tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41210083306376895112024-02-07T20:30:35.653-05:00The Phunny PharmA life in the day of another humdrum resident alien on planet earth. . .michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-51366147720949425282010-03-31T13:07:00.002-04:002010-03-31T13:11:57.695-04:00A violation of my own rules, but this is the best news that i have heard all year. . .Originally posted on the Onion News.<br /><br />Follow this link to find the original article:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theonion.com/articles/us-government-to-save-billions-by-cutting-wasteful,17171/">http://www.theonion.com/articles/us-government-to-save-billions-by-cutting-wasteful,17171/</a><br /><br />U.S. Government To Save Billions By Cutting Wasteful Senator Program<br />March 30, 2010 <a title="The Onion: Issue 4613" href="http://www.theonion.com/issue/4613/">ISSUE 46•13</a><br />Nearly all of the U.S. senatorial positions were categorized as inefficient redundancies.<br /> <br />WASHINGTON—In an effort to reduce wasteful spending and eliminate non-vital federal services, the U.S. government announced plans this week to cut its long-standing senator program, a move it says will help save more than $300 billion each year.<br />According to officials, the decision to cut the national legislative body was reached during a budget review meeting on Tuesday. After hours of deliberation, it was agreed that the cost of financing U.S. senators far outweighed the benefits they provided.<br />"Now more than ever, we must eliminate needless spending wherever possible," President Obama said at a press conference Wednesday. "When we sat down to go over our annual budget, we asked ourselves, where can we safely trim back? What programs can we do away with without negatively impacting the American people? Which bloated and ineffective institutions can we no longer justify having around?"<br />"The answer was obvious," Obama added. "The U.S. Senate just needed to go."<br />Established in 1789 as a means of overseeing the passage of bills into law, the once-promising senator program has reportedly failed to contribute to the governing of the nation in any significant way since 1964. Last year alone, approximately $450 billion was funneled into the legislative chamber, an amount deemed fiscally unsound considering how few citizens actually benefit in any way from its existence.<br /><br />In fact, the program has gone unchecked for so long that many in Washington are now unable to recall what purpose U.S. senators were originally meant to serve.<br />"I'm sure when it was first introduced the U.S. Senate seemed like a worthwhile public service that would aid vast segments of the population and play an important role in the years to come," said Sheila McKenzie, president of the watchdog group the American Center for Responsible Government. "But in reality, this program has been a complete and utter failure."<br />"It simply doesn't work," she added. "We've been pouring taxpayer dollars into this outdated relic for far too long."<br />An analysis conducted last week revealed a number of troubling flaws within the long-running, heavily subsidized program, including a lack of consistent oversight, no clear objectives or goals, the persistent hiring of unqualified and selfishly motivated individuals, and a 100 percent redundancy rate among its employees.<br />Moreover, the study found that the U.S. government already funds a fully operational legislative body that appears to do the exact same job as the Senate, but which also provides a fair and proportional representation of the nation's citizens and has rules in place to prevent one individual from holding the operations of the entire chamber hostage until he is guaranteed massive federal spending projects for his home state of Alabama.<br />Not only have U.S. Senators cost the country billions of dollars in misspent funds over the years, but Washington insiders claim they have also derailed a wide range of other government programs, from social welfare to job creation to environmental protection.<br />"Even just the space the Senate currently occupies could be put to better use," consumer advocate Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dodgerson</span> said. "Were the government to open a day-care center, a homeless shelter, or even an affordable restaurant in that building, it would make more of a difference in the lives of everyday Americans than what's there now."<br />So far, reaction to the cutback has been overwhelming positive, with many across the country calling it a long-awaited step toward progress.<br />Still, a small pocket of the nation's populace vehemently disagreed with Tuesday's decision.<br />"This is outrageous," said Joe Lieberman, a Connecticut-area resident and concerned citizen who makes more than $150,000 a year, enjoys full health care benefits, and lives comfortably in a large, non-foreclosed home. "The U.S. Senate has always looked out for my best interests. It's always done right by me."<br />Added Lieberman, "Without it, I'll have no choice but to exploit my extensive connections in the real estate, legal, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries to obtain strictly honorary positions at large companies that, in exchange for my subservience over the years and the prestige of my name, will compensate me generously and allow me to continue living a privileged life without contributing even a moment of my time to the society that has made it all possible."<br /><br /><br />- Thank you Onion for this article!! Maybe a true fix to the economy ;-Pmichialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-72769887135780913672010-03-30T21:01:00.002-04:002010-03-30T21:30:53.470-04:00A coupla days lateSo i promised myself that i would try to only visit my home computer on Fridays to do blogs and other such things but so far i have failed. It's now Tuesday night of the following week and i am just getting to it.