Fun Schooling, A Little Bit of Rain, Texas Star Energy Refund

This weekend we experimented with different measurments of vinegar and baking soda.  What we learned is; we should wait until the wind is not a factor.  (hard to do where we live.)

In this attempt we place vinegar into the bottle first then had the baking soda stuffed in the balloon.  We noted that the vinegar / baking soda solution became cold during the mixing process.

Next we tried behind a wind block (the car), with baking soda added into the bottle with a vinegar filled balloon.  In this experiment the boys and I learned not to do this way again.  Because we could not add enough vinegar to react to the baking soda because -- a barrier is formed atop the baking soda when the two meet.  Our hypothesis --- try again on a windless day, the solution cools during the reaction, and how the experiment is set up will affect its outcome.

Hubby and I decided to start teaching stories from this Children's Bible to help give our boys some lessons in our faith that is centered in Christianity.  Later in the year, I will introduce them to lessons from the Torah, Quran, Buddhist texts,  and other 100+ faiths of the world.  Also, this will give them some sort of religious foundation to build up from so they can make the decision about which faith they will follow if any.

Now who could not use some 'found monies?'  I was doing a happy dance to finally recieve this check from the Texas Appliance Mail-In Rebate program. Wooo Hooo! Gotta love going green when it actually pays some green backs into ones' pockets. :O)

Finally, we were the recipiants of this lovely gift called rain.  Let me tell you, our ground was so hard from lack of moisture; that small cracks can be found.  I am guessing this little soaking gift from heaven will turn our grass green. 

Now this is one website I wanted to pass on to all of you.  I found it a few months back and there was not much to offer.  However, since then Bill Gates has made a large donation and others to get this website up and fully functional.   So I wanted to pass this information along to those: teaching, homeschooling, in college, or is helping out children with homework.  http://www.khanacademy.org/ 

This website has thousands of videos with lessons from 9 to 15 mins in length showing how to work math problems and other subjects.  So far there is an extensive amount of simple math, algebra, physics, finance, economics, accounting and many other subjects to be added. This website is free (accepts donations) and a parent can set up an account to monitor and track their students (children) working the problems or lessons they try.  You can not beat free especially when it is a quality program. 

Hope ya'll have a wonderful week.

It's All In Their Smiles

Cubby's first tooth paint job.  

 Standing Tall and being brave.

We need to get Saenz to an Orthodonist, maybe braces.

Here is our male turkey -- Grumpy.  This fellow begs to be loved on and doesn't startle. Now I just love these little birds.  They are curious and want to be held.  The boys and I are taking turns playing with them and ensuring they are eating/drinking.  We have not named the hens yet.  Grumpy has won our hearts though; he just begs 'PICK ME UP, PICK ME UP! when one of use looks into the brooder.

On a sad note: Roux did die late yesterday afternoon.  We have continued our care of Bercer but, I am thinking he will soon join his brother. 

Twice Stabbed Lady Bug

Talk about a cool find; Cubby bear is modeling the lastest sign of spring's almost arrival.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-16_twicestabbed_ladybug.htm

Unfortunately, this little beauty is running about the house and I can not vacuum until I find it.  Zephyr is mortified by the thought of his friend being sucked up into a machine that will sufficate it.  So, needless to say we are looking for it.

Mrs. Lily came over today.  What a blessing she is because she took me into town to buy three weeks of feed since our farm truck may need a new transmission and only rolls in fourth gear.  We promptly gave her about 8 dozen eggs for her being so kind.  Wooo Hoo! You Rock Lady....

After this next artic front rolls through we will be planting some pear trees, shade trees and another apple.  Plus hubby has been prepping our latest garden bed along with building a turkey pen.  So this long weekend has found us all busy working together.  Let me tell ya'll it is so humid here today; I thought about turning on the a/c for a bit.  LOL But, just thought about it. 

Gotta go, Sears is here to replace the tub in my washing machine.  The liner had cracked talk about a wet mess.

