tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81274356863952008482024-03-05T08:58:59.975-06:00The RanchAfter a lifelong career in the Aerospace and Defense industry, I decided to pull the plug and retire to the 'wide open spaces' of West Texas. This is a chronical of life on a small ranch, miles away from the nearest little town.Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-35735682556887905482013-11-10T14:54:00.000-06:002013-11-10T14:56:16.219-06:00Donna Nook, UKToday, we took a fun trip about an hour away to the coast where we were told the seals come ashore to birth their pups. It was cold and breezy but worth the effort when you check out what we saw!!! Pictures in this case are worth 1000 words:<br />
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At the beginning of the week the report was that there were 80 new babies, but as of a couple of days ago, there were 200 and growing. This is just a part of the beach area: (be sure to double click and get the full effect!!!)<br />
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<img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqyShpqfdxqgLO4x9BiuEBNj1TlNoJVbrhf8X3SAz51aQ5skd-GHXE_ULeIvUSxdxSZ0JqeX0ewRQHmx5eFI-5IXuK7RQ-nU49UpkR9zZxyHU53_doy_4hhL-Z6frsIxGnmosuY5xqyJ9/s640/Seals.jpg" width="640" /></div>
Then there are the moms and their babies:<br />
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and meet the closest pups, one taking a snooze on the beach next to the fence that separated us:</div>
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and my favorite of all:</div>
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The grandkids really loved watching the seals. Who knew they had seals in England????</div>
Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-52697802902514317182013-11-09T09:35:00.001-06:002013-12-14T10:25:42.357-06:00The Old Bolingbroke ChurchThis church made it to Facebook before I learned how to Photoshop. With a little tutoring, we managed to pull out the sky using dodge and burn, and clone in blank areas of grass and sky to have a more complete picture of this typical village church. They're typically old and stone with big steeples and spires. Most seem to be in the middle of the cemetery. This is a representative sample.<br />
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<br />Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-27787679918206705972013-11-08T08:59:00.001-06:002013-11-09T05:01:09.756-06:00Tupholme Abbey Not far from Horncastle (where Travis and Pam live) there are quite a few ruins. We hunted for one abbey ruin, but it was too gone to find out in the middle of a farm field and we didn't know what to expect until we googled it. So we gave up in search of this Abbey... Tupholme Abbey:<br />
(any of the pictures can be double clicked on to see full screen)<br />
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Above is what they think it looked like in its hayday!!! Impressive! But this is what's left:<br />
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From the backside:<br />
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Evidence of caved in walls....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwzrZSVHmUvu8gvtG1OO5WVDcTbymSXFdA1YhgnSTYCckFZaIGD4N7kBbjK-JIuHum3WniX66Xx5BEN5BRubKt1ltpYr5IwG4eCLfXnUaglgfuI_qL50HoDg3ZJsGW7WNWk0Zla2tfLWW/s1600/Tupholme+Abbey+ruin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwzrZSVHmUvu8gvtG1OO5WVDcTbymSXFdA1YhgnSTYCckFZaIGD4N7kBbjK-JIuHum3WniX66Xx5BEN5BRubKt1ltpYr5IwG4eCLfXnUaglgfuI_qL50HoDg3ZJsGW7WNWk0Zla2tfLWW/s400/Tupholme+Abbey+ruin.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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and some of the detail is worth seeing. It amazes me what's gone and what is preserved in some spots. The photo below these two is a favorite and really shows the old aged crumbly stone detail.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf9l0ytQKAbgBbG0FYsjTHs4jHbL-20_HldycFFHaCfhmaAEFcRyuJaA0l8rTlScWhtj48QRSqiw7H6DAHb4FmwJj7ce-OzmuEQBYyhEnGMdnMeAm7UTKUJbvnROuAN7cA1I8UZVYIA7E/s1600/Tupholme+Abbey+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; height: 322px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 207px;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf9l0ytQKAbgBbG0FYsjTHs4jHbL-20_HldycFFHaCfhmaAEFcRyuJaA0l8rTlScWhtj48QRSqiw7H6DAHb4FmwJj7ce-OzmuEQBYyhEnGMdnMeAm7UTKUJbvnROuAN7cA1I8UZVYIA7E/s400/Tupholme+Abbey+detail.jpg" width="247" /></a><br />
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This area of England is called the Wolds (which is rolling hills) and this will give you a sense of the Wolds.... complete with hedges to separate fields and roads and everything else. There are hedges everywhere!!!!! (You definitely want to double click on this one!)<br />
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Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-3228578774137292152013-11-06T06:14:00.000-06:002013-11-06T06:26:39.886-06:00Lincoln, UK - Castle and CathedralA couple of days ago, I took my Facebook friends to the Petwood Hotel, just outside of Woodhall Spa, UK. Today we're going to Lincoln, where there is a castle and the well-known Lincoln Cathedral, founded in 1088 commissioned by William the Conqueror. Enjoy the pictures!! One qualifier though, although I can stitch and adjust color and contrast and crop, I don't know how to fill in or straighten as you will see, so it's not my best work .... yet!!!<br />
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First, this is Lincoln Castle which was also built for William the Conqueror (kinda like a northern headquarters) while he fought in the north of England, and has existed until present day as a prison and law court. It also houses a museum. It would appear that there is reconstruction at present.<br />
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Walking around town the spires of Lincoln Cathedral are visible from most streets and indeed, from about 20 or more miles away as well. As usual, I find myself getting more physical therapy, climbing up and down hills to access the wonderful sights!<br />
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Lincoln Cathedral is also called St Mary's Cathedral, or the church of St Mary Magdalene of Lincoln. It was almost destroyed by an earthquake in 1185. After the earthquake, a new bishop was installed, St Hugh de Burgundy of Avalon, France and did most of the rebuilding. He died in 1200. Reconstruction continued and was pretty much done by 1235AD. The Central Tower was added and made the structure the tallest structure in the world until 1549 when the spire blew down and was never replaced. This photo is taken from the same spot as the castle shot, just do an about face and you're at the entrance to the cathedral.<br />
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Check out the detail on the outside!!! Imagine building that back around 1100-1200!! I think it's incredibly beautiful with all the carvings... Just wait till you go inside!!!!<br />
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You can get the idea of it's size by the little lady in the red sweatshirt standing on the grass at the far front.)<br />
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These two show the beautiful ceilings (note they come to a bit of a point and not round). The design was for the integrity of the roof, as there was a history of cave ins previously. And check out the columns. On the left is the nave, where communion is served, and on the right is an aisle, and there's another just like it on the other side of the nave. The beauty and intricate design is breath-taking!!!<br />
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What you can't appreciate looking down the aisle is the stained glass!! It also is amazing, and the windows above are very artful as well.<br />
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As you can see below, this large stained glass window is above the heavy wooden door at the entrance. The colors actually pop more than this.....<br />
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Also just outside of the entry to the cathedral grounds is the High Bridge, constructed in 1160, .... on the one side there is a bench (here with Pam and Marissa) ....<br />
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and right across from them is this shopping area built in the 1500s replacing a chapel from 1265 dedicated to Thomas Becket (for you history fans), making this the oldest bridge in England with a structure on it. (Also notice the greenery on the roof.... there is moss or vines growing on EVERYTHING ... all that moisture you know!!)<br />
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I hope you enjoyed your tour of Lincoln.<br />
<br />Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-7758811495480986532013-08-31T15:20:00.001-05:002013-08-31T15:20:33.649-05:00Bumper CropI wish I was referring to my garden.... NOT!!!<br />
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Can you see all the grasshoppers above???<br />
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It's like a plague!! They're EVERYWHERE!! They fly all around you when you walk outside! I always thought they hopped around on the ground, but they can climb or fly up into trees. They were all over the house and on every surface. The sidewalks and the porch floor are covered with grasshopper poop!! You can sweep it off one day and within a couple days it's back!!<br />
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They're ravenous!!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGsSBWHByWPJ1dvuv-EB5Vpzspa3FSSfCYfA1X7743PVAE2WTfY9MaApzAw4PNzPZKpYaZalZr1NtuQHPXET5759WUPbNalBkdcjSB3ip-HFfTguDTYONlF_QMXxIeLGOWeRfhTH5UddT/s1600/Grasshoppers+in+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGsSBWHByWPJ1dvuv-EB5Vpzspa3FSSfCYfA1X7743PVAE2WTfY9MaApzAw4PNzPZKpYaZalZr1NtuQHPXET5759WUPbNalBkdcjSB3ip-HFfTguDTYONlF_QMXxIeLGOWeRfhTH5UddT/s320/Grasshoppers+in+tree.jpg" width="212" /></a>What's on the menu??? ANYTHING!!!! They have eaten 80% of the leaves on the BIG trees in the yard!!! Do they eat the whole leaf??? NO!! They chew across them and drop the rest down to the ground, so they waste a lot!!!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8wLBvELGNkcZtqucZygNhqTYyt8B19HdeOn6zDdeqhclTzE7yBeAQdBMsL66IpmDgNeYHE1NVIbMPFhveLNr_lZAFT0_zIPOEgO0UE8Zfup4I6Nf3oHKf0D-TP3OwF9OClD64OVeXvyS/s1600/Grasshopper+eradication+program.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8wLBvELGNkcZtqucZygNhqTYyt8B19HdeOn6zDdeqhclTzE7yBeAQdBMsL66IpmDgNeYHE1NVIbMPFhveLNr_lZAFT0_zIPOEgO0UE8Zfup4I6Nf3oHKf0D-TP3OwF9OClD64OVeXvyS/s320/Grasshopper+eradication+program.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our first attempt at control was to let the chickens come into the back yard, since their chicken yard had few grasshoppers .... they ate them! We let them in every other day. They ate plenty, but it was a drop in the bucket because they couldn't get to the ones up in the trees. So Mike, the insecticide expert, obtained some super duper insect killer and sprayed the front and back yard. Good stuff!!! There were 1000s, maybe 10s of 1000s of dead and dying grasshoppers at the base of the trees! We could have filled a couple of bushel baskets! The only bad consequence was that the chickens snuck into the back yard one day!! When I noticed them, I chased them back into their yard. (Have you ever tried to herd a bunch of chickens??? It's a challenge!!!) Unfortunately, within a few days, I lost 2 red hens!! I think they ate too many poisoned grasshoppers.<br />
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As for my 'organic' garden, I had to succumb to using Sevin in an effort to control the ones in the garden. It was a choice I had to make..... to kill some of the grasshoppers with hopes of harvesting some melons, tomatoes and beans or NOT!! So, was it worth it? We had ONE ear of corn each from 2 rows of corn!!! We had ONE stew with fresh string beans in it since they killed over half of my string bean plants!!! We've been luckier with tomatoes and melons. The cucumbers took a hit too, although I think the heat got to them. No pickles this year. And thanks to a late frost, no wild plum jelly!!!<br />
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How did the pioneers ever make it out here???Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-22090746551981721642013-05-26T18:34:00.002-05:002013-05-26T18:36:42.958-05:00Time to blog.....It's been 15 months since we last blogged on this site and it's time to catch up on some things and share more meaningful experiences than one can on Facebook. I totally enjoy the pictures and friends on Facebook, but one has to keep it brief. It's more superficial than blogging. Using this mode is more like keeping a historical account. <br />
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The calves in the last blog have grown up. Because our bull is their dad, we couldn't keep them, though they were NICE calves!!! So we've since traded with a friend and we have other heifers and the momma cows have had new calves that are now about 4 months old. This time we have a little black (Brangus) bull and the white faced cow below had a brown-black little heifer ... both nice little calves.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PzLwMSuz09uf9gEcPBbcDaQkuoDsmvXGfivYESG_8atTjGE_ZVu2tOENyyh7NqdjOrBnymuStga0dix5Clg1kTzJOuUDTwVFNtKgcPC6T9p2D_DFAJ-Fu_YHHNeRBeBe46k4hJunCguo/s1600/Cows+-+Babies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PzLwMSuz09uf9gEcPBbcDaQkuoDsmvXGfivYESG_8atTjGE_ZVu2tOENyyh7NqdjOrBnymuStga0dix5Clg1kTzJOuUDTwVFNtKgcPC6T9p2D_DFAJ-Fu_YHHNeRBeBe46k4hJunCguo/s400/Cows+-+Babies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love the expression in the little bulls face!! </div>
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We have a total of 8 bovines (1 bull, 2 cows, 3 heifers and 2 calves)</div>
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Including what you can't see, there are 3 horses and the donkey for equines!!!</div>
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That's the extent of our little ranch!!!</div>