<br />This has been an exciting week. We had an accidental lamb. . . . meaning that we didn't know that the ewe (Dyna) was pregnant. It was the greatest surprise of the week. It happened on Saturday morning, when i am usually not at work. This particular weekend i happened to be at the farm with some freshmen from Bates college who were working off some service project hours. Needless to say, the service project was put on hold. . .<br /><br />In other news. . . we are back in Boston getting ready for surgery. Many thanks to Sally and Jane, we are crashing their pad again so that we don't have to drive to Boston at the crack of dawn.<br /><br />Stand by for a focused Friday post. . .michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-75719899658257251692010-03-21T05:01:00.003-04:002010-03-21T05:19:17.475-04:00So on and so forthThis warm weather has me a little nervous. This has been the trend the last two years, both of which led into a very cold and wet summer. The snow is long gone. In fact i am looking very forward to tilling the garden tomorrow.<br /><div><div><div>Amy is home. She is healing very well, and we are looking into surgery number two in order to finish what couldn't be in the last surgery. It will be nice for Amy to be able to fully function this summer. We would love to go out and do things, but we don't want to over work her knee or make her feel left out. . . </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451013596415775106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYng5RekA2H96L1toV8FnkzDxqHrdVKEFeAzCCuRb-ib0MT9ixR7MRDRUDb4e2dhv-7g0YY5pg3prNpvGrsvv8JJPjat_4ho5xb6uBG2pNnClCb2Ss5Ri-Djgve5beW3dqxGAIzw-JvqQ/s320/Spring+picks+002.jpg" border="0" />Duck eggs have already starting appearing. Last year our three ducks produced eleven offspring. This year we have five ducks. . . eeeeeeek! No eggs from the turkeys yet,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451013603157134578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOa2N0DlSmSj7M_gWY6EFHKVDHvolHH0daCAFoigLCuIeJ-AqQmm6x3DDdmomCOUIvu5lCL0o8JIBofHWVxdWBZdm5ubkDqlx0JHb-JwnNrbPSBzgEhyphenhyphenLHyZuK7p85pf-Qv3tFnPJclc/s320/Spring+picks+003.jpg" border="0" /> but the chickens are producing well. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451013593672424530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7qQdmh9hBK2M4WhkO83oSJdPAhMtCsAX8hK3BV6JCLYqHOMZsG-J4ZztqZD-dQgTiYEhzmv3iREbVyXu3RLvv0iG0tHMf9Wk7NgWmo0uT_rIL5Oq6LcYHK0_ZYh-DSRYHBSLtf-o97U/s320/Spring+picks+011.jpg" border="0" />i have resolved that we are going to have or two evil roosters butchered as soon as the nice butcher man opens up. The kids have been having a lot of trouble with the roosters. Especially James, who is largely responsible for the birds. i fear that in my inability to deal with kids being afraid of something silly like a chicken, that i have ruined chicken rearing for James. </div><br /><div>It all came clear this weekend. Stu, Mike B. and i went to a retreat with the Sisters of Mercy to learn more about Catherine McCauley. It was insightful, inspiring and much needed. </div><br /><div>Since Amy's surgery i have had no quiet time, no still time. The retreat was exactly what i needed to refocus. Catherine's whole life was about love. Where have i failed in my love?</div><br /><div>It is a question that will require some pondering in the future. For now i will start with James. . . and the chickens.</div><br /><div>Tomorrow (today now) we are going to spend the morning with our neighbors fellowship. It is a Baptist gathering, the tradition that i grew up in, so i am already very skeptical. Why waste the day that could be used for working?</div><br /><div>Hopefully the time with family will be worth it and God will speak to us all. It would be good to have us all moving toward being on the same page again. . . </div></div></div>michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-3260998779892640862010-03-16T04:51:00.002-04:002010-03-16T05:04:20.631-04:00Spring. . .or is itThe last few weeks have been such a tease. . . potentially. There is virtually no snow around, the temperatures have been up and the sun has taken center stage in the sky.<br />The trolls have been outside a lot. The neighborhood has a whole new feel to it these last few months. We went from a couple of kids to a whole mess of them. The street is alive with giggling, running, and chaos.<br /><br />Amy is recuperating well. She is getting around better and has even managed around the house without her crutch. What a difference the house has been with her out of the loop. The first couple of surgeries weren't too bad, but back then it was just Amy, James and i. Add two more and the work load increases disproportionately. This whole process has helped me to appreciate Amy more. It has also helped me to appreciate single parents (and i know a few). Holding down two jobs (to make up for Amy's not working), doing all of the house work and tending to three kids would end me if i had to do it for any length of time. . . i love my wife.<br /><br />Planting in our yard starts soon. Well, just as soon as the lakes disappear. Even with no snow we have more than enough precipitation in the form of rain. Even as i am typing the news is commenting on "dry" conditions everywhere in the state except southern Maine. This is the time of year for it and i would rather have it now than all summer.<br /><br />Happy day before Saint Patty's Day!!michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-32551390116498996282010-02-28T18:20:00.003-05:002010-02-28T18:31:37.766-05:00I so have to get off my butt and blogGreetings all. Where ever has all the time gone. There are a few of you who i am hoping haven't fallen off the face of this blog because i have news to post and this seems a festive way to get the word out. . .<br /><br />So in the last month. . . you know, the month that i didn't blog. . . i have been busy. More importantly, we, as a family have been getting ready for Amy to have surgery. Yup, after 6 years Amy has finally been able to get that knee of hers worked on - again. It has been a grueling month of psychological preparation, especially for A who has been suffering from anxiety over the affair more than she has for any of the previous 5 procedures.