Pinch and a punch…

Turned my compost heap yesterday…the mandarins we threw in it (green ones) on Friday have cooked down and are very soft…it’s hot in there…but little skinks seem to like it…

Dinetta said:

Turned my compost heap yesterday…the mandarins we threw in it (green ones) on Friday have cooked down and are very soft…it’s hot in there…but little skinks seem to like it…

Skinks! Love them..so long since I saw a skink :)

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Turned my compost heap yesterday…the mandarins we threw in it (green ones) on Friday have cooked down and are very soft…it’s hot in there…but little skinks seem to like it…

Skinks! Love them..so long since I saw a skink :)

Thousands of them in my yard.

My start to October. I’m sore and cut and bruised and sore and..and I can hardly walk, lol.
That’s helping the man re pave the side area, then sweeping sand into the cracks and banged my hand against a cactus.. spent the next two hours with a needle, magnifying lamp and fine tweezers picking out almost invisible spines. I got most out. Betadine and band aids came out. Well I got out of cooking tea and cleaning up, LeLe and KK did it all :)

Then a quick trip across the ‘burb to grab some runner bamboo. Not that I want it, a friend up in the country does – she’s been looking for some to help with land stability? Well it’s a hill that’s eroding and she wants the plant to keep it together. Well that’s ok, except when I went to the place to get it, I’d omitted to ask if the bamboo was already out for collection. No it wasn’t and each person was expected to dig it out. Not happening in this lifetime..this stuff was easily 6 metres plus high, never watered by hand and the ground was like concrete. Not to be deterred, I managed to get a bunch of people to help and we managed to get out 5 bits with a small amount of roots, about dinner plate size. Then the prob of getting it into my car, haha..cut it in half and shoved it thru the backseat access hole, and it still stuck out the window quite a ways.

A fun drive home with bamboo sticking into my head, lol.

roughbarked said:

Pretty!
What is it? It is straight? don’t make me have to turn my head sideways, it hurts, lol.

Oh one last thing, the offending cactus is going..

Happy Potter said:

My start to October. I’m sore and cut and bruised and sore and..and I can hardly walk, lol.
That’s helping the man re pave the side area, then sweeping sand into the cracks and banged my hand against a cactus.. spent the next two hours with a needle, magnifying lamp and fine tweezers picking out almost invisible spines. I got most out. Betadine and band aids came out. Well I got out of cooking tea and cleaning up, LeLe and KK did it all :)

Then a quick trip across the ‘burb to grab some runner bamboo. Not that I want it, a friend up in the country does – she’s been looking for some to help with land stability? Well it’s a hill that’s eroding and she wants the plant to keep it together. Well that’s ok, except when I went to the place to get it, I’d omitted to ask if the bamboo was already out for collection. No it wasn’t and each person was expected to dig it out. Not happening in this lifetime..this stuff was easily 6 metres plus high, never watered by hand and the ground was like concrete. Not to be deterred, I managed to get a bunch of people to help and we managed to get out 5 bits with a small amount of roots, about dinner plate size. Then the prob of getting it into my car, haha..cut it in half and shoved it thru the backseat access hole, and it still stuck out the window quite a ways.

A fun drive home with bamboo sticking into my head, lol.

All that when you only needed the rhizomes.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Pretty!
What is it? It is straight? don’t make me have to turn my head sideways, it hurts, lol.

Japanese Iris.

All that when you only needed the rhizomes.
——————————————————————-
I didn’t know. Well I do now ;)

all fun and games for HP!! lol!
Nice pic RB. Thought it was irisy looking but not sure. Knew it wasn’t a bearded one though.
Picked up my bike from the mechanic yesterday. The electrical problem was more extensive than first thought so now I have another big bill to pay, and I need a new rear tyre too. sighs.

The man is doing some pick ups today for me, it involves the trailer so I’m useless. Plus my injured pointer finger and knuckle is quite swollen from the cactus. I reckon I’ll be off to the Drs later about it.
Finally the weather is calm enough for the bee bloke to come and harvest the honey. That’s if showers stay away. If he does I’ll try some raw honey on my sore hand.

My country Vic friend from the north is visiting, the one getting the bamboo. It’s been in a bucket with some worm wee water and is sprouting. Jules is also taking a small 240 lt fridge I’d changed over for a bigger one that I needed for my shed, trading it for 50 litres of raw milk. Not all at once, I will pick it up 10 litres at a time at a local point. Cream too.
She needs the fridge for the milk and I need the milk, so it was a great trade. Plus I needed the bigger fridge/freezer for the quarter beef she’s bringing, vac packed and freezer ready, straight from the butchers it was slaughtered near.
I traded the meat for frozen meals for her that I’ve been adding to for ages. Just about everytime I cooked and baked I put some aside into zip lock bags for Jules. There’s enough heat and eat main meals, desserts and cakes for her for about 3-4 months. Best trading eva :D

Happy Potter said:

Oh one last thing, the offending cactus is going..

Good.

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

Oh one last thing, the offending cactus is going..

Good.

The only two good places for cactus are out of reach and in the bin.

It is arachnid time of year again.

roughbarked said:

The only two good places for cactus are out of reach and in the bin.

..and so say all of us…

roughbarked said:

It is arachnid time of year again.

Stunning photo RoughBarked…

roughbarked said:

It is arachnid time of year again.

awesome!

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

It is arachnid time of year again.

awesome!

Thanks. :) It only took four shots to wait for the breeze to stop making the spider move long enough for me to try to stop shaking the cameras around. The shot was taken at somewhere around a 40th to 60th of a second. So it was pure luck that I got it. The hardest part was to try and hold the camera where I had the image composed and follow the moving spider.

In that case you did ever so well, RoughBarked…congratulations!

On another note, I am about to head down town for some shadecloth for the back deck, I need two pieces made up as the sun becomes quite fierce on the Eastern side as well and that’s where I have the little table and chairs for outdoor eating…I also need a bike chain, this is lockable and I can use it on my bike as I have forgotten the code for my old one (if I ever find it)…this will go around the front door and pillar, to keep the door locked whilst Sonny Jim organises a new lock for me. He said a chain and lock but one can buy a plastic-coated bike chain just as well. The door is a “security” grilled door without the insect screen.

Good morning Gardeners. Warming up quite fast here. I’ve been crawling around liberating the Buddha statue under the ancient gum from his wreath of weeds. He was still there. He’s a very patient statue.

Your little Buddha knew you’d come to his rescue Buffy…

Had an interesting conversation with an experienced lass in the Mitre10 earlier.

Me: I want the lowest % shade cloth you have, to cut down the sun on the western side of the back deck.

Her: Oh you want the 90%

Me: No, I don’t want it that thick.

Her: the lightest we’ve got is 70%

(She shows me the two thicknesses).

Me: oh no, you don’t have less than 70%?

Her: no, I really think you’d be better off with the 90%

Me: Hmmm…no I will go with 70%. I don’t want full shade, just cut down the sun a bit.

Me: I still think the best shade cloth was the old insect screen stuff. Do you know it?

Her: Ummm…no?

Her: OK, what colour?

Me: sandstone…

There was just enough for the drop, if I bought 2 metres of it (end of the roll)…

Get home, put it up with a couple of planks on the roof to hold it, chairs against the railing to stop it flapping in the breeze…then I realise I was looking at 50 INCHES for the drop… not 50 centimetres…should have had a second cup of coffee before measuring…So I will wait until about 16:00 hours when it will be good and hot, see how this 70% stacks up.

I’m not really after shade as such: just something to cut down the worst of the sun’s heat and to keep this sunshine / heat out of the dining room, which is about 5 metres further along from where the shadecloth will be…

Am I being reasonable or should I really go for the 90% shade? This will have to go also on the eastern side of the back deck, to keep the morning sun off the tablle and chairs…no point having them rot before their time…

Of all days to have intermittent and rather thick clod cover, today would have to be It….Still can’t beat the ol’ hessian, IMO…

If this is OK, enough shade and all that, I’ve organised with the local saddle repairer to sew the rod pockets for me…

Whoops, what a burble that was…but the little lass was so insistent that 90% would do me…I think it was the word “western” that did for her…

>>Still can’t beat the ol’ hessian, IMO…<<

Are you planning to Coolgardie it, and put its feet in water to give a cooling effect?

Kidding, but that’s where my mind went.

I’ve just had a snooze for a couple of hours (well, a bit more), after reading the optical industry rag to catch up on the news. Long the Pug snoozed and snored with me. It’s feeling rather hot here, at 25 degrees in the shade. Must be my English/Irish/Scottish bit coming out.

buffy said:

>>Still can’t beat the ol’ hessian, IMO…<<

Are you planning to Coolgardie it, and put its feet in water to give a cooling effect?

Yes I know, damp hessian is a marvellous airconditioner…don’t understand why they don’t have waterbags on the bull-bars any more, come to that…

The Rugby League grand final is on tomorrow…thought it was on today… _{blush blush} which just goes to show how interested in football am I … on the other hand if it was the Cowboys in the GF…

Dinetta said:

buffy said:

>>Still can’t beat the ol’ hessian, IMO…<<

Are you planning to Coolgardie it, and put its feet in water to give a cooling effect?