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While I'm relating to 'western' stuff, y'all probably are aware of my renewed love of photography, most of which is from the local area. I've rather found my niche in landscape and nature photography and am busy trying to learn to photoshop when needed (actually I have Paint Shop Pro X4) and make little inroads as I experiment. Sometimes I get frustrated if I can't make something look as I saw it through my eyes. Anyway, many of my pictures are displayed in our new Clinic and Wellness Center. I will add a few of my favorites so you can get the flavor of our ranch and nearby sites:</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ig4Jc2JLBXCX18BN2bmu5v4dCHMlDvNMXb96sgV1535JrqBXMthWP5QBiVYZPgZgt65ksIzIG5Yvm7-sp8WUJ2u_ABiIJJHPzSfzPFzyj22htUkBgjnedC5xqsYO7tGFwN4J43lJCcIw/s1600/kittens+in+tree+reduced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ig4Jc2JLBXCX18BN2bmu5v4dCHMlDvNMXb96sgV1535JrqBXMthWP5QBiVYZPgZgt65ksIzIG5Yvm7-sp8WUJ2u_ABiIJJHPzSfzPFzyj22htUkBgjnedC5xqsYO7tGFwN4J43lJCcIw/s320/kittens+in+tree+reduced.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Nest of Kittens</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cpTdQw-NWg03YWlxgcuBIaGCLktyNcE-im6kbmimmY-V0nN72k-infhwLre7bLeqyUsNw8jN5BHD7x7mROpVpoQmpB6XjDXrCzDYP5PVslzJR-SXOc3FR1fTbY19zJ6yc1Q5A9UOD5nj/s1600/2+grain+elevator_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cpTdQw-NWg03YWlxgcuBIaGCLktyNcE-im6kbmimmY-V0nN72k-infhwLre7bLeqyUsNw8jN5BHD7x7mROpVpoQmpB6XjDXrCzDYP5PVslzJR-SXOc3FR1fTbY19zJ6yc1Q5A9UOD5nj/s320/2+grain+elevator_stitch.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grain Elevators</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eosT-QsV5n1EzqLfelkASQd5BrxsUQIx57-GJGLUgEN-jOjKEbq4TKeXGScUYvuef4WskCQseWlyhXiXVE7tHrfTF2EM616xdsJk6cx1irWSaLWoPR2pcI2XqjsrozLEdTRL0E2HDnZz/s1600/A+flowers+in+the+barditch+without+horizon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eosT-QsV5n1EzqLfelkASQd5BrxsUQIx57-GJGLUgEN-jOjKEbq4TKeXGScUYvuef4WskCQseWlyhXiXVE7tHrfTF2EM616xdsJk6cx1irWSaLWoPR2pcI2XqjsrozLEdTRL0E2HDnZz/s400/A+flowers+in+the+barditch+without+horizon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Springtime Wild Flowers along the Roadside</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6omyG1mky9G2NB7A5-1VJpWHTua4P_IoEhFwTCwVk4ez7ylJanSBIKeh83Uf7nz0qQ1Wel3vxhfE8llHRXXE1iaZrYDX237Ss0kXkd9elRjaZ_p1K8VWityRbT0HWrTxXEx6lFDf4QaNo/s1600/Blue+Bonnets+near+Lake+Grahamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6omyG1mky9G2NB7A5-1VJpWHTua4P_IoEhFwTCwVk4ez7ylJanSBIKeh83Uf7nz0qQ1Wel3vxhfE8llHRXXE1iaZrYDX237Ss0kXkd9elRjaZ_p1K8VWityRbT0HWrTxXEx6lFDf4QaNo/s400/Blue+Bonnets+near+Lake+Grahamb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Bonnets along Lake Graham</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg102sGGWxwXBbzY4YNhpb7mMkd3fWFzBj3h6SbR4ZG0nifXD8sY24F2mK_rp7VCIgnqt_2pHtvTYmthxMrWr0xNmSAIy82ibVYUinK3hTNMAhLWLIhps_o0K3dIT77RvXLpajUW86ivsLj/s1600/Grocery-Salt+Creek+Cafe+canvaslike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg102sGGWxwXBbzY4YNhpb7mMkd3fWFzBj3h6SbR4ZG0nifXD8sY24F2mK_rp7VCIgnqt_2pHtvTYmthxMrWr0xNmSAIy82ibVYUinK3hTNMAhLWLIhps_o0K3dIT77RvXLpajUW86ivsLj/s320/Grocery-Salt+Creek+Cafe+canvaslike.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Historic Grocery and Deli</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PGTttkt1tiK_dEdWLfb0zzZgqIvXna8xPud64CHZ71MsxFF4b-4Dd6ArjqnUH8D8pFYZBThlpEdeMkA4GDUn6sIGX9gIlOfKeeOHnc7YQcW6Oiv1ImcWX6IZmhyW6k5_dBU2CVXMiUG_/s1600/A+Patches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PGTttkt1tiK_dEdWLfb0zzZgqIvXna8xPud64CHZ71MsxFF4b-4Dd6ArjqnUH8D8pFYZBThlpEdeMkA4GDUn6sIGX9gIlOfKeeOHnc7YQcW6Oiv1ImcWX6IZmhyW6k5_dBU2CVXMiUG_/s320/A+Patches.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Patches'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC1A05DRpW1VRvFrM8aKpwXKfyIoRvbEo-8m5063ogaed-SGdOLBSnGVvHXuQqOaToRwX96y-5OUeKIWSajVG7A8LtdUdFED2BWvTgUIpKpy4IgJaThWcuf7eAFt4DyYzkGxy9XNJIege/s1600/Spring+grazing+along+114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC1A05DRpW1VRvFrM8aKpwXKfyIoRvbEo-8m5063ogaed-SGdOLBSnGVvHXuQqOaToRwX96y-5OUeKIWSajVG7A8LtdUdFED2BWvTgUIpKpy4IgJaThWcuf7eAFt4DyYzkGxy9XNJIege/s400/Spring+grazing+along+114.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grazing Cattle among Flowering Weeds after a Storm</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqS3dOItHadPInHCnZ3s11mviZJR3BSE2OBCNhUmvk1z_M7gww-lSOpaUuF66XYT77ASCbnCSvVEdQhKIMJ-RAo6UXzHpi7PtFg07UOCd_yI32HpcGoPJJzJQvzhPBDrMv8cIIkl06yRB/s1600/A+Texas+-+scenic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqS3dOItHadPInHCnZ3s11mviZJR3BSE2OBCNhUmvk1z_M7gww-lSOpaUuF66XYT77ASCbnCSvVEdQhKIMJ-RAo6UXzHpi7PtFg07UOCd_yI32HpcGoPJJzJQvzhPBDrMv8cIIkl06yRB/s400/A+Texas+-+scenic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Roadside Fauna</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HJeks59pYhn5OfR-2vMI12vZWbnNkek-hcQUcrWdkfMRngC18qazjLA9SFigiiJHoR7ZxlgIhjILgAq9S7b_lYmlroPyXQA31CCTMeJtBGctIatlHIrDKGF9Uswl4-W2f7MXg84wIPIT/s1600/Winter+ice+storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HJeks59pYhn5OfR-2vMI12vZWbnNkek-hcQUcrWdkfMRngC18qazjLA9SFigiiJHoR7ZxlgIhjILgAq9S7b_lYmlroPyXQA31CCTMeJtBGctIatlHIrDKGF9Uswl4-W2f7MXg84wIPIT/s400/Winter+ice+storm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textures after an Ice Storm</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-u__ze3DxljhYWE5aji64rw9OeVhmSs8kgVqTkYXYQyjdJVz-aqPdRe1zfxd9oCb0oEFq-LLBiipdWolQnGMvMM6hSpQMBHNv857ZaUCmQPkz1QPM5ZAIRseYl_ttgW777GPvyD7RWxT/s1600/sunrise2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-u__ze3DxljhYWE5aji64rw9OeVhmSs8kgVqTkYXYQyjdJVz-aqPdRe1zfxd9oCb0oEFq-LLBiipdWolQnGMvMM6hSpQMBHNv857ZaUCmQPkz1QPM5ZAIRseYl_ttgW777GPvyD7RWxT/s400/sunrise2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise</td></tr>
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Hope you enjoy!!!</div>
Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-47124795666549092452012-02-18T16:04:00.000-06:002012-02-18T16:04:09.265-06:00More New Life!!!Change takes time, but in the last 3 weeks or so, we've had an increase in our little herd!!! Both of our cows have had beautiful little heifers!! First #6 had her calf out in the field the same evening I heard coyotes yip-yipping. Mike went out to see IF we had a new calf and sure enough he found Mama and new baby. BUT he couldn't get them in from the field, so he went out the next morning, but then he couldn't find the calf. So the next morning he tried again. With our little herd, we prayed the coyotes hadn't taken it!! But that morning he had success and this was our new addition!!! I have to say, "like mother, like baby" --- Little #12 looks JUST LIKE her mom!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGNps8rBE-JbORj-FfrNBby9G3RjeUs5fgslk70WGhdR_23ZWb4QMAJQsQ5a-tnLrQVpjHq0o4lGbtdzs8jf2CSvuhrP2KhQLAb8zcZ1OF8-d9QtUxEgHFkGuprCdHtCoIDRsfySv5LwM/s1600/Cow+%236+with+%2312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGNps8rBE-JbORj-FfrNBby9G3RjeUs5fgslk70WGhdR_23ZWb4QMAJQsQ5a-tnLrQVpjHq0o4lGbtdzs8jf2CSvuhrP2KhQLAb8zcZ1OF8-d9QtUxEgHFkGuprCdHtCoIDRsfySv5LwM/s640/Cow+%236+with+%2312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>She's one spunky energetic healthy little girl!!!<br />
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Then 2 weeks later, White Face (#3) surprised us with her own little heifer! We didn't expect her for another couple of weeks!! Below is White Face with her first little calf - a little bull:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7xQQLRWBwVQ07IEWriAghpcULcPZILuwWuPnJdW92dfw5rj-V7HYckJwep4MdXPU9Ffi2CJUDNkehOSp0KwFFwbA1cUnFQ5FXyJSTcW8jO1XbvgswBWhR09gX3CKCQjVUJHtPTORzYQx/s1600/calf+-+4th+with+white+face+mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7xQQLRWBwVQ07IEWriAghpcULcPZILuwWuPnJdW92dfw5rj-V7HYckJwep4MdXPU9Ffi2CJUDNkehOSp0KwFFwbA1cUnFQ5FXyJSTcW8jO1XbvgswBWhR09gX3CKCQjVUJHtPTORzYQx/s640/calf+-+4th+with+white+face+mom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>WOW!! Our Mr. Bull (#1) is a Brangus and he's all BLACK!! We surely didn't expect a camel colored calf. So we were waiting with anticipation to see what her calf looked like this time!!! Well, here she is:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6cl3F9bvKV3GbXo_kOqzJtXSxyZhBuYX3mjvK-c2a7J4mjtHRw9q3rZ6CBomM9LJ_QpC_eWBx0wRGYOG1IYkzqJzERbnZbUuNHw0uLUjiIWXyMw2CmS46nZNGrx4Jnci14Nb9Cq8GDPl/s1600/Cow+%233+with+%2313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6cl3F9bvKV3GbXo_kOqzJtXSxyZhBuYX3mjvK-c2a7J4mjtHRw9q3rZ6CBomM9LJ_QpC_eWBx0wRGYOG1IYkzqJzERbnZbUuNHw0uLUjiIWXyMw2CmS46nZNGrx4Jnci14Nb9Cq8GDPl/s640/Cow+%233+with+%2313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We're deciding whether to call her "Bandit" or "Spot"! She's #13! Luckily she was born in the immediate area because Mike got tired of cutting Mr Bull out of the distant fence where he kept attempting to visit the large herd next door. So now the little additions are all socialized with the other farm animals. It's starting to look like a ranch again!!! Even Sam gets in the act... after all, he IS a working cow dog!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQGk62cmBf5tiy_JkMu6xNkTABRjbe6N1agVLfhNJ7ggk7dIqqHpC8LP5UpF8_vipiKAG-d8VmvwY7JS1Y-1tvmgIYGNihfeWVSIVkMRGQfJ1IaJ7VhYA15cGFbl-VIBpG5FXeURXut0W/s1600/Cows,+calves+and+equines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQGk62cmBf5tiy_JkMu6xNkTABRjbe6N1agVLfhNJ7ggk7dIqqHpC8LP5UpF8_vipiKAG-d8VmvwY7JS1Y-1tvmgIYGNihfeWVSIVkMRGQfJ1IaJ7VhYA15cGFbl-VIBpG5FXeURXut0W/s640/Cows,+calves+and+equines.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-81522139879474208612012-01-21T13:56:00.001-06:002012-01-21T14:01:48.269-06:00Life Returns<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFlVyt_Ntaga-IaL2ZgEme8fPcFrlPzwbTwM7ZAAUx41tpZOEZy7V5SZbN16seXxRuvDpj_D5l4UpeFk2j2GkBzrA-1CBkev3bR7YhULOamOD4DWrwJgcPEuLsj93OVPDbhNSpT2tsX5d/s1600/First+snow+on+new+grass1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFlVyt_Ntaga-IaL2ZgEme8fPcFrlPzwbTwM7ZAAUx41tpZOEZy7V5SZbN16seXxRuvDpj_D5l4UpeFk2j2GkBzrA-1CBkev3bR7YhULOamOD4DWrwJgcPEuLsj93OVPDbhNSpT2tsX5d/s320/First+snow+on+new+grass1.jpg" width="320px" /></a>After so much devastation, life returns to the ranch! We've had rain, and the grass is growing back so that we have 'spring grass' in the fall and winter!! I thought it was particularly interesting to see the first small snow fall on the new grass. In many areas the grass didn't make it, but the weeds are nice and green. So we have work to do to get our pastures back in good shape (or I should say: Rancher Mike has his work cut out for him!!!)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Refer back to the last entry to see the almost dried-up state of our 'stock tank'! They don't call them 'ponds' in this here state!!! We typically refer to it as The Tank. One heavy rain and the tank was just about full. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DOsh2nUnhjXls3vikl19m6ArxbIn-8aD8FdlHtyP2fgqBmTV8YLaLjzyZV7zBKUynwicocR1xqDLAMLzSWlR8CN_sNYtv_My0PDFz0_hbPIKIG9TWaihatYhY72MvEyv6OcR2tsfuBOe/s1600/Stock+tank+-+alive+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DOsh2nUnhjXls3vikl19m6ArxbIn-8aD8FdlHtyP2fgqBmTV8YLaLjzyZV7zBKUynwicocR1xqDLAMLzSWlR8CN_sNYtv_My0PDFz0_hbPIKIG9TWaihatYhY72MvEyv6OcR2tsfuBOe/s640/Stock+tank+-+alive+again.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sceL746f-59DC6PBJOnRhQ4sPMlZ0MJ-QqF6Ks5PBpjCIxysS2Qz767qJ1Op2-T51kb18jKC0jzxycaECzb7WgUQO63tBCFlw3HZXuEYB9AU6L-sA6IlQTUfC23mNGB7TW6QxXf1Oj2l/s1600/Stock+tank+-+duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sceL746f-59DC6PBJOnRhQ4sPMlZ0MJ-QqF6Ks5PBpjCIxysS2Qz767qJ1Op2-T51kb18jKC0jzxycaECzb7WgUQO63tBCFlw3HZXuEYB9AU6L-sA6IlQTUfC23mNGB7TW6QxXf1Oj2l/s320/Stock+tank+-+duck.jpg" width="320px" /></a>Worthy of note: You probably see Sam (who accompanies me everywhere around the property), and the horse grazing in the background, but note also... there are ducks on the tank. Maybe next spring we can restock it with bass and catfish! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What's really cool is that I can now see the tank from the kitchen window. What a great view of our property:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u0IxB2_OASio0W_nUQ8PqWa3KT_hburuP_jDB6aLRyJ6nqjwj36U3vu0Nr1jTISjrmlEiMTBDYHYfqokDXepygkctqRwdxFnQa_6z6Lj-dvl74weYIdH20_ANlfPY1P2IEBq08Tt5K1o/s1600/Stock+tank+-+alive+again1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6u0IxB2_OASio0W_nUQ8PqWa3KT_hburuP_jDB6aLRyJ6nqjwj36U3vu0Nr1jTISjrmlEiMTBDYHYfqokDXepygkctqRwdxFnQa_6z6Lj-dvl74weYIdH20_ANlfPY1P2IEBq08Tt5K1o/s640/Stock+tank+-+alive+again1.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>The horses are particularly aware of where the greenest grass is .... on the other side of the fence, of course!!! And on cool mornings after their breakfast of sweet feed (grain with molasses) and a couple of flakes of hay (which we had to buy since we didn't have any to bale thanks to the drought!), it's time to lay in the sun and rest. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_G2OLw7omOqzfuR2vna341tjuU1tERwbZ60ICwFS30zUvI2zBB_puhDcDq-RHtH5_nm21IByzwXE9efpCo94KGxuPBRATjg058-xNhRqaaAXBvKQtAlr8GhpG-qJ6zjgJc029UJOkho9/s1600/Horses+-+Grass+is+greener.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="height: 186px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 296px;"><img border="0" height="424px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_G2OLw7omOqzfuR2vna341tjuU1tERwbZ60ICwFS30zUvI2zBB_puhDcDq-RHtH5_nm21IByzwXE9efpCo94KGxuPBRATjg058-xNhRqaaAXBvKQtAlr8GhpG-qJ6zjgJc029UJOkho9/s640/Horses+-+Grass+is+greener.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9LnexvspcdoAfNcddpjNHPWcIVnTJzjrhH3hAY0T2GtPU9XrtbQhzj3qUahyYaKykAZYyIthQA8KGSm0aIGbygGLsnMqVmNqN5NUHw0Olbt-9eL0ERQyMbPuUDmQ5Br83q9QdXibMwxY/s1600/Horses+-+A+lazy+winter+sunny+morn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9LnexvspcdoAfNcddpjNHPWcIVnTJzjrhH3hAY0T2GtPU9XrtbQhzj3qUahyYaKykAZYyIthQA8KGSm0aIGbygGLsnMqVmNqN5NUHw0Olbt-9eL0ERQyMbPuUDmQ5Br83q9QdXibMwxY/s640/Horses+-+A+lazy+winter+sunny+morn.jpg" width="640px" /></a>And to complete our recovery from the drought, we're enlarging the back porch for our added enjoyment, where we'll be able to enjoy the tank and the happenings in the chicken yard and the garden while we enjoy a meal or just a tall glass of iced tea!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytg0gwhQjHGSB1_xfs89tnvs3p0egXlW7j_tH3W5PWbMDDPWN6J3gby-Uer_Bk-Ye9ZBVE2QTYVTg26FE0OL1JwrN2OBdcEKB_fbJb4tAC1jkw_KtdD5Cnxx74nz3t1MZrY4hTmN0qrms/s1600/Porch+construction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytg0gwhQjHGSB1_xfs89tnvs3p0egXlW7j_tH3W5PWbMDDPWN6J3gby-Uer_Bk-Ye9ZBVE2QTYVTg26FE0OL1JwrN2OBdcEKB_fbJb4tAC1jkw_KtdD5Cnxx74nz3t1MZrY4hTmN0qrms/s640/Porch+construction.jpg" width="640px" /></a>You might notice the time of day is well displayed in the reflections in the windows.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Another beautiful sunset! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Going to bed so we can start anew with a beautiful sunrise tomorrow!</div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-47068796960393867092011-09-19T15:20:00.003-05:002011-09-20T17:54:08.763-05:00It's not over yet!!!!!DROUGHT: I just read the following excerpt from an LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) Bulletin:<span style="color: red;">The 11 months from October 2010 through August 2011 have been the driest for that 11-month period in Texas since 1895, when the state began keeping rainfall records. This summer in Texas has been the hottest in the country’s history, according to the </span><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5isawHvcmsYVtQFJd5VDsvhxPzVBA?docId=60331d7a6ced49b4b3723db7787299da"><span style="color: red;">National Weather Service</span></a><span style="color: red;">.</span><br />
