Miller Farm Friday Archives - Page 28 of 48

6 10, 2017

Lessons from the Morning Glories

By judythemorgan|2017-10-04T20:30:12-05:00October 6th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I am a morning person. I wake up before my alarm goes off at 5:00 most mornings. I enjoy seeing the sun rise over the chicken yard and hearing the quiet before everyone else wakes up. Another thing I enjoy is seeing the morning glories in our back yard.Originally they were along the fence but this year I have noticed them out in the back yard.

Then I noticed them among the canna lilies in the front yard.

Next they appeared on the fence outside my classroom then on the grass close by.

I’m thinking there is a lesson in these morning glories. They spread their beauty and cheer wherever they go. Perhaps I should do the same.

I went to take pictures of the flowers one afternoon and discovered they were wilted.I think there is a message here also. If every day starts at 5:00 am, it is ok to wilt, i.e. take a nap, every afternoon. I like that plan.

29 09, 2017

More Lace and Shimmer

By judythemorgan|2017-09-28T07:26:11-05:00September 29th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I recently posted pictures of the silver and gold laced Wyandottes. They are quite lovely. There are also other laced chickens.

This is a blue laced red Wyandotte..This is a splash laced red Wyandotte.Not to be outdone by the lacey chickens, here is a Welsummer rooster. His feathers almost shimmer. As with most species, he is more beautiful than the female Welsummer.

We hatched these birds from eggs we bought from a hatchery in a nearby town. I think it was worth the drive and the money to add them to our flock.

22 09, 2017

Good Night Mum

By judythemorgan|2017-09-18T19:58:56-05:00September 22nd, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I love mums. So do snails. Every fall I get a mum. Every fall the snails eat my mum. This year I planted marigolds. The snails ate them also. I really don’t like snails.

I won a door prize at a ladies event Saturday evening – a mum. I was very excited. It is even purple – my favorite color.

I decided this time I am not going to feed my mum to the snails. I checked with Bill – our resident expert on all things slithery. He told me that snails are most active at night and suggested I bring my mum inside after dark.

So now every night I put the chickens up. I put the dogs up. And I bring my mum inside.

So far this addition to my routine has been successful. It is Monday and my mum is still alive.

15 09, 2017

Silver and Gold

By judythemorgan|2017-09-14T09:58:50-05:00September 15th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|2 Comments

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I have discovered that there are many, many breeds of chickens. I have also come to believe Rachel’s goal is to own one of each breed.

I must admit some are quite pretty. For example the Silver Laced and Golden Laced Wyandotte chickens are beautiful.

The outlining of their feathers is called “laced.” I think it is wonderful.

I can honestly say I have silver and gold in my back yard.

The calming, therapeutic value of the chickens is sometimes worth more than the precious metals.

9 09, 2017

Odd Couple

By judythemorgan|2017-08-31T15:56:17-05:00September 9th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Our neighbors have chickens. This is ironic because when the house was for sale, the realtor told the previous owners they would have to install a privacy fence because no one would buy a house next to chickens.

Little did that realtor know how tight knit the chicken community is. Anyway, their chickens come to visit sometimes. We toss them back over the fence and all is well.

Except the one hen who kept returning. We named her Mrs. Howell and she became part of our flock.

Recently she and Kaboodle, our Polish crested rooster, have become buddies. They roost together on the top bar in the coop. They are the last to come out every morning. I think of them as the king and queen of the chicken yard. They do make an interesting couple.

1 09, 2017

Somewhere Under the Rainbow

By judythemorgan|2017-08-31T15:46:17-05:00September 1st, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Until recently, we had to water the chickens regularly. The 100 degree heat was hard on them and they enjoyed playing in the sprinkler. It is all part of Texas in August.

Hurricane Harvey changed that.

We were fortunate to be far enough away to avoid the really bad flooding. In fact our area is the staging area for the FEMA teams going into South Texas. It is the closest place to find enough dry land to set up supply chains. Our little airport is now hopping with planes and helicopters of all kinds as people are flown out and rescuers are flown in.