Yes I know, damp hessian is a marvellous airconditioner…don’t understand why they don’t have waterbags on the bull-bars any more, come to that…

Was discussing those just the other day.

Dinetta said:

The Rugby League grand final is on tomorrow…thought it was on today… _{blush blush} which just goes to show how interested in football am I … on the other hand if it was the Cowboys in the GF…

I was asked who I thought was going to win. Could only answer, “don’t have a clue”.

The main spider large enough around at the moment is the silver orb. Most of the others are either smaller spiders or not grown up yet.
So of course there are a few silver orbs around to practice on.

Of course there are other spiders. Mostly too small yet or just small anyway.

Forget about spiders I’ve got a new granddaughter.

“My two girls”

roughbarked said:

Of course there are other spiders. Mostly too small yet or just small anyway.

I don’t think you’re meant to see that, lol!!

roughbarked said:

Forget about spiders I’ve got a new granddaughter.

“My two girls”

…and doesn’t the baby look healthy! Wonderful shot RoughBarked…

roughbarked said:

Forget about spiders I’ve got a new granddaughter.

“My two girls”

awwwwww….

“My two girls”
————————
Congratulations Roughbarked :) What a gorgeous capture.

Happy Potter said:

“My two girls”
————————
Congratulations Roughbarked :) What a gorgeous capture.

It is my daughter who took the photograph. :)

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

“My two girls”
————————
Congratulations Roughbarked :) What a gorgeous capture.

It is my daughter who took the photograph. :)

Another talent the lass has inherited from you…love the black and white…there’s something about black and white photos that can’t be captured in colour…does your daughter use digital cameras or is this a film?

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

“My two girls”
————————
Congratulations Roughbarked :) What a gorgeous capture.

It is my daughter who took the photograph. :)

Another talent the lass has inherited from you…love the black and white…there’s something about black and white photos that can’t be captured in colour…does your daughter use digital cameras or is this a film?

Digital and yes she did learn to appreciate photography and B&W via myself.

My compost heap is cooking very nicely…kitchen scraps (not suitable for worms or chooks) gone within a week…the lemons/mandarines that J1 gave me … green as…have just about melted away 2.5 weeks later…

Cheesed off with the crow, s/he is stealing Lavender’s eggs and she is too shy to lay with any other hens…don’t mind if the crow gets other hens’ eggs but Lavender is special…

Once I finish oiling the second garden bed frame, it can go out…

I dug up a root with stems, my Lady of the Night from the old place…completely covered the root in honey and now it’s wrapped in wet paper and an old pair of grundies…I’m not sure what to do next, really want to preserve this plant…it’s all in a plastic shopping bag to protect from wind but the bag is open at the top to let the moisture get away as the days are so hot…wondering if I should cover this root with plenty of worm castings, but keep moist as we all know worm castings set like concrete…??

Hope you lot are looking at the lunar eclipse…

Now.

buffy said:

Hope you lot are looking at the lunar eclipse…

Now.

got a glimpse before the clouds got in the way.

bluegreen said:

buffy said:

Hope you lot are looking at the lunar eclipse…

Now.

got a glimpse before the clouds got in the way.

Clouds came and I only have had a glimpser of the moon pre-eclipse.

The baby has a name or two. Beatrix Emmeline.

For me Beatrix = Peter Rabbit, so all is good.

buffy said:

Hope you lot are looking at the lunar eclipse…

Now.

Yup. All the 5 hours I was on the road last night…what a privilege to witness, and so clearly, too…

roughbarked said:

The baby has a name or two. Beatrix Emmeline.

Mellifluous…

I sat outside and watched the eclipse. Very strange to see a red moon, and cool :)

:)

Arvo, busy busy.
Patio chook gate is up, pond out, already collected, areas undergoing planting and changing. The man built a seedling shelf on the fence top out of the same mesh. It’s perfect, north facing sunny and warm :D

Chicks hatching out..others in a brooder box. Most already claimed as soon as I can sex them. Never seen white or black araucanas before. D’uccles about to make an appearance.

The beef quarter about to arrive..more like half going on the pic. Shed fridge and freezer cleaned and waiting…

Hello Gardeners. I’ve been destructive. Spent a couple of hours pulling out weeds from around 7 to 9, then chipped for nearly two hours. I really do need to remember that I need long sleeves on when weeding amongst the Ghania. My arms are ripped to bits. And it stings. Then decided I couldn’t be bothered going around to do the next lot of chipping, so I came home from Casterton. It’s getting quite warm out in the sun now.

making lemon butter. entering it in the Benalla Spring Show. Also 1/2 doz bantam eggs, some hand spun, some hand knits from hand spun, a photo and a sponge sandwich.

Sponge sandwich, sounds chewy.

roughbarked said:

Sponge sandwich, sounds chewy.

hopefully not. lol!

Hello Gardeners. I plan to prick out some more tomato seedlings today, and some lettuce. Not a lot else planned, I’ve rather overdone the exercise in the last three days. The pack has been “checking the chooks”

And “guarding”….although exactly what from is a bit of a mystery, and some of us aren’t quite sure where to actually look…

A few days ago we found she could levitate!

There is a futon mattress under the big blanket and it sort of sags….enough to make a convenient Dog Shelf.

:)

A patient has given me some “perpetual rocket”. Does anyone know what this actually is, botanical name? I trust her, she won’t poison me, but I haven’t heard of this before.

buffy said:

A patient has given me some “perpetual rocket”. Does anyone know what this actually is, botanical name? I trust her, she won’t poison me, but I haven’t heard of this before.

There are more than one form which is known as rocket or indeed perennial rocket, buffy. The name rocket is used for at least 20 species of herbs, mostly members of the mustard family … The genus includes both annual and perennial members. http://www.arthurleej.com/p-o-m-Sep02.html

*There is the night smelling rocket: Hesperis tristis:
All dingy-flowered plants, such as botanists call tristes, belong to this class ; such as the Pelargonium triste, Hesperis tristis, Gladiolus tristis, which are almost entirely scentless during the day, but become deliciously fragrant at night. ~An introduction to botany – Page 441

books.google.com.au/books?id=LQ4PAAAAQAAJ
John Lindley – 1839

*Rocket, Arugula ‘Wild Rocket’
Arugula, Roquette, Rucola, Rugula
Ancient Crop. True wild variety ‘Wild’ or ‘Perennial’ rocket is gaining in popularity; it has narrower and more deeply divided, aromatic leaves than the annual variety. They have a more intense flavour that is sharp and clean, unlike salad rocket, which can become bitter with age in hot weather. They have so much flavour, they hardly need a dressing.

As a perennial plant, it can be sown outdoors all year round in milder climates or given some protection in colder areas. Growing around 20cm (8in) tall it can also be grown in containers. Use as a baby leaf in salad mixes, it will “Cut and come again” two to three times. For restaurant quality micro-greens or pesto, use wild rocket when only the finest ingredients will do. http://www.seedaholic.com/rocket-or-arugula-wild-rocket.html

*Perennial Wall Rocket
Diplotaxis tenuifolia
ame also: Perennial Wall-rocket, Wild Rocket, Sand Rocket, White rocket, Lincoln Weed. http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/kukkakasvit/perennial-wall-rocket

I could go on but I know you love doing research.. Next time don’t listen to your neighbour’s common names and substitute a little science; ie: perpetual can be perennial. It works better in the plant world.

Diplotaxis tenuifolia

I did find stuff about this, and I think that is what she has given me. Looks like it just produces new plants off the roots all the time. When I next see her I’ll ask her a bit more.

buffy said:

Diplotaxis tenuifolia

I did find stuff about this, and I think that is what she has given me. Looks like it just produces new plants off the roots all the time. When I next see her I’ll ask her a bit more.

Yep. That’s the idea. Observe and query. :)

lovely doggy pics there buffy :)

This new one is fitting into the pack very well. We are so glad we took her, even if she’s a project. The bony growth she had on her shoulder was benign. And very unusual. So now that is gone, and she has been speyed, we just have to get another 6 or so kg onto her and she will be great. She is learning about running and playing. She wasn’t kept in particularly unusual circumstances for a breeder, it is normal for the dogs to be yarded, but it is so much better for them to be able to run around and play with us and other dogs too.

And I’ve been collecting the long sticks that come off the gum trees to try a really rustic bean structure for the climbing beans. It will be interesting. But I think picking will be more difficult than if I grow them on a fence.

buffy said:

And I’ve been collecting the long sticks that come off the gum trees to try a really rustic bean structure for the climbing beans. It will be interesting. But I think picking will be more difficult than if I grow them on a fence.

The beans still produce mainly on the outside on tepee type trellises.

buffy said:

This new one is fitting into the pack very well. We are so glad we took her, even if she’s a project. The bony growth she had on her shoulder was benign. And very unusual. So now that is gone, and she has been speyed, we just have to get another 6 or so kg onto her and she will be great. She is learning about running and playing. She wasn’t kept in particularly unusual circumstances for a breeder, it is normal for the dogs to be yarded, but it is so much better for them to be able to run around and play with us and other dogs too.

