yours, I'd be on my horse more often too. :)
Shirley: I can't imagine going through a winter like the one you're living in right now. Hope your snow goes away soon! Hang in there, just about a month more to go. Thanks for the tip, I'll give that a try.
DJan: We're definitely on the same weather pattern. Haven't they just been lovely?
Tina: You'll love Black Sails! Shocking at times, but real. Such a great story of adventures and intrigue. I'm going to check into your Jane Austen series, and we enjoy watching dramas that aren't our own too. Escapism in color. :)
My daughter has chickens (as well as horses, dogs, cats, etc.) on their 7 acres. They range free during the day, but are back in the hen house at night. Owls and hawks are their predators. She once had a hawk swoop down and take a young chick off right in front of her. I think chickens are great... they make me laugh just watching them (and we do love the fresh eggs).
And I also read all the Outlander books before the DVD came out. But they do a very good job - better than some of the books turned into made for TV movies. It's a great story. Claire and Jamie are made of *stern stuff*...
Had no idea you had chickens! I know nothing about raising them. They have become a popular "in" thing around here. We even have entire stores devoted to everything chicken. Ironically with a little horse stuff sprinkled in. I asked the store owner why, and I quote "chicken people tend to have horses" - and now you both, fun!!
Hi,
I just discoverd C-ing Spots and I love it ☺ My ride is a little Appy with her own private agenda. Now I've found you, I wonder if you'd be interested in doing a product review for the company I work with for a tack item or dog item? No cost what so ever to you. If so, please email me at jackereynolds@yahoo.com
Will be adding you to my follow list♥
I think the area coyotes and bobcats ate well for a few days after that.
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