See ya, and welcome new followers Jewels and Beautylicious.  I will stop by your blogs probably tomorrow once, I have Saenz and Zephyr settled into their school work.

To Poke a Bit at Ocean Breeze's Jim

 For the last 6 days we have had near perfect weather.

  I am happy to hang out clothes to dry since, last months heating bill was $325. A huge increase -- 300%  from December due to cold weather.

YES Jim, Your eyes are not deceiving you; we are running about our dry South Texas farm in shorts.  :O)

Now this is our three year old lime tree.  It did not fare so well after the ice storm.  I will check to see if it is still viable once this next cold front moves in.  Can you believe; we may be experiencing temps dropping back in the 30s next week?  I am not sure I am ready after being spoiled.

I wanted to pass on to those who pass here some information.  Did you know you can buy items in bulk from Amazon?  No kidding, and if you have an Amazon Prime membership that means free shipping.  Since, I am a heavy coupon user I am always looking at purchasing our food items more wisely.  HEB price per Lipton Beef Stroganoff is $1.29 (without coupons) but, the Amazon price with coupon code 'UNILVR77' at check out unit price is .94 cents.   PLUS did I mention free shipping! LOL

I love these mixes because it is so easy to make in one pot with ground beef and a canned vegetable for a balanced meal.  I have even used beans when I didn't have meat thawed out.  I totally love Amazon; they have international foods section which are extremely hard to find in my area. 

I also wanted to pass on another website I found.  I was again looking for a site that was reasonable to order dried fruits, mixes, and other sundries in bulk.  So check it out, http://www.bulkhome.com/.  While some of the items are outrageous; others are not.  Just look at their vanilla beans or dried apples.  With free shipping for items over $25, some of their products are excellent bargins.



I tip my hat to Jim; who just happened to mention the bloggers he follows in a blog earlier this week.  I just love his method to get over his blog writer's block.  Go on over to his place; he takes the most gorgeous nature photos, EVER....

Just a side note: http://www.walletpop.com/2011/02/18/biggest-grocery-store-markups/

Shop wisely Ladies & Gents, this depression is not over yet.

Ahhhh Normalcy

Finally, both boys seem to be on the mend from some kind of nasty virus.  We just kept passing it back and forth -- lucky for us; it seems to have gone away for now.  PHEW! I don't know about other parents but, when my boys are ill; I am not a happy camper.

Saturday, we sold a male hog and two bucks which is awesome since two of our nannies look about ready to pop.  I am worried about Ms. Aries' knees since she suffers with some kind of joint injury she was born with and I have been keeping a close eye to be there for her when she kids.

Let's see this passed weekend, we attended a birthday party at Mrs. Sobrina's for her one year old son and three year old daughter. She made the cutest cupcake birthday cakes I have seen -- with fondant icing.  I had a great time and met some nice ladies to boot.  We could not go to the homeschool family meeting on Friday since, Zephyr had a fever.  However, he will graduate kindergarten in May so YEAHHHHHHHHH!

Hubby went to the dentist yesterday, the boys and I tagged along because they were supposed to be seen.  Yet, their appointments were stacked and it took 2 hours for dad's exam.  We had to reschedule the boys; we have to be home for evening chores.  It is not easy to schedule appointments around farm chores in the morning and then evening plus; all the other things I have to do.  March they will been seen at the same time.  Sooooo Hooray!

Today, I placed an order for broad breasted turkeys only six to start for our freezer and 20 silkies.  The silkies will be the boys project to take care of and they will be required to take care of their own birds.

Hubby will be busy this weekend building a new coop for the turkeys and stilt coops for the silkies to be housed.  Later on in April, I will be ordering some Bourban Red turkeys for myself to raise and breed along with Cuckoo Marans. http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Marans/BRKMarans.html

We have 25 Ameruacana, 2 day old chicks in our brooder.  I try to add a fresh round of chicks each year to keep our bloodlines strong.  Another thing I feel truly blessed is how helpful the boys are with the animals.  I enjoy watching them grow familiar with raising animals; and believe the process just makes them better human beings to have critters to love and enjoy.

