Wisteria

A friend gave me a root of Wisteria 2 years ago and it is doing beautifully. It is climbing up this wire in the front yard. The fragrance is wonderful.

Safety City

Landen looks cool in this car at Safety City this morning!

These Girls

What am I going to do? These chickens are getting big fast. I think it will take us a couple more weeks until the chicken coop and fence are completed. Yesterday I took a chicken and put her in the middle of the back yard to see what she would do. So she was looking around and all of a sudden when I tried to catch her she went under a bush. It took me 15 minutes to recover her. Never again. 

April, What's happening Inside The Hive?

By April, the bees have made it over the hump. The problems they faced in March have not completely disappeared, but healthy hives need only a little nurturing now. Brood rearing should really increase through this month. If it does not, your hive has serious problems. As the warmer weather comes, look for many bees returning with pollen loads. The stronger hives will have a significant amount of drone brood in preparation for the mating season.
In particular, keep an eye on the 5 day weather forcast. A week of cold rain could really hurt brood rearing. This spring is like no other I have seen. It is warm with not a chance in sight for cold weather returning. Strange times we are living in. 

Little Sunshine Mistakes That Can Give You Cancer Not Vitamin D

Unfortunately, due to decades of professional and media misinformation, the typical American believes they should avoid the midday sun and need to use sunscreen before, and several times during, sun exposure. Unfortunately, this is a prescription for minimizing vitamin D levels and all its widely appreciated benefits.
The first few days, you should limit your exposure to the sun to allow your body's melanocyte cells to rev up the ability to produce protective pigmentation that not only gives you a tan, but also serves to help protect you against overexposure to the sun.
The skin around your eyes and your face is typically much thinner than other areas. You can use a moisturizing safe non-SPF cream to moisturize your skin.
So get out there and soak up some of those rays!

Things You Can Grow That Chickens Can Eat

Dylan spent the weekend with us. He was a big help when it came to the chickenyard. He nailed all the boards up to help Grandpa. You see, I am just not handy in that way.
Speaking of chickens; mine are growing by leaps and bounds. I have discovered through the years that chickens will eat just about anything. Home grown produce is full of nutrients, and poultry will appreciate a break from chicken feed. If you have a lawn, put your flock to work. They will mow it, eat the slugs and snails and leave it well fertilized. The question is, what won't they eat from the garden? Chickens love lettuce, spinach, strawberries, chard, carrots and tops, beets and greens, green beans and the list goes on and on.
Raising chickens at home can provide a homeowner with some friendly, feathered pets as well as a supply of fresh laid eggs.

What Happened To Our Government?

I know that you are getting tired of these posts, but lets face it, we don't know anything that is going on in our government. I was watching Fox News last night and they traveled to Florida on spring break and were asking college students simple questions about our government. You would be surprised at the answers! I don't know. I didn't know that. Who is he? I was embarresed. I can't believe that a person 20 years old doesn't know basically anything about our government. SAD! No wonder we are in the condition we are in. No one gives a hoot.
When I was a child growing up in Newport, KY. and going to Corpus Christi School a nun was reading something to us in class one day. It went something like this: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness".
These words are from our Declaration of Independence and unfortunately, not from our Constitution. And from these principles, we Americans, lay claim to his or her own sovereignty just by being born, and that these rights don't come from any government or person.
I also learned, as a child, that we were in government of the people, by the people, and for the people. And most people expect that the government leaders we elect keep certain concepts in mind: there going to keep us safe, they will better help us manage our resources most efficiently. Not a chance.
Think about that for a while!   

WE TOLD YOU SO

As the American sheeple slept, selfishly refusing to take a stand against tyranny, the Obama administration has been plotting what can only be called a total government takeover of America. On March 16, 2112, President Obama issued an executive order entitled, National Defense Resources Preparedness.This executive order states that the President alone has the authority to take over all resources in the nation (labor, food, industry, etc.) as long as it is done to promote the national defense. A phrase so vague that it could mean practically anything. The power to seize control and take over these resources is delegated to the following government authorities: The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce.
What all this means is that the U.S. government now clains the power to simply march onto your farm with guns drawn and demand all your crops, seeds, livestock and farm equipment.
Think I am exaggerating? Read it yourself! www.whitehouse.gov/thepress-office/2012/03/16/executive-order...)

Click on picture to see full view.

Sleep Quality

Man, it seems, was never meant to be woken abruptly, in darkness, by loud, sudden buzzing, beeping and siren-type noises. Rather our ancesters woke naturally, and gently, each day with the rising of the sun.Of course that was in the former agriculture society that we used to live in. There are different levels of sleep, with the deeper levels being utilized for repairing and rejuvenating your body. The human body is designed to wake up during light sleep, either before entering this repair stage such as during a quick nap after the deep sleep and stages when your body has been repaired and you have returned to a light sleep. Waking up during deep sleep leaves you very groggy, very tired, and only partially recovered from the strain and stress of the previous day. This can be felt throughout the day as a sort of hazy fog and sore, tired muscles.
Sleep is not just a single thing that happens to you at night. There are 5 stages of sleep and over the course of a night's sleep, you cycle through these stages. The triditional alarm clock has a set time to wake you up, but you could be in any stage of sleep when it happens. Waking up naturally is far gentler on the body. Teach yourself to wake up on time by priming your body's internal clock. Stick to a regular bedtime and train yourself to wake at a certain time. I have had the luxury of doing that usually 4 days a week. Go to bed at the same time every night and allow yourself to sleep until you wake up naturally. No alarm clocks! If you continue to keep the same bedtime and wake up naturally, you will eventually dig your way out of fatique and arrive at the sleep schedule that's ideal for you. Unfortunetly not all of us can do that. There is work to be done. Places to go, and children to take care of.