<br />Last Friday she went under the knife. The plan was that they were going to clean out both the top and bottom of her knee (she has P.V.N.S., but don't ask. We have to explain to 90% of the doctors we meet. They usually don't get it either). When the doc got done with the back, so much tissue had been removed and there was so much trauma to the knee that they decided doing both sides would do more harm than good. I was worried that Amy wouldn't take this well because there has been some hope that this might actually be the last surgery. . .no longer is that the case. The good news is that she took the news very well and understood the doctor's concerns - he is an awesome doctor and that helps!<br />In the days following she has been completely different in recovery than ever before. Her pain is down way below normal, but her dizziness and nausea have been high, and her blood pressure low. She was scheduled to be held an extra day, but then almost sent home a day early. Now we are looking at a "normal" release! So Monday is the plan.<br /><br />In the mean time i have to thank Jane, Sally, Sean, Shannon, Molly and Seth for putting me up and putting up with me in the greater Boston area. They have been so great getting me acquainted with the out lying suburbs and the "T" and some of the local pubs. It has been a huge help to not have to commute everyday. . . or sleep in the parking garage. Thanks guys!!<br /><br />In the meantime i am committing myself to spending a little more time posting here, and maybe even throwing up some pictures. . . Stay tuned for fun.michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-47409881323130019832010-01-31T17:19:00.002-05:002010-01-31T17:22:26.565-05:00The farm on facebookOkay, bearing in mind that i have limited Internet smarts, and don't even have a Facebook account. Apparently you have to have a first and last name to start an account. Amy (in her brilliance) set up the farm on Facebook as, 'Theo Pendoorfarm' (i.e. The Open Door Farm).<br /><br />Pretty clever!!! i got me a good woman here.michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-20991993160088346552010-01-31T06:30:00.001-05:002010-01-31T06:30:17.039-05:00Noah<div>It's been a weird year. New job, new schedule, most of the social life is all mixed up. It has been wonderful and hard. . . no more to do list - still not sure how i am surviving day to day without that little gem. </div> <div>Finding a rhythm in our home life has been weird, and i have struggled more this year with "normal" than i think maybe ever in my life. All the changes have taken a toll on each of us - dad's not home as much now, mom is gone more, (she went back to work), home schooling is harder (math), little kids are becoming big kids (more energy and need to do big kid things). The "rhythm" in our house has been a lot like an epileptic convention atop a snare drum. It has been wearing on all of us. </div> <div>The light affects me so (i am sure that i have written about this in the past), but the weird weather this year has somehow delayed any symptoms of seasonal depression till now. The last several weeks have been hard on me. The economy, things around the house needing repair, trying to be more "productive" at work (okay, it's winter and i am farmer. . . duh!!!), busy schedules and little home time together. . . its trying. Every stress has a band aid therapy that makes the larger picture a little easier to handle, but a cure for "life" just hasn't really presented itself. . . until yesterday.</div> <div>We have a friend, Noah. He is a kid, like any other kid who is about to turn 4. Noah's story started when he was very young - he was born with the coolest head of hair EVER!! He was the baby with the curly mohawk. . . it was awesome, but that isn't part of this story. Noah has a condition that is causing him to lose his hearing, at a pretty aggressive rate. It wasn't discovered until well after other kids his age were talking up storms that Noah had never ever heard a wide range of "normal" noises. He has adjust <em>very</em> well, for a child of nearly four, to his new "ears" - he got hearing aids last year. </div> <div>Noah and Owen (my middle boy) started swimming lessons last week. While Noah is very hard of hearing he is still able to hear a lot of noises, but not necessarily process them, which can be wicked overwhelming for him. Last week at the first lesson, Noah wouldn't get in the pool. . . i don't blame him! The pool is in a big room with horrible accoustics. Every sound is amplified and the symphony of noises created by a mob of 3 to 5 year olds is like reliving the whole Civil War in half of an hour for a person with normal hearing. </div> <div>This week Amy and Tammy (Noah's mom) asked me to walk him up to the pool side to help him adjust to the chaotic environment. For some silly reason ladies can't be in the men's locker room at a college. Noah, Owen and i sat alongside the pool while we waited for lessons to start. It was loud in "the fish bowl", but Noah did well. Owen made sure to check on his friend periodically. When class started i joined the other parents at the big window where we all gawk at our children like they are a zoo exhibit. All the kids hopped into the pool. . . except Noah. He was nervous, and the swim instructors didn't want to just pull him in for fear that they might scare him. After a few minutes of negotiations between the instructor and Noah, i was given the go ahead by mom to go in and help out. </div> <div>I asked Noah if he wanted to swim. He indicated that he didn't. His folks, Amy and i all know that he loves the water, so i lifted him and handed him to the teacher in the pool. Three minutes of tears turned to laughter, smiles, and some of the splashiest kicking ever seen in the Saint Joe's pool.<br clear="all"> Noah and family spent the rest of the day at our house. For having been in a reclusive mood the last few weeks i was glad to have had my friends there. The highlight of my day, if not my year, was noticing about half way through the afternoon that Noah, who has religiously called me "Mr. Myke" all his life, had been calling me "Uncle Myke" all day.