Summer in October

A late season hot spell (aka Summer 2010), has come and gone. This was marked by a resurgence of mosquitoes. Yes, really. They had to have the last say. We'll show them...c'mon Winter! (Oh no...did I just type that out loud?)

I dazzled even myself with a few early morning walks to enjoy the sunrise. I include a couple shots of the view and the beaver showing off one early morning.

(Sunrise walks sound impressive, don't they? Please do not focus to much on the fact that sunrise will shortly be occurring just before lunch. Thank you.)

Chicken Challenge 2010 Ends

Okay, so it wasn't much of a 'challenge' per se. Dad pretty much took care of them, no contest was held. So much for that.

But now I can report that the chickens have fulfilled their destiny and were delivered to the butchers this past Sunday.

Of approximate 102 to start. 38 made it to Butcher Day. Puh-thetic. 60% attrition! Blight, escape, raccoons and coyotes had their way with the flock this year.

Had I been a diligent blogger you would have been captivated by reports of raccoon break-ins, mass murder, reinforcing the perimeter, breaking through the perimeter, checking in with CTU, Sam the dog corning raccoon in the old combine, Peter solving the problem with the 22, another raccoon moving in, more 'lead poisoning', etc. But I was a crap blogger (as has been established) and you missed all that.

Point being - REALLY crap year for chickens.

For all those making the trip this past weekend, the average weigh-in was somewhere between 3 and 4 pounds. Please inquire with Mom for exact measurements.

Moose, moose everywhere

...but none for me!!!

Mom and Dad's friends came for a visit and while Hank was out toodling around, didn't Bullwinkle just turn up ahead of him on the road. Did the moose veer off? Nope, just upped his pace a little bit. And back and forth until Hank had to put a little effort into catching up with him to convince him to get off the road before he got to the highway. He finally obliged/

Then Nicole and Alex went out to find him. And they did! Just a walk down the road and off to the field on one side, there he is...bright as day.

What do I see? Moose poop on the road. Dexter was underwhelmed when I tied to show it off to him.

Maybe next time.

Harvest Time...

was not not easy this year. Or so I hear (having remained safely inside for the duration).

Rain, rain, came again and soaked everything in one long soggy day - it was like the flood waters hadn't been receding for the past two months.

Anyhoo, at long last, the bales were completed this past week when a string of warm and windy days dried everything up again.

There was an impressive number of bales, which I would share with you if I remembered it. Suffice to say...the herd should make the winter.

Relocation, relocation, relocation

Bythe dim light of a huge moon (GORGEOUS shot included), the intrepid troupe of me, Dad and Peter headed out to separate the chickens.

Yup, they're almost growed up now, time to expand the coop.

33 of the roughly 90 surviving flock were relocated to the new digs.

They're slow and stupid-er at this time of the evening. They've settled down and won't run away. Smarter chickens would be INSIDE, but not these ones.

So, it's just a matter of putting them in the crate, carting them to the other coop and disgorging.

Then they're all settled in for the night.

Cluck, cluck.

Didn't know she could move so fast!

Mom was heading out for her morning walk, fiddling with her walkman (yes, walkman). She looked up to see Sam the Dog running towards her. Being chased by a moose.

What to do!?!? Start running!

Chug, chug, chug...off she went. First glance back...still coming. Running....!

Second glance...moose veered off into the bush, Sam in hot pursuit.

Warmed up, she proceeded on with her walk.

Her comment..."They have LONG legs!"

That was interesting.

Secure the perimeter

Coming into the yard after walk and Dad zoomed up on the quad. Turns out three bulls have busted out. They were in isolation in the corrals...guess they didn't like that. Have I seen them?

Um...no. But I heard the cows making a ruckus over there... He perked up. Zoom!! Off to the yard fence. I trudge after him - no quad hitching for me.

We peered into the field...and who did we see? Hawaiian Bulll (known for his swivelling hips) and the little black bull, who as it turns out, is actually a steer. Somehow no one noticed his lack of balls until quite recently. In isolation until the meat wagon shows up. But, apparently feisty, he was one of the escapees.

It seems they are about to cruise into the yard...they're on the people-side of the fence. Dad zooms off. I continue to watch the action. I hear a 'hey!' from Dad...I rush over to consult. Does he need help? Shall I saddle up the golf cart to leap into action? Turns out he's just telling me to move...the bulls are going to come my way. Oh.

What can I do? He has no idea what the plan is yet. Have I seen Peter? I point him in the direction of the sound of the other ATV. Zoom!

I head into the house to capture the action on memory card. I zip up to tell Julia about the drama unfolding outside her window. She's dozing...I go away.

