4
07, 2023
30
06, 2023
More Chicks
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
Rachel helped a third-grade class at her school hatch chicks this spring. She procured the eggs, monitored the process, and found homes for the chicks once they hatched.
One of those homes was Miller Farm. They lived in the brooder for a while.
Eventually, they outgrew the brooder and were ready to join the rest of the flock. I neglected to check the fence for escape hatches and the chick managed to wander into the neighbor’s yard.
I fixed that gap and they found another one and began to explore our backyard.
I think I have secured the chicken yard.
The good news is it looks like most of the chicks are hens. We can always use more chicken eggs!
23
06, 2023
Reptile Whisperer
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
My husband and I recently attended a wedding at an old water well station. It was a beautiful venue and the bride was a former piano student so it was a lovely event.
As we walked in, there was a small snake on the path. I guess he wanted to see the ceremony. Several of the guests protested so Beekeeper Brian picked him up and put him in the grass.
A couple of weeks later, we went to my parent’s house to celebrate Daddy’s birthday. There was a tree frog on their fence that somehow ended up on Brian’s shoulder.
As long as none of the reptiles come to live on Miller Farm, I am fine. We’ve already had snakes, lizards, and a bearded dragon. We’ve moved on to feathered creatures and, of course, dachshunds.
14
06, 2023
24
05, 2023
15
03, 2023
6
02, 2023
The Full Moon and Me
Source: NASA
Moonbeams lit up our little corner of the world Sunday night. The sky was dark, but the light made shadows as Finnegan MacCool and I walked.
I guess that’s why the Native Americans named it The Snow Moon. We had no snow to sparkle here on the Texas Gulf Coast, but I remember how the ground glistened when there was.
Read more about Native American full moon names here. It’s fascinating.
Every time there’s a full moon I think of a rhyme my Irish grandmother taught me as a wee little girl, I See the Moon.
I see the moon, the moon sees me,
God bless the moon and God bless me:
There’s grace in the cottage and grace in the hall;
And the grace of God is over us all.
She also told me the man in the moon would hear me. I remember that too. I wasn’t lonely. Not with my Finn along, but I thought of Carl Sandburg’s words.
The next full moon – called the Worm Moon or Lenten Moon – will be at its peak on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 7:40 a.m. ET.
Don’t miss the opportunity to go out and chat with the man in the moon.
25
01, 2023
18
01, 2023
9
01, 2023
Instead of Resolutions
It’s that season again. Time for New Year’s resolutions and goal setting.
I set objectives every new year. It’s a holdover from my teaching days and another name for goals. Sometimes I achieve my objectives. Sometimes I don’t.
The fact is, too many of us end up in a mire of guilt, weighed down by our failure to meet our expectations.
Many years ago, Juliet Marillier offered what she called magic wand gifts to use instead of goals and resolutions. Ideas that would help increase productivity and creativity.
I’ve adapted her list below. They’ll be my objectives this year.
- Feel the wind in your hair, the rain on your skin, the sun on your back, the richness of freshly turned soil underfoot or in your hands. Plant some flowers or veggies in pots if you don’t have gardening space. Take regular walks and use your five senses to experience nature.
- Have more social interaction, and I don’t mean online! Online socializing is not great for physical or mental health. Make the effort to go out to coffee with a friend once a month or once a week, join a book club, walk your dog at the park, and meet like-minded people in person.
- Write or do whatever you do because you love it; love whatever you do. Because otherwise what’s the point? Life’s short. Enjoy the ride.
- Realize motivation for getting on with things – your work in progress, your diet/exercise plan – does not come from the note on the fridge, but from deep within you. Change your mindset. Do the right things not because you ought to, but because you want to.
- Most importantly, take time to breathe. Stop whatever you’re doing periodically. Step away, go outside and breathe slowly for a few minutes. You’ll be amazed at how your perspective can change.
If you’re not one to set goals or resolutions or even if you do, give Marillier’s magic wand gifts a try this year.
You can read the full blog here.