</div> <div>Kids are the cure to many woes and ailments - today, Noah was my cure. </div> <div> </div> <div>Thanks buddy!</div> <div>michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-12807649447835702182010-01-25T17:12:00.002-05:002010-01-25T17:22:58.785-05:00Rain on my parade.There isn't actually a parade, but there was a string of days where our basement was actually dry. The first time since May of last year. I almost missed the water. The basement wasn't completely inundated, but a river definitely ran through it!<br />Being the middle of January one might think, "Hey, the ground is frozen, there should be no water running through your basement."<br />Well, yes, it is January, but no, it has not been a normal winter. Today, because my basement <em>was</em> dry, nature thought that it would be a great day to be 46 degrees and rain <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">torentially</span>. And as if it wasn't sick enough, the water table waited till i got home to start coming in the basement so that i could watch it happen. . .That's just mean!<br />The good news being that the days of dry offered me an opportunity to get some demolition done so that we can get a new sump hole cut with the next "dry" period.<br /><br />In other news, Amy and i have decided that we want to be more active in the food pantry world this year, and have decided that rather than just garden for ourselves this year that we are going to start a limited share Micro-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CSA</span> to help us fund a larger garden so that we can put produce into the local pantry. The shares that we "sell" will be matched and more at the local food pantry which will get some good locally grown, organic food into the hands of the less able. Amy has already set up a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">facebook</span> account (she loves the sales and marketing bit), and hopefully i will have the e-mail and blog set up soon. . . The Open Door Farm - hopefully the Good Lord will offer us a better growing year this time around, but we will take what we can get.<br /><br />Anybody out there have any big plans for the gardens this year?michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-71951471677716358722010-01-19T19:57:00.002-05:002010-01-19T20:12:03.091-05:00Nerf Terrorism!!Homeland security beware!!! TSA beware. . . no metal detector or enhanced instant porn device. . . i mean x-ray can prepare you for the Nerf terrorists!!! <div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428623194798038114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVIhIoB6d33yoMmMqUP3UPByZO2CNTuMBenvVmL2L_UAinzSn9dM16sI_rgkr-xYlXgxYEpsARJKDSsdj9MgldX0v9khMNJnYsmHUuCSSjzldCnNyItaBhEpAvqE3FMMn_lzRI7TuQ7Y/s320/mollee+016.jpg" border="0" />You say to me, "Myke, this is terribly insensitive and in bad taste, especially in this era of paranoia and mass hysteria over every little bottle of hair gel, or every cup of coffee that might explode should it make it through a security check point."<br /><br /><div>"Well," I reply. "You have never been to my house after the children have loaded their Nerf arsenal. Its terrifying!!"</div><br /><div>Yes, after a firm, "No!!" from Mom, the children were able to hop on the black market - I blame the Internet - and acquire these contraband weapons of mass destruction! Oddly, dad actually had nothing to do with any of this!!!!</div><br /><div>All that i can offer is that if you swing by for a visit that you wear your body armor! It is for your own good.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428623202609835474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6xWv8fus_qajEdnExQc3bKBWE5L7GiKu7FjA4LIzEg5-siMySlgX8G177XWOXhWAyk80NDFAvJi1KcwSBjqzrjt8k9XpIoXLuhAiLrPR6BDCgtGf_IetcEb6OD4zrLiII4zfxHrRGOg/s320/mollee+017.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div>michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-40396754281619017452010-01-17T18:47:00.003-05:002010-01-17T18:59:52.662-05:00Been a long time, eh?!?Well,<br /><br />It has been a long reprieve from this silly little blog. Some of you may be thinking, well. . . you kept up the other one (you know that one about the farm)?<br />Well. . . yes, yes I did. But that was for work. Couldn't really get around that. That being said, I have enjoyed the break, and yet missed writing too.<br /><br />Please don't expect anything deep or profound tonight. It is just a night, snowing, cold and perfect for middle January. James and Amy are playing chess. Owen is with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wah</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">wah</span>, and Sissy is finishing off supper.<br /><br />Job is good, life is good. . . wow, I feel a little out of practice. Today was fun, started work on the bathroom closet, started demolition on the basement, got the truck to start. It was a day of starting!<br /><br />Amy and I having been chewing on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">possibility</span> of starting a micro farm here on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Weeman</span> road. Offering about 10 family shares (we have more land available than just our yard - neighbor has some land to grow on) that would help fund some shares to be offered at the local food pantry. We are still developing the idea, and we should probably get in gear if we want to do anything with the land this year. We'll keep you posted. . . and maybe I will have something a little more interesting to write about next time. . .michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-55000374125186309322009-10-22T04:55:00.002-04:002009-10-22T05:07:34.137-04:00Time for a break. . .Nothing like a time of reflection, right?!?!?<br /><br />The two times of the day that i really feel like i can step outside of myself, be quiet, and meditate are shower time (there is a lock on the door) and driving in the car.