It is hard for Zephyr not to pick the chicks up during the first week because; I don't allow the new babies to be handled much until they are two weeks old.  Our hens seem to be in the middle of molt and I find that a strange time of year for the process.  Again, I believe the weather just have the critters upset biologically.  It is hard on them to have freezing cold one and a couple days later be in the 80s. 

In a few weeks, I will be the mother of a teenaged boy. Saenz will be turning 13 on the 11th of Febuary.  I want hubby to take him camping with his older brothers --- like a rite of passage.   I am so blessed to have them both.  I am such a lucky mother to have two boys that want to be around me.  One day soon; they will find themselves wanting to start a family and will move away; I just hope not too far.

As the says going:

'Once a daughter; a daughter for life.
Once a son; only a son until he finds a wife.'

Tiz alright though as long as, I can share some of their future.

Our Soon To Be, Neutered Puppies

Well this morning, I called in the information for the Volvo to get it listed on our insurance.  Then off we went to drop off Banjo and Sonic for their operation at the vet. This means they can not get a wandering female pregnant.  Best thing to do for outside dogs is to get them neutered. There are far too many unwanted animals running about in the world.  This is the two having a conniption about being inside their cage on the ride. Hee hee, just look at those innocent faces!

Below is the birdhouse kit, Grumpy Gramps sent to Zephyr for Christmas.  Zephyr and his dad used the tools that were sent to build this bird house. I think Zephyr did a great job under his dad's watchful eye.

Thank you for a wonderful gift! 

 See the holes for hanging it up?  We still have to either paint this lovely or at least seal the wood due to extremes in our weather.

Yeppers, I am still sporting the MND bracelet in support of

My Brother Andrew get on over there to learn about Ms. Jan's cause.   

I bid ya'll adieu! :O)

Don't Know About Ya'll

I am glad all the festivities are over.  It was a busy two weeks with hubby home.  While we were able to enjoy our time together; we still have lots of HONEY DO'S left on the always full list of things to accomplish. 

Our house phone is still not working properly so, we are debating not calling a repair man and just cancelling the service.  Verizon just keeps raising rates, charging us fees but, never upgrading their services in our area for land lines though they charge us multiple fees.  So, other than a phone for emergencies we can think of no other reason to have a home phone.  I turned off our long distance service over a year ago and have used a phone card with ease since.

American companies with no competition for business have little regard for customers to provide standard services; the companies are able to charge what they want with no fear of losing monies.  We are constantly checking with neighbors to find out what cell phone companies in the area ACTUALLY WORK in the bowl terrain and our home is located at the bottom.

With the vehicles, hubby needs to wait for his state tags so he can register his Honda for access to military bases which will take approximately two weeks.  This creates an issue for him gaining timely entrance in the mornings.  As luck would have it; the farm truck is not able to make a trip right now because something has happened to the gear shift --- it's stuck in 4th gear.




Now my car is a different issue, I have two weeks to go to the court house to transfer the title / registration by Texas law or face consequences.  Then I will have a two weeks wait for a state plate.  When we got home with it (yes, I actually broke the law by driving it home); the insurance agency we use was closed until tomorrow and I am without a viable mode of transportation until the Farm Bureau opens in the a.m.  This caused me to push back the puppies getting neutered in the morning, I can not drive without insurance. 

Also, Texas State requirements have gone up for basic coverage and; if a person gets caught driving without proof of insurance or up to date driver's license; their car gets towed to impound -- no excuses.   WHICH IS A GOOD THING in my opinion. I am just throwing this up to the universe.  Peeps without insurance for Medical and Vehicles are forcing Peeps who chose to follow the law to pay higher rates.  Annoying but true fact of life.

I will miss hubby dearly when he goes back to work; we have been tied at the hip.  Tomorrow marks his job search for work in this area.  We have reworked our budget to build up our savings so, when he does find a job; we have a cushion to fall onto. 