:) :)

bluegreen said:

making lemon butter. entering it in the Benalla Spring Show. Also 1/2 doz bantam eggs, some hand spun, some hand knits from hand spun, a photo and a sponge sandwich.

That time of the year again!! How did it go?

Well I’m here alone. Just me and the chooks and a couple who rent the granny flat underneath my feet, who are simply awaiting armageddon and the rhapsody.
Have been since W left on Friday. It is now early Monday and I’ve not done a lot other than feed chooks. Well, I’ve been picking avocadoes and custard apples and Davison plums and cleaning house and stuff. Fixing locks and drawers and things. I’ll get into a rhythm of a few hours each day doing jobs about the place and will get paid for every hour I log describing what I’ve done.

Tone came to visit today. It was great catching up on decades. I’ve been out to K’s a couple of times. She wants me to play with her Davidsons Plum tree and try to heal what the guys clearing under power lines did to it. I want to graft an orchard of them and would do it tomorrow if I could convince W that it was a smart move. I’ve been and met Tauto from the other forum who makes the budding tape. He helped me out with tools when the ute was burned and I’ve helped him sell some budding tape back at home, so we have a little history in the grafting side of the business.

As to the phone business. It has cost me $30 per week for hardly any usage, mainly text messages. I’m going to have to have a chat to someone about a better plan or something otherwise I’ll take the battery out.

It seems somewhat ironic that I’ve travelled this far to clean up somebody else’s neglect whilst leaving my own neglect to fall into further disrepair, however what needs must be done at the time it has to be.

This farm needs help. The owner can no longer do it and will be retiring soon enough. There are possibilities for me here and I should indeed take them up as this will be the last offer ever made. The owner has begged me before over the decades but his ideas never jelled for me and I was busy with my family. Anyway, we shall see what I can do with a few weeks opportunity. Maybe I can set up a management plan that will please W&M. Musn’t forget M. I’ll meet her again this Sat for the first time since 2000 when her parents came from Canton to sleep on my concrete floor rather than take the bed I offered them.

Wow RoughBarked, sounds like you’re thriving on the busy-ness that’s available…A Davison plum, isn’t that an Australian Native?

Dinetta said:

Wow RoughBarked, sounds like you’re thriving on the busy-ness that’s available…A Davison plum, isn’t that an Australian Native?

yes it is a native, four of them.

Then again, A few mossies at night is nothing like being woken by ticks.

Dinetta said:

bluegreen said:

making lemon butter. entering it in the Benalla Spring Show. Also 1/2 doz bantam eggs, some hand spun, some hand knits from hand spun, a photo and a sponge sandwich.

That time of the year again!! How did it go?

It’s next weekend.

sounds like you are being kept busy RB. Sounds better than days of sitting on your haunches doing nothing but grafting, then months? of earning nothing. Ticks are horrible things. None here thank goodness.

roughbarked said:

Then again, A few mossies at night is nothing like being woken by ticks.

How did it wake you?

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Then again, A few mossies at night is nothing like being woken by ticks.

How did it wake you?

By sucking my blood, I presume. I’m stingy about sharing my blood.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Then again, A few mossies at night is nothing like being woken by ticks.

How did it wake you?

By sucking my blood, I presume. I’m stingy about sharing my blood.

Obviously you’re ok?

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

How did it wake you?

By sucking my blood, I presume. I’m stingy about sharing my blood.

Obviously you’re ok?

I’m as tough as nails. I’ll get over it. The photo should show that I did manage to get the whole animal out first attempt. Strangely enough, I picked up a hitchiker coming out of Wilsons Creek valley yesterday and she had been suffering from a paralysis tick bite for weeks, struggling to survive the fever. Clearly she was on the mend when I found her but her tick hit her in exactly the same place I was hit. Where the hair is parted at the hairline in the centre of the forehead.

My mood matches the weather. I just want to crawl under a rock. Just this and that and the odd giant son drama. Doing finances sucks. It’s depressing.

My little chemical free garden ‘farmacy’ has been ‘discovered’ and I’m getting bombarded for requests for the things I grow. The pawpaw has fruit and not sharing, the goji berries (already fruiting!) are mine!

Problem is, I’m not good at sharing. I grow enough for family only, then the odd excess more common things eg lemons, celery go to the swap. My hens eggs are attracting a good price but I’ve only 6 layers and can’t keep up. One woman rocks up in the latest flash audi with a large purse stuffed with more $50 notes than I’ve ever seen in my life, haggling over $5 a doz for eggs. I don’t haggle, it’s $6 or go away. Elsewhere others are selling for double that.
I told another woman wanting to buy passionfruit that they are $2 each, because they’re worlds apart from the shriveled little ones in the shops. Mine only fed on worm wee and lucerne, nearly big as tennis balls, juicy and sweet as a pot of sugar. I thought $2 ea put her off, which is what I was hoping for. She said yes, wants them. So she’s only getting 10.

Yer I’m a dill, lol.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

By sucking my blood, I presume. I’m stingy about sharing my blood.

Obviously you’re ok?

I’m as tough as nails. I’ll get over it. The photo should show that I did manage to get the whole animal out first attempt. Strangely enough, I picked up a hitchiker coming out of Wilsons Creek valley yesterday and she had been suffering from a paralysis tick bite for weeks, struggling to survive the fever. Clearly she was on the mend when I found her but her tick hit her in exactly the same place I was hit. Where the hair is parted at the hairline in the centre of the forehead.

I don’t know what a tick looks like after biting and leaving the ‘stinging part’ in? I’ve never come across them. Glad you’re tough.

Happy Potter said:

My mood matches the weather. I just want to crawl under a rock. Just this and that and the odd giant son drama. Doing finances sucks. It’s depressing.

My little chemical free garden ‘farmacy’ has been ‘discovered’ and I’m getting bombarded for requests for the things I grow. The pawpaw has fruit and not sharing, the goji berries (already fruiting!) are mine!

Problem is, I’m not good at sharing. I grow enough for family only, then the odd excess more common things eg lemons, celery go to the swap. My hens eggs are attracting a good price but I’ve only 6 layers and can’t keep up. One woman rocks up in the latest flash audi with a large purse stuffed with more $50 notes than I’ve ever seen in my life, haggling over $5 a doz for eggs. I don’t haggle, it’s $6 or go away. Elsewhere others are selling for double that.
I told another woman wanting to buy passionfruit that they are $2 each, because they’re worlds apart from the shriveled little ones in the shops. Mine only fed on worm wee and lucerne, nearly big as tennis balls, juicy and sweet as a pot of sugar. I thought $2 ea put her off, which is what I was hoping for. She said yes, wants them. So she’s only getting 10.

Yer I’m a dill, lol.

You aren’t as much a dill as you portray.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Obviously you’re ok?

I’m as tough as nails. I’ll get over it. The photo should show that I did manage to get the whole animal out first attempt. Strangely enough, I picked up a hitchiker coming out of Wilsons Creek valley yesterday and she had been suffering from a paralysis tick bite for weeks, struggling to survive the fever. Clearly she was on the mend when I found her but her tick hit her in exactly the same place I was hit. Where the hair is parted at the hairline in the centre of the forehead.

I don’t know what a tick looks like after biting and leaving the ‘stinging part’ in? I’ve never come across them. Glad you’re tough.

I’m reliably informed that getting the body to remain attached to the head when extracting the tick is paramount to your wellbeing and decidedly difficult. I seem to have managed all of that though it was quite well embedded when I attacked the little beastie whilst bleary eyed from sleep.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

I’m as tough as nails. I’ll get over it. The photo should show that I did manage to get the whole animal out first attempt. Strangely enough, I picked up a hitchiker coming out of Wilsons Creek valley yesterday and she had been suffering from a paralysis tick bite for weeks, struggling to survive the fever. Clearly she was on the mend when I found her but her tick hit her in exactly the same place I was hit. Where the hair is parted at the hairline in the centre of the forehead.

I don’t know what a tick looks like after biting and leaving the ‘stinging part’ in? I’ve never come across them. Glad you’re tough.

I’m reliably informed that getting the body to remain attached to the head when extracting the tick is paramount to your wellbeing and decidedly difficult. I seem to have managed all of that though it was quite well embedded when I attacked the little beastie whilst bleary eyed from sleep.

Gawd, my version of a nightmare. Should I ever come across one I’ll remember that.

Happy Potter said:

My mood matches the weather. I just want to crawl under a rock. Just this and that and the odd giant son drama. Doing finances sucks. It’s depressing.

My little chemical free garden ‘farmacy’ has been ‘discovered’ and I’m getting bombarded for requests for the things I grow. The pawpaw has fruit and not sharing, the goji berries (already fruiting!) are mine!

