10/11/07

she’s here now.

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You guys are so good for my ego. Did I mention thank you for reading? Because, seriously. Thank you for reading. If I had no readers at all, I don’t doubt I’d still be here five days a week writing entries, but the fact that y’all are out there reading just adds a little extra something to the experience! So, thank you for reading. Seriously!
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Yesterday morning I had a hard time getting going – it’s gotten cooler these last few days*, and what with it being so dark in the morning when Fred leaves for work, I have a really hard time getting up and staying up. But I needed to dust and vacuum because I had Very Important Visitors coming later in the day and I did not want them going home and telling the internet that I live in a sty of piggy slothful dustiness with dust bunnies as big as the cats roaming through the house, so I finally hauled my butt out of bed and got the dusting and vacuuming out of the way, then I lay in bed for half an hour and read before going on to do laundry and then hang it out to dry. (On the laundry: I really should have done it Monday, but Fred was using the smoker, and I didn’t want our clothes to smell like smoked meat, so I didn’t do laundry, and then Tuesday I didn’t dare to do laundry because it was supposed to rain (though of COURSE it didn’t), so Wednesday was crunch day, since Fred was down to his last work shirt. And there was so much laundry it almost didn’t all fit on the clothes line.) I was in the kitchen loading the dishwasher when I heard Frick standing on the back steps and making a kind of alarmed cackling sound. Except for a speckled chicken, the rest of the chickens were still in the chicken yard (Frick and the speckle had flown over the fence into the back yard. Frick usually does that every morning and sometimes Flappy does as well; this was the first time I’d seen a speckle do it.). Frick was standing on the back steps staring toward the chicken yard, and as I looked over to see what he was looking at, I saw Tommy and Mister Boogers standing on the cement pad looking kind of agitated. The reason for their agitation: (flickr) Standing on the gate next to the chicken yard, a hawk. In the chicken yard, not a chicken to be seen (they were hiding under the chicken coop). I was so concerned for their safety that I ran and got the camera. Ahem. (flickr) The hawk seemed not at all worried about me as I walked toward him, snapping picture after picture. When I got close enough, he flew off to the gate on the other side of the chicken yard. (flickr) (flickr) And he stood there until I was within ten feet of him, whereupon he flew off and landed in a nearby tree. (flickr) I walked toward him again, and he finally decided I wasn’t going to leave him the hell alone, so he took off for greener pastures. We’ve had an issue over the last week with a hawk (I don’t know if it’s always the same one, or a different one every time – they always seem fairly small, so I’ve been assuming it’s a young hawk) spending a lot of time hovering over our back yard, eyeballing the chickens, and flying low over the back yard. They’ve never – so far as I know – attacked, but almost every day I’ve heard the chickens sound the alarm and run for the nearest safe place, then seen a hawk fly low over the back yard. We’d decided to leave the chickens in the chicken yard until Fred gets home, but the last couple of days I’ve actually forgotten that we were doing that, and let them into the back yard around noon. I guess we’ll see what happens! *Seriously! It was 83 yesterday! I practically had to put on my boots and winter coat!
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So, the Very Important Visitors? Kathy and her DreamGuy! They had to be in the area, so she asked if they could stop by to visit, and of COURSE I was thrilled to finally meet her. (Okay, I was nervous too, because I’m just that kind of dork.) She is, you should know, the MOST ADORABLE woman. She’s tiny, and I thought about putting her in my pocket and carrying her around, but then I thought that might be weird, so I refrained. She is a smart and wily woman, so she brought me stuff, because she totally knows that my affections can be bought. An Amish egg basket! How perfect is that for me, I ask you? Also, some cool Alabama stuff (Fred’s an Alabama fan, of course, since he went to UAH) and some protein bars, and the very litter mats she’d mentioned in my comments the day before (to the person who asked, they’re just made out of plastic; she says they work like a dream!). I unloaded some habanero jam on them (and might have encouraged Kathy to wait a few days and then email Fred to tell him that the jam was good, but not hot enough, ha!) and some eggs (aigs!), and I made her admire the foster kittens, and I think she even got some Mister Boogers het on her. They weren’t able to stay long because she had an appointment, but it was so neat to put a face and voice to the name (well, obviously I’ve seen pictures of her, but they don’t nearly do justice to her tiny cute self), and she even offered me their lunch leftovers for my own lunch, which I totally took so I wouldn’t have to poke around the kitchen and wonder what to have for lunch. (Amish meatloaf, in case you were wondering, is REALLY damn good!). Kathy, I’m serious. Any time you guys want to stop by and admire my Girlz and my kittens, you are more than welcome!
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The funny thing is that while we were standing in the driveway saying goodbye, someone going by slowed down and yelled out to ask if we sold eggs. I told her we didn’t have any extras at the moment, and she asked if she could give me her number. I said goodbye to Kathy and DreamGuy and went inside, wrote down Fred’s name and cell phone number, and took it out to her. I told her we might have a dozen in a few more days, and she said when we had some, to give her a call, because she’d rather buy them from us than from the store. We’re talking about getting more chickens, so we can sell eggs on a regular basis. We’d never get rich off selling eggs – at least not with the small number of chickens we’re talking about getting – but it would be nice to be able to provide free range eggs to people who are interested.
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(flickr) Nothing Our Toms likes more than writhing around on Fred’s bed. (flickr)
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Previously 2006: But there’s no horn on the lawnmower! 2005: Did you feel the earth shake too? 2004: No entry. 2003: No entry. 2002: No entry. 2001: No entry. 2000: My breasts are strawberry scented. 1999: I was ambitious today.]]>

