Ask the Coop Keeper Version 6.0

I can't believe I completely forgot to finish this series.

I had no idea y'all would have so many questions, so perhaps it's best that we broke it up by about five months!

I'm talking about my 'problems' tomorrow - which are really no longer problems, since I've found the solutions, but nonetheless, I'll talk about them.

Cause I like to talk.

And - Thursdays seem like good days to talk about serious things.

Friday I will do the first of many yeasty bread video tutorials...if my hair is a wreck, I'm wearing a hat. 

If your satellite is out, and you find yourself in an empty room with no other means of entertainment, you might want to go back and read the first few posts.

Ask the Coop Keeper

Answers Part 1

Answers Part 2

Answers Part 3

Answers Part 4

Answers Part 5

Glenda, Jayme, Vivian and Cindy
circa 197? - this was supposed to be a Dorothy Hamil cut. 

Let's get right to it.

I'm interspersing some really embarrassing photographs from the 70's and 80's of myself.

Why?

Cause it's funny.

And I wanted to prove to you that I had hair issues.

And, I really needed help picking out glasses.

Me in the kitchen, embroidering, 1975?  I don't know....but really?  Those glasses?  Oh dear God...

I only wish my High school yearbooks hadn't been lost in the move to this old house.

My freshmen picture was so frightful, I'm surprised I had any friends at all during school.

Aaron tells me I just don't try hard enough.

Punk.

Giving a speech in 1975 - Grammar school graduation.  I was channeling Benjamin Franklin even then.

OK...we begin with Question #50, which seems like a great place to start this again:

JessiHarri said...

Hi! I nearly peed my pants when you commented on my blog (which I clearly give no attention)! I have to know, don't your chickens poo in your house when you let them inside? Also, I keep wondering why my chickens are afraid of me. I have tried to pick them up and love on them (my arms look like a person who cuts themselves)but they really just like each other. When I come in the coop they freak out. What have I done wrong? Do I need to raise them as chicks to get them to call me mama?

Well, I'm glad you just nearly peed your pants, I'd hate to be responsible for that mess!

Ahhh...the great chicken poo question.  Let me answer it the best I can.  When the chicks are babies, they are up in the house until they are old enough to go out - six weeks or so, and yes, they poo - but they are contained..and I just have to clean up that mess, which isn't fun.  Helen, my favorite hen, was in the house quite alot, cause she was ailing so much.  I diapered her.  Oh, yes.  I did.  Here's the link to prove it.  I did let her walk about without a diaper at times, and well - she pooped, and it freaked me out.  I didn't have a minutes peace when she was freewheeling around the house.  I had papers put all over the floor - but really?  That's just plain disgusting.  I have a small cage that I keep whatever chicken it is that I'd like to have in the house for a bit.  I DO think it makes a difference if you raise them from chicks and handle them a lot.  I handle my birds ALOT.  I kiss them.  Oh yes.  I do.  I'm very calm when I'm around them and I think they sense that too.  No sudden moves.  I talk to them the whole time, and I'm sure it doesn't hurt that I usually have a treat or two to give them.  Like anything - it takes time and patience.

I'm thinking I was 12.  I remember this shirt like it was yesterday.  Did I have ANY parental supervision?  Why did I look this way?  I broke my tooth in half after I fell down a flight of stairs, going to snitch on my sister for calling me a 'fugly'.  I can't say I entirely blame her, after seeing this photo.

Red Gate Farm said...

This is so fun, loved reading all the questions...I'd like to know, what is the farthest (from home) place you've ever been to? And have you ever been to the Pacific Northwest?

I'm in NW Indiana.  Without looking at a map, I guess I'd have to say that Los Angeles/Southern California is the farthest...unless..wait - the Florida Keys?  Juarez, Mexico?  I'm not sure which one is further, but that's the furthest.  If I don't get to Italy one day, I'm not sure that life will be complete.  I have also yearned deeply to get to the Pacific Northwest!  And Vermont, and Canada.

I really do hope to travel more in the upcoming years.  Like anything, you have to plan for it, and I've not proven myself to be a very good planner.