Problem is, I’m not good at sharing. I grow enough for family only, then the odd excess more common things eg lemons, celery go to the swap. My hens eggs are attracting a good price but I’ve only 6 layers and can’t keep up. One woman rocks up in the latest flash audi with a large purse stuffed with more $50 notes than I’ve ever seen in my life, haggling over $5 a doz for eggs. I don’t haggle, it’s $6 or go away. Elsewhere others are selling for double that.
I told another woman wanting to buy passionfruit that they are $2 each, because they’re worlds apart from the shriveled little ones in the shops. Mine only fed on worm wee and lucerne, nearly big as tennis balls, juicy and sweet as a pot of sugar. I thought $2 ea put her off, which is what I was hoping for. She said yes, wants them. So she’s only getting 10.

Yer I’m a dill, lol.

Stick to your guns. You are not a farmer or a greengrocer, you are a backyard grower. Only sell your excess and then at a premium because you have a premium product. Particularly if they are flashing money around!

You’d think I was a green grocer shop going by the last message I just got. I know this lady, we often swap jars and garden things, so she is ok. But her list reads like an order.
2 bunches of rhubarb, 12 passionfruit, a large bag of Meyer lemons, a bunch of asparagus and a dozen limes = $30 + 10 large 400g maccona jars. Sounds like a deal :)

roughbarked said:

but her tick hit her in exactly the same place I was hit. Where the hair is parted at the hairline in the centre of the forehead.

In my experience, an unusual place for a tick on a human…you were lucky to find yours, RoughBarked…

(Y)

Happy Potter said:

My mood matches the weather. I just want to crawl under a rock. Just this and that and the odd giant son drama. Doing finances sucks. It’s depressing.

My little chemical free garden ‘farmacy’ has been ‘discovered’ and I’m getting bombarded for requests for the things I grow. The pawpaw has fruit and not sharing, the goji berries (already fruiting!) are mine!

Problem is, I’m not good at sharing. I grow enough for family only, then the odd excess more common things eg lemons, celery go to the swap. My hens eggs are attracting a good price but I’ve only 6 layers and can’t keep up. One woman rocks up in the latest flash audi with a large purse stuffed with more $50 notes than I’ve ever seen in my life, haggling over $5 a doz for eggs. I don’t haggle, it’s $6 or go away. Elsewhere others are selling for double that.
I told another woman wanting to buy passionfruit that they are $2 each, because they’re worlds apart from the shriveled little ones in the shops. Mine only fed on worm wee and lucerne, nearly big as tennis balls, juicy and sweet as a pot of sugar. I thought $2 ea put her off, which is what I was hoping for. She said yes, wants them. So she’s only getting 10.

Yer I’m a dill, lol.

Stick to your guns, Annie!

Fancy! Quibbling over a $ for the eggs…$6 is cheep I must say, if it’s a dozen…if her purse was stuffed with $50s, maybe she didn’t want 2 x $2 rattling around in her purse?

$2 a passion is a bit steep…I’d have left you to them…which is what you would have wanted, no doubt…just saying…

roughbarked said:

I’m reliably informed that getting the body to remain attached to the head when extracting the tick is paramount to your wellbeing and decidedly difficult. I seem to have managed all of that though it was quite well embedded when I attacked the little beastie whilst bleary eyed from sleep.

It can be difficult…most of the tricks to extraction, avec tete , include the threat of suffocation from such as methylated spirits, kerosene (and petrol if you’v e got it)…Sonny Jim has just read this and recommends Barricade S, which you might know, RoughBarked? :) OK OK he’s just joking…I’m not sure if he’s joking…

Happy Potter said:

You’d think I was a green grocer shop going by the last message I just got. I know this lady, we often swap jars and garden things, so she is ok. But her list reads like an order.
2 bunches of rhubarb, 12 passionfruit, a large bag of Meyer lemons, a bunch of asparagus and a dozen limes = $30 + 10 large 400g maccona jars. Sounds like a deal :)

Goodness, what do you use the Maccona Jars for , I keep mine but I dunno what to do with them…

Well that’s the old mango down..sob sniff…what a job, it was leaning too far away for Sonny JIm’s ute to pull, we spent from 15:30 to 18:30 trimming it enough to pull over…Sonny Jim thought there might be roots preventing it from being towed over but it was the weight of the branches…

We now have a very upset little topknot pigeon…can’t coo in that tree any more…managed to not crush the “new” mango seedlings I was planning to grow on, also saved my pawpaw trees…

Need to ask the feller down the back if he knows anyone who would like the wood, there is very little borer except for the extremeties of the branches…

Was slashing under mangoes this arvo.

What would you be slashing underneath a mango? Nothing grows there (if the leaf litter is left alone)…

Dinetta said:

What would you be slashing underneath a mango? Nothing grows there (if the leaf litter is left alone)…

Farmers effing friendly sticking your clothes everywhere when all I want is to be able to get under the trees to pick up avocadoes and stand under the mangoes and hope that slashing under them now may help save those flowers up there..

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

What would you be slashing underneath a mango? Nothing grows there (if the leaf litter is left alone)…

Farmers effing friendly sticking your clothes everywhere when all I want is to be able to get under the trees to pick up avocadoes and stand under the mangoes and hope that slashing under them now may help save those flowers up there..

I have this theory, based on observation and not scientific fact, that a goodly show of mango flowers followed by all those teeny tiny fruit, generally presage rough, windy weather…

To my way of thinking, again observation, leaving the mango tree alone as in not lopping the lower branches, ever, results in lovely thick mango leaf mulch that breeds earthworms that fishermen dream of, and self-fertilises the tree to boot…I used to collect all the fallen, immature fruit and compost until just the seed case remained, then use it as mulch on the roses…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

You’d think I was a green grocer shop going by the last message I just got. I know this lady, we often swap jars and garden things, so she is ok. But her list reads like an order.
2 bunches of rhubarb, 12 passionfruit, a large bag of Meyer lemons, a bunch of asparagus and a dozen limes = $30 + 10 large 400g maccona jars. Sounds like a deal :)

Goodness, what do you use the Maccona Jars for , I keep mine but I dunno what to do with them…

I fill them with my home grown dried herbs and bottled produce, preserved lemons, olives, and bought spices, have enough for each daughters pantry shelves. And mine. Making your own spice mixes is easy and I’ve been doing that lately. BBQ sprinkle, Moroccan spice etc.

KK and Le Le’s first home build has started and in the plans is a walk in pantry. They both love to cook, Le Le in particular loves the flavours of everything I grow, so their jars collection is the biggest.

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

… … 10 large 400g maccona jars. Sounds like a deal :)

Goodness, what do you use the Maccona Jars for , I keep mine but I dunno what to do with them…

I fill them with my home grown dried herbs and bottled produce, preserved lemons, olives, and bought spices, have enough for each daughters pantry shelves. And mine. Making your own spice mixes is easy and I’ve been doing that lately. BBQ sprinkle, Moroccan spice etc.

Thanks for that handy hint…I’ve often wondered if the jars were good for that…they’d be egg-sellent for the preserved lemons, come to think of it, because of the lack of metal…

To plant, or not to plant, two plants..

1: Echium For bee purposes. I’ve seen them about absolutely covered in bees.

2: Lab Lab bean. ornamental. Just pretty.

Thoughts?

Happy Potter said:

To plant, or not to plant, two plants..

1: Echium For bee purposes. I’ve seen them about absolutely covered in bees.

2: Lab Lab bean. ornamental. Just pretty.

Thoughts?

Bit of a no-brainer, if you’re planning to invest in a hive…

Lab-lab is a fantastic source of protein, I’m sure…even if you are not a bovine quadraped…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

To plant, or not to plant, two plants..

1: Echium For bee purposes. I’ve seen them about absolutely covered in bees.

2: Lab Lab bean. ornamental. Just pretty.

Thoughts?

Bit of a no-brainer, if you’re planning to invest in a hive…

Lab-lab is a fantastic source of protein, I’m sure…even if you are not a bovine quadraped…

That’s two good reasons. :)

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

What would you be slashing underneath a mango? Nothing grows there (if the leaf litter is left alone)…

Farmers effing friendly sticking your clothes everywhere when all I want is to be able to get under the trees to pick up avocadoes and stand under the mangoes and hope that slashing under them now may help save those flowers up there..

I have this theory, based on observation and not scientific fact, that a goodly show of mango flowers followed by all those teeny tiny fruit, generally presage rough, windy weather…

To my way of thinking, again observation, leaving the mango tree alone as in not lopping the lower branches, ever, results in lovely thick mango leaf mulch that breeds earthworms that fishermen dream of, and self-fertilises the tree to boot…I used to collect all the fallen, immature fruit and compost until just the seed case remained, then use it as mulch on the roses…

Self mulching is the go. These two trees are in an open position and though they do have lots of low branches the cobblers pegs grow abundantly right under the trees where the kikuyu can’t. I was trying to pick avocadoes and found myself covered in black seeds. Needed to slash at least a place to walk and did the mangoes while I was at it. Slashing with a self mulching slasher is always useful anyway.

roughbarked said:

Self mulching is the go. These two trees are in an open position and though they do have lots of low branches the cobblers pegs grow abundantly right under the trees where the kikuyu can’t. I was trying to pick avocadoes and found myself covered in black seeds. Needed to slash at least a place to walk and did the mangoes while I was at it. Slashing with a self mulching slasher is always useful anyway.