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This is what we've experienced over the past 6 months!!!<br />
<span style="color: black;">This <strong>WAS</strong> our 'Stock Tank' when we moved here - we actually have two on the property, but this is the larger one which is stocked with bass and catfish and has NEVER gone dry!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTRcC2taoMbLdFU1-WJIMT9OJdH5s5_v9NCKq2R0Bpjq1jMjSjK1JOaheYx8cY6SzhtSj74plaVpQUp67CjFYUsB3uWFmtMdRYwpGi3uB0xCAurTJ28Sy-tfIG_KhMhF8u1fx1UKg0PBN/s1600/P3120332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTRcC2taoMbLdFU1-WJIMT9OJdH5s5_v9NCKq2R0Bpjq1jMjSjK1JOaheYx8cY6SzhtSj74plaVpQUp67CjFYUsB3uWFmtMdRYwpGi3uB0xCAurTJ28Sy-tfIG_KhMhF8u1fx1UKg0PBN/s640/P3120332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Here it is today - a big mud puddle!!! I don't know how many fish have survived, but some have died, and they're now fair game for hawks and racoons and coyotes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MRAwe6DBS-pBPAyTFNSccxU4O7TTDjPYneS0FX2YSs_ACgFakDo1To93VhWb3fPiKZIOfCJZNcg_If6kGk0cV_6UrbUtxZVP5LcO8AWvtGjqOZqyiWDClY0wEGAP0etl-5u3qidBgbAV/s1600/Tank+Sept2011B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MRAwe6DBS-pBPAyTFNSccxU4O7TTDjPYneS0FX2YSs_ACgFakDo1To93VhWb3fPiKZIOfCJZNcg_If6kGk0cV_6UrbUtxZVP5LcO8AWvtGjqOZqyiWDClY0wEGAP0etl-5u3qidBgbAV/s640/Tank+Sept2011B.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWXe7U8mmFbJiICa0Bn8V65Wvh02PA88dsePy9lpNZzfH3S4Kd_rhjuPwtsNKDjfIF9tAXnVS8jfTGKs95lh_BISHViW_JOZyS9By0Pk_oOYqiu7b-bzSepuXW_0PPgj_ZfM1TBY-qqdy/s1600/Tank+Sept2011a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWXe7U8mmFbJiICa0Bn8V65Wvh02PA88dsePy9lpNZzfH3S4Kd_rhjuPwtsNKDjfIF9tAXnVS8jfTGKs95lh_BISHViW_JOZyS9By0Pk_oOYqiu7b-bzSepuXW_0PPgj_ZfM1TBY-qqdy/s640/Tank+Sept2011a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>If it doesn't rain soon, there'll be nothing!!! We've had a few showers in the past week, but the rain is just enough to wet the driveway. The most we have had is a quarter of an inch, and that's like spitting in the tank!!!!! The whole community is praying for rain!!! <br />
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No rain, no grass, no hay to feed livestock for the winter!! This picture was last October 2nd followed by a picture taken just a few days ago:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHZ89Jpu-ZlcQKCNhmnlSvKGriw97GOjQdj5X2q5dP9CRMuCx_Lxdjjh7hNRo9FM8Nl56hr8rx7fNgwFma6co7gUJZazWP3EJN3F0toAdd4UfHMAiBm8Y9AB8fRnnwAZAPSow-xNhLsWv/s1600/Hay+-+bale2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHZ89Jpu-ZlcQKCNhmnlSvKGriw97GOjQdj5X2q5dP9CRMuCx_Lxdjjh7hNRo9FM8Nl56hr8rx7fNgwFma6co7gUJZazWP3EJN3F0toAdd4UfHMAiBm8Y9AB8fRnnwAZAPSow-xNhLsWv/s640/Hay+-+bale2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCor9arWmwTfBwVHvTChdAQ0JcOZO9jnfyoAPGKCzbPj9u2FEBFcyjIKBmZWEY6OeLlRb4mPZPES4hW8CwflRwEzEwQwxCrho8uanNmAZO-3Vf3yviXUCb2tml6sFMzdnHY6ZJXABCHROD/s1600/Drought+-pasture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCor9arWmwTfBwVHvTChdAQ0JcOZO9jnfyoAPGKCzbPj9u2FEBFcyjIKBmZWEY6OeLlRb4mPZPES4hW8CwflRwEzEwQwxCrho8uanNmAZO-3Vf3yviXUCb2tml6sFMzdnHY6ZJXABCHROD/s640/Drought+-pasture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Then there's our yard!!!!</span></span><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The trees have taken a huge hit!!! Last year the Crepe Myrtles along the sidewalk bloomed all summer! I'm only seeing blooms right now and unless we get more rain, I'm afraid they'll drop and we won't get flowers. We've been having to water them just to keep them alive, and as you can see, the shrubs at the base of the crepe myrtles aren't looking too good!!!. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeC0f1IH99QHFBUOoXzL8EQpqHGhVOiEfZrIUxzVA5EPHW67iqalDqxlJMF0Xi5mAnrT2KJkhiLXpv3B_Ld_RQayxShphM_Kxi5W36MZNK66yI3ZhOgKzD7Ahnk4Cx1LOa2WAUj7WLcmH/s1600/Drought+-+front+yard+shrubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeC0f1IH99QHFBUOoXzL8EQpqHGhVOiEfZrIUxzVA5EPHW67iqalDqxlJMF0Xi5mAnrT2KJkhiLXpv3B_Ld_RQayxShphM_Kxi5W36MZNK66yI3ZhOgKzD7Ahnk4Cx1LOa2WAUj7WLcmH/s640/Drought+-+front+yard+shrubs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> The huge tree beside the house has lost lost of leaves and there used to be grass to mow at the base of the tree in front of the fence!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xvaXQNjGQgMnCZAb5ddeVwdbtabbNY-dLfbSIBF5dzSOWKgJoZW3D7t5jIyMawSm0rcTjZT3I9iupkGYVAdaq9GFxTJESn3pvTZgEZI0kTZ4-JPMtXFe8luVsjPVdvH0CQV0iDre759K/s1600/Drought+-+front+yard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xvaXQNjGQgMnCZAb5ddeVwdbtabbNY-dLfbSIBF5dzSOWKgJoZW3D7t5jIyMawSm0rcTjZT3I9iupkGYVAdaq9GFxTJESn3pvTZgEZI0kTZ4-JPMtXFe8luVsjPVdvH0CQV0iDre759K/s640/Drought+-+front+yard1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> In the back yard, we've had to drip water the apple trees. One looks OK, but the other isn't looking very good although I'm seeing some new leaves since we've watered.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuu-LicSUZG_NggWaTALFy2DUVaAFi_JCUNusBmdRi0N8Z4Xb1Mm0W_D-MfCbKdZDoj2e2D_pb2QEkvE2mGVmZ8lAm8EKdC4gcNRar0cFlqQtorCOmMTDjBuR397yWt4qBcOxut6ivX0C/s1600/Drought+-+back+yard+apple+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuu-LicSUZG_NggWaTALFy2DUVaAFi_JCUNusBmdRi0N8Z4Xb1Mm0W_D-MfCbKdZDoj2e2D_pb2QEkvE2mGVmZ8lAm8EKdC4gcNRar0cFlqQtorCOmMTDjBuR397yWt4qBcOxut6ivX0C/s640/Drought+-+back+yard+apple+trees.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The leaves on the ground are from the BIG tree in the back. Even though they have deep roots, we've had to water it. I'd hate to lose those big beautiful trees!! Everything is brown except weeds and mesquites!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTWo1GGsMSbBoOSZd9TrVimUqqZwPnHu2kqxQHHW-xaZYrX7B5j-nplWI8UP_DXqVzjbZPZJ30e-oA7TkohjBxg0eFL2V_bsr56a_ozLDcrxEYRBbSRF5NxcCbQvjUSwdiR-zoZNbZjbD/s1600/Drought+-+back+yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTWo1GGsMSbBoOSZd9TrVimUqqZwPnHu2kqxQHHW-xaZYrX7B5j-nplWI8UP_DXqVzjbZPZJ30e-oA7TkohjBxg0eFL2V_bsr56a_ozLDcrxEYRBbSRF5NxcCbQvjUSwdiR-zoZNbZjbD/s640/Drought+-+back+yard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Aside from the drought, Mike was trying to reclaim some grazing land from the Mesquite trees, which are like "tree weeds" as in they constantly reseed and grow fast. He hired a 'dozer to come in and remove most of the mesquite. Unfortunately, I have looked through every picture album and don't have a decent before picture. The closest is this picture of our first little calf kicking up her heels... if you can check out the background, you can get a sense of the overgrowth.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBGiGVh9nsFyjdhKLb5g4vS0gPy0Wy6n7DCUPKaa5-Ts4XeA5331goOxamlLh_-u4a1xSAZlQ2P63HnF2TkAvGASAZb8uptAmARjYt9SXtkyUQBSK1KcHnna4xAT2V_7YxZsfHQV3vqH_/s1600/calf-+48+hours+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBGiGVh9nsFyjdhKLb5g4vS0gPy0Wy6n7DCUPKaa5-Ts4XeA5331goOxamlLh_-u4a1xSAZlQ2P63HnF2TkAvGASAZb8uptAmARjYt9SXtkyUQBSK1KcHnna4xAT2V_7YxZsfHQV3vqH_/s640/calf-+48+hours+old.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Now there are just SOME trees!!!</div><br />
<span style="color: red;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzk2lcqx-PcKjz3rmb7DI49UtleGvda_gvtzeK5Szjoh4szdGjYSAlWAkqsHaUtNojwNhMj2s-Nhb3JydE5P3KiUqUY90DUVvFBscadHYhzfSb_ELk5Nbj0ERgrEes-nN0FPbhwb-2KJ_/s1600/Back+30a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzk2lcqx-PcKjz3rmb7DI49UtleGvda_gvtzeK5Szjoh4szdGjYSAlWAkqsHaUtNojwNhMj2s-Nhb3JydE5P3KiUqUY90DUVvFBscadHYhzfSb_ELk5Nbj0ERgrEes-nN0FPbhwb-2KJ_/s640/Back+30a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-22094899788610777962011-06-11T11:15:00.001-05:002011-06-11T11:21:36.269-05:00Flag with a MissionSince Travis deployed with the Special Forces out of Hunter AB near Savannah, GA in 2007 to his present day deployment from Aviano AFB, Italy to Afghanistan, the meat department at our local Stewart's Food Market right here in Olney has been selecting and slicing beef for jerky which Mike smokes and processes, vacuum packs and sends to wherever Travis is deployed. John also benefitted from some of Stewarts jerky beef during his deployment a year ago and more recently our niece, Chrys, currently in Alaska received a surprise package of jerky. Travis carried this flag aboard his F-16 for a recent mission and sent if to express his thanks as well as that of his Special Forces friends and his F-16 colleagues who have shared in his bounty<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv4YQxXlP6eUGgijZA9egkoS0K_1_BVv_DNzf0iEqcdjy8_vfBs4sBZwPMxQf0muatDJdKeqYZ6xqYKfbwSmVhgXXdFoHzWRY3W24jUAMiA28FZX4kQfuiwQKIqPg1se9D6VXe7ZnAVHu/s1600/Afghan+flown+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv4YQxXlP6eUGgijZA9egkoS0K_1_BVv_DNzf0iEqcdjy8_vfBs4sBZwPMxQf0muatDJdKeqYZ6xqYKfbwSmVhgXXdFoHzWRY3W24jUAMiA28FZX4kQfuiwQKIqPg1se9D6VXe7ZnAVHu/s640/Afghan+flown+flag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Pictured above are:(L to R) Me and Mr. Mike, Jason Pack (manager of the meat dept), Paul Garcia and Joe Cameron (meat dept staff), Homer Molina (store manager) and Danny Stewart (owner). We are missing Robert Stewart, Danny's brother who we shook hands with on our way out!! For a small town like Olney, we have a very nice grocery and folks come from all around for their meats. Now their meat has even been eaten abroad!!!!Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-14884692145463253912011-05-28T18:00:00.002-05:002011-05-28T18:05:33.016-05:00Wow! So much news!!!Life is busy, and one day to the next there doesn't seem to be so much change, but little events mount up. The previous blog entry comments how the THREE little calves stick together. Well since then here's number 4 calf (with #3 mom - we call her 'White Face'):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtSbZ0DXqRHmonFKcd3ePmXVR8i23STgWTliu1rkiC77R9I3JvUlO9XO7_6j3ZMQQOJdymrFYQnJpB-vyzFtZPB2NqLkiFAcf69H6jerkTuAzt965Yzc_pG1E1tYgMkZw9lKBM-FeIFb7/s1600/calf+-+4th+with+white+face+mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtSbZ0DXqRHmonFKcd3ePmXVR8i23STgWTliu1rkiC77R9I3JvUlO9XO7_6j3ZMQQOJdymrFYQnJpB-vyzFtZPB2NqLkiFAcf69H6jerkTuAzt965Yzc_pG1E1tYgMkZw9lKBM-FeIFb7/s640/calf+-+4th+with+white+face+mom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We haven't figured out how he got to be that color since the daddy is all black. He's a nice little bull - healthy and full of energy. He now has an eartag (#10) and is a 'steer'... no bull!!!<br />
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Then last week our last heifer, #5 (we just call her 'Cinco') blessed us with another little bull:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk6gJ2qryFDDSUBKqAaQgNrNuEIttZU4Jd1ocz3Lp18PxoCuLmO9MoMjynLqDZRUJUMtmyAOU5mkZtl8Dm6rKLJnOCD_37M9EtfXhHOz7byXmrkEB_nDjUbrQG6I7Qr0EcxG81FjFKeIw/s1600/New+calf+for+%25235%252C+nxt+to+4+mos+%25237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk6gJ2qryFDDSUBKqAaQgNrNuEIttZU4Jd1ocz3Lp18PxoCuLmO9MoMjynLqDZRUJUMtmyAOU5mkZtl8Dm6rKLJnOCD_37M9EtfXhHOz7byXmrkEB_nDjUbrQG6I7Qr0EcxG81FjFKeIw/s640/New+calf+for+%25235%252C+nxt+to+4+mos+%25237.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A new addition draws a lot of attention around here once it's discovered! Here the new little guy is between his mom and #7, our first calf (a 4 month old heifer), and the legs behind him belong to #9 (first little bull). The little guy is less than a day old. And the daddy (Numero Uno) is always interested in his progeny:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGVzMYEfXXGhsGYYtbmru4aQz9NzwKU4u-TN3lHSDChNKZUxiPqXQPlDU2sYplbUDkdB6MZBgaRvhN8clM3Gox204o21Jy89vGd6tZSfkUt_RfR7a3WBUzs9qWgubJ9eJp4-TYC5bl4_J/s1600/New+calf+for+Cinco+-+father+%2526+son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGVzMYEfXXGhsGYYtbmru4aQz9NzwKU4u-TN3lHSDChNKZUxiPqXQPlDU2sYplbUDkdB6MZBgaRvhN8clM3Gox204o21Jy89vGd6tZSfkUt_RfR7a3WBUzs9qWgubJ9eJp4-TYC5bl4_J/s320/New+calf+for+Cinco+-+father+%2526+son.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>He has greeted every single one!! So now ALL our heifers have had their first calf and Mr Bull is now a proven bull. He was young when we got him, but he's good at getting the job done.<br />
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When the 2 little heifers get a little bigger, we'll be trading them with a good friend of ours for 2 of his same age heifers. That way there will be no inbreeding and we don't have to sell and buy. He'll be getting 2 very nice heifers. So we've grown from 6 to 11 cattle!<br />
