Omagosh...I'm Such a Hillbilly.....

Since I've been so busy - I thought I'd repost things from last year - and that got me thinking - what was I doing a year ago today - and well - this is a year ago TOMORROW - but thought I'd share it again - since there are so many new readers!

I've also posted a few recipes over at

In the Kitchen with the Coop Keeper

Enjoy!

Originally posted 6-10-2009

or maybe I should title this....My Exodus Off the Internet...I may never show my face here again after this!!!

This is the song I've been singing around the yard. I really can't believe I'm posting this....oooohhh dear...I have rejection issues...this isn't good.

It's going to be another quick post tonight...I'm sorry. I've been running all day since 6am. I even had the flood lights out in the yard tonight til 9:30 just to try and keep up on the weeds. My friend Donna's father suggested that I use Preen. I looked into it, but it says to keep animals and children out of the beds...and well, that won't work with my cats and chickens. I reckon I'll be pulling til the cows come home. Considering I have no cows...it's gonna be a long night.

Glen is playing the guitar for me on this, and Aaron did my hair and is operating the video camera. Without further adieu....

Goodbye forever....

'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and All Through the Coop....

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the coop,

not a chicken was stirring, except to go poop;

The stockings were hung by the roost box with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The chickens were nestled all snug in their beds,

while visions of mealyworms danced in their heads;

Glenco in his boxers, and I in my cap,

had just settled down for a long winters nap;

When out in the coop there rose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter;

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

tore open the shutters and threw up the sash;

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,

gave a luster of midday to objects below;

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but a stinkin' raccoon and a whole lotta fear;

With my double barreled shot gun so lively and quick,

I thought for a moment, "I'm gonna be sick";

More rapid than eagles to the coop I came,

whistling and shouting and calling them by name;

Now Helen, Now Fifi, Now Scarlett , now Stubs, now Scooter,

now Pittypat, now Puffington and Plums!

To the top of the coop to the top of the wall!

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!

So up to the coop top and roost box they flew,

I stood there and pondered, 'Oh my, what to do';

And just as I put the gun to my eye,

I heard from that coon a soft little sigh;

"I've come to make peace and say that we're sorry,

since the attack this past summer, we've done nothing but worry";

"You see we've repented and make an oath to you,

to not harm your chickens...this we promise you."

I peered at the coon with my gun still half cocked, could this be true?

Oh my, what a shock;

When down from the roost box limped poor little Helen,

what she was up to ...there's just no tellin';

With her one good eye, she looked square at that coon,

and said "I forgive you, God bless you real soon";

In all my born days, I've seen nothing like this -

that dear little Helen gave the raccoon a sweet kiss;

Back to her roost pole she flew without haste,

and said 'True repentance is a sad thing to waste";

"Please tell all your readers this most important part -

Christ was born, so we all could have a fresh start";

For a moment we stood there in the soft glow of moonlight,

I marveled at Helen and said 'You're so right';

I bent over and patted the coons little head,

"Mr Coon" I said, without any dread;

"It's been quite a day, and a miraculous night,

coons visiting chickens without as much as one bite."

I heard him exclaim as he scampered out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

A Little Flashback.....

I posted this back in June, after my raccoon carnage. After a few of you have commented that your girls have recently met their demise by creatures of the night, I thought I might post it again......

Don't forget, I always try to answer your comments within the comment area. Until I figure out how I can email you back, it's the best I can do!

Can't tell you how much I'm enjoying all of you. Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of the world.

or maybe I should title this....My Exodus Off the Internet...I may never show my face here again after this!!!

This is the song I've been singing around the yard. I really can't believe I'm posting this....oh dear...I have rejection issues...this isn't good.

Glen is playing the guitar for me on this, and Aaron did my hair and is operating the video camera. Without further adieu....

Goodbye forever....

Got Coon?

Good morning! I'm going to type a bit of text before I post any pictures, so that you can be forewarned. Sigh. Well. Day 2. Let me back up. After I posted my Killin' Time post, I was packing my lunch and getting ready to leave for work. I went out behind the chicken coop to show Aaron where to hook the hose up so he could water the veggie garden while I was gone. Out of the corner of my eye, I just saw this little black spot. I'm squinting, looking....why it's my little black hen! I ran over to her, and she never moved, she was just sitting there. I was right at her now, she was still. I bent over and picked her up, and she sqwauked a little. Her eyes were closed, and well, still are. Yesterday one opened up half way, but this morning, it's closed. Her head showed signs of slight trauma, nothing major. April, at Coal Creek Farm gave me some great advice for trying to nurture her back. I hope she makes it, I hope she will be ok, and not blind. It was really hard to leave her after just finding her. I don't know how women with babies go to work.

Came home after work and Aaron pointed out to me a dead hen on the top of the chicken coop that I did not see before. It was one of the Aracauna babies, and it kinda blended in. When my sister got home, she set out to looking around and noticed one up in the tree! It was horrible!!!! Who would do such a thing?! I'll show you.....this is who....

He was a big 'un. I'm not even sure how it all happened. But we were out in the camper til about 10pm (I like having a glass of wine in there after it gets dark) and when we were coming out, we heard a rustling. Sure enough this fat thing was in there scouting around. HOW IN THE HECK DID IT GET IN? It must be able to squeeze through very small areas. I've a lot to learn. Glen ran in and got the shot gun, and then BAM, THUD. It was over. Just like that, justice had been served. I feel pretty confident that this is the raccoon that did this:

And this....

This morning I woke up to this little guy in the trap. I really can't look at him, because I feel guilty. It's kinda little. It wouldn't hurt anything would it? *Slapping myself* YES! It's a raccoon! Guilt by association little fella. You are on death row and this is your holding cell.

It's just heartbreaking to lose your chickens. I do love those little girls. Recently I read in the local paper where a pack of wild dogs killed about 13 of this man's sheep. There was a picture of him standing in a field of dead sheep. Life in the country is cruel.

So now there are two. I've named the blind injured one Helen Keller, and the little baby chick that won't leave her side now, I've named Anne Sullivan, after Helen's teacher. (I know I'm ridiculous, you really don't need to tell me). I'll probably be going to the Poultry Auction on Monday. That is an event. It overwhelms me. I think I'll get some big birds, maybe even a rooster. I'd like some banty's too. But first, this weekend must be spent securing the coop. I'll be setting the trap everynight this week. Will be interesting to see what I get.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some things that need tending.

Killin' Time

Well folks, it's killing time here. This morning, I woke up to only ONE HEN. Yes. They are all gone. I've cried. I've wailed. I'm sad as sad can be. I didn't even want to post about it. They spent their first night in the coop last night, and they are gone. No sign of a struggle, only one feather left. One little baby is left, traumatized, walking around lost.

I know I said I've learned how to move on, but right now, the only moving I can think of doing is to a condominium that I can't have a garden or a chicken in! Aaron comforted me, patting me on the back as I was crying on his little shoulder. Glenco said we'd start over and work more on the coop trying to figure out what happened.

I'm out for blood folks. I'm thinking it was this raccoon that I've seen around here. My neighbor across the street has been complaining about a big fat male raccoon destroying her bird feeders. I have a Have A Heart trap on it's way over from another neighbor. Here's the clincher though. I'm not gonna have a freakin' heart. I'm going to trap it and riddle it with bullets. One for each hen. I'm going to dismember it and nail it's body parts all over the trees for the other raccoons to see and fear.

Oh I say that now, and when I see that raccoon, I'll want to make a pet of it.

Signing out for today, feeling beat.