You need some feathered friends which will dig the cobblers pegs out whilst scratching for worms and other bugs…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Self mulching is the go. These two trees are in an open position and though they do have lots of low branches the cobblers pegs grow abundantly right under the trees where the kikuyu can’t. I was trying to pick avocadoes and found myself covered in black seeds. Needed to slash at least a place to walk and did the mangoes while I was at it. Slashing with a self mulching slasher is always useful anyway.

You need some feathered friends which will dig the cobblers pegs out whilst scratching for worms and other bugs…

There are three chooks here but they have a hundred acres to roam in.

Got a sneak preview at some of the Benalla Show Entry results because I have been helping out there.

Two firsts and a second in woolcraft, all handspun wool. The vest and beret are from Peter Pan’s wool.

A second for my sponge.

Swanpool CWA entry got first with two of the items by me.

No prize for my photo or lemon butter and the eggs haven’t been judged yet.

bluegreen said:

Got a sneak preview at some of the Benalla Show Entry results because I have been helping out there.

Two firsts and a second in woolcraft, all handspun wool. The vest and beret are from Peter Pan’s wool.

A second for my sponge.

Swanpool CWA entry got first with two of the items by me.

No prize for my photo or lemon butter and the eggs haven’t been judged yet.

Well done! So proud of you!!

!woo wooo wooo woooo!

$3 per First Prize! Sometimes I forget there’s a little financial reward…not that you show the entries for that part of the prize…

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Self mulching is the go. These two trees are in an open position and though they do have lots of low branches the cobblers pegs grow abundantly right under the trees where the kikuyu can’t. I was trying to pick avocadoes and found myself covered in black seeds. Needed to slash at least a place to walk and did the mangoes while I was at it. Slashing with a self mulching slasher is always useful anyway.

You need some feathered friends which will dig the cobblers pegs out whilst scratching for worms and other bugs…

There are three chooks here but they have a hundred acres to roam in.

Your mulch is not thick enough…needs to be allowed to build up over, oh, at least 10 years…20 is good…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

You need some feathered friends which will dig the cobblers pegs out whilst scratching for worms and other bugs…

There are three chooks here but they have a hundred acres to roam in.

Your mulch is not thick enough…needs to be allowed to build up over, oh, at least 10 years…20 is good…

Trees have been there since the 1980’s

bluegreen said:

Got a sneak preview at some of the Benalla Show Entry results because I have been helping out there.

Two firsts and a second in woolcraft, all handspun wool. The vest and beret are from Peter Pan’s wool.

A second for my sponge.

Swanpool CWA entry got first with two of the items by me.

No prize for my photo or lemon butter and the eggs haven’t been judged yet.

Congrats! that’s a terrific effort, well done! :D

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Got a sneak preview at some of the Benalla Show Entry results because I have been helping out there.

Two firsts and a second in woolcraft, all handspun wool. The vest and beret are from Peter Pan’s wool.

A second for my sponge.

Swanpool CWA entry got first with two of the items by me.

No prize for my photo or lemon butter and the eggs haven’t been judged yet.

Congrats! that’s a terrific effort, well done! :D

Want something done? Ask a busy person.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

To plant, or not to plant, two plants..

1: Echium For bee purposes. I’ve seen them about absolutely covered in bees.

2: Lab Lab bean. ornamental. Just pretty.

Thoughts?

Bit of a no-brainer, if you’re planning to invest in a hive…

Lab-lab is a fantastic source of protein, I’m sure…even if you are not a bovine quadraped…

That’s two good reasons. :)

Then they’re in :)
I don’t have a cow, not a live one anyway ;) not sure if the beans or plant can be fed to chooks. I will find out.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

Bit of a no-brainer, if you’re planning to invest in a hive…

Lab-lab is a fantastic source of protein, I’m sure…even if you are not a bovine quadraped…

That’s two good reasons. :)

Then they’re in :)
I don’t have a cow, not a live one anyway ;) not sure if the beans or plant can be fed to chooks. I will find out.

Chooks are fussy. Far more fussy than I ever imagined.

roughbarked said:

Chooks are fussy. Far more fussy than I ever imagined.

Yep. I believe Lucky’s chooks won’t eat sorghum, which is a staple here…sometimes I hold the grains back because my chookens get fussy, only want the sunflower seeds…

Asparagus, broccoli and peas from the garden for tea. And Hollandaise with our eggs, our lemon and local butter. And herb butter to go on the steak. A bit buttery, but should be yum.

buffy said:

Asparagus, broccoli and peas from the garden for tea. And Hollandaise with our eggs, our lemon and local butter. And herb butter to go on the steak. A bit buttery, but should be yum.

nothing wrong with butter, and yes it sounds yum.

got a prize for my bantam eggs too :)

The ducks and chickens seemed to enjoy the now stale prize winning sponge cake.

How do they judge eggs? Do they have to be uniform size and colour or something?

buffy said:

How do they judge eggs? Do they have to be uniform size and colour or something?

I work on that principle. Last year the judge also broke one to check inside, but that didn’t happen this year.

bluegreen said:

got a prize for my bantam eggs too :)

The ducks and chickens seemed to enjoy the now stale prize winning sponge cake.

Wasn’t aware that you had bantams? Well done little banty hen…

buffy said:

How do they judge eggs? Do they have to be uniform size and colour or something?

That, and sometimes they weigh the eggs I think, just in the hand…ummm I would think this indicates good solid shell and also a decent yolk…maybe that’s why the judge broke open an egg last year, confirm the shell and yolk?

Woohoo..I’m getting a top bar beehive :D

There’s this lovely friends hubby making one for me. My friend and I are mad chook ladies and often exchange chick/hen this for that chick/hen. Her hubby is into bees and had seen my hive out the front.

The beehive owner is once again not doing the job of minding the hives he keeps in hosts gardens. There’s some hive splitting, overflowing hives, others are empty, but he never bothers. Very bad bee management. His 33 hive hosts have dwindled to a handful, including me, and we’re all out to get our own to maintain. Even hives he was supposed to remove he hasn’t, he’s pretty much just abandoned them.
Once I get this top bar one in my back garden, over in the mini orchard I will call him to come and remove the front one at his convenience. Knowing him, he probably wont bother.

Happy Potter said:

Woohoo..I’m getting a top bar beehive :D

There’s this lovely friends hubby making one for me. My friend and I are mad chook ladies and often exchange chick/hen this for that chick/hen. Her hubby is into bees and had seen my hive out the front.

The beehive owner is once again not doing the job of minding the hives he keeps in hosts gardens. There’s some hive splitting, overflowing hives, others are empty, but he never bothers. Very bad bee management. His 33 hive hosts have dwindled to a handful, including me, and we’re all out to get our own to maintain. Even hives he was supposed to remove he hasn’t, he’s pretty much just abandoned them.
Once I get this top bar one in my back garden, over in the mini orchard I will call him to come and remove the front one at his convenience. Knowing him, he probably wont bother.

People get older. What one may have once handled well, may need some reassessment. If you think the speed warning signs on our mountainous road bends; One hive is more than enough work for one person under less than favourable conditions.

The blog for this morning in the foyer of this house;

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Woohoo..I’m getting a top bar beehive :D

There’s this lovely friends hubby making one for me. My friend and I are mad chook ladies and often exchange chick/hen this for that chick/hen. Her hubby is into bees and had seen my hive out the front.

The beehive owner is once again not doing the job of minding the hives he keeps in hosts gardens. There’s some hive splitting, overflowing hives, others are empty, but he never bothers. Very bad bee management. His 33 hive hosts have dwindled to a handful, including me, and we’re all out to get our own to maintain. Even hives he was supposed to remove he hasn’t, he’s pretty much just abandoned them.
Once I get this top bar one in my back garden, over in the mini orchard I will call him to come and remove the front one at his convenience. Knowing him, he probably wont bother.

People get older. What one may have once handled well, may need some reassessment. If you think the speed warning signs on our mountainous road bends; One hive is more than enough work for one person under less than favourable conditions.

Nup, younger and far more able than me. Some people just take on too much!

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Woohoo..I’m getting a top bar beehive :D

There’s this lovely friends hubby making one for me. My friend and I are mad chook ladies and often exchange chick/hen this for that chick/hen. Her hubby is into bees and had seen my hive out the front.

The beehive owner is once again not doing the job of minding the hives he keeps in hosts gardens. There’s some hive splitting, overflowing hives, others are empty, but he never bothers. Very bad bee management. His 33 hive hosts have dwindled to a handful, including me, and we’re all out to get our own to maintain. Even hives he was supposed to remove he hasn’t, he’s pretty much just abandoned them.
Once I get this top bar one in my back garden, over in the mini orchard I will call him to come and remove the front one at his convenience. Knowing him, he probably wont bother.

People get older. What one may have once handled well, may need some reassessment. If you think the speed warning signs on our mountainous road bends; One hive is more than enough work for one person under less than favourable conditions.

