Ramping up for a new season

The weather here in Nashville has been crazy this year. Birmingham has gotten more snoe than we have bot the temps here have been colder than ever.  The hens are handling it well with the two lamps burning day and night through the coldest days and nights. Yesterday was the first day we could let them out of the coop for a week and one of the buffs must have been in a skirmish with a hawk. Gary said lots of feathers were in the yard with no apparent injury to the hen. Gary strung fishing line from the tree to the fence to create a barrier to any air attacks. It has worked well for two years.

Tux has been ill and we are keeping a close eye on him. He is eighteen years old. We love him dearly and I know it will be difficult for both of us but particularly hard for Gary. He has never been around cats but this guy has won him over. Not surprising, Gary is such an animal person. Scout and Molly have spent a great deal of time inside this winter due to the temps and have done well. Scout gets stiff and his mobility is difficult with the inactivity. They love the attention. I wish they could be inside dogs. 

The kids are all doing great. We got the news that Charis and Jared are expecting in September. This makes baby number four in the grandchildren count. We are so excited! All the kids are doing great. John Franklin is so funny. He get on the computer and FaceTimes with his Paw Paw almost every night. He is talking batter and better every day. Eli is just before taking off and walking and trying out his voice in venues like SAMs club much to his mothers' dismay! Ashleigh is due next month and we will have another sweet boy to love on. Babies all around! Love it!

Polar vortex

In Tennessee we just went through sixty five hours of temps under freezing. We had ice that wouldn't melt for days and it was kinda fun. Gary and I made all the preparations necessary to live without power for a week. We bought a rick of firewood. I made soup. We have burned a fire each night and it has been heavenly. 

The chickens have done surprisingly well considering the single digit temps the last three days. Gary put an extra heat light in the coop and one day it was thirty degrees in the outer enclosure. The next day it was forty degrees in the outer enclosure. The girls have given four to eight eggs respectively. Tomorrow maybe we can let them out for a while. Mollie and Scout have enjoyed the warmth of the downstairs kitchen for the last three days. Such good boys! 

Cold weather is a drag. Static electricity drives me crazy. Warm fires are heaven. Tux and Cricket snoozing beside us in the comfy couch is nice. It's a trade off. Loving life!

Fire and ice

Tonight the temps will take a significant tumble. Thirty six hours ago we started preparing for it. We bought a propane heater at lowe's, got our groceries, and put away our Christmas tree and decorations. Gary has a nice fire burning good dry ash wood. There is a blueberry cobbler in the oven. We have everything we need in case of a power outtage. Gary fixed both of us knapsacks with emergency gear for the car and truck. It's a good feeling to know we are prepared. I hope I don't have to go in tomorrow but I probably will. There is almost a rick of wood in my truck bed so that will really help keep me from fish tailing on the ice. Cricket doesn't quite know where he wants to be...upstairs alone or downstairs with us.  Tux has the loveseat to himself. Mollie and Scout are asleep in the kitchen. The hens are sleeping in the coop with two warming lights on.  It's now snowing and sleeting. Gary and I just finished a bowl of blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Yum.