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Then I looked at the little chicks we got in March!!! You won't believe how they've grown!!!! Those little white chick have grown to look like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRyIjOFbq1qnpeMVKVI9bxN5lksDNNaaNoMeOJPKQK1sxURtrt0_AN79FccpF73YgeY476s9EHQyNmSGXZ6URcZOacxdR6QRLMidWLSCIMoLWcoPg_GcoxbC6NASfmVb1_ZQW4siqDBYg/s1600/Chicken-+here%2527s+lookin+at+ya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRyIjOFbq1qnpeMVKVI9bxN5lksDNNaaNoMeOJPKQK1sxURtrt0_AN79FccpF73YgeY476s9EHQyNmSGXZ6URcZOacxdR6QRLMidWLSCIMoLWcoPg_GcoxbC6NASfmVb1_ZQW4siqDBYg/s320/Chicken-+here%2527s+lookin+at+ya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>They must weigh at least TEN pounds!! One chicken will feed us for at least 2 meals and still have a little for some chicken salad. Now that I've experienced these Cornish chickens, I have noticed they are not the brightest chickens in the hen house!!! They are clumsy and pretty messy birds.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf3AnAv5tD9JSCOUGG3GWz9lZSvm-GpTk6cExMLYTIlmdbR2e4pAGoVRCXSaNCdiklfgkYDvdfivGnmu3h6Pkvq3zPzV3cn8yvcPCBIOrOPPQOmuz4w8I29Nevv3TBt44-KVY6aQgGSb_/s1600/Chickens+-+Americaunas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf3AnAv5tD9JSCOUGG3GWz9lZSvm-GpTk6cExMLYTIlmdbR2e4pAGoVRCXSaNCdiklfgkYDvdfivGnmu3h6Pkvq3zPzV3cn8yvcPCBIOrOPPQOmuz4w8I29Nevv3TBt44-KVY6aQgGSb_/s320/Chickens+-+Americaunas.jpg" width="320" /></a>The other new little chicks were my little Americaunas and Production Reds. They are growing nicely but are welter weights compared to the Cornish chickens. They may be laying eggs soon. In the picture (right) the 3 in the middle are Americaunas and their color varies quite a bit. The one standing has pretty light grey tailfeathers compared to the others. You can see how different the second one from the right looks. Then look at the next picture to see the 4th Americauna - it's the grey, black and white one. The Americaunas will lay blue and green tinted eggs!!!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8QFH2E_YvVEwhWNZc0KBPo4bYjNtUexDY8df3BlDx7hDD2cOHgADSqiGGL4Riw5cW3_b_8BP0JmaIgkjMwxncX68cILR4jMc9BJGjNOB_1kDzFZmllA2Rk89ONfERBkD1WBsscH-8M6G/s1600/Chickens+-+Americauna+%252B+2+reds1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8QFH2E_YvVEwhWNZc0KBPo4bYjNtUexDY8df3BlDx7hDD2cOHgADSqiGGL4Riw5cW3_b_8BP0JmaIgkjMwxncX68cILR4jMc9BJGjNOB_1kDzFZmllA2Rk89ONfERBkD1WBsscH-8M6G/s320/Chickens+-+Americauna+%252B+2+reds1.jpg" width="320" /></a> The other four are the production reds and are all hues of dark red. All of these are very fast and run like roadrunners all over the yard. The reds lay brown eggs.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza8N0LrnuxtI1kXFHZjzgIXnvjYxFWi04ThddeYJqCo96yoWUaHBHhyphenhyphenc-nYBTYs-rewgjulHgROe4JKAsQ8K77AOs8AMaOhgOEBVkRVSS2u9ZPdZjFW9j8lw3-6ORW84wRieWFkf8varB/s1600/Chicks+-+our+own2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza8N0LrnuxtI1kXFHZjzgIXnvjYxFWi04ThddeYJqCo96yoWUaHBHhyphenhyphenc-nYBTYs-rewgjulHgROe4JKAsQ8K77AOs8AMaOhgOEBVkRVSS2u9ZPdZjFW9j8lw3-6ORW84wRieWFkf8varB/s320/Chicks+-+our+own2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Just after I got these new chicks, our chickens started sitting on eggs. That's been an education. Sometimes I would see 2 hens squeezed in the same nest. Turns out, some hens just sit on the eggs. When some hatched, the hen switched to caring for the chicks and another hen sat on the nest. Pretty soon I had 3 nests with 'sitters' and 3 hens caring for chicks. One was good about taking new babies - an excellent surrogate. So now we have our own baby chicks. I guess Mr Rooster has proved himself too!!! AND I've noticed he will help feed the babies sometimes and the mom's let him while they chase off the other hens!!! Now we have 10 chicks out with the hens and I have 5 more in the grain room under the light. I'm hoping a hen will adopt them.<br />
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Things are ever-changing!! So gradual you just don't notice until the changes are BIG!!! Lots more coming on the blog, so keep an eye out. I'm off work for the summer and can keep up now!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRo0yvcV2CarZUVUbnc5J81T5c6I_sLJBq92bJfJnXRljeP5i9YZvg0MXWcq0N83LyMK4JvfuX1rBbAc9M2ksteZRVk4eoHiD1J7GgrDCIf5xxPz3AZRyKLvCj2KESJeWrt9o5CobbhFd/s1600/Chicks+-+our+own3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRo0yvcV2CarZUVUbnc5J81T5c6I_sLJBq92bJfJnXRljeP5i9YZvg0MXWcq0N83LyMK4JvfuX1rBbAc9M2ksteZRVk4eoHiD1J7GgrDCIf5xxPz3AZRyKLvCj2KESJeWrt9o5CobbhFd/s640/Chicks+-+our+own3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-89247905143942588312011-03-18T01:48:00.000-05:002011-03-18T01:48:55.353-05:00A Record-Breaking Day<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">AND a pictoral update.....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For the first time today, my 13 hens:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP5Y70SrMIzwhGv4jZYZcUZUr8kdftRNWHFSYRgksAFVzvtexMXBPufu0hOaCyiBmkArjfV6O6u73HCRm1CAMUC4mUOeJwuameBD9f5nWZwzB-NP8x20B-7EarDL9LQuJJJ9tkK52eYEP/s1600/chickens+just+before+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP5Y70SrMIzwhGv4jZYZcUZUr8kdftRNWHFSYRgksAFVzvtexMXBPufu0hOaCyiBmkArjfV6O6u73HCRm1CAMUC4mUOeJwuameBD9f5nWZwzB-NP8x20B-7EarDL9LQuJJJ9tkK52eYEP/s640/chickens+just+before+sunset.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">laid 13 eggs:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0hx_7FpRLFu9BRE624KAdFygY7CP19zMVgWrad_tXQkTAIJAbdTgG2C7KtS6qno52SPQQNhJs9Gy0QR6VocbZ1ujwaWc6Y_fDlLSftf-jCz_IklFrWwXHhyaP_PT6NG3Oo5izB4zR75v/s1600/eggs+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0hx_7FpRLFu9BRE624KAdFygY7CP19zMVgWrad_tXQkTAIJAbdTgG2C7KtS6qno52SPQQNhJs9Gy0QR6VocbZ1ujwaWc6Y_fDlLSftf-jCz_IklFrWwXHhyaP_PT6NG3Oo5izB4zR75v/s640/eggs+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">and just a few days ago, we added some baby chicks to our menagerie:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Chicks to be laying hens - 2 kinds:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4 Americaunas (little striped heads) - they lay blue and green eggs!!! and</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4 Red 'something-or-others' . they lay brown eggs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9lu8HCy1YJYaDLT0i-i13oZL9dcGGl_9DYJ1gVnvwt7gewFhh765gMFQcrEAPNXpuh9bToDfqzTVZopdXIvyoYb3C9pqxIVisMnO1jSYOpZCkiHvAFaqaFwn_2FNFRa1ZEWlyJ6dFR5f/s1600/Chics+-+Americauna+and+Red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9lu8HCy1YJYaDLT0i-i13oZL9dcGGl_9DYJ1gVnvwt7gewFhh765gMFQcrEAPNXpuh9bToDfqzTVZopdXIvyoYb3C9pqxIVisMnO1jSYOpZCkiHvAFaqaFwn_2FNFRa1ZEWlyJ6dFR5f/s640/Chics+-+Americauna+and+Red.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">and for Rancher Mike..... Cornish Chickens for dinner:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR-Yh9rWDm_bm_TEStt8Jy22m17yg7gY-1dhQr8QIL1kk6zH5CHFvvXA5EzstjOUAE5VLom0XBqo-fuOfrC_FQFkACNsu_2PmeKvgG211p-XSnDgWY46Rl93qso8Z8IJWWudFbPRt2N3o/s1600/Chicks-+cornish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR-Yh9rWDm_bm_TEStt8Jy22m17yg7gY-1dhQr8QIL1kk6zH5CHFvvXA5EzstjOUAE5VLom0XBqo-fuOfrC_FQFkACNsu_2PmeKvgG211p-XSnDgWY46Rl93qso8Z8IJWWudFbPRt2N3o/s640/Chicks-+cornish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The place looks like a real ranch now. All the horses, donkey, cows,bull and 3 calves were in the orchard just below the house:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH7W5yU_Sb6PWMoPbkzaq-coSUGWv1yfBqlGLTS-F12GxSNfGnJUB0FDkZo9DYC9vu8RkCo_e2DHHiJUnC6f6GdpKr7jMsmxRR9R69AZAftbPx0ruH34wvIuFVu-GLOqO0Ao6wIJfehC3/s1600/cows+-+horses-+ranch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH7W5yU_Sb6PWMoPbkzaq-coSUGWv1yfBqlGLTS-F12GxSNfGnJUB0FDkZo9DYC9vu8RkCo_e2DHHiJUnC6f6GdpKr7jMsmxRR9R69AZAftbPx0ruH34wvIuFVu-GLOqO0Ao6wIJfehC3/s640/cows+-+horses-+ranch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Those 3 little calves really stick together. Miss Whiteface cow should have her calf within the next month.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And one more ranch addition ..... a new tractor!!! The old blue one went to auction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDtMJRNvrZGG-4jqeH5zxgT5pIR9l2aymEI16W-I-OpCwojoUb_N1puL8NArGgeLDsPxoI-rOoUGbpQW7XQlp_uCuIy6qIdSznMD1oKFk-t_Je-yL3jPCYGvT06hLOC4Qrm06MK12GYla/s1600/Tractors+-+old+and+new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDtMJRNvrZGG-4jqeH5zxgT5pIR9l2aymEI16W-I-OpCwojoUb_N1puL8NArGgeLDsPxoI-rOoUGbpQW7XQlp_uCuIy6qIdSznMD1oKFk-t_Je-yL3jPCYGvT06hLOC4Qrm06MK12GYla/s640/Tractors+-+old+and+new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-65521275867781995932011-02-11T00:06:00.000-06:002011-02-11T00:06:58.947-06:00Awesome Texas sunset & Number 8<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After looking at the Texas pics on the Wilson Chronicals, I must add a sunset shot right across the road from where Cheyenne took her sunset shot... When I learn to photoshop, I'll crisp it up and make it even more striking!!! Check out all the mistletoe!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofNYUYq1ok4siXXvckAXAVqI18cxej_wbxEWBSBMobms4dJdSjWiXafMkO-2iEadDeByUXWZrjXi0ERT3b8ewaDnIsefFeKsLPtP3_VMIvBRRX4y0Oc6fSdE8h2PNuRP09riAVYoQ-ycS/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofNYUYq1ok4siXXvckAXAVqI18cxej_wbxEWBSBMobms4dJdSjWiXafMkO-2iEadDeByUXWZrjXi0ERT3b8ewaDnIsefFeKsLPtP3_VMIvBRRX4y0Oc6fSdE8h2PNuRP09riAVYoQ-ycS/s640/sunset.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Our little herd of brangus cows has now grown to eight!!! Number 2 cow gave birth on Saturday at 5:30 pm, almost EXACTLY 3 weeks (to the hour) from our first new calf... and this one is also a strong and beautiful little heifer! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD89sD427ThcrWUg-k8oYRUmbkn0l_NFzn1WbkF4dKIyl46QLtK5SNo4vKFZMsQjQiBLdTDI6vc3SsV-Nhdv3_UEeHNDYkIB7moAzkzJyJ8MUaNwPPqCjlfvbX0I3SJGaOZgHFLdNV7gd/s1600/Calf+2+and+mom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD89sD427ThcrWUg-k8oYRUmbkn0l_NFzn1WbkF4dKIyl46QLtK5SNo4vKFZMsQjQiBLdTDI6vc3SsV-Nhdv3_UEeHNDYkIB7moAzkzJyJ8MUaNwPPqCjlfvbX0I3SJGaOZgHFLdNV7gd/s640/Calf+2+and+mom+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmiz_v7sL9nwoLc282NKRuJhvnmybwnwrbVVGRbyY1BvYXX7qnxobJa36QpzXqo2fkOzwhmmbBLwF0iuAfmtlmic3N5rw-2zlQqO5w8qhFoXIGW0UjMnRUohid8fFWbp3Wtj7jD1DukKB/s1600/Calf+-+2nd+at+22+hrs+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmiz_v7sL9nwoLc282NKRuJhvnmybwnwrbVVGRbyY1BvYXX7qnxobJa36QpzXqo2fkOzwhmmbBLwF0iuAfmtlmic3N5rw-2zlQqO5w8qhFoXIGW0UjMnRUohid8fFWbp3Wtj7jD1DukKB/s400/Calf+-+2nd+at+22+hrs+old.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>She's less than 24 hours old here, and it amazes me how they tolerate the frigid winter temperature and vicious winds we've had lately. I thought we moved to Texas where the winters were mild, but we were snowed in for almost 5 days last week with single digit temperatures and a wind chill that easily made it below zero. Very hardy animals!! We have one more that is ready to deliver.... maybe on Saturday. Don't want to break the pattern!!Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-13435582576212634702011-01-22T14:30:00.000-06:002011-01-22T14:30:55.817-06:00A Kodak Moment....<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">CHECK THIS OUT!!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With Cheyenne's help (a Cheyenne Tutorial), we photoshopped this picture after looking for a local photo op!!! This is a nearby old outhouse. I think I may do a blog on 'Things Remembered from Long Ago'. This is just a sample of what's in our local area!!! Pay particular attention to the detail. The first picture is fine, but with a little sharpening and intensifying of color, it's spectacular!!! I can be a local Ansel Adams!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkCZ98DXLc2qjjA2WAGdjNmdL6EyKtofJ3cThCqSN5JlWZvn1nIMQ2lzVpors88Stw8Fxoj0DGPLKdNPd5TghoCjf3UAeU5mYgq0dATsFkkt1LaXaUliX2BXs1asJik-mP4yvvl5SBJ93/s1600/outhouse7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkCZ98DXLc2qjjA2WAGdjNmdL6EyKtofJ3cThCqSN5JlWZvn1nIMQ2lzVpors88Stw8Fxoj0DGPLKdNPd5TghoCjf3UAeU5mYgq0dATsFkkt1LaXaUliX2BXs1asJik-mP4yvvl5SBJ93/s640/outhouse7.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: RAW PICTURE</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLW0MRoKWiV0A-EnDXHesmJBUehRKyMs9tyuTfQOLqMmyRwSsQZ0MxIxUQqOw4aNVcS2XWIbJ0OXSkhpyCwd1n7t4L6GsygYxtvAPxtG4I7lz1Ddf50I5kbHiaII2W7MeEkqE6jNKd9Zs/s1600/outhouse6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLW0MRoKWiV0A-EnDXHesmJBUehRKyMs9tyuTfQOLqMmyRwSsQZ0MxIxUQqOw4aNVcS2XWIbJ0OXSkhpyCwd1n7t4L6GsygYxtvAPxtG4I7lz1Ddf50I5kbHiaII2W7MeEkqE6jNKd9Zs/s640/outhouse6.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTOSHOPPED PICTURE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-41797290870842920712011-01-18T00:46:00.001-06:002011-01-18T18:23:42.770-06:00ANNOUNCING... QUATRO Y UNO!!!In this case, Quatro y uno = Dos!!! Bad math, you say!!! All of our cattle are ear-tagged. Mr Bull is Numero Uno!!! And the heifers are 2-6! That's the extent of our herd!! BUT now we have SEVEN!! Number 4 gave birth Saturday evening to a very sturdy, healthy little heifer who will soon wear ear tag #7. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">INTRODUCING our FIRST calf (here, 12 hours old):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjri5Il2wsdWnLps_CfXv4_LunjIl50xMNTHFjUfIXgn6MhWBC0DzdujLkaThSIABlWewhW9pNGft-CEyTJaamXaEPfmYUPLfaXdw74oEEoPWYY-6EsVNs3E5yCZnhzB47bsaPygUrmgyBo/s1600/calf+with+mama+%25234+-+12+hrs+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="379" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjri5Il2wsdWnLps_CfXv4_LunjIl50xMNTHFjUfIXgn6MhWBC0DzdujLkaThSIABlWewhW9pNGft-CEyTJaamXaEPfmYUPLfaXdw74oEEoPWYY-6EsVNs3E5yCZnhzB47bsaPygUrmgyBo/s640/calf+with+mama+%25234+-+12+hrs+old.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">and it turns out, she has a lot of vim and vinegar and she's only 48 hours old:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDBTnFOZwuxNw6UnZaHknlnTTxxouLnBIoH9mhQZPd1HJa0FuDjZowyKrWKp-bKzA66vRN0shbCUW2250c10hxj7ea7NyJBx1a8moRdjIeY4bHmWl75RSvCFE3TwL2zIADzw2oWoFd3lg/s1600/calf-+48+hours+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDBTnFOZwuxNw6UnZaHknlnTTxxouLnBIoH9mhQZPd1HJa0FuDjZowyKrWKp-bKzA66vRN0shbCUW2250c10hxj7ea7NyJBx1a8moRdjIeY4bHmWl75RSvCFE3TwL2zIADzw2oWoFd3lg/s400/calf-+48+hours+old.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Her mom keeps a close eye on her at all times and hustles about to keep up with the frolicking little #7. She kicks her heels up like a bucking bronc and she runs like the wind. As you can see she's a very cute furry little baby. She will soon have playmates to frolic with as I think Mr. Bull has proved himself x 5. Even little White Face (above), the youngest of our heifers, looks pretty pregnant though she won't be second to give birth. We should have one or two more in the next couple of weeks</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This afternoon, Mr Bull was checking out his offspring!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIH3hr2gnD1eNScOKuop7RY6dj0Q7Fnp_YjSv8XnDGXouAxIKZIEmughtan6Pleaji43fcl3eZiZLM7aKbc-qvwx75zId5Fgp6cT-OncCi0OixhdxpSoSqpo0azgiF2Mzo-IwxS0J0bmx/s1600/calf-+48+hours+old2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIH3hr2gnD1eNScOKuop7RY6dj0Q7Fnp_YjSv8XnDGXouAxIKZIEmughtan6Pleaji43fcl3eZiZLM7aKbc-qvwx75zId5Fgp6cT-OncCi0OixhdxpSoSqpo0azgiF2Mzo-IwxS0J0bmx/s640/calf-+48+hours+old2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Check out her beautiful long eye lashes! I'm jealous!