Basically this means, we are cutting our budget to these monthly amounts for a family of five.

Food $300
Elec $300
Spending / Clothes $165
Entertainment $100
Gas $300
Mortgage $700 (we pay an additional $200 on principal)
Computer $60
Dental $60
Medical $40
Loan (shed/tractor) $340
Car Ins $100
Honda $285
Savings $600
Farm $150
Orkin / Trash/ Etc $100

Approximate Take Home: 3600
Approximate Pay Out: 3498

All numbers are approximate but, this shows where we are concentrating.  Paying off loans as quickly as possible, stashing extra into savings, we have a retirement plan as well, and cutting out frivolous expenses like premium cable channels.  Later as time goes by we will be cutting all cable, gardening more, and storing our own foods as we grow them. It just make financial sense because, I saw the signs in late 2006 of the economy's collapse pending and quit selling on eBay.  And, Waa Laa, in 2007-09 the US economy's (global actually -- it was a classic depression but, don't tell anyone I said so) recession.

What I do see for Texas is; the recession has not truly touched here yet.  However, I am thinking we are just around the corner from a mini recession here unless locally the oil fields really do ramp up.  After watching the market price on a barrel of oil; I am wagering with hubby the cost of a gallon of gas will be up near $4+ a gallon again by late summer/fall because OPEC is having great fun with the increase of demand from growing markets.  

Another area of concern I have been watching is the growth in the medical suppliers market and pharmaceutical arena.  With the fight we still have pending over the national health care law; I am just waiting to see how this will affect the American public.  While we have Tricare through my Air Force retirement; adding more bodies from adult dependents will cause congress to raise our monthly premiums as will commerical suppliers so be warned now and prepare.

Any whosits,  I hope all are doing well who pass here.  This week the boys and I will be hitting the books full force.  We plan on really hitting the subjects of  Pre-Algebra, English, Reading, Biology, Astronomy, and Agriculture this next quarter. 

I have plans on pulling out the Bower Incubator for hatching of chicken eggs so, we can raise them for meat.  Yeppers, we are going towards becoming more self-sustaining fare.  I will have to order some turkeys, ducks, geese and other assorted birds to raise for meat.  Hubby brought me a box of 500 Dixie Cups and I will start our garden sproutlings inside the house this week.  My house may not be a Better Homes and Gardens show case but, I will be able to feed a small army come summer so, stop on by when ya'll get a chance. 

I may just have some chicory coffee or mint tea to offer you.

Kicking It Old School, Chores, and Chocolate Buttermilk Pie

I love playing some vintage (if you can call the 90s vintage) video games with my boys.  We still have Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, Sega Genesis, Playstation, Playstation 2, XBOX and XBox 360 consoles.  On really boring evenings after chores are done; we hook up one of the older games and play Banjo Kazooie, Mario Racing Cart or some other games that doesn't have violence or gore. (not my style)

This week was time to refill our feed holders here little Banjo was trying to help Lisa off load the truck while his brother Sonic chased the hens about.  Next month both pups will be having a gender altering surgery.  YEAH! Less male agression is good.

Just look at those WOMAN muscles. :O) 

Our supervisor, Cubby Bear. 

Our shotgun, Banjo (Da Killah).

 These birds are called Caracara (Mexican Eagles) and are vultures.  If I see them on the ground, I know they have found a nest of chicken eggs I need to gather.

Next, Chocolate Buttermilk Pie, just click the name get the recipe.  I just added 1/3 cup coco baking powder. Yummy, creamy -- great eats. 

 above is without a crust just as a custard.

This one had a store bought crust of which I am not fond of at all but, it came out well.  The top layer was crusty with a brownie texture.  My next baking foray will be sweet potato pie, butter, and breads. Another item I want to try my hand at is Chicken Pies. Yes, I know I have been baking quite a bit but, in the summer it is just way too hot. If any of ya'll who pass by here have a great flakey layered crust recipe let me know. I don't like the store bought crusts and need to learn how to make my own.