<br /><br />This last couple of years have been so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">topsy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">turvy</span> here on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pharm</span>, but it wasn't till recently, and specifically this morning, that i was able to pin point the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">beginning</span> of the chaos, and more importantly prescribe a cure. . .<br /><br />So the time has come, and i am going away for a little while - a funny thought since i have been blogging so infrequently as of late. But, no, really, it is time for a break to try and get my head on straight, and more importantly my home in order again.<br /><br />Keep warm this winter, i will be back again eventually. . .michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-76238255385587104872009-10-11T20:51:00.005-04:002009-10-11T21:24:47.367-04:00Finally. . . Fryeburg<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-AUcrp0aPRPjszHMYq6rM7UhkcbCf4CVMb2w6YNS472dyLa5DpDG9L9LuJDDng7YqsSuPIGcmp0_t6908z6rBYMjmI02JZsvRcWzIv_5mW7cumrkmlGtt6kgN-__Y58gM8IBqWDltTk/s1600-h/fryeburg+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391515428207557538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-AUcrp0aPRPjszHMYq6rM7UhkcbCf4CVMb2w6YNS472dyLa5DpDG9L9LuJDDng7YqsSuPIGcmp0_t6908z6rBYMjmI02JZsvRcWzIv_5mW7cumrkmlGtt6kgN-__Y58gM8IBqWDltTk/s320/fryeburg+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> So for the past 10 years i have heard about this phenomenal fair in Fryeburg. Allegedly it is the biggest Ag fair in Maine. For the last nine years, work or some other impediment has prevented me from attending. Finally, after years of waiting i was able to make the journey to the fair with the fam. Sadly, i wasn't terribly impressed. Two realities may have factored into my disappointment: 1) it was CROWDED. There must have been four million people there. i felt like i needed to have the kids chained to me lest i lose them. 2) We only had four hours to tour the fair, and i fear that we missed a lot. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391515443940521554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycM1tDxT_8Ir2roxDiTr6Phxfx9Y6rCgQisgYU1GwdXyFM1QIBPI3RMj7_xTB5qaUdv96g2df2iquYRpapzgwzu57Y1aog0_hakPZo6FxPzXqUkP3MsPQySI7U8oC7ys8oNNFJvQP0oM/s320/fryeburg+012.jpg" border="0" />To be fair to the fair, next year we will go during the week instead of on a Saturday. If i am not impressed then, we will just stick to our favorite - The Common Ground Faire! It is much more open, and more geared toward our interests (though in fairness Fryeburg has a much better 4H representation), <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391517979757584754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYGeJqdb0kkBLqtwjiaernZabVyjwt6esoG0fJtY5H4dKA3kEoS0RPCYXhhfKxTut1cSE7dncTiZAHizDNaN16JOAwq8CIyrBAZkSwWLHePBOehJqtyHdcMD_pWBVq3W4KOx7pezHob4/s320/fryeburg+013.jpg" border="0" />and there is just a stronger sense of camaraderie with all of the participants - much less the touristy feel. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391515435841189570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh61xokK0Eq8TCEyidxDbfsKXxjbc3s5t96lOoPIAuwTekoVBnWJguD8FOU-1WLRX_39d4VYwb9e1JxDalSKc_4kwT_QWMzyVnTHNtY9VgGBFReU_K_jzA8UOSS5X42IH1FyQhN3IDcY/s320/fryeburg+014.jpg" border="0" />Some of the highlights from Fryeburg: The critter barns, the critters, meeting a young Mainer (and boy was he!!) who was showing sheep (He was very informative.), fried bread, finding old fashioned sheers for our sheep, the crafts and Ag tents!! Overall the whole affair was very fun.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391517988349929138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4378XeS-vlQWVbO3uoan0gvRjvLxdE76GF8fVfMfthP52aB9pYFd1pjAvkZchKw3uxcQBEwbpQa_jBYLS9l27usJcT4yhHFystAaX0d4HqOsiQo2FDbHPMJD8fQ3D9lO5RmfFuC-Zdeo/s320/fryeburg+033.jpg" border="0" />michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-92180240163457773692009-10-09T08:30:00.002-04:002009-10-09T08:32:42.836-04:00Announcing a new bloggerHey gang,<br /><br />I got an invite to what promises to be a pretty cool new blog. The author is vibrant, creative, and has his father's stunning good looks and charm!<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://amazingadventureswithjames.blogspot.com/">Amazing Adventures With James</a>michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-33040264372573977232009-10-04T04:01:00.002-04:002009-10-04T04:19:30.853-04:00Progress. . .Today was great!!! (And by today i mean Saturday).<br /><br />i worked at the comm center in the wee morning hours - i hate waking up early, but i like early starts. By the time i got home it was raining.<br />Mike graciously helped to haul all of the left over tree parts (we felled 10 spruce trees this year) over to the burn pile. We started at 0830 and burned until nearly 4:30. The cinder pile is nearly as tall as the original burn pile!!! So after a day of that our yard is back! It is so very weird to have an open front yard.<br />During the course of our burning we were also able to successfully replace the propane line (not near the fire obviously).<br />So today was a good day! Productive, cool, and here i find myself again at the comm center. One more night!!! When i get home. . . . it's dump day. . . .<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wooohooo</span>!michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-58467054722384240032009-10-02T20:30:00.002-04:002009-10-02T20:39:20.560-04:00Do you remember Cliff Huxtable????That seems to be my lot in life these days. i am not complaining. It is really rather entertaining. Things around here keep managing to break a the most inopportune times and frankly repair people cost too darn much. So to mitigate problems i have undertaken these little opportunities to learn all about home repairs and improvements. . .