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSmFdQ6qyM-ZGn8anbgpG5KVKTVlWsoWBXM9LEk8ntuZJHYAlkfKVDCdH3YmFiZP6_8LhuOQm8r-3JiX5MpAx5KBk4iwJMvIa-KL6h5Sw2giyAsV7pjIanRxODNH7gW3h4Od9YB3SDjjO/s1600/calf-+48+hours+old3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSmFdQ6qyM-ZGn8anbgpG5KVKTVlWsoWBXM9LEk8ntuZJHYAlkfKVDCdH3YmFiZP6_8LhuOQm8r-3JiX5MpAx5KBk4iwJMvIa-KL6h5Sw2giyAsV7pjIanRxODNH7gW3h4Od9YB3SDjjO/s640/calf-+48+hours+old3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-39733130407836801592011-01-05T00:58:00.000-06:002011-01-05T00:58:08.127-06:00Pirogies anyone??<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUWFQCHF0rzs1ebDl-kLNAfnTYupNE-QXLnkePNoUNOLAafO70ZmqgYnS9gpaDA1vSFg8U_Hq1Kxf2Ype9OmmFQnMjMxSgD2goxy5K7QSVvAsypTPo8dvcSY7NeRsHVWNEtp8gIwRjmZc/s1600/pirogi+maker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUWFQCHF0rzs1ebDl-kLNAfnTYupNE-QXLnkePNoUNOLAafO70ZmqgYnS9gpaDA1vSFg8U_Hq1Kxf2Ype9OmmFQnMjMxSgD2goxy5K7QSVvAsypTPo8dvcSY7NeRsHVWNEtp8gIwRjmZc/s320/pirogi+maker.jpg" width="320" /></a>I've had this pirogi maker for several months with the hope of making some pirogis or fried pies to try it out. I'm now glad to say .... it works!!!!! It makes pirogies that look professional! Check 'em out!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tARAL8_rgWYRdV6GwvWbhbHWyTbkiqlnr5_uMFIwyuSynNUjKhmPg8obb-wy92jhyphenhyphenQIgkZr69WxKlfQnxQ-mFDHTmLdme_iM4xooncCcERH286l2Eyc8cod6JKWIBYf0Ztwn2h6gK5cQ/s1600/pirogi+maker1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tARAL8_rgWYRdV6GwvWbhbHWyTbkiqlnr5_uMFIwyuSynNUjKhmPg8obb-wy92jhyphenhyphenQIgkZr69WxKlfQnxQ-mFDHTmLdme_iM4xooncCcERH286l2Eyc8cod6JKWIBYf0Ztwn2h6gK5cQ/s320/pirogi+maker1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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To the right is the simple hinged maker, into which you place a circle of rolled-out dough and fill the little pocked with potato and onion mixture with some herbs and spices added and some cheddar cheese or you can fill with sauerkraut and potatoes. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7pUZeooEkUs5-2_pmXh_LMbYkIz6UaVt-o95WMUNdWqz8qY7qAP3DXvKHzLkUt2jpYeJdaouEacJCSDJFogyc4MG-k0pM9TZRA1e7w6jjIsX3UMtcPfenqTmG87nyX6jK4y4474lgEdC/s1600/pirogi+maker3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7pUZeooEkUs5-2_pmXh_LMbYkIz6UaVt-o95WMUNdWqz8qY7qAP3DXvKHzLkUt2jpYeJdaouEacJCSDJFogyc4MG-k0pM9TZRA1e7w6jjIsX3UMtcPfenqTmG87nyX6jK4y4474lgEdC/s320/pirogi+maker3.jpg" width="320" /></a>When done they look like those on the tray - every one picture perfect. I am so impressed with this little gadget! It comes in 3 sizes - this is actually the smallest one. At this point, I froze several for a later meal.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcYiq5psd9TFDqTeNTyuUtkp554ivblGBq7DrZcTRXdBi6KLEgnk9PJldqgZn6NPib9Sjxt8_XZ_G5dPd7g_ZNiHmVRrhEBkB9FHXVF5xg5nR3dGfxkiA7DJxNiOlNB1zBUCUBGhfMFt-/s1600/pirogis+boiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcYiq5psd9TFDqTeNTyuUtkp554ivblGBq7DrZcTRXdBi6KLEgnk9PJldqgZn6NPib9Sjxt8_XZ_G5dPd7g_ZNiHmVRrhEBkB9FHXVF5xg5nR3dGfxkiA7DJxNiOlNB1zBUCUBGhfMFt-/s320/pirogis+boiling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For dinner right away, you plop some in salted boiling water until they float, then move to the frying pan. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWd8gb9dEBqbW-uGJ3wunWNoVzglmM9ZHC09NOOTNGqX3rP0DFBm2JzOIiyhx3ZJTki2IXikfR0MYETTE1WStu6tKz_2J8STC0dRHzL2ltOZjGVFezICvCHLJUiiBQdGBSinNP5a2L_HS/s1600/pirogis+YUM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWd8gb9dEBqbW-uGJ3wunWNoVzglmM9ZHC09NOOTNGqX3rP0DFBm2JzOIiyhx3ZJTki2IXikfR0MYETTE1WStu6tKz_2J8STC0dRHzL2ltOZjGVFezICvCHLJUiiBQdGBSinNP5a2L_HS/s320/pirogis+YUM.jpg" width="320" /></a>In the fry pan, I melted butter and sauteed some onions, then added the pirogis. When they started to show a little color, I took them out and served them up with a dab of sour cream on top. Boy, were they good!!! Pam, I think you'd love one of these!! It really did make it easier, and not a single one fell apart in the water.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">YUM!!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-60496980979526677022010-12-29T00:15:00.001-06:002010-12-29T20:39:05.717-06:00GO, AIR FORCE!!!!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiWkqCAEXABWU6Z5Gb_8-A6eDm-6LvIiZ1HW50t3bA84ATu8qZzOMPpvUrr06bE573gCZZOburJS0UtPlPGnE7NW5x_v8WthVYE-Z5p3DWPsr0G3wPUNQLkg8YHtqhk0eN8MD1Ju-Cntl/s1600/AFA+Independence+Bowl+shirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiWkqCAEXABWU6Z5Gb_8-A6eDm-6LvIiZ1HW50t3bA84ATu8qZzOMPpvUrr06bE573gCZZOburJS0UtPlPGnE7NW5x_v8WthVYE-Z5p3DWPsr0G3wPUNQLkg8YHtqhk0eN8MD1Ju-Cntl/s320/AFA+Independence+Bowl+shirts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: blue;">For Christmas, Travis (and Pam) sent us tickets for the <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Independence Bowl</span></strong> in Shreveport, LA - about a 5 hour drive. He also got us into the <strong>AFA Tail Gate</strong> which was awesome in that we were up close and personal for pre-game preparations.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: blue;"> As part of the package, we got shirts and a barbecue, beer, pop or water and a lot of fans to rub elbows with!! It was actually pretty fun, even though we didn't see a single soul that we knew!!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: blue;">We got to meet the <strong>Peregrine Falcon</strong> (mascot):</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN77X6o6ZPZSBAoQexja5vjDWuaJDw67V4FX_ynV6IHVwv1fvtpQEycpHUcSLr9hie-KmhcEOVh59w7zFSVNcSqP_vytKPw5m2itcG-lWQhssiiKr1JvzCzrVgFYB_57KsJ0Tx4efoRMmF/s1600/Independence+Bowl+-+Falcon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN77X6o6ZPZSBAoQexja5vjDWuaJDw67V4FX_ynV6IHVwv1fvtpQEycpHUcSLr9hie-KmhcEOVh59w7zFSVNcSqP_vytKPw5m2itcG-lWQhssiiKr1JvzCzrVgFYB_57KsJ0Tx4efoRMmF/s640/Independence+Bowl+-+Falcon.jpg" width="636" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">After we ate, the cheerleaders showed up to practice, then the band and of course, the Bird was greeting everyone and posing for pictures! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh9gaZhfpWYL51h7qmhBTAbkxkTC4aIn6UsN4kU7ribZQXqsI4YoDas1jVFvr8B6cTFUCvxGsZdxdmUYlJxVIpc4AdD19iOiDcu5Jwud0aVUNWO_RZzne5Z4o5UEJBDtVl9PfmK01PKod/s1600/AFA+Independence+Bowl+the+Bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh9gaZhfpWYL51h7qmhBTAbkxkTC4aIn6UsN4kU7ribZQXqsI4YoDas1jVFvr8B6cTFUCvxGsZdxdmUYlJxVIpc4AdD19iOiDcu5Jwud0aVUNWO_RZzne5Z4o5UEJBDtVl9PfmK01PKod/s400/AFA+Independence+Bowl+the+Bird.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76UwDSgEP_ykcuS0X5975zbfrC_qE-3vpSc8t4cQdaJn0smK73qsaRQ_yKFUtzRDhB2XIaVd1v9Cc7tdmI0O9S8Voh-xOcRiIfBEZLYcwAxCSolDSFnumEU8PUhRVJMI-PQzU4RsowFdU/s1600/2000+parents+day+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76UwDSgEP_ykcuS0X5975zbfrC_qE-3vpSc8t4cQdaJn0smK73qsaRQ_yKFUtzRDhB2XIaVd1v9Cc7tdmI0O9S8Voh-xOcRiIfBEZLYcwAxCSolDSFnumEU8PUhRVJMI-PQzU4RsowFdU/s320/2000+parents+day+3.jpg" width="216" /></a> <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>Interesting enough, the Bird (or one of the jump team dressed as the Bird) parachuted into the stadium - just like Travis did back in 2000 - (left). YUP!! That's Travis as the Bird as he parachuted above us on his entry into the stadium!!!! If you asked him today.... he'd likely say it was the 'funnest' thing he did while at the Academy.</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;">Back to the present: We enjoyed the cheerleaders practicing along and with the band:</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfcYFtpc5q9XBVmo-2XNd2g68jmn8__JeXAjPidGgbOMrHhYakOKZfH2I8LAa8fxwFD7G9i0f13EJwsTm1KT0Dtz0bbMBDm9ASl-6hR8ZE5MqHlvbP1JAasZ5KUYQw_-WHVp_Ds11wUXj/s1600/AFA+Independence+Bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfcYFtpc5q9XBVmo-2XNd2g68jmn8__JeXAjPidGgbOMrHhYakOKZfH2I8LAa8fxwFD7G9i0f13EJwsTm1KT0Dtz0bbMBDm9ASl-6hR8ZE5MqHlvbP1JAasZ5KUYQw_-WHVp_Ds11wUXj/s400/AFA+Independence+Bowl.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">GO AIR FORCE!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHGeRjTLqsrMrGNNFg7s49oXfxOne7BLtvgwWcdd2-T5XnQvZJlb-Myndn6BxAUCU2XMp-4rFuULV3-MXG2LOK_cTBZJZ1HUIwTF-UMm30UiVYyotWWsX-gsW2TL27w1ok2ThTyGDQrox/s1600/AFA+Independence+Bow+Band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHGeRjTLqsrMrGNNFg7s49oXfxOne7BLtvgwWcdd2-T5XnQvZJlb-Myndn6BxAUCU2XMp-4rFuULV3-MXG2LOK_cTBZJZ1HUIwTF-UMm30UiVYyotWWsX-gsW2TL27w1ok2ThTyGDQrox/s400/AFA+Independence+Bow+Band.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ciYzg75YFzvyJqARihMNDKhyphenhyphenPZpsr3EEwf3wEJ0JgT68NpdfrgegXpllci3vXpzdqTAhyjgC3ovbokPqxmrgh7SFmSmqonSM48Wrof2kX3XWukVqxwZ1QyTXqG90ZiEGLWMWnwA77FnU/s1600/AFA+Independence+Bowl+pregame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ciYzg75YFzvyJqARihMNDKhyphenhyphenPZpsr3EEwf3wEJ0JgT68NpdfrgegXpllci3vXpzdqTAhyjgC3ovbokPqxmrgh7SFmSmqonSM48Wrof2kX3XWukVqxwZ1QyTXqG90ZiEGLWMWnwA77FnU/s400/AFA+Independence+Bowl+pregame.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Then for the game.... they were first on the scoreboard, but were down by one point (6-7) by halftime.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyx7fVpuzMHJ5rIYXVFQFFJWZ-1qDgNNSsG8VkXKmc47bCaJh9lI8XpToykjksqQO4oQme-GHJ8fUtBbctt3XZ1TJRBaz7BLoXtAxPASFIpWPnaKWMNZ50Akfivshu7AGGEOeZx-s-E_4z/s1600/AFA+Independence+Bowl+Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyx7fVpuzMHJ5rIYXVFQFFJWZ-1qDgNNSsG8VkXKmc47bCaJh9lI8XpToykjksqQO4oQme-GHJ8fUtBbctt3XZ1TJRBaz7BLoXtAxPASFIpWPnaKWMNZ50Akfivshu7AGGEOeZx-s-E_4z/s640/AFA+Independence+Bowl+Team.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Then came the halftime show.... a B-52 flyover at 1000 feet (felt like 100)</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">and of course the band:</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iv9jO2N_wu4-xk9K1vAKGzTONkJLXUGtCnJNRr1nyugI8KV9I4gOIP-3Jox7B8DbRR7CsNok3nT02GfYeYwieb9itf-6evTt3U7rz3jWMz9cm6SBvlZTp_OjFRcs6cGPZbHUXglhW2vE/s1600/AFA+Independence+Bowl+Halftime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iv9jO2N_wu4-xk9K1vAKGzTONkJLXUGtCnJNRr1nyugI8KV9I4gOIP-3Jox7B8DbRR7CsNok3nT02GfYeYwieb9itf-6evTt3U7rz3jWMz9cm6SBvlZTp_OjFRcs6cGPZbHUXglhW2vE/s400/AFA+Independence+Bowl+Halftime.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGw7ZZU_3AdhNjjWx_qZroOv-nXiACspr81zF4uibD5mtPuFP2D7aAKdgJociBPdYnDhjaQA0RmVDnPZugINlxMJ9VBTR03iw70hBiLBcD1N_c7Qyx5rI1teUAKXs4I-zjxR6voL6xPiq/s1600/AFA+Independence+Bowl+Wings+of+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGw7ZZU_3AdhNjjWx_qZroOv-nXiACspr81zF4uibD5mtPuFP2D7aAKdgJociBPdYnDhjaQA0RmVDnPZugINlxMJ9VBTR03iw70hBiLBcD1N_c7Qyx5rI1teUAKXs4I-zjxR6voL6xPiq/s640/AFA+Independence+Bowl+Wings+of+Blue.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">then my battery gave out!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;">Any of you that watched can attest to the fact that it was a good game and kept you just a little worried right to the end when AF got an interception on the 1 yard line, which shut down Georgia Tech with seconds to go! It was a close game (and COLD!!!).</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;">Probably the worst thing that happened was that we had to go through security on the way in, and they confiscated by full bottle of Propel.... but worse that that, Dad had to throw his trusty sidekick, his pocket knife away!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-85738073183054755562010-12-18T16:50:00.001-06:002010-12-19T13:30:16.738-06:00SpottyI've had some pretty wonderful kitties over the years, mostly siamese, but Spotty ranks pretty high. She has now gained the status of my in and out cat. She's probably the most loving and gentle cat I've ever had. I'm putting this first picture on for Riley who's coming to visit soon and I know he and cousin, Brenden like to see Spotty when we skype!! Here she's snuggled up on my side of the bed (she knows better than to migrate over to Grampa's side, cause he doesn't like to share with a kitty).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTRjFGK4z5Q1l40aBrtKHiO0klGljVGOMXzYFixzPQGQynKxRp8arsl9dkvXQYjJTIo_cBZH7nKaLfxQ9ZPgXV3b2XlmhVBysyZUpLnC_NUGwfBU2b3E-l3ZnuWnIcnrkNNkG9sBrNqTr/s1600/Spotty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTRjFGK4z5Q1l40aBrtKHiO0klGljVGOMXzYFixzPQGQynKxRp8arsl9dkvXQYjJTIo_cBZH7nKaLfxQ9ZPgXV3b2XlmhVBysyZUpLnC_NUGwfBU2b3E-l3ZnuWnIcnrkNNkG9sBrNqTr/s640/Spotty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you pick Spotty out when she was a kitten with her brothers and sisters???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZghoeJWveFASHQnMMZSXnzU5gP2E6gIu9J844_yoBW0opS2FpRVA4LC2V2DIJyBrN90OTdDXTZCpH9jXDXV21ww31nOOnKUFFqCn68G9RZuN3QqnGFiz1mZ2j3h7QD9TwIjjHfjm4Oyx/s1600/kittens+-+yum+yum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZghoeJWveFASHQnMMZSXnzU5gP2E6gIu9J844_yoBW0opS2FpRVA4LC2V2DIJyBrN90OTdDXTZCpH9jXDXV21ww31nOOnKUFFqCn68G9RZuN3QqnGFiz1mZ2j3h7QD9TwIjjHfjm4Oyx/s640/kittens+-+yum+yum.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMPDFx1w5mz7pjsNcBwxynHTf1aSs_jkfRZWt3f1DfJ_4U6Wgc-2blJXWq2DMzmfQPQPA3OSbE-79oZyg9R9JPuWbv4tXswFOI-q8wIerNK0eA68DCqstB3ozMfHzCQs5nIp8Iiui757-/s1600/kittens+in+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMPDFx1w5mz7pjsNcBwxynHTf1aSs_jkfRZWt3f1DfJ_4U6Wgc-2blJXWq2DMzmfQPQPA3OSbE-79oZyg9R9JPuWbv4tXswFOI-q8wIerNK0eA68DCqstB3ozMfHzCQs5nIp8Iiui757-/s640/kittens+in+tree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>A few months ago, Spotty was limping and needed to lay low for a bit. Initially we couldn't see anything wrong, but after a day or so, her paw swelled up. Here she is with her 'mitt' of a paw! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZqCCKq8mTjOLBzVxSLSaBQMY0a4O7CFR9VnntyGudaCRgVu2hxL2vM_toX5PdmVBl4vudLWwQ2NqgRi9StjB8CfxjDhl3Jyiz9iJGqHFc7kHpXfPMDJL-fF-bdG1lcQ_h_w3LspeM8d0/s1600/Spotty+-+snake+bite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZqCCKq8mTjOLBzVxSLSaBQMY0a4O7CFR9VnntyGudaCRgVu2hxL2vM_toX5PdmVBl4vudLWwQ2NqgRi9StjB8CfxjDhl3Jyiz9iJGqHFc7kHpXfPMDJL-fF-bdG1lcQ_h_w3LspeM8d0/s640/Spotty+-+snake+bite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A few days later, the fur started falling off and you could see 2 distinct wounds that were 'weeping'. From the pattern, we think she got bit by a snake of some sort. It took her a couple of weeks to get better and a month for the fur to grow back. I'll bet she'll be more carefull next time she encounters a snake!!<br />