Chicken Coop

David started building our chicken coop Saturday and has gotten this far. The roof will be put on this weekend. I am looking for tin. The sides and front door after that. Last, but not least the run where they can feast on bugs and grass. Enclosed of course to be safe from preditors.
Chicken coops are useful enclosures that serve a number of functions. When raising chickens that lay eggs, a chicken coop is necessary so that your chickens will have a safe place to rest in at night and lay their eggs. Additionally, a chicken coop provides must needed shelter and protection for your chickens.

Spring Sandwich

My favorite spring salad ingredients: A heardy helping of aspargus spears, hard boiled egg, red onion, good French mustard, olive oil, and fresh dill. Put between a crust bread. Lunchtime will never be the same.
1/2 bunch of asparagus spears
2 small baguettes
2 eggs hard boiled
2 tab. onion
2 tab, French mustard
fresh dill
olive oil

In a large skillet over high heat, add a little olive oil. Sear the asparagus spears, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Hard boil eggs. Toast the bread lightly. Smear with good mustard. Top with asparagus, eggs, dill, onion and season with sea salt. Serves 2

Chick Condo

Excuse the mess, but these chicks are a handful. Believe it or not, I just changed their bedding not more than 20 minutes ago. I had to stop by Lowes yesterday and pick up another appliance box for my chicks. They are growing really fast.  This is my ultimate goal. Hello July!

I Don't Care

Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not, started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11,2001 and have continually threatened to do so since. Were people from all over the world, not brutally murdered that day in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from the capitol of the USA and in a field in Pennsylvania?
Do you think I care about a wounded terrorist who got shot in the head when he was told not to move because he might be booby trapped, you can take it to the bank. I don't care. Shoot him again. When I hear that a prisoner who was issued a Quran and a prayer mat, and fed special food that is paid for by my tax dollars, and is complaining that his holy book is being mishandled. I don't care.
Only five defining forces have ever offered to die for you: Jesus Christ, The British, Canadian, Australian and US Solder. One died for your soul, the other four , for you and your children's FREEDOM! Wake up America.

Play Time

Chicks are insatiably curious- after the first week or two, they can be put outside for short periods of time if the temperature is warm. They MUST be watched at this age, however. Chicks can move fast, squeeze into small spaces, and are helpless against a variety of predators, including dogs and cats. If they have bonded to you which I am working on. This chick took two of us to catch. When I was a child we always had ducks and they would always follow me around. The first thing a baby chick sees is forever it's mama. This is called imprinting. They will follow you around. Chickens become fond of their owners; some will come when you call them and some won't!

Create Buzz!

Well, what are these guys doing in my backyard. They must be lost. They come all the way from Cameroon. Don't eat my honeycomb!

Water Bills To Triple Across USA

With wages stagnant or declining, gasoline and electricity prices on the rise and food prices steadily increasing, the last thing American families need is another increase in a basic necessity.Yet, a new report says that's exactly what you're going to get. Water bills that will likely triple over the next few years, thanks to the nation's crumbling water system infrastructure.
What does that mean in real dollars and cents? Right now the average family household pays about $400a year. Meaning water bills could skyrocket $900 a year or more.
Welcome to the real world!

Shape Up

Spring is a great time of year to get your body in shape. You can start by getting your plate in shape. Make half of your plate fruits and veggies. Vary your protein choices such as seafood, nuts and beans, lean meats, and poultry and eggs. Enjoy you foods, but eat less. Cook more often at home where you are in control of what's in your food. Last, but not least be physically active your way. I love the gym. Thirty minutes on the treadmill, yoga class and sauna fills my 2 hours 4 times a week.

Wax Museum

Each child selected a character. Landen chose Benjamin Franklin. They each did research on the character they chose. Wrote a speech and presented it to the audience of parents, grandparents, etc. Landen did a superb job!

Hello Life

Sometimes, you just never know what is coming down the pike. I woke up Wednesday with this rash on my left side. I wasen't sure what it was. I asked around and got some hints that it could be shingles. Yikes! How did that happen? Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Once the rash appears, there is itching, burning and sharp stinging. Sometimes the pain is enough to make me say ouch! I am doing my best not to over do it. But those who know me, know that it is going to be nearly impossible. I am going to have to make an extra effort to be good! 

Buzz On Bees

Due to this unusually mild winter, beekeepers hives are already amazingly busy. The Maples are blooming, and the bees are starting to rear brood. Personally I don't feed if there is a necter flow. Gathering nectar is what bees do.
Tree flowers like those of Black Locust allow honey bees to create some of the most popular honeys available in Kentucky. Other trees such as Yellow Poplar, Sourwood, Sumac and Basswood supply necter which also makes distinctive honeys.
Kentucky honey is highly sought after because of its outstanding quality and limited availability: honey bees also produce other benefits such as beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly.
Have a blessed day!

Chicks First Visitors

The boys and Jennifer came out yesterday to see the 4 day old chicks. The baby chicks are really growing fast. I suppose in 2 weeks I will move them to the garage. I am going to have to make new accommodations for them. This appliance box is running out of room. Looks like everyone loved the little puff balls.