Nup, younger and far more able than me. Some people just take on too much!

been there, done that.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

People get older. What one may have once handled well, may need some reassessment. If you think the speed warning signs on our mountainous road bends; One hive is more than enough work for one person under less than favourable conditions.

Nup, younger and far more able than me. Some people just take on too much!

been there, done that.

Me too!

My hive.
Friends hubby said, ‘ well you wanted a cow dincha? Hahaha!

Happy Potter said:

Woohoo..I’m getting a top bar beehive :D

… … …

Once I get this top bar one in my back garden, over in the mini orchard I will call him to come and remove the front one at his convenience. Knowing him, he probably wont bother.

Then you’ll have two…

roughbarked said:

The blog for this morning in the foyer of this house;

Would “eclectic” be the correct description?

Happy Potter said:

My hive.
Friends hubby said, ‘ well you wanted a cow dincha? Hahaha!

A hive in disguise…heh heh…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

My hive.
Friends hubby said, ‘ well you wanted a cow dincha? Hahaha!

A hive in disguise…heh heh…

As long as it doesn’t startle the bees of course…

You need a new thread for these bees…

Dinetta said:

Would “eclectic” be the correct description?

that’s how the Byron Bazaar weekly describes itself as. “Your eclectic marketplace where goods and service of all kinds are bartered bought and sold”.

Happy Potter said:

My hive.
Friends hubby said, ‘ well you wanted a cow dincha? Hahaha!

gorgeous! May I share the photo with a friend?

In the case of this; He wanted the mirror facing the entry, she said this was not feng sui without something reducing the effect of the mirror. She designed the feng sui and allowed him to toss his cap in the corner.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

My hive.
Friends hubby said, ‘ well you wanted a cow dincha? Hahaha!

gorgeous! May I share the photo with a friend?

Sure! I’ve named it ‘milk and honey’ lol!

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

My hive.
Friends hubby said, ‘ well you wanted a cow dincha? Hahaha!

gorgeous! May I share the photo with a friend?

Sure! I’ve named it ‘milk and honey’ lol!

well to get the honey you’ll have to milk it.

HI guys, starting to heat up here in Luckyland. Nights aren’t too bad still.

Lucky1 said:

HI guys, starting to heat up here in Luckyland. Nights aren’t too bad still.

Warming up all over. Hi Lucky. :)

Lucky1 said:

HI guys, starting to heat up here in Luckyland. Nights aren’t too bad still.

Hi Lucky :) I’m getting some garden jobs done before it heats up too much. Mulching and weeding, moving things on the patio and sorting pots, filling and planting in them. Stuff like that.

Yes it is. Peppermint now knows what a frozen milk bottle is for. He’s one smart bunny.

Good on ya HP. Some warms days o the way for sure.

I had a visit from the ranger yesty evening. There was a complaint that my chickens were attracting rats. I cheerfully let them through to see my chickens and their housing. All was good. Gardens and food and bins and towns attract rats. Whats wrong with people? Just love to have something to complain about? My pen was clean and well kept. No spilled food about. The extra chicks were ok too, sort of, providing they are gone within 10 days. They are going to be picked up this Friday anyway.

Except for the top bar bee hive. That wasn’t ok. Then they whipped out all the rules and regs about fence heights. I told them I’ve only had it 5 mins and it was empty, but as we were talking a captured swarm was being brought over for it. I wanted it against a shed wall at one end of the silkies coop, but the shed wall wasn’t 2 mt high. They left. Hubby and I had to think quick.. urgent prune to one side of the almond tree and we moved it there just as the lady with the swarm turned up.
Bees tipped in, was dark by then and I held a torch on the proceedings. Some immediately came out and converged on a red wasp. We hightailed it inside! lol. They are all settled this morning :)

Happy Potter said:

I had a visit from the ranger yesty evening. There was a complaint that my chickens were attracting rats. I cheerfully let them through to see my chickens and their housing. All was good. Gardens and food and bins and towns attract rats. Whats wrong with people? Just love to have something to complain about? My pen was clean and well kept. No spilled food about. The extra chicks were ok too, sort of, providing they are gone within 10 days. They are going to be picked up this Friday anyway.

Except for the top bar bee hive. That wasn’t ok. Then they whipped out all the rules and regs about fence heights. I told them I’ve only had it 5 mins and it was empty, but as we were talking a captured swarm was being brought over for it. I wanted it against a shed wall at one end of the silkies coop, but the shed wall wasn’t 2 mt high. They left. Hubby and I had to think quick.. urgent prune to one side of the almond tree and we moved it there just as the lady with the swarm turned up.
Bees tipped in, was dark by then and I held a torch on the proceedings. Some immediately came out and converged on a red wasp. We hightailed it inside! lol. They are all settled this morning :)

What does fence height got to do with bee hives? All the ones I have seen aren’t near fences at all! BTW. My friend questioned the construction of your beautiful beehive as far as ease of cleaning & pest control because there are certain regulations concerning that which is why most people go for the classic stacking boxes. She wasn’t sure if yours complied.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

I had a visit from the ranger yesty evening. There was a complaint that my chickens were attracting rats. I cheerfully let them through to see my chickens and their housing. All was good. Gardens and food and bins and towns attract rats. Whats wrong with people? Just love to have something to complain about? My pen was clean and well kept. No spilled food about. The extra chicks were ok too, sort of, providing they are gone within 10 days. They are going to be picked up this Friday anyway.

Except for the top bar bee hive. That wasn’t ok. Then they whipped out all the rules and regs about fence heights. I told them I’ve only had it 5 mins and it was empty, but as we were talking a captured swarm was being brought over for it. I wanted it against a shed wall at one end of the silkies coop, but the shed wall wasn’t 2 mt high. They left. Hubby and I had to think quick.. urgent prune to one side of the almond tree and we moved it there just as the lady with the swarm turned up.
Bees tipped in, was dark by then and I held a torch on the proceedings. Some immediately came out and converged on a red wasp. We hightailed it inside! lol. They are all settled this morning :)

What does fence height got to do with bee hives? All the ones I have seen aren’t near fences at all! BTW. My friend questioned the construction of your beautiful beehive as far as ease of cleaning & pest control because there are certain regulations concerning that which is why most people go for the classic stacking boxes. She wasn’t sure if yours complied.

The paper pushes won’t know the answer so it is pointless asking them.. The reason a hive should have something in the flight path to cause the bees to fly up is simply that the something, (fence, bush whatever) should also cause people to not wander into the flight path of a hive.

Basically the highway of bees coming and going from the hive is known as the flight path. It is an apt choice of words because no one in their right mind would walk in front of a B52 landing or taking off. A height above the average human head is sensible because when bees get tangled in human hair they think we are bears come to pinch their honey, which sounds a reasonable assumption for a bee to make.

Happy Potter said:

Whats wrong with people? Just love to have something to complain about?

Indeed. If you’d given them the $1 off the eggs, perhaps all would have remained calm ;)

Glad that all was well, in the end.

bluegreen said:

My friend questioned the construction of your beautiful beehive as far as ease of cleaning & pest control because there are certain regulations concerning that which is why most people go for the classic stacking boxes. She wasn’t sure if yours complied.

As was explained, it is a top bar hive.

It is easier to clean because it is designed for no maintenance. The main problematic with top bar hives is that they aren’t portable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizontal_top-bar_hive

Speedy said:

Happy Potter said:

Whats wrong with people? Just love to have something to complain about?

Indeed. If you’d given them the $1 off the eggs, perhaps all would have remained calm ;)

Glad that all was well, in the end.

Lol!

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

My friend questioned the construction of your beautiful beehive as far as ease of cleaning & pest control because there are certain regulations concerning that which is why most people go for the classic stacking boxes. She wasn’t sure if yours complied.

As was explained, it is a top bar hive.

It is easier to clean because it is designed for no maintenance. The main problematic with top bar hives is that they aren’t portable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizontal_top-bar_hive

We pass within a couple meters of the hive on the paths to sheds and vege gardens. We have had one or two come inside and had to be dispatched or Giant Son was going to make a massive hole in the ceiling trying to escape. He now won’t go into the backyard. This is altogether not a bad thing ;)

I’ll take a photo of the hive under the tree and it’s residents when they settle more. It’s very windy and there’s quite a few coming in under the patio roof, checking out pot plants and the area in general, seeing what we’ve got on offer.

Happy Potter said:

I’ll take a photo of the hive under the tree and it’s residents when they settle more. It’s very windy and there’s quite a few coming in under the patio roof, checking out pot plants and the area in general, seeing what we’ve got on offer.

Yes there will be a lot of site exploration over the coming days.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

I’ll take a photo of the hive under the tree and it’s residents when they settle more. It’s very windy and there’s quite a few coming in under the patio roof, checking out pot plants and the area in general, seeing what we’ve got on offer.

Yes there will be a lot of site exploration over the coming days.

This is where we wanted it, placed mere minutes before the ranger called by.

Happy Potter said:

I had a visit from the ranger yesty evening. … …
Except for the top bar bee hive. That wasn’t ok. Then they whipped out all the rules and regs about fence heights.