<br />
Unfinished business (or perhaps I SHOULD say - FINISHED business):<br />
A couple days after my last post, out came a can of paint to finish the horse shed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ThY7zEcjbedGEMjB6m6ZGSmt7ucX1iWuhOwKOmPXzy5p0mtii4rCDUtoXlvb6Sq7FPKW720hYjahC60WXFc94dYPqgH7ahAReBkz3ufMi2EXH5XzBhagaE7kh4UohN9bJeNEnr7yVHdX/s1600/Horse+shed+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ThY7zEcjbedGEMjB6m6ZGSmt7ucX1iWuhOwKOmPXzy5p0mtii4rCDUtoXlvb6Sq7FPKW720hYjahC60WXFc94dYPqgH7ahAReBkz3ufMi2EXH5XzBhagaE7kh4UohN9bJeNEnr7yVHdX/s640/Horse+shed+red.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One morning there was a Kodak moment. Eeyore was in the shed and all three horses were lined up in front of it just after sunrise. It was picture perfect.... but I didn't have my camera with me. By the time I ran in and grabbed it, they were making their way to their feed buckets and the moment was lost. This was 2nd best, but I'm waiting for that perfect shot! The most interesting part of this photo (besides the shed!!) is the sky - it looked painted, like there are brush strokes. I would have cropped more of the sky out otherwise.Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-13084051097157214872010-12-05T15:47:00.004-06:002010-12-05T17:08:41.852-06:00TraditionsFor Thanksgiving, most people have traditions. Over the years we've developed favorite foods that we mostly have ONLY for Thanksgiving:<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><strong> Turkey</strong> with a<strong> Pennsylvania Dutch-style Potato Stuffing,</strong> </em></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><strong> <span style="color: orange;">Candied Yams</span> fresh <span style="color: #38761d;">Green Bean Casserole</span>, </strong></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><strong> <span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Cranberry</span> </span><span style="color: orange;">Orange</span> Relish Mashed <span style="color: #e69138;">Rutabaga</span>,</strong> and for dessert,<strong> </strong></em></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><strong> Fresh Pumpkin Pie </strong>and<strong> Pecan Pie.</strong></em></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We tend to start from scratch, and the pecans and pumpkins are harvested from right here on our little Texas ranch. If I'd put up some green beans in early summer, we could have had home-grown string beans too. So this year we had our usual fare, but we totally enjoyed sharing it with 2 airmen from Sheppard AFB who were spending their first Thanksgiving away from their families. I didn't know who Mike would come home with and was pleased when he called on his way back home with Megan and Megan 'too'. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WWbRPbu92xi_riiAzsVzkNOoT9S9blL60BQhrJVT9QAF1GSVyg2FZd0xRX0XcqtDgodj8gDty9euICEMOirUgKRWaFSwMFHoykE0Td96Zgk5rvr8UiwLgOwscxui6BNDbMavCaOXl5eA/s1600/Briana+%2526+Briana+too%2521%2521++Thanksgiving1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WWbRPbu92xi_riiAzsVzkNOoT9S9blL60BQhrJVT9QAF1GSVyg2FZd0xRX0XcqtDgodj8gDty9euICEMOirUgKRWaFSwMFHoykE0Td96Zgk5rvr8UiwLgOwscxui6BNDbMavCaOXl5eA/s400/Briana+%2526+Briana+too%2521%2521++Thanksgiving1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">What a godsend they were. They helped prepare food and set table, and they got a taste of life in "Texas-country". They helped collect eggs and feed hay to the cows .... and since it had rained, they even got to take back some Texas mud with them. We certainly enjoyed their company since our family was spread out and wouldn't be home for dinner. Incidentally, we're STILL eating turkey!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Very loosely related to 'traditions' (the title of the post) is our new (to us) nesting boxes for the chickens. Our friends, Neta and Junior Lackey, were instrumental in the early arrival of chickens to our little ranch. A neighbor was looking for a home for 9 cornish hens and had asked them if they could take them. Well, not only did they give us the chickens (indirectly) ... and find us the tailless rooster ..... but Neta's dad had chickens and Neta had his old wall-mounted nesting boxes! She's had offers to buy the nesting boxes, but didn't want to give them up yet. After finding a home for the chickens (with us), she asked if we'd like her heirloom nesting boxes. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj046cQS0KsaF0MSoKwBlxNDRT0CmgDnl1JVCzJ8O0tplP6vRE3Q9lAOOdbOZA4nkSZueNFodhMrIeMtcoZdVABg7aIHAzZ-3IIvb6lHmdFzwZs5sUgF3jqzgyFh6ubp4ZfJGHQ0jCXWaIB/s1600/chicken+-+new+nesting+box1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj046cQS0KsaF0MSoKwBlxNDRT0CmgDnl1JVCzJ8O0tplP6vRE3Q9lAOOdbOZA4nkSZueNFodhMrIeMtcoZdVABg7aIHAzZ-3IIvb6lHmdFzwZs5sUgF3jqzgyFh6ubp4ZfJGHQ0jCXWaIB/s640/chicken+-+new+nesting+box1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">They've been up for a couple of weeks now, and the hens seem to be taking to them. I find at least half the eggs there now. They started in the lowest row of boxes and now I find eggs in the top row. We've gone from the blue crates to nests on the wall:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLYsKfR41NecPsT4_bG-oLUklYzJ93t_NQxjFQMaWvrgMwH09u4M2aR3Ulcfpnp7kKqTrdSiuiQlXG2eq5zAQs-_XpHUz_JR_FdDV0CJ3R7p4_1vfEGLF-SUOU6ULwcy5eGMO03eR3NAJ/s1600/chicken+-+nesting+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLYsKfR41NecPsT4_bG-oLUklYzJ93t_NQxjFQMaWvrgMwH09u4M2aR3Ulcfpnp7kKqTrdSiuiQlXG2eq5zAQs-_XpHUz_JR_FdDV0CJ3R7p4_1vfEGLF-SUOU6ULwcy5eGMO03eR3NAJ/s200/chicken+-+nesting+box.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsbgdrLiWlw9FnFlIZvFr1EzB5x52hPngLfc37QViytTxfT0uuCMK5flkqHv5fNRH4D7jLT9tRulaRSGJdyj_NUYkBYj6IfTjBwNOv2xxXFgj72YANIRkZb121wzIBn7LePsz1Ma7KFP7/s1600/chicken+-+new+nesting+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsbgdrLiWlw9FnFlIZvFr1EzB5x52hPngLfc37QViytTxfT0uuCMK5flkqHv5fNRH4D7jLT9tRulaRSGJdyj_NUYkBYj6IfTjBwNOv2xxXFgj72YANIRkZb121wzIBn7LePsz1Ma7KFP7/s400/chicken+-+new+nesting+box.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">If you can see, there are actually 2 eggs behind the exiting hen... the bigger one she just laid, and the small one is a 'seed' egg - a small 'pullet' egg I leave in there. They like to lay on the seed egg and sometimes I will find up to 3 eggs with it!! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Besides cracked corn, maize and wheat, I've found that chickens LOVE pumpkin and watermelon!!! Check out the enthusiasm when they find a surprise in their yard:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD-vmClZ-SE-TmYeVqtwOVq0Lr13Od7ilDm6xKr5_c_SAPo6TfboHML_64TwMuYom14qlXzsicumXIx40YHz7IeRC8sNpOL2NEn1ljty0vyahk4jD3kYIEQAKw0SsuPajE2JnDzcqlK3Z/s1600/chickens+-+watermelon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD-vmClZ-SE-TmYeVqtwOVq0Lr13Od7ilDm6xKr5_c_SAPo6TfboHML_64TwMuYom14qlXzsicumXIx40YHz7IeRC8sNpOL2NEn1ljty0vyahk4jD3kYIEQAKw0SsuPajE2JnDzcqlK3Z/s640/chickens+-+watermelon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It looks like a chicken convention!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Note the iridescent green feathers on my black chickens. Mr Rooster has them too as you can see below in the previous blog entry!!</div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-48743226268146758632010-10-31T21:26:00.004-05:002010-11-06T08:32:59.514-05:00The Shelter .... plus update on COCKA-DOODLE-DO!!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now that we have cows AND horses, we need a place for each when it's drizzly, stormy, blizzardy or just windy from the north! They don't really congregate together. So Mike planned and built a shelter for the horses and I've already seen them in there!! Here you can see the progression:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The meager beginning (L) and if you enlarge the detail on the right, you can see at least 3 grasshoppers on the post, not to mention a nice side view of the house.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSbf90XxbUMbGRt4iXki3doA-QqzB-BURL7K3xoyScY2rzFtUzjHqpnGQYjTSJkdqjTLdcFUH9QkYct-FrbV_FKgV04Sg_-1iTjVd8dhgInaMSJ6FCCUvqIh9OvVCKTZ2JHhL0IRpw_s7/s1600/Horse+shed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSbf90XxbUMbGRt4iXki3doA-QqzB-BURL7K3xoyScY2rzFtUzjHqpnGQYjTSJkdqjTLdcFUH9QkYct-FrbV_FKgV04Sg_-1iTjVd8dhgInaMSJ6FCCUvqIh9OvVCKTZ2JHhL0IRpw_s7/s320/Horse+shed1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrkk0u_Z1ojbbQdr41QwFx3m0W0AmbxLWENCiMHOhQrh_ME850kJ8FPBFsZ7q6f3RoGRujq4dfcqaeo-p5vQNTCHfjPlyQhrKdKgbLk6OlJk4ISN-yQL7etE2smujK8EgT4CaiUxQ8mgL/s1600/Horse+shed+-+grsshprs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrkk0u_Z1ojbbQdr41QwFx3m0W0AmbxLWENCiMHOhQrh_ME850kJ8FPBFsZ7q6f3RoGRujq4dfcqaeo-p5vQNTCHfjPlyQhrKdKgbLk6OlJk4ISN-yQL7etE2smujK8EgT4CaiUxQ8mgL/s320/Horse+shed+-+grsshprs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once the frame was completed, it was time for the roof:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf860DC68XxCqaK0eTMiUc9x5MEu-2xh8bdBkNGoINjnFHA7qDonV_3OnPsf1EAxSvFkpTr_x8uDpjHcV0blS7JjcVF9zkjy05lCE3nicdrogSDPCx_SyhQxG1JDzO1apUP5orcWcjTi3/s1600/Horse+shed+with+roof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf860DC68XxCqaK0eTMiUc9x5MEu-2xh8bdBkNGoINjnFHA7qDonV_3OnPsf1EAxSvFkpTr_x8uDpjHcV0blS7JjcVF9zkjy05lCE3nicdrogSDPCx_SyhQxG1JDzO1apUP5orcWcjTi3/s640/Horse+shed+with+roof.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then the aluminum siding to wrap around for the finished structure:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofusm5UKtlqXLZMKoA9yaJcM7Rd2U1E5-VIXtHDPlMl9vacHWK8VfNh0OX11uhQxwx5d27z8-CeYl_15NFVT9o48p4OipssXzWXctp7kQnXcE3a-tv7r9u59VV-OcNhW4pIZzonYPxqQX/s1600/Horse+shed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofusm5UKtlqXLZMKoA9yaJcM7Rd2U1E5-VIXtHDPlMl9vacHWK8VfNh0OX11uhQxwx5d27z8-CeYl_15NFVT9o48p4OipssXzWXctp7kQnXcE3a-tv7r9u59VV-OcNhW4pIZzonYPxqQX/s640/Horse+shed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">BUT, my favorite shot is looking out from the interior: a nice fall day, with a view of the house and the horses just resting under their favorite tree - You may have to enlarge to see the horses!!!:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfE6Ej9qV4OkzDKtHGZl7F3KLmEws0q3FPdMDjIPPKXwoP-Oci3dYLW2k2tv-_5PKCWW87k6c95NgVLFVqKcimMkhd4zlJTjaFKn3U-pM9f8KckUgEonc0vuUBzBrbQsJyVyX2i0sCj60/s1600/Home+fm+shed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfE6Ej9qV4OkzDKtHGZl7F3KLmEws0q3FPdMDjIPPKXwoP-Oci3dYLW2k2tv-_5PKCWW87k6c95NgVLFVqKcimMkhd4zlJTjaFKn3U-pM9f8KckUgEonc0vuUBzBrbQsJyVyX2i0sCj60/s640/Home+fm+shed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As for my cock-a-doodle-do-less 'Cogburn', about a week after my last post, he started cock-a -doing! He didn't quite have it until about another week later when he finally got it right. He now wakes us up with a full COCK-A-DOODLE-DO!!! Every morning it's very noisy out in the hen house as all the hens are 'BEDAWKETTING' VERY loudly in response. Don't think those hens didn't notice Mr Rooster's shortcomings (L) - however, time has made him a more handsome rooster as he's growing in tail feathers:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNHD2fYubC2AGVhALWCyPg8hrcYiRtG0aAKZ-PMNc0NF2A7ydBRw_flYcuePsnNMS3EpV0iK6KmQ4WZol1E8dCb1I9iCyw0LzRA_BIs2KRX6KlpZCGigwnBk3rMt4BgHbp6pEuZD9etSJ/s1600/Chicken+-+rooster.+more+tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNHD2fYubC2AGVhALWCyPg8hrcYiRtG0aAKZ-PMNc0NF2A7ydBRw_flYcuePsnNMS3EpV0iK6KmQ4WZol1E8dCb1I9iCyw0LzRA_BIs2KRX6KlpZCGigwnBk3rMt4BgHbp6pEuZD9etSJ/s320/Chicken+-+rooster.+more+tail.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74w8bnvOyiEdGWW2z7glHdmlPREcExGXrDL1DaGnID58ZvgMOj2nK7FczsHrHsTN61q0VE5_rxqfTrqglBQGuHGZF7IqHOZ8o4pTa2lok0KfVBgHZxiI0VjOmta1CvMa9bOTSsr-bM9dF/s1600/Chicken+-+rooster.no+tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74w8bnvOyiEdGWW2z7glHdmlPREcExGXrDL1DaGnID58ZvgMOj2nK7FczsHrHsTN61q0VE5_rxqfTrqglBQGuHGZF7IqHOZ8o4pTa2lok0KfVBgHZxiI0VjOmta1CvMa9bOTSsr-bM9dF/s320/Chicken+-+rooster.no+tail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As for our hen population, something 'got' one about a week ago. My count was off when I put them to bed, and I hunted all over for her but couldn't find her..... until the next morning. With daylight, I could see feathers all over the place and following the trail --- I found her dead and picked apart by something. My cats were a little suspect at first, but we've narrowed it down to a likely chicken hawk. Then Mike got a call from someone who was selling his chickens, so he got 6 more hens. Upon arrival, one flew over the fence and disappeared across the road. We've been visited nightly lately by howling coyotes and figured that hen's chance of survival was next to nothing. Late the next afternoon, I heard a screem and went out to find Sam with something!! It was the hen!!!! We yelled at him to drop it and she ran off the first time. He ran after her and caught her a second time and was 'mauling' her with his mouth. Again I yelled at him and he dropped her and she just laid there. Well, so much for that hen!! So Mike picked her up so Sam wouldn't get a taste for fresh chicken, and after several seconds, her eyes blinked!!! Then she moved a little. So we brought her to the hen house, and she jumped down and joined her sisters - all huddled in the corner. So by some miracle, we have all 6 new hens!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I don't know what kind they are, but they are interesting with their orange necks and feathered feet. The one below looks like she has fluffy slippers on. They're pretty young, so I don't know that they're laying yet. I did have one very light egg the other day, so maybe they're just starting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoibZBKQK0tZ0oyzhNxb5lkT7MVQsyVpt8FDrV6fndUlP_PVnrig9twZ00NhFV7QxtGjHZhE_zqrbCppv5N16aRcQR4eWS1Cflb66da_lClvJ4Iw7bB_Iy0-3CGgL2yS-GYE6hN9OtzyI2/s1600/Chicken+-+new3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoibZBKQK0tZ0oyzhNxb5lkT7MVQsyVpt8FDrV6fndUlP_PVnrig9twZ00NhFV7QxtGjHZhE_zqrbCppv5N16aRcQR4eWS1Cflb66da_lClvJ4Iw7bB_Iy0-3CGgL2yS-GYE6hN9OtzyI2/s320/Chicken+-+new3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zQIObSRnX2tZM2e3EZM5m2kPYJ371DsP9eYajPki7raiMVzavNHDGeWqbWHyNjgCCytQ2THUxOhk1FE43i6rnrbmehvEV7eY3c5DaEcqLvpRto5Xq4D6NLkk6RUkbi123XkxWhkVyJxt/s1600/Chicken+-+new2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zQIObSRnX2tZM2e3EZM5m2kPYJ371DsP9eYajPki7raiMVzavNHDGeWqbWHyNjgCCytQ2THUxOhk1FE43i6rnrbmehvEV7eY3c5DaEcqLvpRto5Xq4D6NLkk6RUkbi123XkxWhkVyJxt/s320/Chicken+-+new2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Speaking of eggs, on the recommendation of a friend, I painted a face on an egg and put it in one of the laying boxes. Sure enough, they like laying when there's already an egg there. Sometimes there are up to 4 new eggs in that carton. So I put a golf ball in one, but they didn't buy it!!! Finally, after a month, at least one hen accepts the golf ball and sets on it to lay her egg.</div></div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-4775472030931734662010-10-02T13:01:00.001-05:002010-10-02T13:02:07.247-05:00No cock-a-doodle-doing here!!!!You know when you get a little male puppy, they don't know how to lift their leg right away? I remember our dalmation as a puppy, I thought he'd never potty like a big dog, but eventually he figured it out!! Sam, our border collie was a quick learner and trust me, not a wheel rolls on our driveway but it gets peed on! He thinks it's part of his job description around here. He also breaks up cat fights and he and Eeyore have discussions at the corral gate whether a donkey should paw at the lower bar! Eeyore says 'I will if I want to' and Sam says 'not on my watch you don't.... get your hoof offa that gate!!' Eeyore will ignore his grain to aggravate Sam at the gate. It's like a game and he knows it bothers Sam, so he does it on purpose when Sam's right there.<br />