Before all this I got this picture of a chicken under the sprinkler. Of course at the time it reminded me of a song…Now it reminds me of God’s faithfulness regardless of the situation. He is bigger than Harvey. #prayfortexas.

18 08, 2017

Enough is Enough

By judythemorgan|2017-08-17T11:18:27-05:00August 18th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Rachel’s color project with her bantams has gone pretty well. She has gotten some interesting birds however some of them refuse to stay in their pens. Specifically the silky bantams prefer to be in the pen with Richard, the white frizzle, and the partridge cochins.

Richard, on the other hand, does not like sharing his pen.

We tried for several nights in a row closing the silkies in their coop at night but the next day they fly right back over into Richard’s pen. We finally gave up.

So did Richard – he moved into the silky pen.He seems quite happy all by himself. I can’t say that I blame him. Sometimes solitude is a good thing.

11 08, 2017

Mystery Chickens on Miller Farm

By judythemorgan|2017-08-10T08:57:03-05:00August 11th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|2 Comments

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

When I went outside to let the chickens out this morning, I discovered something very strange lying in the back yard…I thought they were kind of cute until I read the caution: EMITS SHOWERS OF SPARKS. This could prove dangerous to our six dachshunds who cannot read and chew on everything.

I quickly picked up the mysterious chickens and put them out of reach.

Then I began to wonder – where did they come from? I know we have a reputation as chicken people, but I’m not so sure these girls would play well with others.

How did they get there? Who put them there? Were they meant to entertain or harm?

I’ve spent recent afternoons watching reruns of the detective show “Monk.” Most certainly he could solve the case of “The Mystery Chickens.” If only he were real.

4 08, 2017

Sharing Dresses Across Time and Space

By judythemorgan|2017-08-03T11:55:05-05:00August 4th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

When I was in high school, one of my favorite styles of dress was made by a company called Gunne Sax. They were old fashioned dresses with lace up bodices and high necks. I wore one to my junior prom and my grandmother made one for my senior prom.

I also had some short versions which I wore for piano recitals. My mom saved them all and gave them to me when they were cleaning out the closet in my old room. Since I have been married for nearly 30 years, the dresses are in remarkable condition.

This summer I saw the following Facebook post:

Hi everyone, My oldest daughter is really in love with Victorian girls’ dresses at this time. She is 10 years old. I have been searching online to buy a dress for her but could not find anything. Anyone know where to go or if you have one and want to sell it please let me know.

The daughter was one of my piano students. We have known the family for years. So at her next lesson I got out my old dresses. Both the older girls were thrilled. They asked about having them altered and I told them that was fine. Better to have the dresses worn and enjoyed than hanging in my closet.

She posted this picture. The dresses and the girls were very happy.

I saw the dresses at church and even at piano lessons. It made me smile.

The family splits their time between Texas and Thailand. The dad is a doctor and the mom is from Thailand originally. They moved back to Thailand last month. My dresses have now brought joy in two separate generations in two separate countries.

While at my parent’s house recently my mom and I found the picture of me in one of the dresses. I may have thought my mom was a little crazy for carefully storing and labeling all those old pictures, but I was sure glad when she could find this one.Hanging on to things for many, many years is is good thing. Being able to find them and pass them on is priceless.

28 07, 2017

Gifts from Afar

By judythemorgan|2017-07-27T17:59:39-05:00July 28th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Beekeeper Brian recently travelled to Southeast Asia with a team of people to help with a cultural exchange camp. The team taught art classes as well as the American sports of football, basketball, and baseball. They were treated to performances by a Minority Group from a nearby village. They also experienced the culture through food.

On the last day, they went shopping and Brian found the perfect gifts for me.The rooster sits on my piano next to my rooster clock. The chopsticks are at my place at the table. I try to use them but it is a very slow process. I’ve decided they make a good diet tool.

I would be worried that Beekeeper Brian was trying to tell me something but the chopsticks have chickens on them so I know that is why he got them. After all I am the Chicken Wrangler – just not so good with chopsticks.Catherine, our oldest daughter, recently told me I should watch the movie Moana. She said there is a chicken in there who reminds her of me.

I suppose there are worse things with which to be associated.