Enjoy the pie!

Phew, What a Week

I am so glad hubby's stint on second shift is over! Yeah, we are returning to normalcy.  The last two months have been kinda tough because of the shift change.  The boys wanting to suck up as much time with their dad (can't say that I blame them) would wait up until he got home near midnight. We would fall asleep around 1 a.m.; this was not conducive to regular school hours, farm chores, and our small garden.

Yeppers! we still have tomatos, peppers, cabbage and broccoli  thriving ---- can you believe it even after two freezes?

Thank goodness we homeschool and I can tailor their lessons around schedule changes.  However, we did not progress as far as needed.  So, this day shift will get us back on track and hubby will be off the last two weeks of the year.  CAN YOU SAY GUEST INSTRUCTOR????  Hee hee, he just doesn't know it yet.

Another issue, Lisa has it in her head she is moving to California.  No plans as to how she is going to get there or live there --- just a wish to stay with some phantom people she apparently knows from who knows where.  But what can you do?  She is nearly 20 years of age and if she buys an airline, bus, or train ticket -- we can not stop her.   I wish her well but, will not make her transit out of our safe environment easy on her. (i.e. We are not providing the pathway out.)  She will have to make her own way there and if need be; back. 

Seems our daughter is under the impression that LIFE is easier in Southern California and a change of location will make her LIFE better and she will be happier.  Sadly, I have tried to explain to her; the only happiness you can find is within yourself.  If you are not happy here, and if you are not happy with your mom in San Antonio; 'You WILL NOT be happy in California for any length of time --- because you are only changing locations.'   Why is it, adult children do not learn nowadays from the paths their parents have already walked?  Godsped my daughter, just know the nest is still here if you fall out of the tree.

The last two days, I spent time riding the couch with a vicious cold.  One thing hubby does bring home quite often is viruses from work.  It hit Saenz and Zephyr but, nearly wiped me out.  Luckily, I recovered enough to be back up and running today with a vengeance.  I have a pile of laundry that would pack the epic TROJAN HORSE and allow the Greeks (chores) to over take Troy (our humble home).  LOL can you tell I have been reading again?

One thing I plan to do later is take the buttermilk pie recipe below and see if I can modify it to include chocolate.  If it does turn out well I will post a picture and description ---- my muddled mind while waylaid had me thinking of baking and building new recipes.  If chocolate doesn't work I will try coconut which is always great in custard pies.  We have lots of eggs again since, I have barely been cooking for the family this week.  Baking is a great way of using up eggs.

For those who commented on my post dealing with bi-polar. 

Thank you,

I will be adding to that post and if you see the labels (at the bottom of each post) and then click on 'bi-polar' then the other posts associated with the topic chosen will pop up on the same page.  It is important I resolve my issues and understand my own disorder so, if our son has to walk in my path.  I can at least reason with him by reviewing how I coped with the stressors as a teen.  Thing is.....boys and girls do not act the same way when dealing with puberty so, I have another sticky wicket to deal with as he progresses.

Hope Ya'll are enjoying your slices of heaven as you prepare for the approaching holidays.
Peace and Joy,
Mal

Buttermilk Pie, Hush Your Mouth!

This is one of hubby's favorite pies and so easy to make:

I just remember 4, 3, 2, 1

4 Tbls Flour
3 Eggs beaten
2 cups sugar
1 stick of softened butter
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Just cream butter, sugar, and flour together
add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla mix well
pour into a pie shell
bake on 325 for 1 hr
or until a knife inserted near middle comes out clean.  SIMPLE, EASY --- SUPER YUMMY!

Only one more week of hubby working second shift.  I am so thrilled he has two of these lovelies waiting on his return home tonight.

Take care!

Have Ya'll Been Feeling Ick?

I don't know maybe it is just this weather: 80s one day and the next chilly, windy, down to the 40s.  Today, I am sipping lots of peppermint tea for my sore throat and achy head. 