The guys have a plan....open the yard fence gate to the pasture and let the bulls in. Brilliant!

All goes well...barring some significant hoof prints in the lawn.

Soon, escapee #3 shows up and follows his pals into the pasture.

Original bull is last seen posturing atop a dirt mound, making sure the newcomers are clear that this is HIS herd. Men.

Tomorrow...move the whole gang to a new pasture and peel off the three back to corrals. Good luck with that!

UPDATE:
Apparently the bulls left a trail of very deep, very soggy hoof prints in the garden. Right through my row of carrots. Bummer.

No bull

The beef supply was getting low, time to replenish.

Peter quickly ID'd the junior bull with an ornery look in his eye as the new hamburger source.

The deed was done yesterday morning.  Less than an hour from field to abbatoir...that's fresh. 

Sadly Junior didn't even have a chance to sow his oats, but on the other hand, neither was he shunted into the icky feed lot system. 

His days ended chewing fresh grass on a green, dew-covered field.

Updates

Well, our little highway is open again, the waters have receded and are obligingly flowing UNDER the bridge.  Yay!

The swaths being mowed in the yard are gaining ground, although the front yard pond is still flourishing.

Unclear as to the outcome of the birds nest.  Peter made it out there to investigate a few days ago, but the nest was empty.  No clear indication of foul play or successful hatch.  We'll never know for sure.

There are, however, other VERY protective blackbirds around the yard.  Go in the wrong area and some severe dive bombing is sure to occur.  Sam has a lot of grief during the day.

Mosquitos are still ruling the roost, so to speak and continue to torture everyone all hours of the day and night.

I am trying out a new Insect Defend Patch.  It appears to be a dose of B1 Thiamine that you wear like a nicotine patch to deter bugs by radiating whatever you radiate while wearing it.  I know you're waiting with bated breath to see how it works.  I will be sure to update you ASAP.

Bird nest...update

No update.  

Boot-sucking, quagmire mud conditions have rendered the rhubarb patch unreachable. 

The best we can report is that the birds still get pissed off when we get near and the last known location of the nest still appears to be above the waterline.

Chirp, chirp.

Eggs in the nest

Peter spotted a nest in the "old rhubarb" patch.  Alerted by a really pissed-off bird, he knew something was near by...and he was right!

When asked what kind of bird was nesting, Peter said it was a "shpock", which apparently is a Ukranian term for generic, little, black bird. Helpful.

Aunt Julia was called in for a consultation.  She will be researching it in her bird watching manual and will submit her findings when she gets around to it.

Photo is from a few days ago.  Egg count is up to five as of yesterday (excursion during Dexter's birthday festivities).  We'll keep you posted live occasionally from the nest.

Dexter will also be updating you on the state of the dandelion fluff, which is clearly more interesting anyway. 

Stay tuned!

Beauty fades...

"Shhhhh!"  Dexter learning to not yell around the chicks.

Two-and-a-bit weeks old. 

The awkward phase.

Rough Day in the Coop

There was a wee Candillo family outing to do the Chick Check this evening.

We refilled the water and marveled at how fast the chicks are growing....the usual.

Just about ready to leave when I noticed one belly up in the back of the corral.  Yup, definitely dead.  That makes two.

Chris lifted it out with the pitchfork...a brief eulogy was completely disregarded as it landed in the burn barrel.

We're looking for patterns in deaths.  The only thing so far is that Dad was doing the Chick Checks prior to each discovery.  We're not pointing fingers...yet.

Forensics are inconclusive.

You gotta be fast!

I was on Chick Check this morning.  It's the very arduous task of making sure they are

1. still there,
2. have food  and
3. top up the water.

Once the incubating phase is over, they will be split into two groups.  50 to Team Peter, 50 to us - Team Candillo.  Part of the summer fun is to see how many survive out of each group - farm excitement. But for now, it's one big (little?) chick herd.

I opened the coop door to a flurry of excited chirping. So far, so good.  One little guy was motionless in the straw, but upon nudging, turned out to be a sleeper-in-er.

Plenty of feed, so I took out the water - a big inverted jug with a basin screwed on the bottom - to refill it.

Upon my return, I was about to place it back in the corral only to notice a squished chick right in the middle of the circle marking the water jug's spot.  Poor little guy wasn't fast enough.  You gotta run!

Chick count...99

Must speak to Dad at lunch - He-Who-Installed-the-Chicks.  Which team's count does this one come out of?

PS.  I was very stoic and dealt with the remains all by myself - coop is right next to the burn barrel.

Moose crap

...for those who were curious. 

You can thank me later.

So cute and fluffy...