Oh, I remember this night.  New Year's Eve 1980.  I was ready for some devilment.  Why did my hair have such wings? Please take note of the macrame candle in the lower left.



 

Patty said...

Your gardens are so pretty. Do you have any help with them? How much time do you spend out there keeping in such beautiful shape? Okay that was two but they are on the same subject...on more. Do you were that cute hat to garden in? Hugs, Patty

Thanks Patty!  I do take pride in my gardens, and no, really, I have no help with them.  Glen will get out there and dig a big hole for me if I'm having trouble, or help me lift something, but other than that - it's just me.  I enjoy it.  How much time?  Hmmm.....every waking moment?  Ha!  It seems like it at times.  I guess since it's a labor of love, I don't mind so much.  I have a schedule for my yard work - certain areas on certain days, so it helps me keep up with it.  It could get overwhelming if I didn't break it down into manageable chunks.   And yes, I DO wear a cute hat in the garden!  I worry about the sun on my hair and face too much.



This had to be early 1980.  I discovered 'Sun In' for my hair, and it was orange like this for years.

Turtle mom said...

1. If you could live ANYWHERE in the US, where would you live? 2. If you won the lottery tomorrow, how would your life change? 3. May I come live with you? I love your blog, your little farm, your chickens...

Such a great question!  #1 - VERY difficult to answer.  I'm very grounded here in NW Indiana with my friends and family, and even though my family makes me crazy half the time, I couldn't up and leave them.  The winters are getting ridiculously long here, or I'm just getting older - but I would really miss the four seasons if I lived too far west, or south.  I love snow, thunderstorms and fall...good God..fall!  Who could live somewhere without a good fall?  I would love somewhere a little hillier - it's awfully flat around here, until I start walking or riding my bike, then it's hilly.  #2 - If I won the lottery? I'd travel alot.  I'd give the majority of it away.  I might even live in the same house.  Not sure...but maybe.  I'd love a dining room though, and another bathroom, and a closet or two, and maybe a tad of insulation.  #3.  Absolutely you can.  Can you lift over 50 lbs?  Do you cotton to early risings?  If the answer to those two questions are yes...then please...come on!

7th Grade.  1978.  I was in LOVE with John Denver.
That's all I'm saying about that.
Am I a natural red head?  I don't even remember.

Anonymous said...

Could you please please do a blog post about your makeup routine? I am asking this after I saw the picture you posted for October 17 You are looking good!! How do you get rid of the under eye bags the rest of us struggle with? Love your blog, please keep it up.

OK, I have to be honest.  I seriously thought this was a joke comment.  I even emailed a couple of my friends asking them if they'd done this.  But, I'll answer it like it was real....ummm...I don't really have one.  I'm not much into the whole makeup thing - mainly, it's time consuming, and although my hair is dyed, I don't like much of the 'fakeness' about a lot of makeup, fake fingernails and body parts I wear mascara and lip gloss, and if I'm really getting gussied up, I'll put on a little eyeshadow and blush.  I do think that I have good skin, and truly I do believe that a lot of it is genetics.  My mom had great skin and never looked her age.  I don't wash my face.  I don't.  Well, not with anything other than water and a washrag.  I don't use exfoliators, etc.  I have this 'idea' in my head that it all strips the natural oils that you were born with.  I don't have oily skin though - I have very fine pores and balanced skin.  Again - genetics.  I don't use any moisturizers that have alcohol in them, and if you look at the ingredients in your moisturizer, I betcha there's alcohol.  That's like drinking salt water if you are thirsty!  I make my own skin moisturizer (of course I do) and I am actually in the process of bottling it and packaging it, in the hopes to start a little side business.  For eye puffiness, nothing a good night's sleep shouldn't cure, but in a pinch I put cold spoons on my eyes.

Whew!  It's done~!  All 50+ questions answered.

Thank you SO much, I really enjoyed this!

1984.  Newly married.
Love changes everything.
I don't look too geeky.
My eyes were full of love.