24 thoughts on “10/11/07”

  1. Ever see yourself setting up a farm business? I mean, in a few years, just a little stand with the eggs and some produce and canned things or something. Just seems like the natural progression of things, though I doubt you’d be thrilled about the extra farmy work…

  2. oooooh – let me come and be your egg collector person and pepper chopper upper and jelly jam taster please!?

  3. Yikes – a rootin’-tootin’-lasso-loopin’-pop-gun-shootin’ chicken hawk! Hope the girls are ok!

  4. I have a question!!!
    Would you be willing to post your recipe for jalapeno jelly? My neighbor just gave me a bag of jalapenos out of her garden and you got my mouth all hungry for some jelly!
    Also, since I’ve never eaten it, is it sweet? What do you put it on?

  5. Of course your Toms loves to roll on Fred’s white bedspread. He is black, you know.
    Well, my new kitty Gus has turned out to be a 1/2 hunter(unlike Mister Boogers or your Not Our Outdoor kitties, who are full hunters).
    Gus loves to play with the tiny toy mice. He tosses them in the air, bats them around and has recentedly started playing fetch with them (I even make him hunt for them – tossing them in hard to reach/find places).
    So last night, Mr. Kiefer was nosing round my recliner. I got concerned (he tends to find live animials roaming in my condo like chipmunks!) so I flipped the chair over. Of course, there was my very first mouse in my house (in 41 years!). Of course, my 3 cats had to investigate and watch the scared mouse. Suddenly the mouse ran and Gus caught him in his mouth and ran to my bedroom. I freaked, so what did I do? I called my mom, who is 1500 miles away. We spoke for about 10 minutes and she said it was time I found out what Gus did with the mouse. Well, I went in my bedroom and Gus and Andy were running around the bed. So I wait. Yep – Gus let the mouse go, and they proceeded to chase and bat the darn thing for 10 minutes. I’m not sure if it was wounded, dizzy or tired, but it stopped running and sort of gave up on life. The 3 cats sat and looked at it and Gus periodically bat it with is paw. So I took pitty (and was relieved I did not have to pick up mouse parts), and found a little box, scouped him up and out the door he went. He walked very slowly away from the house to freedom. Of course, then I got worried that the poor mouse was hurt and would die out in the cold all by himself. I’m such a wus.

  6. Hi Robyn-
    Two things- my kitty had a distemper and rabies shot Tuesday. Vet said he may run a fever, but what about him be so lethargic? And if so for how long?
    Also your super sleuth ways put you back in touch with Bonnie, how about Athena? I know she quit posting abrubtly last year and said she may return at sometime, is she back anywhere? Her site was how I found yours 🙂
    Thanks,
    Fawn

  7. KID NATION SPOILERS IN THIS COMMENT
    It seems I remember you saying you watch Kid Nation? If so do you still like it, and were you like me tearing up when Cory left?
    I was also slightly amused and bewildered by the fact that he is in love at the tender age of 9. Did you find that to be unreal?

