fuzzi's "Gardens and Chickens...and Goats? Oh My!" Journal and More Thread

[Mini Horses]

Look at the pretty yellow eyes!

I became part of the "cat distribution system" this spring -- a young solid black with beautiful green eyes -- appeared and stayed. Could find no one to claim as missing. Had been handled some, so semi tame, now is friendly tame. Could become insider with ease but, I haven't allowed that.

 

[fuzzi]

Look at the pretty yellow eyes!

I became part of the "cat distribution system" this spring -- a young solid black with beautiful green eyes -- appeared and stayed. Could find no one to claim as missing. Had been handled some, so semi tame, now is friendly tame. Could become insider with ease but, I haven't allowed that.

I've had several black cats, and tuxedos too.

Deborah, aka Debbie, knows she's pretty, milks it as much as she can.

 

[fuzzi]

The juveniles:

They were responding to a neighbor's rooster. Silas is 5 1/2 months old, Zacchaeus is 7 months. So far they get along.

 

[fuzzi]

After 23 days... finally!

I think it's from one of the pullets, as the hens just finished their molt. And it was in the run.

 

[fuzzi]

Look what arrived!

I used to buy Burpee seeds, was willing to pay more for quality, but in the last few years I noticed germination issues. So I ordered from Baker Creek, who don't charge for shipping. Some of the seeds were great, but some also had germination issues. While speaking with friends online I discovered that poor germination was a real issue with seed companies. Someone recommended Seed Savers, so I ordered and was thrilled at the close to 100% germination rates!

I'm going to look at this gorgeous catalog in a little while. It's been a busy day so far...


Our elderly dog, Cleo, has been suffering from degenerative joint disease in her hind legs and some adeno growths in her rear, but was fairly happy. This past week she has been crying a lot, from pain most likely, and the tumors were bleeding. I took her in to the vet this morning, expecting that she wouldn't be coming home except to bury. But my vet is wonderful, suggested that he could remove the tumors after sedating Cleo, and if she didn't do well with the anesthesia he could go ahead with euthanasia. What did I have to lose? So she's now home with me, exhausted at my feet, wearing the cone of "don't you dare lick yourself". I have to give her a shot of penicillin on Sunday, first time injecting anything, but vet assured me I would be fine.

And after I got Cleo settled on a pee pad I went out to the shed refrigerator freezer to get myself a pint of faux (non lactose) ice cream...and noticed that the pint wasn't firm, not thawed but not firm. The items in the refrigerator felt cool, not cold. I've moved all the freezer items into our little chest freezer, cheese and other perishables into the house refrigerator. Tight fit. I placed a thermometer in a dish of water on the shed refrigerator's shelf but am not optimistic. The refrigerator we have in the shed was one we moved from the house last year, is 22 years old, so...yeah. Oh well. A new refrigerator? Merry Christmas to me.

So...I am making a batch of bone broth from older meat I cleaned out of the freezer, yum.

And happy news, the pullets are laying! I retrieved three eggs already today, woo!

 

[SageHill]

I've been using Baker Creek - and yeah sometimes germination issues. I've been Territorial Seed Company also and those have been much better. I was just today thinking about seed catalogs (of course none here yet) I'll definitely check out Seed Savers now!

 

[murphysranch]

I've ordered from SS before. They are terrific!

 

[Mini Horses]

Germination. Well, a lot of old seeds here, so I get what I get. For the most part that's fine, I expect less & it's worked fine. However, when I pay $4.95 and get 10 seeds, I want 100%. Yeah, seed has gotten very expensive!

I try to use heritage/open pollinated so I can save seed each yr. Doesn't always work. I've also saved from grocery store buys. They can be hybrids and might get ?? variety. Most often they still taste good and rarely any big difference in resulting produce. They give me good home use.

 

[Baymule]

What a beautiful catalog. Artwork! I miss my garden!

Best wishes for Cleo. I think your vet is wonderful to give you options. Giving a shot is not hard but I understand your concern. I used to be terrified of getting a shot. Absolutely terrified to the point of stupidity. I even actually jumped off the needle and got stuck again. Then I raised show rabbits and the first trip to the vet caused me to learn how to give shots myself. My poor first victim! I was so scared, I jabbed him and in my fear and being so nervous, I pulled it right back out! Not just once, but several times before I didn’t pull it out. I finished the task and pulled it out. I felt so bad for that poor rabbit. But I not only learned how to give shots, I got over my own irrational fear of getting a shot.

Believe me when I say giving a shot is really quite easy. Have someone hold Cleo, be calm, and follow vet’s instructions. You can do it.

 

[Finnie]

Look what arrived!
View attachment 113128


I used to buy Burpee seeds, was willing to pay more for quality, but in the last few years I noticed germination issues. So I ordered from Baker Creek, who don't charge for shipping. Some of the seeds were great, but some also had germination issues. While speaking with friends online I discovered that poor germination was a real issue with seed companies. Someone recommended Seed Savers, so I ordered and was thrilled at the close to 100% germination rates!

I'm going to look at this gorgeous catalog in a little while. It's been a busy day so far...


Our elderly dog, Cleo, has been suffering from degenerative joint disease in her hind legs and some adeno growths in her rear, but was fairly happy. This past week she has been crying a lot, from pain most likely, and the tumors were bleeding. I took her in to the vet this morning, expecting that she wouldn't be coming home except to bury. But my vet is wonderful, suggested that he could remove the tumors after sedating Cleo, and if she didn't do well with the anesthesia he could go ahead with euthanasia. What did I have to lose? So she's now home with me, exhausted at my feet, wearing the cone of "don't you dare lick yourself". I have to give her a shot of penicillin on Sunday, first time injecting anything, but vet assured me I would be fine.

And after I got Cleo settled on a pee pad I went out to the shed refrigerator freezer to get myself a pint of faux (non lactose) ice cream...and noticed that the pint wasn't firm, not thawed but not firm. The items in the refrigerator felt cool, not cold. I've moved all the freezer items into our little chest freezer, cheese and other perishables into the house refrigerator. Tight fit. I placed a thermometer in a dish of water on the shed refrigerator's shelf but am not optimistic. The refrigerator we have in the shed was one we moved from the house last year, is 22 years old, so...yeah. Oh well. A new refrigerator? Merry Christmas to me.

So...I am making a batch of bone broth from older meat I cleaned out of the freezer, yum.

And happy news, the pullets are laying! I retrieved three eggs already today, woo!

Wow what a day. All that AND a seed catalog!

I’m glad your dog has had a reprieve and that you discovered the freezer problem in time. Good thing you wanted some ice cream!