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Once upon a time there were 9 Cornish hens looking for a home. My friend, Neta, called because she knew Mike was building a chicken house and wanted to know if we'd like to adopt them. The yard wasn't fenced it yet and we didn't have any supplies, but how can you turn down a gift chicken that's about 6 months old and just starting to lay eggs!! So he put wire up and we got a makeshift bowl for water and we were in the chicken business. At first we got 1 or 2 small eggs a day, but I think they like their new home because we've picked up on the number of chickens that lay every day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH09jftJ5trseKroNae4Fr8B8L4pAWqfeCXhLR4YzSGF2SZBOX1r30AfAUa5xFLt7fx6h3uBoK3XCMa4t_njqKfGfTeHL1dPpM-GL5CzbSP1AFTYLeNbHf86Tnvu5i1gPwzMjUbAtqs7uq/s1600/Chicken+-+like+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH09jftJ5trseKroNae4Fr8B8L4pAWqfeCXhLR4YzSGF2SZBOX1r30AfAUa5xFLt7fx6h3uBoK3XCMa4t_njqKfGfTeHL1dPpM-GL5CzbSP1AFTYLeNbHf86Tnvu5i1gPwzMjUbAtqs7uq/s640/Chicken+-+like+house.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For your edification.... Have you ever had something 'stuck in your craw'? I've heard the expression, but since we've had the hens, I've learned what a craw is!!! If you look at the left-most hen, you can see a pouchy area below her throat. You can see it on the second hen too. That pouch is a 'craw' and when they eat insects (like GRASSHOPPERS) they go first into the craw for the first stage of digestion. Since I am overrun with grasshoppers, my hens walk around with thier craws full most days and I can see which are quickest and best at catching those nasty grasshoppers!!!! <br />
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Neta's husband, Junior, brought gifts!!! A bale of hay for their nests and a bucket of wheat for treats! They had to come visit and see the chickens. Neta also has a family heirloom for me ... her dad's chicken laying station ( for lack of a better term) It's actually pretty nice though it needs a little repair. A week later I got another call from Neta... "Do you want a rooster??? Junior got one for you if you want him." Now don't laugh, you'll hurt his feelings!! Something almost had him for dinner and instead got a mouthful of tail feathers! Poor Cogburn.... no tail feathers until he grows new ones. We figure we saved his life by letting him come here with our 9 hens. And af far as 'cock-a-doodle dooing, he doesn't!!! I guess it comes with maturity. Mike's waiting for the morning he gets awakened with a cock-a-doodle-do!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbQfCzJXZV-gWemYUwtl5HJTGAuwTUdyc8JTKijpeespmQOvO-UNeZB2F8ro-xpyuD4sq4BVzOuIuEAzqwq4vCfiJ_3QfIvneDJf_XN_yi7vW-0S8Jk9ncJLhi7dKgahHUkPFwW46YZFR/s1600/chickens+-+rooster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbQfCzJXZV-gWemYUwtl5HJTGAuwTUdyc8JTKijpeespmQOvO-UNeZB2F8ro-xpyuD4sq4BVzOuIuEAzqwq4vCfiJ_3QfIvneDJf_XN_yi7vW-0S8Jk9ncJLhi7dKgahHUkPFwW46YZFR/s640/chickens+-+rooster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In the meantime, we've grown to 4 or 5 eggs a day and they've gone from small eggs to medium and large!! I weighed them the other day to compare to a 'large' store-bought egg, and I'm getting at least one large egg everyday and a few mediums! Compared to store bought, the yolks are yellow-orange in color. It's awesome having free-range eggs. They make beautiful deviled eggs!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJNk7yN11rlw-OpZwt8NZ93YsPcPYKtT1Dj3DPk9DIwXKoj8QRlrMG3wnjNO8FMCa6cH1lW8HVSJLUYgJKIqiooXCHGHcDG_a423XNQEo3G8niX1Q1j7qq4Oixib3WcAaPMwZ25P5iSba/s1600/Chicken+-+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="612" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJNk7yN11rlw-OpZwt8NZ93YsPcPYKtT1Dj3DPk9DIwXKoj8QRlrMG3wnjNO8FMCa6cH1lW8HVSJLUYgJKIqiooXCHGHcDG_a423XNQEo3G8niX1Q1j7qq4Oixib3WcAaPMwZ25P5iSba/s640/Chicken+-+eggs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-27376254248181365842010-09-18T16:13:00.002-05:002010-09-19T13:40:19.404-05:00Time Changes Everything....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Doesn't this relate to everything in this life??? Children constantly change. Relationships change. Seasons change. But, God never changes!!! The rainbow is a great reminder of God's promise to us. Over time, things in life can change. Take this rainbow for example. Mike took this photo because we were so impressed with how BRIGHT the rainbow was!!! He then gave me the camera and I took the other end of the rainbow, but when I turned back, the brighter end looked different.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYo5tacBnLSo6AHqSe_fvHapiHTqiejDitoJA1_zwvTIwHKyo243jExSTP-EQtVU1BqAQNNCK44ITxeYXSSqdb0XI3yoTzio3PoqpiVKoaF19q5dfegSHI2BRTCU0wKWd58K_kZXpm4dOX/s1600/Rainbow1+9-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYo5tacBnLSo6AHqSe_fvHapiHTqiejDitoJA1_zwvTIwHKyo243jExSTP-EQtVU1BqAQNNCK44ITxeYXSSqdb0XI3yoTzio3PoqpiVKoaF19q5dfegSHI2BRTCU0wKWd58K_kZXpm4dOX/s640/Rainbow1+9-8.jpg" width="640" /></a>The brightness was muted as it was quickly disappearing, but note the funky lighting on the trees and the grey sky on one side of the rainbow and the beautiful blue sky on the other!! The rainbow may not be as bright, but I LOVE this picture and all it's nuances!!! (Additionally, one could make such relationships to life transitions) What did Forrest Gump say in the movie? "Life is like a bowl of chocolate"? I think life is more like a rainbow with rainy times, sunny times and times of transition - ever changing!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPSxsNwHqRd6uNxOOSe9z2TslAB_BXlJF9s8_DM_jIkhlN_mCoRpSrUSGHqQRdlA6PWQLxushcBZiIwHZAuwk7aZC0kYNN4-YAqyK-2063LA5kihXvfkwNsqZtas4BtumDYKp4ewXcFu6/s1600/Rainbow3+9-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPSxsNwHqRd6uNxOOSe9z2TslAB_BXlJF9s8_DM_jIkhlN_mCoRpSrUSGHqQRdlA6PWQLxushcBZiIwHZAuwk7aZC0kYNN4-YAqyK-2063LA5kihXvfkwNsqZtas4BtumDYKp4ewXcFu6/s640/Rainbow3+9-8.jpg" width="640" /></a>And, here's the other end of the rainbow with an interesting sky... grey clouds, white clouds and blue skies in the distance. Funky light in the field and wet bales of hay -- our very own!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRS0yVxBwnA4-3_JJv62zAd8BvvIrHQAy_32LjkuEyLB4bh5rEUkXB1HV2rUiMQ7QwEz8HNepshIUXYGjShAOQJx09ly3I3XJZpTFTpuqh0WAkLlGaI3PCKWslny4MzdUTdy-z6j9g5LX/s1600/Rainbow2+9-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRS0yVxBwnA4-3_JJv62zAd8BvvIrHQAy_32LjkuEyLB4bh5rEUkXB1HV2rUiMQ7QwEz8HNepshIUXYGjShAOQJx09ly3I3XJZpTFTpuqh0WAkLlGaI3PCKWslny4MzdUTdy-z6j9g5LX/s640/Rainbow2+9-8.jpg" width="640" /></a>After the storm, out came the horses to check out the new bales of hay that Mike had brought up from the field. (L to R: Tutu, Doc, Eeyore and Racey) After the rain, life is good again!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnd4Uu1Ml5taJOeAbUG_lHJvLZDbVdaNBaM3fIN_VteyvvWRtD0h_9CSy3SYu-Je8d2hHXk9gMpyh3f8SgJjBeWfRIefXEn3icltyJ1ARP15azTxJ_oe0-82fpDaE19_m-oJ6GKIHTfd9/s1600/Hay+-horses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnd4Uu1Ml5taJOeAbUG_lHJvLZDbVdaNBaM3fIN_VteyvvWRtD0h_9CSy3SYu-Je8d2hHXk9gMpyh3f8SgJjBeWfRIefXEn3icltyJ1ARP15azTxJ_oe0-82fpDaE19_m-oJ6GKIHTfd9/s640/Hay+-horses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-85466128428755653222010-08-22T16:59:00.003-05:002010-08-25T07:06:21.523-05:00There's never nuthin' to do....This is close to the culmination of a BIG project!!! Designing and building a chicken house!! What does trenching have to do with a chicken house you ask??? Well, if you want a nice chicken house, you need electricity and water. Contented hens can see to knit while they sit in their nesting boxes and can take baths when they arise in the morning before they step outside to wake us up with their 'cockadoodle-doo'!! We're going to have classy chickens!! On a more serious note, we need to keep the chicks warm (use a warming light) and they of course need water, but the biggest water usage is my garden, and this trench brings well water to my garden!!! Mike had to rent a trencher to lay pipe and electric lines ... and the cows are so curious they had to gather round to check out the activity! The cats have explored the trench from one end to the other, and when Mike went out to lay the pipe, he found a 3'-4' snake skin and a thousand crickets!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9qAPfBA5LIJUK9K7Jak81S8zNnVSzR89gzPLj9BftEhPV_Rlb7RqF-Rmc1A-wNeYKBmJtMVPMmABrZ9BrFS-bw2TJGGIjDCaZ7vESCuuMgKzBTo3jHoFWz1hu9tQbKHtFunWKykzk-uM/s1600/cows+-+curiosity+trencher+7-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9qAPfBA5LIJUK9K7Jak81S8zNnVSzR89gzPLj9BftEhPV_Rlb7RqF-Rmc1A-wNeYKBmJtMVPMmABrZ9BrFS-bw2TJGGIjDCaZ7vESCuuMgKzBTo3jHoFWz1hu9tQbKHtFunWKykzk-uM/s640/cows+-+curiosity+trencher+7-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3gUDd_wiDwWlbSdeJt8ge7wnV9gw9kWpoJNnT71sY6hRd4G443HgTsn4J6708xnCFUid8dl2C7qHzBzt9AGKEAvOxWWJzQO8ZgAk8bNmoiGwM8EhR7fgNOvo8wLKqXm1f3929h7pc9Sh/s1600/Racey+-+Eeyore+in+hen+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3gUDd_wiDwWlbSdeJt8ge7wnV9gw9kWpoJNnT71sY6hRd4G443HgTsn4J6708xnCFUid8dl2C7qHzBzt9AGKEAvOxWWJzQO8ZgAk8bNmoiGwM8EhR7fgNOvo8wLKqXm1f3929h7pc9Sh/s320/Racey+-+Eeyore+in+hen+house.jpg" width="320" /></a>Now drop back to early last year - as winter was finishing up, Mike was making the specs: He laid the foundation as soon as he could work the ground. He framed it and put in flooring. To test it out, one morning we heard the clatter of hoofs just after sunrise. I peeked out to see what all the clatter was about and ran for my camera!! Racey and Eeyore were checking out the hen house!! When they saw me they quickly exited and tried to convince me they hadn't been in there, but I caught them in the act!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8pTulFaxc_C2jfOm2qT5ckSDOuhPRSEJG5gdrBw3fpRT3iakL5QRJzSWFcD6Ngnp-f0COP2ykWIV6-pqzXanm3G-G_rIph9Mb8QR3nTiMvUpEMXd9CK2oFTK9b_dnGiIL28Xj_5k2dMO/s1600/roof+(trusses+up).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8pTulFaxc_C2jfOm2qT5ckSDOuhPRSEJG5gdrBw3fpRT3iakL5QRJzSWFcD6Ngnp-f0COP2ykWIV6-pqzXanm3G-G_rIph9Mb8QR3nTiMvUpEMXd9CK2oFTK9b_dnGiIL28Xj_5k2dMO/s320/roof+(trusses+up).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then he added the trusses and all the supporting boards for the roof. This was mostly morning work because the days get pretty warm in the summer and you're forced to move to your inside projects.<br />
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Then putting the tin roof on (below).. It's really starting to take shape. As you can see, the chicken house is back to back with my garden - incidentally chicken poop is an excellent fertilizer!! Where you see the plywood wall is my storage room for garden stuff and toward the front a storage room for chicken feed.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7q6Sh1yZwjEsh7ygSvUWQN7bWdwh-kNFfWqxbJtKi8yz2o6zMGSgHNF-jk-EalP7SiyPIA_xlsOwmGb0y_BSX-6Z-KFdA7XH_ydUA0s7HzYWQRhQZ4RPeHBBMMais79bvA_gliOUeprT/s1600/roof+(chicken+coup).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7q6Sh1yZwjEsh7ygSvUWQN7bWdwh-kNFfWqxbJtKi8yz2o6zMGSgHNF-jk-EalP7SiyPIA_xlsOwmGb0y_BSX-6Z-KFdA7XH_ydUA0s7HzYWQRhQZ4RPeHBBMMais79bvA_gliOUeprT/s640/roof+(chicken+coup).jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Then comes the siding and doors and window covers:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-5QRp9XXydmmATIr01vM0xEi7VLDtDrZG8KCBDRw1JLkWUwYpLQz-fPCSXHe0g-T4Fw-Cs5N3uRcuOwGB75mNv6ooSbrYlGSSvVeXXv7zZejfReZSdGaCbvkvrhWMMu962-4hT-fhKk6/s1600/Hen+House+10-16-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-5QRp9XXydmmATIr01vM0xEi7VLDtDrZG8KCBDRw1JLkWUwYpLQz-fPCSXHe0g-T4Fw-Cs5N3uRcuOwGB75mNv6ooSbrYlGSSvVeXXv7zZejfReZSdGaCbvkvrhWMMu962-4hT-fhKk6/s640/Hen+House+10-16-09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And from the backside, you can see the door to my storage room, my potting porch, places to hang my tools, and a window so I can talk to the chickens....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMtoiesdwZezBxvvza9loIK9qgwcxWFdbuilKIBbii2BuNoE-_sXhJnsJKYw6TYWlhFVoBcd21P1yWte9C08ZWMQrxzo35tH0qUClqfekXkNXHl-6lKkfyXpvbdMKqZ0feCh28p975tVW/s1600/Chicken-Garden+Shed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMtoiesdwZezBxvvza9loIK9qgwcxWFdbuilKIBbii2BuNoE-_sXhJnsJKYw6TYWlhFVoBcd21P1yWte9C08ZWMQrxzo35tH0qUClqfekXkNXHl-6lKkfyXpvbdMKqZ0feCh28p975tVW/s640/Chicken-Garden+Shed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A few weeks ago he sectioned off a section near the corral to store hay. That involved installing a fence and a gate wide enough to get the tractor through. He also churned up the dirt to get rid of the weeds and put out weed killer. This year we can store enough hay for our livestock for the whole winter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeiRD7_P5DIHVe5QLpvqiqCzHbPU_WNlHXL4RAD6z38SI8MPCCzzyushrIzIFj4zjW4eJJaoZYdKBEQVztxcr0uwHPWQ5UcoxF7ZVIHhwqvASk34x7X2q_Q-IaqRHeV5rYwsmG7L3YBCJ/s1600/hay+enclosure1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeiRD7_P5DIHVe5QLpvqiqCzHbPU_WNlHXL4RAD6z38SI8MPCCzzyushrIzIFj4zjW4eJJaoZYdKBEQVztxcr0uwHPWQ5UcoxF7ZVIHhwqvASk34x7X2q_Q-IaqRHeV5rYwsmG7L3YBCJ/s640/hay+enclosure1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The hardest part of this project was digging the holes for the gate posts. The ground is virgin and packed down - dry and concrete-like!! It took Mike and an experienced friend to dig with the augers you see laying on the ground. Even with the tractor, added weight had to be placed on top so the auger could dig a deep enough hole. This project is done now. The fields have been mowed and baled, and over the next couple of weeks Mike will be transporting the HUGE bales of hay, one at a time, to their resting place in the hay yard until needed over the winter.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRcv7L0-AfTYpQlekXGMhBkAh7ezB5tDypUEdU-tF3vPLX-zl3-WYnFaepCd2vyLx-Y-PdcF5SwXXU7XhOdG-X0xEv1wnw9MP7W3YrAZAvGHGJzkAnzPRVPCPe7-LUROhdhg5guqSAoQn/s1600/hay+enclosure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRcv7L0-AfTYpQlekXGMhBkAh7ezB5tDypUEdU-tF3vPLX-zl3-WYnFaepCd2vyLx-Y-PdcF5SwXXU7XhOdG-X0xEv1wnw9MP7W3YrAZAvGHGJzkAnzPRVPCPe7-LUROhdhg5guqSAoQn/s640/hay+enclosure.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