<br /><br />Most recently the timer on the dryer, but that was trumped by the igniter on the stove. Yup, silly thing went out, and we had to find the part and replace it. 75 bucks and several hours later the stove works. . . .yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then came the musical hissing sound. The copper pipe that connects our PROPANE stove to the PROPANE TANK had apparently been compromised before and is now, well. . . broken!! Yup, i can hold the last two feet of pipe in my hand while standing twenty feet away from the wall that it used to come out of.<br /><br />It was an educational moment. Our pregnant friend, her hubby, the three kids, two cats a dog and i had to make that crucial decision! Do we evacuate and call the fire brigade or not?!? So we opted to evacuate and shut off the gas our selves. No sense in making a spectacle of the whole ordeal and draw attention to my "gentle nature" and "careful approach" to home repair.<br /><br />Well, now that the house is aired out and the propane is shut off. . . i am off to bed. Gotta be up in the morning to work at the 911 center. . . Okay, so i might have thought about calling them for this whole hoo-haw, but that would be way too much like work.michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-82091159031676416352009-09-28T21:54:00.002-04:002009-09-28T22:01:04.737-04:00It's raining. . . .. . . again!<br /><br />Tonight there is lightening and thunder.<br /><br />The fields are getting to the point where we will be soon turning them in! Our pals from ol' Tejas are here and adapting quite well to the pandemonium that is our house. To go from a quiet house to a house full of kids must be a hard feat, but they seem to be surviving. Regardless, we are very glad they are here!<br /><br />This weekend we were at the Common Ground Faire (hippy fest), up north. Now that we are much more agricultural than ever the faire took on a new meaning. Of the many things that seemed much more interesting than in years past, was the sheep dog demonstration. Now mind you, we are still really very new to the sheep ownership thing, but still fairly confident. At the end of the demo, the guys with the dogs challenged the audience (without dogs) to a herding contest. Amy volunteered us, and with another older couple we had to separate a herd of sheep and goats, and corral some running ducks.<br />While I am not one to blow my own horn (well, not all the time), we did pretty darn good. Our team of four was only four seconds. . . yes 4 seconds, slower than the two professionals with five, count them - 5, trained herding dogs. It was cool.<br />As soon as I can download the photos you can see the one stubborn goat that Amy decided to drag to where it belonged. . . .don't mess with mama!<br />Otherwise, we are looking forward to the coming (technically already here) season. Cool days, falling leaves, hot cider. . . yum, yum!michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-32869119835612280392009-09-13T14:45:00.003-04:002009-09-13T15:08:35.872-04:00All the signs of autumn. . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXgq9670psnwnK5N_E1tXUYNqbd4tt2VnBPtvXGa599XdjXsF9OrYpEhuVTlfkBsCRjuNQJNaImJquPKJ9vyYqQ_t-AA01mxJZMmp6uTmAFZW0DwfVJvsbYD4PtVl1HEHCtgq4vohzdI/s1600-h/fur+children+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381030011325876770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXgq9670psnwnK5N_E1tXUYNqbd4tt2VnBPtvXGa599XdjXsF9OrYpEhuVTlfkBsCRjuNQJNaImJquPKJ9vyYqQ_t-AA01mxJZMmp6uTmAFZW0DwfVJvsbYD4PtVl1HEHCtgq4vohzdI/s320/fur+children+009.jpg" border="0" /></a>There was a wonderfully steady rain yesterday. It wasn't really supposed to come (depending on which weather person you listened to), but it lasted all day. Had the local fire department had any burning permits on hand, we would have happily burned all day. It will be nice to be rid of some of the tree debris that is floating around the pharm these days. Mr. Bruce (our neighbor) was more than happy to drop 6 or so big Blue Spruce trees and then cut them up. Now the business of reducing the limbs to ash falls on us. . . but the weather has been hot and dry. <div><div><br /><div>The fur children have grown and found their niche here. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381029991893314514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXQJ5RYTX2dT4ekigt8zgmI0ReSg8nqUbKsOqEYdUp8tqaSLjo47Hlw1_LaqTJem4bD39lJUlO5cS0hLiW2Q9dpyz2sF0LdkW0XoZc6ObMhaKH8GuMnhbthNaD0m216p2GzPxYlNhQds/s320/fur+children+002.jpg" border="0" />For all of the losses this year (30 some odd chickens to those wily foxes, and most of our home crops to the ridiculous rains) they have been a happy spot. Amy has really taken to them, and they to her. They know her voice and respond very well. And so, they have become hers, and i won't get to eat any this year. . . .</div><br /><div>We are draining the well today so that i can climb in it and adjust the fittings on the pipes. Aside from the air leak that has crept it's way into our water system, there is a sinister desire lurking in my mind to fall (or in this case climb) into a well. </div><br /><div>All the signs of autumn are here - the leaves have begun to turn, the nights are getting cold, the turkeys are getting fat,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381030004060960370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaJqmjKlrkBdZ3DIBiFbIa6AZheIE4Re4-aozJtP_HUWfoL78U63DXQtaG_iu52Jet1JouY4qlFod60ifmtjUMgKQmAqmSUN04IG4zduzz9HRivpT_Z1Q81Jrxdkuwh1zcM7mc-ZX7io/s320/fur+children+008.jpg" border="0" />and the deer are moving. At Pearson's Town we have thrown in a last round of root crops that we hope to harvest before the snow flies. We should also finish the first hoop house this week. . . or so i am hoping. Our week is cut into by my moonlighting at the coffee shop on campus (way too much fun) and a visit to Eliot Coleman's place on Thursday.</div><br /><div>We are eager to welcome Laura and Mike to the abode. . . Amy is nesting again (she likes variety of people coming and going). They will join us for a bit while they look to grow roots in the area. </div><br /><div>Stay tuned for autumn fun. . .