Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[frustratedearthmother]

Up and at 'em - it's trash day. It's gathered but needs to be wheeled to the road. That'll happen after this cup of coffee.

It's a perfect 60 degrees this morning! Whoop! It's been a long time coming but can't get too excited we're still headed for high 80's/low 90's today. It's ok - much better than triple digits.

I'm working on a chicken coop. My birds have always been free range and generally hang out at the big barn with the goats. However, now there are several who prefer my back porch as their hangout. Nope - I'm over having a poopy porch!

The main structure is already there. It's a 20 x 30 open shed. The area I'm using is a 10 x 10 area with a 10 x 20 run. I need to alter it so that the covered 10 x 10 area can be closed up at night. Started yesterday by de-constructing and decluttering the area. I've been gathering supplies that have been stowed in various places. Even though I'm anxious to get this done I expect it to be a multi-day project. I hope I can get it completed in a week but even that might be a challenge. The outside part of the run is a mishmash of various fencing materials added to over the years as needs changed. Haven't gotten far enough to decide whether to leave it as is and make do - or completely re-do that part also.

The work never ends around here! Bu t what else would I do with my time...?

 

[Mini Horses]

Same thing I did yesterday, same reason. I got it tight enough but, one panel of wood is off and it's covered with a fence panel, heavy + hardware cloth, that I already had. Saved a trip to Lowe's in middle of it being done. I'll free range them again, starting with fenced run -- to be done -- in a couple weeks. For now, re-train! They're at POL but, no eggs yet. Just checked them & it's obvious they're not liking this. More doing this wknd.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I made good progress. Two sides and the front have the bottom half fenced with heavy panels with 2 x 4 openings. The other side is already there and is solid sheet metal from top to bottom. The top half of the other walls will be covered with 4 ft vinyl coated welded wire with 2 x 3 openings. That'll take care of the coop itself - maybe a day's work when I get the wire. That should be the only purchase I need to make for this project...I hope! Until then I'll work on the outside run.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Zero work on the coop/run project today - so far anyway. Did morning chores and then had to pick up grain and a few groceries to replace what we went through last week with multiple big family meals. Loved every minute of their visit and am more than happy to need to replace food that was consumed. Great memories are made around the dinner table!

Came home and put groceries away. Got started on feed unloading and got notice from my hay guy that he had time to load me up if I could get there within a half hour. I sure did! Had to go with a bunch of grain in the back of the truck still. That and the bigger than normal bales put a whole lot of weight on the backend of my truck. It was a tiny bit squirrely on some rough areas of the road so we took it slow and careful. Got home and got the trailer backed into the driveway and ready to unload. May start that this evening after feeding chores are done. Feeding earlier than usual these days because of declining daylight.

This only makes 6 bales that I've gotten so far this year. Right now there's a fresh bale out that they've hardly touched...preferring pasture to hay at this point. Heck, as long as the cold weather holds off I may not need much hay. But, no crystal ball here, so I'll stock up a bit.

Got hit with some good rain on the way home but dry at the house. I did hear some rumbling out there a few minutes ago and got a lightening alert on my phone. Looks like a stay inside kind of afternoon. I guess I can live with that.