I can’t believe that…like fence heights are gonna restrict bees?

Speedy said:

Happy Potter said:

Whats wrong with people? Just love to have something to complain about?

Indeed. If you’d given them the $1 off the eggs, perhaps all would have remained calm ;)

Glad that all was well, in the end.

That’s point…

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

I’ll take a photo of the hive under the tree and it’s residents when they settle more. It’s very windy and there’s quite a few coming in under the patio roof, checking out pot plants and the area in general, seeing what we’ve got on offer.

Yes there will be a lot of site exploration over the coming days.

Would this be programming their little in-built bee GPSs?

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

I’ll take a photo of the hive under the tree and it’s residents when they settle more. It’s very windy and there’s quite a few coming in under the patio roof, checking out pot plants and the area in general, seeing what we’ve got on offer.

Yes there will be a lot of site exploration over the coming days.

Would this be programming their little in-built bee GPSs?

Yep.

Thought it felt hot when I walked outside. Thirty one and 26% humidity. I’m glad I opened up the little plastic house to let air circulate around the tomato seedlings this morning, otherwise they would have been cooked by now.

We now have “stop” (guide)lines at the railway crossing. Unbelievable the cars that sneak up so close, poor train drivers don’t know if they’re going to make a bolt for it…now the cars know where “stop” is…Years gone by they tried a Stop sign but found out it was illegal…

MrsB next door has been moved to the old people’s home…I’m upset…I thought she was good until Christmas…her woof has been retired to the family property…I really feel that her daughter, the “health professional” one, is to blame…she insisted that MrsB be taken down to her place, a journey of 8 hours in the car, whilst other family members were overseas…well whilst Mrs B was next door it was a never-ending procession of friends, relatives and local health professionals , if she passed away alone it was God’s will and nothing to do with neglect…anyway MrsB ended out spending 9 days in hospital after the journey south, she flew home before the travellers returned and was fine…but I think her 90th birthday went on and on…about 6 weeks…and this knocked her around…would knock me around come to that…and I strongly suspect “health professional” daughter nagged until MrsB agreed to move at this point in time…

Plans are afoot to bring her back to her home every monday afternoon for MahJong…she was so upset poor thing at our last game that she couldn’t hardly thinK (yes I know, grammar…)

Part of the problem out here is, when there’s a vacancy offered at the Lodge, it’s best to take it because it might not be there when you need it…I’ve known families have rellies shunted off to Longreach from here…The “list” can be jumped as applications are needs-based…

Good morning Gardeners. I woke Quite Early because I went to bed early. Light now, so I can go outside and pick peas and broadbeans and asparagus. Then start hacking into a wattle that needs reducing. At 9.00am I can start the chipper and do some more tidying up.

Wow not allowed to start the chipper until 9 am…is this because it’s a Saturday…be working into the heat of the day, here…

Dinetta said:

Wow not allowed to start the chipper until 9 am…is this because it’s a Saturday…be working into the heat of the day, here…

No telling who will be upset. Better not to go there. I’d be doing that work just before dark.

Should I cut these?

Dinetta said:

Wow not allowed to start the chipper until 9 am…is this because it’s a Saturday…be working into the heat of the day, here…

EPA rules are 7.00am on weekdays and 9.00am on weekends and public holidays. As far as I can see there are no local bylaws, so EPA it is.

I presume other states have EPA equivalents.

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/noise/residential-noise/prohibited-times-for-residential-noise

That’s the Victorian one.

buffy said:

I presume other states have EPA equivalents.

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/noise/residential-noise/prohibited-times-for-residential-noise

That’s the Victorian one.

similar in NSW.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

Wow not allowed to start the chipper until 9 am…is this because it’s a Saturday…be working into the heat of the day, here…

No telling who will be upset. Better not to go there. I’d be doing that work just before dark.

So would I, it’s cooling off then…

roughbarked said:

Should I cut these?

Not yet, I don’t think…Might cover them with summat if you’ve flying foxes?

buffy said:

Dinetta said:

Wow not allowed to start the chipper until 9 am…is this because it’s a Saturday…be working into the heat of the day, here…

EPA rules are 7.00am on weekdays and 9.00am on weekends and public holidays. As far as I can see there are no local bylaws, so EPA it is.

I think we have by-laws…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Should I cut these?

Not yet, I don’t think…Might cover them with summat if you’ve flying foxes?

They are busy with the Cocos palms across the road.

Here you go:

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/laws-permits/complaints-fines/noise-air-light-water-complaints/noise-restrictions-complaints/tools-maintenance-noise

There is something for Logan too. On a quick Google search.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Should I cut these?

Not yet, I don’t think…Might cover them with summat if you’ve flying foxes?

They are busy with the Cocos palms across the road.

Heh heh!

buffy said:

Here you go:

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/laws-permits/complaints-fines/noise-air-light-water-complaints/noise-restrictions-complaints/tools-maintenance-noise

There is something for Logan too. On a quick Google search.

Thanks Buffy…but that’s about 12 hours drive away

:)

..I’m sure I saw something in our council’s by-laws online, but blowed if I can find it again…

Dinetta said:

buffy said:

Here you go:

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/laws-permits/complaints-fines/noise-air-light-water-complaints/noise-restrictions-complaints/tools-maintenance-noise

There is something for Logan too. On a quick Google search.

Thanks Buffy…but that’s about 12 hours drive away

:)

..I’m sure I saw something in our council’s by-laws online, but blowed if I can find it again…

I was out until well dark trying to reclaim a citrus orchard from kikuyu. Even after I put the chooks in the tractor, I kept at it. Then I managed to drop an egg on the kitchen floor which required, well you know all about that.

roughbarked said:

I was out until well dark trying to reclaim a citrus orchard from kikuyu. Even after I put the chooks in the tractor, I kept at it. Then I managed to drop an egg on the kitchen floor which required, well you know all about that.

Yes, I know about those pesky eggs that throw themselves away…the dog will lick a lot of it up but there’s still the shell…it’s a spill that’s best attended to right then and there…I have a roll of toilet paper in the kitchen, and I use that for spills etc…my MIL uses the dishcloth she washes the dishes with but I can’t hack that…

>>Then I managed to drop an egg on the kitchen floor which required, well you know all about that.<<

“Babuschka! Egg!!”

buffy said:

>>Then I managed to drop an egg on the kitchen floor which required, well you know all about that.<<

“Babuschka! Egg!!”

Unfortunately, no babushka here.. all paper towels.

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

>>Then I managed to drop an egg on the kitchen floor which required, well you know all about that.<<

“Babuschka! Egg!!”

Unfortunately, no babushka here.. all paper towels.

Mind, it puts a good polish on the vinyl. It is the smell that is problematic.

buffy said:

>>Then I managed to drop an egg on the kitchen floor which required, well you know all about that.<<

“Babuschka! Egg!!”

Yep!!

Hello Gardeners. I have pricked out some more tomato plants and planted out one a patient gave me the other day (Tigerella – I didn’t tell her I have some from seed myself, and anyway the one she gave me was more advanced than mine). I also pricked out some capsicum and chilli into peat pots. They are surprise plants…I just put in mixed seed, so I won’t know which ones I’ve got until they fruit.
I need to go and deal with some more weed shortly.

buffy said:

Hello Gardeners. I have pricked out some more tomato plants and planted out one a patient gave me the other day (Tigerella – I didn’t tell her I have some from seed myself, and anyway the one she gave me was more advanced than mine). I also pricked out some capsicum and chilli into peat pots. They are surprise plants…I just put in mixed seed, so I won’t know which ones I’ve got until they fruit.
I need to go and deal with some more weed shortly.

I’ve been eating self sown cherry tomatoes from this garden for weeks. The ones I planted back at home are probably dead due to lack of my attention.

Can’t believe how much time I waste on the ‘puter. Time for me to garden for the rest of the day.

roughbarked said:

Can’t believe how much time I waste on the ‘puter. Time for me to garden for the rest of the day.

Same…

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Can’t believe how much time I waste on the ‘puter. Time for me to garden for the rest of the day.

Same…

I still haven’t lifted my posterior off the seat. Mentally kicks me in the coit. I have a life to reorganise.

roughbarked said:

I still haven’t lifted my posterior off the seat. Mentally kicks me in the coit. I have a life to reorganise.

Same…

need to put the sheets through again …washed them yesterday but forgot to peg them out, and yesterday was warmish…

Oh I’ve not been in the hotseat much at all, but outside doing up the patio. Clearing hoarded stuff mainly, but we’ve moved the ap system grow beds, plugged and partly filled and azolla weed typed placed in each, relocated the big pondy tub back where it was in the corner under the downpipe as a water tub. We’d barely finished that and then the overnight storm near filled it! What timing!

Downsizing coops and chickens. Down to my original lot, almost. Given a lot away to other chook people, traded 6 bantam australorps to two ladies who love them to bits, and offloaded various pens,carriers and housing bits and pieces. The silkies yard will be empty for a good while and I’m going to rake off topsoil, dig over and bomb with mustard seeds and various other seeds, clover and such to cleanse and rejuvenate the soil. Then clucker tucker planted .. my layers will want to barge in there to forage.

