June 6, 2014 Roses & Irises

Our project as of Thursday evening -
almost looks like we know what we're doing.

My irises are blooming!

Wednesday 6/4. We didn't get the early start that I wanted to as the dishes and laundry could no longer be ignored.  I had written that we wanted to get the roof on and the chicken wire around the run today, but I forgot that we had to frame in the run.  And I have decided that we really need to put a small roof over the east side of the run where their door is, for shade and outside shelter from the snow.  So we did all the framing and some other little things, and tomorrow we plan to put on the roof, make the people and chicken doors, and build the roost.

It was another clear day with a high of 74.  And my irises are blooming!

Thursday 6/5.  While I was sitting out on the porch with my coffee this morning, I called Sandy to let her know that her birthday present was going to be late.  Her birthday is Saturday and it won't be sent until Friday when JB goes Down There.  She can blame the chickens.  Actually it will make up for all the times she has opened her gifts early. . .

We had the fiberglass roof on the coup by lunch time.  After lunch we discovered that it may not have been the best choice as it was quite hot inside the coup.  I put a tarp over it which made a big difference, so we are going to rig up a tarp than can be pulled down over the roof on hot days and rolled back up when we need the sun for heat.  That may be a great idea or fail miserably. . .

We made the people door, cut out the chicken door, and built the roost.  Then I found four 2"X4"'s that we need for supports for the little outside roof.  So tomorrow we will build that roof, with a wood top, and try to get some of the chicken wire up.  We told Larry and Elsie this evening that we should be able to receive the chickens by Sunday evening.  It will be easier for them to get the three of them when they are roosting, so it will be around 9:00 pm when they get Up Here.

One thing that I have learned in all the research that we have done and talking to friends and salespeople at the stores is that there are as many different ways to care for chickens as there are people caring for them.  In general they are the same, but the details vary greatly.

Enough about chickens.  Our wild roses are beginning to bloom.  They may be the only wild flowers still in bloom by the time Aunt Nene visits on the 17th!  And mid June is usually the most beautiful time for flowers Up Here.  Oh well, as Larry says, every year is different.

Friday 6/6. It is 54 and not a cloud insight this morning.  We really will get an early start today.

Thought for the day: Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose.  There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross