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07, 2023
3
07, 2023
A Couple of my Favorite 4th of July Things
My first favorite thing is this family photo.
My very talented photographer daughter snapped the shot years ago when her two boys were young. You may have seen the image on a highway billboard or in an airport or a store ad.
Her boys running freely on the park path reminds me of the many freedoms we have in this country that are not granted in so many other places in the world.
Second, this very old Chevy commercial with its catchy tune. I don’t drive a Chevy, but I do love this song and think about the great country we live in every time I hear it.
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!
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06, 2023
26
06, 2023
Summer, Full Moon Solstice, and Celebrations
With apologies to those who have been melting in excessive heat since the beginning of May. Summer has officially arrived.
The Northern Hemisphere summer solstice began on June 21 when the sun reached its highest point and signaled the longest day of the year.
From now on, we go to bed later as daylight shifts to early dawns, long days, late sunsets, and short nights.
Psychologists say there’s a link between our level of happiness and the amount of sunlight in the day. The extra daylight is supposed to make us feel happier. The heat on the other hand, not so much
For millennia, many cultures celebrated the summer solstice, especially when it occurred with a full moon. One such celebration was California’s Summer of Love in 1967.
Scores of hippies converged of San Francisco to celebrate the solstice and Hippie Life about being happy. By the end of 1967, the Summer of Love and most of the Hippie Movement had moved on, leaving lingering misgivings about the hippie culture.
I missed the Summer of Love—something about hubby’s Army duty. If you missed out too, here’s a link to fabulous photos of the event.
There was another full moon summer solstice in 2016. I did celebrate that one because we won’t see another until June 21, 2062. I won’t be around. I even blogged about what I saw.
This year Earthsky.org reported a cosmic trio for summer solstice. If you watched the sky, you saw a waxing crescent moon next to a brilliant Venus with the much, much dimmer Mars nearby and Regulus in Leo the Lion above. And below the twin stars, Castor and Pollux, in the constellation Gemini. Did you see it? If you got a great photo of this solstice sky, send to EarthSky Community Photos.
Lastly, summer always calls for a celebration well before the solstice occurs. The last day of school signals the lazy, hazy days of summer with freedom from homework and lesson plans for three glorious months.
Enjoy your Summer!
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.
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06, 2023
19
06, 2023
What is Juneteenth?
Today marks the third time Juneteenth will be observed nationally as a federal holiday.
Also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Black Independence Day the date marks the day enslaved people in the United States learned they were free.
In case you’re wondering where the name comes from, it’s a blending of June and nineteenth.
Growing up in Texas, there were always celebrations on Juneteenth. According to Para LaNell Agboga, museum site coordinator at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center in Austin, Texas early celebrations revolved around the church with speeches and picnics.
As Black Texans moved away from Texas, the observances slowly spread.
But I must confess that as our family moved around the United States, I met many who had never heard of Juneteenth.
Or Laura Smalley, a freed slave from a plantation very near where I live now. Or, her story about how her former master went off to fight in the Civil War, and when he came home he never told his slaves what had happened.
“Old master didn’t tell, you know, they was free. I think now they say they worked them, six months after that. Six months. And turn them loose on the 19th of June. That’s why, you know, we celebrate that day.” Smalley’s 1941 interview can still be found on YouTube.
Juneteenth officially began June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger and his Union troops delivered General Order No. 3, to the residents of Galveston, Texas. The order said:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.”
The next year, 1866, the now-freed slaves started celebrating, and the celebration has continued ever since.
One hundred and fifty-five years later in 2021, President Biden signed a bill designating Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Another 96-year-old Texan, Opal Lee is credited with successfully championing that legislation.
The Proclamation states clearly why we should celebrate the day:
“As we observe Juneteenth, we remind ourselves of the sacred proposition rooted in Scripture and enshrined in our Declaration of Independence: that we are all created equal in the image of God and each of us deserves to be treated equally throughout our lives. That is the promise of America that every generation is charged to keep alive. While the opposition may seem fierce and the fire of conflict may be intense, the story of Juneteenth reveals that freedom, justice, and equality will always prevail.”
Today’s celebrations will include parades, concerts, and reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. Like most holidays, Juneteenth is seeing its fair share of commercialism.
Supporters work hard to make sure Juneteenth celebrators don’t forget why. Check here for events offered through JuneteenthFTW.
16
06, 2023
Rebuilding
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
Over the last 18 months, the number of dogs on Miller Farm has dwindled to two. Bella, Tucker, and Sadie passed away after leading long, happy lives. Cooper and Penelope moved out with Rachel. That left only Max and Coco who is of the same era as Tucker, Bella, and Sadie so we are watching her carefully.
This has been difficult for all – humans and dogs.
Max has been exceptionally stressed whenever we leave. Beekeeper Brian decided it was time for action. He began searching Dachshund Rescue sites and we began the process of adopting a rescue dachshund.
When I say process, I do mean PROCESS. We filled out an application including references. One friend told us he had never been called for a dog adoption reference.
Then there was the “home visit” where we had a video phone call that allowed us to show the house including the perimeter of the backyard. Even though we had successfully owned up to 8 dachshunds at one time the process was just as extensive as for a new dog owner.
We considered several dogs but were not matched to any of them. Finally, Brian saw a 4-year-old female named “Fire.” We set up a meeting and it was a perfect match! She went right to Brian and never looked back.
She fits in great with Max and Coco.
We renamed her “Mini” short for Miniums Dachsamus. She is a perfect match for Maximus Dachsamus!
The best news for me is that she fusses at the turkey.
This distraction allows me to take care of the ducks and chickens without being stalked. Overall we are thrilled to have added to our pack.
We are on the list for a puppy which will be ready in July. We are trying to avoid having dogs who are all the same age. We can’t face losing them so close together. This way there will be a dachshund on Miller Farm for many years to come.
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06, 2023