</div></div></div>michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-1814570574395365692009-09-02T21:49:00.001-04:002009-09-02T21:50:25.675-04:00A minor miscommunicationWith regards to the poem from this morning, and the reference to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tele</span>. . . i was at work. Fear not loyal readers - there is no television in our house!!!! Gotta draw the line somewhere nowadays.michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-24739153905939627302009-09-02T04:40:00.001-04:002009-09-02T04:40:15.359-04:00It's early<div>It's hard to be inspired by four walls</div> <div>They neither talk nor sing</div> <div>Their bland beige texture is both bland and beautiful</div> <div>i can not fault them for their devotion to monotony</div> <div>For it was not their doing.</div> <div> </div> <div>The T.V. is on. </div> <div>Images flickering every six seconds or so.</div> <div>There is no volume which is just as well</div> <div>i have had enough of people hawking their goods and wares</div> <div> </div> <div>It's a sure sign that autumn is wandering in</div> <div>i can taste the melancholy at the base of spine</div> <div>The season is coming with it's chill and falling leaves</div> <div>Poems and spiced cider.</div> <div> </div> <div>The apples - they know something of life and eternity</div> <div>Well beyond the leaves and dew.</div> <div>The apples have no sheet rock beneath a textured wall paper</div> <div>Insulated by meat, juice and olfactory stimulating flavor - they tempt the senses </div> <div>Unlike the porcupine fiberglass that slumbers in the wall.</div> <div> </div> <div>Even in death they do not die </div> <div>Their pomace fills the late season air </div> <div>And they melt to nitrogen to feed the soil</div> <div>To feed the trees. </div> <div>To feed the apples.</div> <div>These four walls (seven if you include the alcove) do not inspire me.</div> <div>i do not blame them for it was not their doing.</div> <div>But the apples and the worms, the soils and the trees</div> <div>The stinging wind burn of the autumns departure on my face</div> <div>These do inspire.<br clear="all"></div> <div></div><br>-- <br><a href="http://Thephunnypharm.blogspot.com">Thephunnypharm.blogspot.com</a><br><a href="http://pearsonstown.blogspot.com">pearsonstown.blogspot.com</a><br> michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-27719366318958491012009-09-01T20:27:00.002-04:002009-09-01T20:37:33.482-04:00The visitors. . .It's September. . . did i miss summer???<br /><br />Actually the last several weeks have been amazing. Pearson's Town is finally showing legitimate signs of viability, and that is great. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">phunny</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pharm</span> on the other hand. . . well, i have let the garden go to become an animal sanctuary (removed a ground hog today who made a burrow right into the bean patch). There are still beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers and egg plant. . . somewhere in there.<br /><br />The chickens, turkeys and sheep are doing well. i will post some pics soon enough. In the meantime it is busy, busy time at Pearson's Town, and my time is a bit more consumed there. . .<br /><br />Stay tuned for more.michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-36016915265371320692009-08-17T21:12:00.002-04:002009-08-17T21:16:49.884-04:00i should be sleeping right now. . .This is a blog about poop. For that very reason. . . i won't post any pictures.<br /><br />Potty training is fun. It's fun in the same way setting your house on fire is fun. There is a lot of work in the clean up, but after the blaze, you get to start over.<br /><br />And so it is in my life. The last of my children is on the potty training bandwagon. Of course, she waits till after nine pm to due her duty on the night that i have to be up at four in the morning the next day. Where is my wife?!?!?! At work of course. . . .<br /><br />So here is a shout out to all of the potty training parents out there. . . and the one (that i know of) that gets to look forward to it! Just remember. . . someday, we get to forget, and they get to wipe our bums!michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-73572878095836575942009-08-09T21:11:00.003-04:002009-08-09T21:57:35.956-04:00It's only a flesh wound. . .Where to begin??<br /><div>No photos today - i can't find the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">USB</span> cable thingy for the camera. . . maybe i can tack on some "older" photos to fill the gap.</div><div><br /></div><div>The farm at Pearson's Town is coming into it's own. We are harvesting, but in spite of continued environmental issues (now it is late blight), work is moving along splendidly.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368145161795774386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8KaxQKaDOB64Qr8D0OJc96-6PYiQMia_I5_KpUrdYCFm_VDCkGoyexuIwei_fW5zZNZOA7hPn4cIFP3jra0YQdRs-91VACY1zd_IMKErOvzl3m7_i3h8fCwOZmK7iQneYBkybqrn_1Y/s320/pearsonstown+019.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The garden here is all but weeds. Still tonight James and i harvested shell peas, summer squash and a lonely purple beauty pepper. They went great with out stir fry over noodles tonight. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368145166891221698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGKZn5TnQGMS2P6MXc5VdMLNSWCR0eoWJDS8nBkrwnk0SdsnKl5Ebeq0TbTbxqhm6x9Vh-yPy8TUtJ-QqiCm88F6J1LXSYE7uuJuRVrRE2BDkgbSqTmjO3_0DL-glbdQ9t1lcslJeJUg/s320/pearsonstown+008.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>We spent an amazing overnight camping expedition at our house with our "new" friends the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Paquettes</span> (forgive the spelling). They came and our time together was way more than i could have ever hoped for. More on that later. . . .