Our hens have fun hiding their eggs from us and look for places that are hard to reach and out of sight of predatory birds. 

Saenz gets a kick out our one of our production reds. She bascially buries herself completely before laying and hollars at any hen or boy who dares to interrupt her at work. Each evening, we go on an egg hunt while putting the ladies in their coops.  It is a nice way to end our work day outside.

This happy young man is really enjoying the computer Grumpy Gramps sent to our family.  Later in the year, when hubby has time perhaps he will build Cubby Bear a desk that is his size. Then Cubby will have a work station all his own.  Last night he was so thrilled with learning how to set up his software and played counting games -- he just was beaming as ya'll can see.

Thanks Grumpy Gramps!

This is my first jar of refrigerator pickled serrano peppers. Cubby Bear and I picked the bush clean since, a large cold front is moving down into our area next week.  We had fun making the brine, cleaning the peppers, adding the spices and other items to fill the jar for cold storage.  We are anxious to see if hubby will like them later this year.  Thanks Lady Bloggers, whom I follow for the idea on this learning event.

With hubby working on second shift, the kids and I usually have meatless dinners.  I don't know what it is about Texan men folk, they basically insist on flesh at every meal; at least in my experience.  So until hubby is back on days.  We go meatless, this is a really quick rice pudding (without raisins) recipe I found on a Ricelands box. I modified it for the boy's taste. It's a simple dish we all like and it uses up some of the eggs we find.

Southern Rice Pudding:

1 c rice                               

4 c milk, *divided

2 tbsp butter

1 c sugar (I add 1/4c more)

1 tbsp vanilla extract

4 eggs

1/4 tsp cinnamon, and dash of nutmeg

Soak rice in 2c milk and vanilla for 2 hours at room temp.  Add remaining milk to rice and cook over low heat for 30 mins until rice is tender.  Set aside to cool

Preheat oven to 350F

Combine softened butter with sugar.  Beat eggs until forthy, add sugar mixture , spice, rice and mix well.  Pour into a greased baking pan.   I used 13" x  9" or rounds.  Bake for 45 mins.

Tonight, I am going to make a egg dish called Goldenrod Egg, mom used to make. She learned the recipe in high school home economics back in the 1960s.  You know it's good if Southern cooks taught it in schools. It's basically a white sauce gravy with chopped boiled egg served over toast.  YUMMY!

Here is a link to a recipe but, I usually just do my own version.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/goldenrod-egg/Detail.aspx

Anyway peeps, stay warm and dry.  Off to take a nap (wishful thinking) or book diving.

Hoe Hen Inn Razed, Menudo to the Troops

Sid and Lisa came down to help us out by: tearing down the Original Hoe Hen Inn, weedeat, mow, and just wrassle some good eats and family memories. We have gotten lots done this weekend and I have put in 5 hours on 'Husky.' 

Hubby made them lunch of guacamole and chips.  It's really good to eat light in this heat. Simply just mash a good avacado with minced cilantro and stir in some chopped firm tomatoes.  LOL His guacamole never stays around long enough to brown so no lemon juice needed.

Notice the glare it is flipping HAWT outside?

Start with bite sized tripe, spilt pig hooves, hominy, onions, garlic, crushed red pepper, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, Mexican Oregano split, put into a crock pot with some ingrediants.

Cook on high for 6 hrs to soften the meat. Waa Laaaaaaaaaaaaa, menudo. Not for the faint hearted and this is known as the hangover cure.  LOL Don't know about that but, it took me about 12 years to develop a taste for this dish and to cook it.

This is the view from Husky, we are getting along quiet well.  I love how easy she turns and how smoothly she cuts.  Like a warm knife through butter; we are the perfect marriage between farm hen and machine. ~:>

Aphonopelma hentzi

I was about to take the neighbor girl back to her house for the evening when I saw this moving across our yard atop the grass.  I dashed back inside the house, went up the stairs to retrieve the camera while; Faith kept watch.

