Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

frustratedearthmother

Sustainability Master
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Messages
20,978
Reaction score
24,354
Points
453
Location
USDA 9a
Hey now - don't hate, lol!

But, if it makes you feel better we're getting our own dose of winter starting tomorrow. (after a high near 70 today!) By Monday night we'll be in the low 20's. Not nearly as bad as some of you folks, but that's pretty rough for us. We're not set up for that kinda cold and it's a massive mess to get everything ready for it. That will be my focus today and tomorrow morning before the mercury starts dropping...ugh. This will be the first hard freeze we've had in three years! As much as I'm not looking forward to it - we need it. It helps kill off all the bugs!

I'm gonna move the trailer that I just got set up as a chicken motel. But, I want it in a different location that I'll be able to access even if it gets muddy and cruddy out there. Then I'll bed it down real good and move some chickens in there that I want outta my yard! They keep pooping on the porch. Now, what would a chicken find so interesting on a porch? No food, no water, nothing to scratch in or eat - but they insist on making it their headquarters and I'm just not gonna have it. Stoooopid chickens!

Better get to it - don't wanna waste the last pretty day for awhile!
 

Wannabefree

Little Miss Sunshine
Joined
Sep 27, 2010
Messages
13,397
Reaction score
712
Points
417
Yeah that cold is supposed to be hard on crops down your way. Stay warm lady! i'm gonna try! We do need the freeze, but WOW what a freeze! We're getting down to our historic lows around 5 here on Sunday night with a high of 15 Monday....sheesh!

My roos are messing up my porch too...it's all good though...they'll make some nice soup soon ;)
 

Denim Deb

More Precious than Rubies
Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Messages
14,993
Reaction score
619
Points
417
Tuesday is when it's going to be really cold around here again. I stayed fairly warm yesterday in spite of the cold, but still need to find a way to keep my feet warm. I did find my fleece socks, so I'm thinking of wearing them over a pair of light socks and seeing how that works.
 

frustratedearthmother

Sustainability Master
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Messages
20,978
Reaction score
24,354
Points
453
Location
USDA 9a
I can't even imagine dealing with the kind of cold ya'll are dealing with... but...I got pretty well prepared today for our upcoming cold snap...still have a little more to go.

Moved the chicken coop/trailer today. Cleaned it out, bedded it down and even put a feeder and roost in there. It's in a good sized area fenced off with stock panels. Most of the chickens can go in and out through the stock panels if they want...that's ok with me. I just want them to have a place that the horses or goats can't get to their feed and the dog can't eat the eggs. Fingers crossed that it works out the way I hope it will.

Managed to get some of my plants covered. Took feed sacks and opened both ends, then I slipped 'em down over the plants and filled 'em up with hay for insulation. I've done that in the past so I think it'll be ok.

It started getting dark, so I started re-arranging chickens. I had moved the Marans into the coop/trailer area so I put the old Buff Orpington rooster and his three hens in that pen. He's ruled the roost around here for a long time, but now he's just too old to be fighting off the younger roos. I just love that old guy - he's probably close to 10 years old and he's been a good 'un. He and his gals can live out their days in pampered comfort. Moved a few more, 11 at least, to the trailer/coop area. Probably add a few more tomorrow.

Still need to find some sheets for a few of the plants I didn't cover today. I even got online to see if my garden plants can withstand the freeze that's coming - and it seems that most will be ok. Kale and collards are supposed to be good down to 10 degrees. If the broccoli plants get bit I'll pull them up cuz I've harvested the main heads and they just aren't putting out many side shoots. I think the carrots and turnips will be fine. At most I may put some hay and row cover over the cabbages.

Can't think of much else that I accomplished - don't wanna overwork myself, ya know!

Ya'll stay warm!
 

frustratedearthmother

Sustainability Master
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Messages
20,978
Reaction score
24,354
Points
453
Location
USDA 9a
I can only imagine!

I go back to work tomorrow, and while I feel blessed that I have a great job working with great people for a great cause - I don't wanna go!!! And for no other reason than it's gonna be cold. Whoever designed our buildings was a tee-total....ummm... well, just didn't plan for cold weather. Our restrooms are only accessible from outdoor walkways. The particular one that our office uses is in an area where two buildings come together and that acts just like a giant wind tunnel. Brrrrrrrrrr! So, it relates pretty well to the old time outhouse.... ya gotta go out to 'go'. Was that TMI? LOL

Biggest thing on my inside list today is to get laundry finished up and get my work clothes in order. There's nothing I hate more than hunting for clothes before work - and it seems like that is a pattern for me. I really would like to get my closet organized and hang outfits together rather than willy-nilly like it always ends up.

Went out early and opened the trailer/coop door. Hope chickens can figger out to go back in there tonight.

Still have to cover a few more plants. I've got a gorgeous Bird of Paradise plant on the south side of the house that I would hate to lose. It bloomed beautifully this summer in all it's tropical glory - but it IS a tropical. It does very well in the protected area that it is planted - but I'm gonna cover it anyway - no sense in taking a chance.

I also have a HUGE rosemary plant in the same bed. Not sure I'm gonna worry about it....nothing seems to ever faze it...it just keeps on keeping on.

Gonna follow Pink's lead and cook up some bean soup. I've got sausage and/or ham to throw in there. Looking forward to that!

Gotta go milk the gals- stay warm and safe ya'll!
 

Denim Deb

More Precious than Rubies
Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Messages
14,993
Reaction score
619
Points
417
I so hear ya on the restroom issue! I had to remove the snow from my porta pot out at the farm the other day. It seems like the worse the weather is, and the more clothing I have on, the more often I have to go! Let me tell you, it is NO FUN to use it when there's snow blowing all around me.
 

frustratedearthmother

Sustainability Master
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Messages
20,978
Reaction score
24,354
Points
453
Location
USDA 9a
Omg- but you are right! I know this might be an odd topic- but I'd really like to know WHY you gotta 'go' more when it's cold?
 

Denim Deb

More Precious than Rubies
Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Messages
14,993
Reaction score
619
Points
417
Don't know, but there have been times I've gone B4 I've left for the farm, then had to go while I was feeding, then 2 more times B4 I'd been there an hour!
 
Top