<br /></div><div>The flesh wound. . . . in the spring we (our neighbor Bruce) dropped six or seven spruce trees in our yard to make way for something more friendly and possibly also more useful (sugar maple and blueberries anyone?). Today, i finally had time, weather, and motivation to start <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">limbing</span> and removing them. . . that is until the chain saw broke. . . . across my hand! Yup, four cuts in, the chain hopped off the bar and the chain took a little road trip across my right knuckles. First time that i had seen my own muscle tissue in a few years. After a healthy discussion with the wife (and believe it or not, i won!!) we opted to further my own war on health care and NOT go to the the E.R. After all. . . it's only a flesh wound. </div><br /><div>So a few heavy cleaning agents, some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">steri</span>-strips, butterfly bandages, and some other crazy patch type thing later. . . i am praying for no infection. But hey, i figure that with all the bar-chain oil and gasoline involved, everything in the way of germs should have been killed already anyway. . . .right?!?!?!?!?</div><br /><div>The weather tells me that the season is drawing to a close. It is getting darker noticeably earlier and the nights feel like autumn. . . there couldn't possibly be global climate change. Still, i am hoping for a bit of an Indian summer so that we can stretch the harvest. </div><br /><br />Okay. . . so there were pictures!<br /><br /><br />Grow well friends.michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-42763740852538713522009-07-31T17:12:00.004-04:002009-07-31T17:21:36.823-04:00So where do i begin??Okay. . . . i accept that i haven't spent any time updating anyone lately. i have been owned by my job (that i absolutely love), and just trying to keep up with the eternal pandemonium that is my house and home.<br /><br />As for my dream of becoming a farmer. . . it is a flame burning bright. i am more motivated now than ever. To spend days (even cold, yucky, wet) outside in the dirt and the crops is so refreshing to my soul.<br /><br />i admit that our "farm" here has fallen into a bit of neglect, but we are catching up. Good thing too, seeing as it is August now. Our chicken flock is on the mend after "removing" one aggressive fox from the planet. The sheep. . . they are tanks, and Amy has begun experimenting with their wool. The veggie patch more resembles the lawn at the moment, but the corn, beans, peas, peppers, tomatoes, and radishes are looking amazing. . . if you can find them. The turkeys are sitting and actually hatching some eggs, but so far no luck. The chicks have not been able to survive the weather.<br /><br />The kids are doing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">phenomenally</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">In spite</span> of the rain they continue to find new ways to have fun. Sissy is just about potty trained. Owen is on his two wheeler now. James. . . well, James has become our "world traveler". i don't think that i have seen him more than two weeks this summer.<br /><br />We are talking about starting a small 8 person <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">CSA</span> next year out of the yard, to help me keep up with the garden. It is a pretty exciting prospect. But for now, we are just trying to stay ahead of the rain.<br /><br />i will try to get some updated photos up in the next couple of days - next week is busy at work. . . again!<br /><br />Grow happy!michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-52276605548102793172009-07-19T08:44:00.002-04:002009-07-19T09:01:26.291-04:00Some fun on the pharmThose of you who follow this may remember my ranting and raving earlier this spring about being unable to calibrate our incubator. Well, nature surprised me and our turkeys started getting broody. As it turned out our "first time" mom's hadn't the patience to sit out the full 28+/- days that are required. Maybe ADHD runs across species! The hens that were sitting would make it up to the last week and then would abandon the nest.<br />The last several weeks have been absolutely frenetic around here. With job changes and endless rain, three kids, invasion of the army of foxes, flooding basements and trying to make farming work, we really hadn't had a lot of time to think excessively about many of the critters.<br />The end result of the great fox invasion was that we put the surviving chickens in the turkey paddock to protect them. Maybe that was an error. . .<br /><br />Yesterday when i went out to water the birds i found the delicate little remains of two baby turkeys in the paddock. It made me sad. . . and excited. Those wacky birds are brooding again, and this time, they are following through. Maybe it is less ADHD and more a matter of climate change. With the wet spring, maybe the hens knew something that we didn't, and they waited till the weather was improving before deciding to brood.<br /><br />The end result was more my fault than theirs. Had i known that they were brooding (they do this UNDER the coop of all places) i would have either separated them somehow. my suspicion is that they wee littl' ones were trampled by the other big clumsy birds. Lesson learned, and now we are watching very intently the two birds that are burrowed underneath the coop!!!!michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4121008330637689511.post-69168676488171307312009-07-12T10:07:00.002-04:002009-07-12T10:12:57.531-04:00Creative pauseThings around the pharm (and the farm) have been absolutely frenetic! The world is spinning at twice the speed of normal and it has no intention of reversing to let us relive moments past.<br /><br />Did you notice that the peepers have long past? What about the fireflies? They are out. The rain has stopped and the stars are in their full glory again.<br /><br />When we were at Bellvale one of the most sound pieces of advise was, "Don't forget to take moments of creative pause."<br /><br />Moments to be floored by nature, to watch the children play, listen to yourself breathe. It seems harder and harder these days. . .<br /><br />Think about that for awhile. . .michialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263628469815928730noreply@blogger.com0