I brought the boys, Lisa and Sarah back outside with me.  I took a few shots with my camera as Lisa was looking for a bucket.  We found out from our encounter these creatures can move like greased lightening.

We managed to get this beauty inside a bucket. And found out, spiders can climb smooth surfaces. 

___I was really shocked! _____ 

Which was kinda freaky but, okay I kept tapping the bucket to keep it inside; hoping Lisa would find a lid. 

Guess what,  grand daughter Sarah kicked the bucket over (I COULD HAVE KILLED HER....LOL it was the first one on the farm.) and it ran under my farm truck: up into the engine -- curses!  Much to my chagrin because; I would have kept it a few weeks for observation and teaching moments with the boys.  (NOPE, I am not afraid of spiders either.)

My best guestimation is this was a male on his way to hunt for female since it is the begining of summer.  He was rather large about 3-4 inches across.  Either way, he was our first one and I hope to find more now that I have look up what their burrows look like.  Note to self, get some boots and thick gloves for:


Tarantula Roundup,  I just know there are some Mexican Red Knees around here.

Did you know males tarantulas can live several years but, the females can survive for a couple decades?

Mrs. Loosey and Mr. Salad Fingers

Are parents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After a long grueling, South Texas Summer; we noticed Mrs. Loosey had gone off her feed for two days and stayed in the mud hole. She gave birth to 6 live piglets about the size 20 oz soda bottle in length. Four were colored like Momma and 2 like Daddy.

We are sad to report that thus far only 2 are still alive, we think the others were trampled by Mrs. Loosey. After removing the dead piglets, she was standing a menancing watch over her remaining piglets along with proud pappa, Mister Salad Fingers.

I will post pictures from yesterday, showing off all 6 piglets and mom in the mud hole; once my Easy Share recharges. We can't get close enough to either of them so, nature and momma will take its course.

Happy Birthday little piglets,

Thoughts from inside the coop..........

I tried to rescue this Rat Snake

I found this four foot snake wrapped in the netting to keep chickens away from plants we did not want them to consume. This year alone, my husband I have rescued 7 snakes in the last 2 months. We have been fortunate none of them have been venomous.

This male, rat snake did really well at first. I was cutting it out, while sitting on a milk crate in front of it. Worst dang time of the day as well it was super hot. Animal feeding time, LOL.

So hubby goes off to feed the animals in and I am carefully cutting it out and concentrating on not cutting the snake. I did turn its tail over to see if it was male or female -- skinny tail, small opening for size -- male is my guess.

At one point, I guess I either caused the snake pain or scared it because it not only struck at me but, it hissed like no one business. Here is the funny part...........

I (snake wrangler extraordinaire) actually was startled enough to fall over backwards on the milk crate I had been sitting on because I was not expecting it to get pizzy.

Now mind you, I had touched it with no problems just not next to the head. When I almost had it cut free, I stopped to get a towel -- so that I could clip the netting without getting bit.

I have been bitten by a hand-raised California kingsnake, I had as a pet. Their teeth are needle sharp and sting like crazy. So this wild snake would have some serious JU JU in its mouth and I was not interested in a samonella soaked wound. When I came back out, the terrified snake had seriously wrapped itself to tight inside the netting that it would have taken surgical tools to get it free.
My husband then decided to put this snake out of its misery because the netting was wrapped so tightly around it that it would not be able to digest food or would get hung up some where on the ground. He beheaded it -- humanely. We were both upset by this event since these beautiful animals keep the rodent population down around our home.

I think it's time for me to find a herpatologist so, I can be trained to better handle these wild animals. I would hate to have to kill another one. Worse to think is a venomous snake being caught in netting so close to where our boys play in the yard.

SHUDDER SHUDDER....

Thoughts from inside the coop....

For the record, that is Zephyr touching the snake's tail with my husband holding it down with a tool. Mind you the snake's head was too far away to reach Zephyr's hand.