  9. Susan, no one teared up because we recorded the show and haven’t watched it yet. Looks like we don’t need to now. 🙂

  10. I guess it would have been nice for me to have had an entry posted to take advantage of the MILLIONS AND MILLIONS (say it like Carl Sagan please) of your readers who might click that link! Alas, my work appointment after our visit took way too long, and I was super late getting home & even later to bed.
    I’m gonna go upload photos now (assuming that is OK since you were cool with the camera, let me know quick if not!) and perhaps even an entry about our trip & visit to Crooked Acres. THANKS for your hospitality! And good lord, for your sweet words about me. Yeesh! You are really not the Bitchypoo you claim to be (shhhh your secret is safe with me!).
    Now please remind me – the jar that LOOKS like peach jam – unlabeled – THAT is jalapeno jelly, right? It looks so innocent. And peachy!

  11. Kathy, I would never use anything as wimpy as jalapenos in my jelly. That’s got HABANEROS in it. 😀

  12. it’s not a chicken hawk, right??? not that there is a big difference as I suspect a regular hawk wouldn’t think twice about flying away with a chicken either. Glad you are armed with your…
    …camera just in case!

  13. “dust bunnies as big as the cats” LOL
    I’m loving Frick more each day. With him/her about who needs a watch dog?

  14. Can I ask you for advice instead of a question about yourself?
    My boyfriend and father of my fetus is insisting that I get rid of 4 of my six cats before the baby is born. He thinks cats are unhealthy for infants. Now, I will admit to being a very poor housekeeper, so there is definitely hair everywhere, and sometimes the odor of poo, and sometimes there are out-of-the-box accidents due either to illness or the boxes being dirty.
    So, do you think I can convince someone who thinks it would be okay to just put the cats out (will NEVER happen) that 1) it is not unhealthy to have an infant around cats per se (I know I need to be more vigilent with cleaning) and 2) I do not love the cats more than the fetus (that’s what he thinks).
    He just has a totally different attitude about pets and responsibility towards them. I am okay with adopting out two of the cats as they were originally fosters, but I have had trouble placing them, but the other four cats are MY cats.

  15. We have hawks here in So. California. I have one that hangs around my backyard. I’ve seen it on more than one occasion swoop down and nab a mourning dove. Beautiful sight. I just wish he’d clean up the feathers when he’s done.

  16. I’m so jealous that you got to meet Kathy! I’ve been reading her for a couple of years now. She jokes that I am one of her 3 readers. Ok, I know she’s gorgeous from her pictures but how tall is she? I’ve always pictured her to be about 5’7″ or 5’8″. Yes, I KNOW I’m being inappropriate but I don’t have her danged email!

  18. HIJACK (sorry Robyn) – Hey Tawnya! The question of my actual height is a complicated one. When I had my WLS they checked my height and said 5’4″. A year later my PCP checked it – 5’3″! I was so aggravated because it made my BMI higher, and that is how I was measuring my weight loss goal (which was to move out of the “obese and beyond” categories). My height was checked again recently by a different doc – 5’4″. Go figger! Don’t I have an email link on my site? Eeegads. I oughta look into that!

  19. Here’s a question for you. I have never ever had a cat. Neither has my husband. We’ve both been dog people all our lives. However, I have been thinking about getting a cat for awhile now, and my daughter is wild to do it. What advice do you have for someone who’s never had a kitty before? Should I get one, or would two be better so they have company? Any equipment I need besides feeding stuff and a litter box? I breathlessly await your wisdom.

  21. I have a question for your comments-answering extravganza: Following on from Fred’s recent post, just wondering if you’ve personally witnessed any strange, spooky goings-on in/around your house? Those sorts of stories fascinate me. What are your thoughts?

  23. Sorry, Robyn, if this is out of line, but this is for Julie H.: Julie we’ve always had a cat and a dog, even when I was pregnant and when the kids were babies and up to today (4 cats, including the one I’ve had since 1992….longer than the husband and kids ;)and one dog). We’ve always kept the litter boxes in our attatched garage and the cat/s use a cat door to access it; this really helps control the stank, if you’ve let the box go too long. If you can do something like this it might be better for you, because pregnant women are at risk from Toxoplasmosis from an INFECTED cats feces, so the further away from living areas might make your boyfriend feel better. He also needs to be the one changing the boxes, at least for the pregnancy (you can usually play this out for the pregnancy and at least a year after!). My kids are now 8 and 10 and have not been “sicker” because of the animals, just have had the typical childhood illness, nothing pet related and always respected the cat/s and don’t tease them, etc. and we’ve always let the cat/s and dog be around the babies, within reason, and they now have their “own” cats to lurve. Once the baby arrives, he’ll know you love it more than your fur kids!! Good Luck to you!! I hope this helps and sorry about the hijack Robyn.
    http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm
    Liz H. (also H, not related)

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