100 new chicks arrived today.  From cardboard box in the front seat to little chick corral in the coop...they're settling in.

Dexter was very concerned about finding their mommies.  He wanted to go right away to find them.  He remains unconvinced that they do not require milk and they can flourish in the dubious care of people.

Of course they can...for about four months.

Signs of Spring...

...In no particular order

• Geranium Watch 2010 begins - recon to Walmart scouting out seedlings.
• Massive roof drainage highlighting misaligned gutter and gaping holes in said gutter.
• Pond on front porch of house
• The missing stench of diesel fumes on the morning chore clothes...the troughs are not freezing over
• Mud-encrusted cars
• 45 minute line ups at the car wash
• Fresh snow 2 days later...followed by newly mud-encrusted cars
• Success with Project Geranium!
• Scandal revealed with the outrageous almost DOUBLING of the price of Walmart geraniums from last year.  More acceptable price sourced at Peavy Mart.  Ruffled feathers are smoothed.
• Daycare yard turns into massive Lake Yorkton/Yorkton skating rink, depending on the weather
• The arrival of seed catalogues - debating the pros and cons of trying sweet potatoes this year
• Plastic encasing the windows is boldly sliced to allow feeble breeze to enter formerly hermetically sealed home
• First barbecue of the season. Ribs enjoyed by all
• Chris realizing that his -40C boots may be overdressing a bit
• Chris realizing that he needs new shoes
• Warm enough to have plumber do the gas fittings to install new gas cooktop.  "Ooh, ahh!  It's HOT!"
• Muddy boots banished to the garage landing.  Additional newpaper layed down in back entrance.
• Puddles populated by happy boys all over the yard.
• Spring party is held - balloons released on boys' heads in celebration
• Great delight taken in popping balloons.   Dad sitting on balloon results in REALLY LOUD pop!
• Dexter snarfing back large portion of spring party cake decorated with icing filled ice cream cones.  Head begins to spin.
• Light...in the morning...like before we get out of bed.
• Deer and cow body parts being revealed in the yard as snow receeds -way to dig Sam!
• Mulling over the purchase of blackout blinds for the bedrooms
• Retirement of the snowmobile - sniff
• Return of the quad for farm transportation
• Light...in the evening...like while we eat supper
• Growing anticipation of sister Karen's May wedding
• Windowsill flies hatching
• Hummingbird Watch 2010 begins...it's a competitive sport
• Pondering installation of fresh fly paper
• Dexter announcing that he hates flies
• Mom resumes daily walks
• Michele considers daily walks
• Chris mourns his daily snowmobile rides
• Mom announcing that a too-large garden spruce tree needs a new home this year and there is simply nowhere to put it in this 4-acre (really) yard. Taken under advisement
• The nightly arrival of prairie chicken on the deck feasting on the remaining cranberries.  Appearance is conveniently timed around dinner for our viewing enjoyment
• Hungry critters emerging from hiding...Sam chasing away three deer from the fence...coyotes trotting across fields as we drive home from daycare
• Cow Watch 2010 - the growing anticipation of baby cows.  Any day now...
• Successful growth of heliotrope seedlings in the basement nursery.  I managed to keep them alive when Mom went to Calgary
• Arrival of spring dresses in the stores
• Uncle Peter outfitted with suit for wedding
• Successful purchase of dress for wedding
• Disbelieving denial of a -18C  morning

...but it's almost here!  Right?!?

Buffalos and Dinosaurs

"I want to see buffalos and dinosaurs", announces the backseat co-pilot.

Easy peasy...we go past our turn off for an extra 2 km down the highway and peruse the local bison farm. Way to go Super Mom. :) 

I told Chris the dinosaurs were his department.

Couldn't sleep last night

My mind was racing, so I set myself up on the couch to be lulled into somnolence by infomercials.    While I was waiting for it to take effect, I was serenaded by a pack of coyotes outside. 

Nice.

Makes sense...

Driving into Yorkton today, I saw the flashing lights of the law had pulled over a big rig, just outside of town.

Interestingly, to me anyway, was that as I got closer, I saw that the lights were attached to a big white hemi of a pick up truck.  A ghost pickup.  I never thought of that.  I guess it makes sense...if you really want to blend in here, what else would you drive?

_____________________________

...and during the same action-packed voyage....I passed a neighbour riding his lawn tractor down the highway this morning (WTF?) and accompanying him was Lucky the dog, Sam the dog's brother.  Why would anyone encourage a dog to follow them on a highway?   Lucky chased us, got in front of the car, everything that will ensure that soon his name may not be enough to keep him safe... Bad dog!  Bad owner!

Consider yourself finger wagged.