As I write this month’s column, there is still a haze of smoke in the air. The horrible fires that consumed acres of land in the area, are still not totally contained. Our area firefighters are working hard to get it put out. There is a promise of rain tonight- hopefully enough to put everything out. By the time you read this, this should all be behind us.
Last month, I wrote about the rooster, Jack Sparrow. Well, Jack was good for about a week. Then, he totally forgot that I was the hand that feeds him and went back to his usual sneak attacks. Unfortunately, I had to rehome him. Fortunately, I found him a good one, where he will be one of 2 or 3 roosters, lording over about 400 hens! That should keep him busy enough to get lost in the crowd and forget about attacking the human that feeds them.
My hens from that coop seemed at a loss for a night. But, by the next day, the oldest Wyandotte hen took over the role of boss lady. The bachelorette pad is quite happy being single ladies, and they still put out colorful eggs every day. Their daily contributions can be found in little blue boxes of a dozen each at Fulks Run Grocery and J&B Country Store. Callen’s Eggs are from healthy, happy hens.
We had a tease from Mother Nature in March, with several nice, warm days. The trees were budding, the snowdrops, daffodils, wild bloodroot, and trout lilies were in full bloom. Then, the cold front returned, but the buds and flowers have seemed to survive.
The horses are shedding, always a sure harbinger of warmer temps. My donkey is always the last one to shed out, usually just in time to start his winter coat again.
The robins are back, the one that makes her nest under my upper deck, is redoing that nest, with her mate sitting on the swing set singing away!
The pair of Canadian geese who return every year to our little pond, are, at this writing, quickly approaching hatch date. Each year, they have to defend their turf from other geese, who see what a great place it would be to raise a family. The stocked pond has a little island in the middle, complete with a tin roofed shelter- the perfect spot to have a nest safe from the elements and predators.
Walking the river with my grandson, looking for fossil rocks and other things, we found a salamander egg mass – an exciting find for both of us!
The spring peepers are in full chorus at night, the clear skies putting on a nightly show of bright constellations.
The skunks have been out and about, looking for love, sometimes in all the wrong places. My dog apparently has not learned his lesson, about leaving skunks alone. Had to throw out another coat and collar. A bath of baking soda, peroxide, and Dawn dish soap got the majority of the smell out. Along with a few sprays of this “magic” spray called Pooph- the dog is back to normal.
As you are reading this, Easter has come and gone, and now let the gardening begin in earnest!
By the way, in case you needed to know – April 4th is National Hug a Newsperson Day and National School Librarian Day. It seems every day of the month of April is a National Day of something!
All is well at Mountain Meadows tonight, thank you for reading our little paper!