There's another project that's a work in progress - my camera will find it's way out there soon to capture the action for future memories!!! Stay tuned for progress!!! And the arrival of baby chicks. Right now the only residents of the hen house are crickets, grasshoppers, mud daubers, wasps, mosquitos and spiders. Except for the mosquitos, there are numerous varieties of each!!! There's even a resident black widow!!Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-19034702802460565752010-08-19T00:40:00.003-05:002010-08-22T14:17:54.383-05:00Ever see a RED Grasshopper?????<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBPjehnEvVAsyudROVwTj8tlGgiilKUJsFufhdfrkW4mD7HRdaXQq3V42mk9-32DTSXfJC4aMsaQu3RL2Gb7mkKnQFwo3f_Eyld2qkNlwFi78uZPGRV-_Rap-aRsOUbaJtV__80CWJEMC/s1600/red+grasshopper1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBPjehnEvVAsyudROVwTj8tlGgiilKUJsFufhdfrkW4mD7HRdaXQq3V42mk9-32DTSXfJC4aMsaQu3RL2Gb7mkKnQFwo3f_Eyld2qkNlwFi78uZPGRV-_Rap-aRsOUbaJtV__80CWJEMC/s200/red+grasshopper1.jpg" width="164" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx8y7CiOQG4Ig0phEwqN85urXrOBx8_Srh7uv7xDLHxnahz8p0kotrDpbAipWbtYOIcmn63nmUk9omuJDhuuXzQuxvYWJwm7w_RrovKyESFhGDuqRU-8Q4XZWBSW3TcPkMpKvqMzyqPXU/s1600/red+grasshopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx8y7CiOQG4Ig0phEwqN85urXrOBx8_Srh7uv7xDLHxnahz8p0kotrDpbAipWbtYOIcmn63nmUk9omuJDhuuXzQuxvYWJwm7w_RrovKyESFhGDuqRU-8Q4XZWBSW3TcPkMpKvqMzyqPXU/s200/red+grasshopper.jpg" width="155" /></a>I have TONS of GRASSHOPPERS!!! BIG ONES and small ones, some hop, some fly, some are brown, some green, some mustard yellow (those are some of the HUGE ones) and then the other day I saw a RED one!!! I tried to get pictures, but was limited by the life of my camera battery. So, I got pictures of perfectly clear, crisp leaves to my tomato plant and a blurry grasshopper!!! But at least it is recognizable!!! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Then there are some that are BIG and UGLY!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLli5rluik_DFqHMa9dqytWuiLnD9wR6ouOBC6Qj0G3GiVMTKkJM-nUCtThyphenhyphenNwkfl1jBwF_3n4ftNOvdM9fFupBD7EINZ-q0mmF_SeBcV5kKaA9I2in8VmGeVTnZrzUjfi9LbfEoPybR5W/s1600/grasshopper+-+UGLY+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLli5rluik_DFqHMa9dqytWuiLnD9wR6ouOBC6Qj0G3GiVMTKkJM-nUCtThyphenhyphenNwkfl1jBwF_3n4ftNOvdM9fFupBD7EINZ-q0mmF_SeBcV5kKaA9I2in8VmGeVTnZrzUjfi9LbfEoPybR5W/s400/grasshopper+-+UGLY+green.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127435686395200848.post-57857446163710147282010-08-14T16:40:00.000-05:002010-08-14T16:40:57.256-05:00The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...My garden is one of the things that keeps my busy. My best new garden toy is my Troy Bilt 'Horse' - a wonderful rototiller that will make my garden even better next year. It's powerful, yet easy to use. Here's my ranch partner checking out the new equipment!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupjvgW3pMKIthvSVuix1wVOGw9m-lK2mWiJmgJ-UrMMX2HT7KxTsGUDfNpN4I2qRiX7gYkLXAkc_oC8uDtfJejDNWWHCs-aBNeX8tRpcQqz7MfRYOGsFiC-d2SZmtOSugAjo4lh193pP6/s1600/Garden+-+Troy-Built+Horse.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505333518804279090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupjvgW3pMKIthvSVuix1wVOGw9m-lK2mWiJmgJ-UrMMX2HT7KxTsGUDfNpN4I2qRiX7gYkLXAkc_oC8uDtfJejDNWWHCs-aBNeX8tRpcQqz7MfRYOGsFiC-d2SZmtOSugAjo4lh193pP6/s400/Garden+-+Troy-Built+Horse.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 395px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> The 'good' parts of my garden are my cucumbers (it has now reached the top of the cage) - not so much the peppers - I am getting a few jalapenos, but the sweet green pepper is only leaves and flowers.<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrrkifm__rNuAaISPxvx69NBxQH2evqIJIJ-klI8zMgNpQLvO5YZFQt_RzE7rKwsivxQCRQGL1-CZnUuNe6eAentkOwW4BWeAEWoyai-1vVbHJfmE8XLrAS15ka_lCezj6tcO15aYY6S3/s1600/Cucumbers+and+peppers+-+5Jul.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505333253938120322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrrkifm__rNuAaISPxvx69NBxQH2evqIJIJ-klI8zMgNpQLvO5YZFQt_RzE7rKwsivxQCRQGL1-CZnUuNe6eAentkOwW4BWeAEWoyai-1vVbHJfmE8XLrAS15ka_lCezj6tcO15aYY6S3/s400/Cucumbers+and+peppers+-+5Jul.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 340px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> I've already had some pumpkins (background) Unfortunately the grasshoppers like pumpkin, so I have to fight for everything I get ... and I have some HUGE watermelons and the one we tried was sweet to the rind! They had taken over the whole back third --- BUT the horses got into my garden and trampled them!!! They're trying to recover, but the pumpkin really took a hit!! Maybe by halloween it will make some more!!<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2ctooiFcbhjlyE1fNH_xj5YfunhxW9stCHNQ-0AizPlkexLqfPbbv4A0W2dDjxnu36qOHt3UgZbYmt9DO-skfPGzpQYNW2gf0AqZBBgjpwjf2HNoQHfwk-fkhBHNk_6fjkRZ70s-S2Nj/s1600/pumpkins+and+watermelons+-+5Jul.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505332701940141746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2ctooiFcbhjlyE1fNH_xj5YfunhxW9stCHNQ-0AizPlkexLqfPbbv4A0W2dDjxnu36qOHt3UgZbYmt9DO-skfPGzpQYNW2gf0AqZBBgjpwjf2HNoQHfwk-fkhBHNk_6fjkRZ70s-S2Nj/s400/pumpkins+and+watermelons+-+5Jul.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Pickling cucumbers have done great in spite of the grasshoppers and the horses!!<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvocfVgD9hIJGyZmnM2gVyYilHL7iM8BkDgYGOlkWbhzTZaxZmBcyA0vTlO8KZU35It-jNfGVhd32Obx_UqQ3S-zBJt7UDbv7StOzRZUfz2eUB1nisbTipvtyyhMzWPf0-IbFD3TES_Ct/s1600/Pickling+cukes+-+7Jul.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505331745121745634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvocfVgD9hIJGyZmnM2gVyYilHL7iM8BkDgYGOlkWbhzTZaxZmBcyA0vTlO8KZU35It-jNfGVhd32Obx_UqQ3S-zBJt7UDbv7StOzRZUfz2eUB1nisbTipvtyyhMzWPf0-IbFD3TES_Ct/s400/Pickling+cukes+-+7Jul.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 273px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Not everything has been as successful.. My kohlrabi (on the left of Schnoz, who meets me in the garden most mornings for pets).... has been eaten by grasshoppers! I tried, Pam!!! I almost saved them - got them back once, but then all the new growth was eaten overnight and as of last week, the last one died : (<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp34unAvfwQEAYjDMkcGmKcgXrDHjzCPqsdb7nulreUWZK6sFmeYIxJ-CJz0h2Fqc2E0JwsqXXxFKiXAeualkfLkJbZRITQqpm6V1pJxq1Wd-l-dCfG2rbw2bKxF_Yh7NiINKxecCmpMxv/s1600/Garden+-17Jun.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490132054052036258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp34unAvfwQEAYjDMkcGmKcgXrDHjzCPqsdb7nulreUWZK6sFmeYIxJ-CJz0h2Fqc2E0JwsqXXxFKiXAeualkfLkJbZRITQqpm6V1pJxq1Wd-l-dCfG2rbw2bKxF_Yh7NiINKxecCmpMxv/s400/Garden+-17Jun.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 478px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 381px;" /></a><br />
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<div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Then there's my poor apricot tree!!! I could taste apricot jam and apricot fried pies!! This is the first year the tree has been fenced in so the horses didn't eat the blossoms!!! There were LOTS of tiny little apricots coming .... getting bigger.... bigger.... still green and hard.. .. GONE!!! The grasshoppers ate EVERY LEAF and the fruit leaving only the pits!!!! </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo122tIhK29EReq5pJsaZGTlLcvXKzlJxEbJVopjjp6xICIrsYYsHfD_-vhS4VYcK2yPGx4ciBbger8yQg5n9UGjU1GpbCNIq4BvmBiujA1McrX6EaRx05rkn1zbUTxg21dGn1t8phCu9A/s1600/apricot+tree+5-29.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490131093158129890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo122tIhK29EReq5pJsaZGTlLcvXKzlJxEbJVopjjp6xICIrsYYsHfD_-vhS4VYcK2yPGx4ciBbger8yQg5n9UGjU1GpbCNIq4BvmBiujA1McrX6EaRx05rkn1zbUTxg21dGn1t8phCu9A/s200/apricot+tree+5-29.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 148px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 177px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd3wPCnQxQ8Xok8Ic61VXuYVrAqnaYy_w4SH-DTPsb43AF7GtHndmOVtjbMDjBf8HUHb92lBSvyoiLBtZzCZGquG86Z7FakXRn2rie6pYh7BOo2fAiEpw-yU9HGRyG9Q4z8cgjf4De6pI/s1600/apricot+tree+6-27.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490131425135239538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd3wPCnQxQ8Xok8Ic61VXuYVrAqnaYy_w4SH-DTPsb43AF7GtHndmOVtjbMDjBf8HUHb92lBSvyoiLBtZzCZGquG86Z7FakXRn2rie6pYh7BOo2fAiEpw-yU9HGRyG9Q4z8cgjf4De6pI/s200/apricot+tree+6-27.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 148px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 190px;" /></a><br />
<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I think I counted 20 grasshoppers in this picture:<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505361483131612674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoQolYE3L4My3VvJPcTpBH8VClmaJkr4hilUAuSFeSa6UBBiOt_45SiDfiFRyYMo6Kxbu6F9ISvMe9r-1iBgmqK7c6gvGorZjb7uMuZwn5a3e4_5v3jajwylK9ss5eLlQEFLslFEZC1U8/s400/Apricot+tree+-+20+grasshoppers.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 358px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Just as ugly was my corn!!! Early on we had some NICE corn from the first 2 rows of corn we planted. The second 2 rows were planted later, and we didn't get a single ear. Guess what got them all?? Not the birds! Not the horses (they only ate some leaves and trampled a few plants on their afternoon in the garden)! Not catapillars or worms? Not rabbits?? YUP.. those pesky grasshoppers!!! It gave meaning to the plagues in the Bible!!! Just like the locusts!!!<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3elzZ0qzJpy9u4DfbUzIg0maD6mItUpaStodGUq7amVHDjS9oaI0vLbnyfAhLxgmUQHhyk372mfeeg_a3fIvFvSTOLKilpPY90xRLu0oyHV8YZGNdYXgKIJFVYJuEAHaY65p3LScdVzV/s1600/Garden+-grasshoppers+on+corn3+21Jun.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490130413416309266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3elzZ0qzJpy9u4DfbUzIg0maD6mItUpaStodGUq7amVHDjS9oaI0vLbnyfAhLxgmUQHhyk372mfeeg_a3fIvFvSTOLKilpPY90xRLu0oyHV8YZGNdYXgKIJFVYJuEAHaY65p3LScdVzV/s200/Garden+-grasshoppers+on+corn3+21Jun.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 192px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPyxVivNJkdFlc1bZpGp1PjJFK5JcAYslPyM2K91Dx6fPEQDlhQPoqUdJjrAETameCYyxbm6YmYFjsHu6JNnbaBn-J2IK8E5XYg3ZbzakhW-wO4B5nJg_hQkkJX2v9uRvTiYsMbe_nByU/s1600/Garden+corn+-27Jun.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490130677308513778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPyxVivNJkdFlc1bZpGp1PjJFK5JcAYslPyM2K91Dx6fPEQDlhQPoqUdJjrAETameCYyxbm6YmYFjsHu6JNnbaBn-J2IK8E5XYg3ZbzakhW-wO4B5nJg_hQkkJX2v9uRvTiYsMbe_nByU/s200/Garden+corn+-27Jun.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 126px;" /></a><br />
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They swarmed all over!!!</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGO3ZlqfTpxV9YRBPIflwN4w7XOt2qYLl_b4Gh0q7T44N7ruKOxkLXAhw_FNM7c7vTDQc_hwI_OG3OlU8MI-thUQZBTNTAPxNVGZUpHDrnZJsShXDXoE9uuXJgI5IAIKYC7zgyqjaLXI9U/s1600/Garden+-grasshoppers+on+corn1+21Jun.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490130194665671442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGO3ZlqfTpxV9YRBPIflwN4w7XOt2qYLl_b4Gh0q7T44N7ruKOxkLXAhw_FNM7c7vTDQc_hwI_OG3OlU8MI-thUQZBTNTAPxNVGZUpHDrnZJsShXDXoE9uuXJgI5IAIKYC7zgyqjaLXI9U/s400/Garden+-grasshoppers+on+corn1+21Jun.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 522px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 302px;" /></a> ... and what they left behind wasn't edible...<br />
<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RW77uFRBxrcP9FBnxIzvGkqvp4Zu5Gn2UJPapqQxxiqZ9A1Iyj_rDfKEb11b6PeI8B0wcrtMWCeLEZ-BtbnbObFBszRMymHv13nDTdZ1jI5ghLG6FU8vuWJdycDNE7DAXE4YhvqaEB94/s1600/Garden+-grasshoppers+on+corn+21Jun.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490128598188105906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RW77uFRBxrcP9FBnxIzvGkqvp4Zu5Gn2UJPapqQxxiqZ9A1Iyj_rDfKEb11b6PeI8B0wcrtMWCeLEZ-BtbnbObFBszRMymHv13nDTdZ1jI5ghLG6FU8vuWJdycDNE7DAXE4YhvqaEB94/s200/Garden+-grasshoppers+on+corn+21Jun.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 140px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 167px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8Z2jENV8VNPqSEV1xPOdFQXid7PXuWlx_NE7PP202B_md3Pyn_VYZLcxqqfoDwj8P1K-0EyHrddaAbVol58hqwcwrA9Pt3cr9LNiocwBBTnmY_yVYcGvV5YzoqinGBcy9LrZqBBd1zhq/s1600/Garden+corn1+-27Jun.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490129026137778210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8Z2jENV8VNPqSEV1xPOdFQXid7PXuWlx_NE7PP202B_md3Pyn_VYZLcxqqfoDwj8P1K-0EyHrddaAbVol58hqwcwrA9Pt3cr9LNiocwBBTnmY_yVYcGvV5YzoqinGBcy9LrZqBBd1zhq/s200/Garden+corn1+-27Jun.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 143px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 189px;" /></a><br />
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<div><div>Not pictured: they also ate leaves and branches of my string beans. Did I mention that I HATE GRASSHOPPERS!!!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mike and Judi Winslowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894110079781032903noreply@blogger.com3