Paint!
Later that year we had the house and garage painted. Long story short it was also painful but not as bad as the siding. Definitely nice to have this one checked off the list.
Chickens
As many know, we brought our original 3 chickens with us on our late December drive out here. It was kind of a crazy flex but we didn't want to part with them. They sat in the back of the SUV in a dog carrier, not saying much. We occasionally would let them out for a bit when we stopped for a break. Fortunately they were relatively easy to corral back into the box (not all chickens are like this!). They always go to sleep at night so, when we checked into hotels late, we would just cover them with a blanket and carry them in the back door... Of course they would start waking up at dawn so that required a bit of maneuvering, but it worked out, as far as we know.
The original 3 were named Red, Olive and Tootsie. When we got to the rental house, they had to live in the garage for a few days, although we had a fenced backyard where they roamed during the day -- and the landlord was cool with that (the fence and cool landlord were conditions for us finding the house). When our stuff finally showed up and we got the coop moved to the backyard they were very excited and immediately laid eggs.
The original 3 were named Red, Olive and Tootsie. When we got to the rental house, they had to live in the garage for a few days, although we had a fenced backyard where they roamed during the day -- and the landlord was cool with that (the fence and cool landlord were conditions for us finding the house). When our stuff finally showed up and we got the coop moved to the backyard they were very excited and immediately laid eggs.
Finally that first November, Red got sick and passed away -- on Thanksgiving of all days. We had been expecting some family and new friends over for dinner but they all cancelled on us except for one friend who actually made it. So it was kind of a sad holiday.
After moving to the farm, around summer, Olive also got sick and died. She provided our very first egg way back in the day.
For the next few weeks, Toots hung out with us as we did chores, just a chill, quiet companion. Retired from the egg laying scene.
After moving to the farm, around summer, Olive also got sick and died. She provided our very first egg way back in the day.
For the next few weeks, Toots hung out with us as we did chores, just a chill, quiet companion. Retired from the egg laying scene.
Eventually we decided to get a new batch of pullets (teenagers) to keep her company. The day we brought them home, we put them in a quarantine pen (something you're supposed to do with new chickens, to make sure they don't get each other sick). But she caught a glimpse of them and got rather upset, we think. From that day on, she was sick. She stayed that way for a while, not getting better or worse, but still not even getting up and walking. Finally I felt I had to put her down to end the suffering. It was very hard as we felt they were our only friends, in a strange way.
We decided not to name future chickens. But it's kind of hard referring to them with only pronouns. So they kind of ended up with unofficial names. The Barred Rock was Rocky. The first Australorp (black) to get bling (as in wattles and a comb) we called Mr. T. That could only mean the other Australorp was to be called Apollo (Cree)...
Their first snow, in 2015.
We decided not to name future chickens. But it's kind of hard referring to them with only pronouns. So they kind of ended up with unofficial names. The Barred Rock was Rocky. The first Australorp (black) to get bling (as in wattles and a comb) we called Mr. T. That could only mean the other Australorp was to be called Apollo (Cree)...
Their first snow, in 2015.
This Cat...
During the winter of 2016, we started noticing a black cat hanging around the area but keeping her distance. Gradually she came closer, probably torn between the cold environment with only the occasional mouse for food -- and her fear of strange humans. Finally she gave in and came up to the porch, starving in more ways than one.
We are both allergic and didn't really want a cat but decided to let her hang with us as a "barn cat" (we don't actually have a barn). She was very affectionate right off the bat. It turned out some neighbors had found her last year left in a box with a couple kittens. We think she didn't like the environment there and decided to strike out on her own. Eventually we got the neighbors to agree (after a fashion) that we would keep her. We got her shots and spayed, and started feeding her, although she remained an avid hunter and would usually eat at least one mouse per day. This sounds natural but, as it turns out, requires recurring medication in order to keep the worms away.
In short order she became part of the family, moving from barn cat to outdoor cat to porch cat (and eventually to come inside for a visit once in a while cat). You can see where this is going. At some point I will probably become the barn cat and Ilah (as she was named) will live indoors. By 2019 we started keeping her in the garage at night due to the howling coyote gangs that come and go at random. This has been a good arrangement as we still keep the food, litter box and excess cat hair and dander out of the house. She remains a very close member of the family.
We are both allergic and didn't really want a cat but decided to let her hang with us as a "barn cat" (we don't actually have a barn). She was very affectionate right off the bat. It turned out some neighbors had found her last year left in a box with a couple kittens. We think she didn't like the environment there and decided to strike out on her own. Eventually we got the neighbors to agree (after a fashion) that we would keep her. We got her shots and spayed, and started feeding her, although she remained an avid hunter and would usually eat at least one mouse per day. This sounds natural but, as it turns out, requires recurring medication in order to keep the worms away.
In short order she became part of the family, moving from barn cat to outdoor cat to porch cat (and eventually to come inside for a visit once in a while cat). You can see where this is going. At some point I will probably become the barn cat and Ilah (as she was named) will live indoors. By 2019 we started keeping her in the garage at night due to the howling coyote gangs that come and go at random. This has been a good arrangement as we still keep the food, litter box and excess cat hair and dander out of the house. She remains a very close member of the family.
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