Planted out summer veg here there and everywhere. Cherry tomatoes all colours in hanging pots. < this is my today job.

The big clean up. Busy busy!

Happy Potter said:

Oh I’ve not been in the hotseat much at all, but outside doing up the patio. Clearing hoarded stuff mainly, but we’ve moved the ap system grow beds, plugged and partly filled and azolla weed typed placed in each, relocated the big pondy tub back where it was in the corner under the downpipe as a water tub. We’d barely finished that and then the overnight storm near filled it! What timing!

Downsizing coops and chickens. Down to my original lot, almost. Given a lot away to other chook people, traded 6 bantam australorps to two ladies who love them to bits, and offloaded various pens,carriers and housing bits and pieces. The silkies yard will be empty for a good while and I’m going to rake off topsoil, dig over and bomb with mustard seeds and various other seeds, clover and such to cleanse and rejuvenate the soil. Then clucker tucker planted .. my layers will want to barge in there to forage.

Planted out summer veg here there and everywhere. Cherry tomatoes all colours in hanging pots. < this is my today job.

The big clean up. Busy busy!

Cracking along there, Happy Potter…

Going to join the CWA. Why have I not done this before? I do have a little time.. um around 5. to 7 am, or that time waiting for items to come out of the oven, lol!

Happy Potter said:

Going to join the CWA. Why have I not done this before? I do have a little time.. um around 5. to 7 am, or that time waiting for items to come out of the oven, lol!

Just don’t become Secretary! It’s quite a big job. Ask me how I know!

Happy Potter said:

Going to join the CWA. Why have I not done this before? I do have a little time.. um around 5. to 7 am, or that time waiting for items to come out of the oven, lol!

Sounds good, they’re very much into crafts, aren’t they?

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Going to join the CWA. Why have I not done this before? I do have a little time.. um around 5. to 7 am, or that time waiting for items to come out of the oven, lol!

Just don’t become Secretary! It’s quite a big job. Ask me how I know!

Nope, no Sec. Been there, wrecked that. I can’t keep up with office positions. I just want to be a simple attendee, cake baker stall helper, and learn to crochet for once and for all!

Happy Potter said:

. I just want to … … … learn to crochet for once and for all!

Practise…

My “typist’s dream” keyboard has died, not quite 9 years old…

:(
‘
‘
‘

B**gar…

Happy Potter said:

Downsizing coops and chickens. Down to my original lot, almost.

Is this because of the recent investigation, you were reported?

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

Downsizing coops and chickens. Down to my original lot, almost.

Is this because of the recent investigation, you were reported?

Yes, the main complaint being that there’s rats about. Because of my chooks, apparently. They came and looked about, all is clean and nothings wrong. Except that I have to move the coop away from the fence. Done. And resite the cow top bar hive. Done. Chicks all rehomed.

I’m not going to bait for rats anymore, they can take over as far as I’m concerned. Then let them complain.

I spent the day raking out the silkies coop. Oh my goodness..trailer loads..soil levels dropped 20 cm, if not more. Others were digging, I just raked and raked it all into a huge pile. There was this massive webby looking thing, not dirt but a nest of some sort. I chopped it up..eek, moths nest! It was full of eggs? looked like eggs anyway, and larvae. The chooks had a blast sorting it!

Also, and not good timing, the hot water service decided to blow up. Not in a grand display, but a flash then nothing, then the water was cold. An internal flue or something or other collapsed. Well it did make it to 22 yo. Time for a newie. But no cash, so we’re having cold showers atm. Hubby and resident kiddlywinks are showering at work or the gym. I was going to go to Mrs Daughters for a shower, but you know what? the water in the hose was quite warm sitting there coiled up in the sun. At least enough for a shampoo and rinse :)

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

Downsizing coops and chickens. Down to my original lot, almost.

Is this because of the recent investigation, you were reported?

Yes, the main complaint being that there’s rats about. Because of my chooks, apparently. They came and looked about, all is clean and nothings wrong. Except that I have to move the coop away from the fence. Done. And resite the cow top bar hive. Done. Chicks all rehomed.

I’m not going to bait for rats anymore, they can take over as far as I’m concerned. Then let them complain.

I’m amazed at what gets blamed for rats and mice…they are just “there”, and every now and then there’s a population explosion which dies away…who knows where they’re getting their food from…could be the local macdonald’s or whatever…people not lidding their bins…plus there’s sure to be others with poultry ….

Happy Potter said:

Also, and not good timing, the hot water service decided to blow up. Not in a grand display, but a flash then nothing, then the water was cold. An internal flue or something or other collapsed. Well it did make it to 22 yo. Time for a newie. But no cash, so we’re having cold showers atm. Hubby and resident kiddlywinks are showering at work or the gym. I was going to go to Mrs Daughters for a shower, but you know what? the water in the hose was quite warm sitting there coiled up in the sun. At least enough for a shampoo and rinse :)

Go for a modern gas heat as you use system. Cheaper to run as you only heat what you need and never run out. What we did at the old house when the electric storage system went and it was great.

Happy Potter, did you keep Winter?

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter, did you keep Winter?

No :( My heart’s breaking. But I know where she is and can visit. They didn’t turn up at the agreed time to do their final check that the coops been moved. I suppose that means they’ll be here Monday. Too bad because I’m not home Monday.

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter, did you keep Winter?

No :( My heart’s breaking. But I know where she is and can visit. They didn’t turn up at the agreed time to do their final check that the coops been moved. I suppose that means they’ll be here Monday. Too bad because I’m not home Monday.

:(
‘
‘
‘

I hop the Council checked the complaintant’s backyard as well as yours…

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Happy Potter, did you keep Winter?

No :( My heart’s breaking. But I know where she is and can visit. They didn’t turn up at the agreed time to do their final check that the coops been moved. I suppose that means they’ll be here Monday. Too bad because I’m not home Monday.

:(
‘
‘
‘

I hop the Council checked the complaintant’s backyard as well as yours…

Yes. The rats have to be nesting somewhere.

Not at Happy Potter’s place, obviously…

Good morning Gardeners. I am yet again in Casterton for yet more chipping. It’s just one of those Big Cleanup periods at the moment. Once you get maturish garden, you need to prune stuff. I planted a lot of things in 1999 and they are sort of biggish in places now. I’ve been digging a line for some tomatoes to go in. Unfortunately the peas I had there didn’t stop the running grass putting its roots through underneath, so I have to sift out those first. It’s not too difficult as it’s only about 6 months since I did it. It gets a lot worse and is a solid mat of roots if you leave it too long.

In about half an hour I will be able to get the chipper going.

Dinetta said:

Not at Happy Potter’s place, obviously…

There’s some here. The garden attracts them, like towns have rats, because there’s food about. Remembering I posted about my pumpkin vine being chewed through with pics of the damage, but fruit not even touched, and RB replied ‘rats’? Yeah that was rats.
In the big clean up and rubbish throw out I found a rats nest. Well max did and I had to forcefully drag him away from it. The mother shot off and there was this nest of 8 newborns behind a pile of stacked bamboo poles. Destroyed. It’s breeding season.

I’m supposed to buy a treadle feeder for the chooks grains. But too exxy for me atm so I clean up any spilled food and soon as they stop eating I take the bowl away, pick up watermelon skins etc. That’s as much as I can do.

There’s a lady a few doors down who rescues and re homes lost and unwanted dogs. She’s an angel, no one could complain about her. But she does leave bowls of dog food outside. I’ve taken lost dogs to her and told her not to leave the food out. She still does though.

buffy said:

Good morning Gardeners. I am yet again in Casterton for yet more chipping. It’s just one of those Big Cleanup periods at the moment. Once you get maturish garden, you need to prune stuff. I planted a lot of things in 1999 and they are sort of biggish in places now. I’ve been digging a line for some tomatoes to go in. Unfortunately the peas I had there didn’t stop the running grass putting its roots through underneath, so I have to sift out those first. It’s not too difficult as it’s only about 6 months since I did it. It gets a lot worse and is a solid mat of roots if you leave it too long.

In about half an hour I will be able to get the chipper going.

You go, girl!!

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Not at Happy Potter’s place, obviously…

There’s some here. The garden attracts them, like towns have rats, because there’s food about. Remembering I posted about my pumpkin vine being chewed through with pics of the damage, but fruit not even touched, and RB replied ‘rats’? Yeah that was rats.
In the big clean up and rubbish throw out I found a rats nest. Well max did and I had to forcefully drag him away from it. The mother shot off and there was this nest of 8 newborns behind a pile of stacked bamboo poles. Destroyed. It’s breeding season.

I’m supposed to buy a treadle feeder for the chooks grains. But too exxy for me atm so I clean up any spilled food and soon as they stop eating I take the bowl away, pick up watermelon skins etc. That’s as much as I can do.

There’s a lady a few doors down who rescues and re homes lost and unwanted dogs. She’s an angel, no one could complain about her. But she does leave bowls of dog food outside. I’ve taken lost dogs to her and told her not to leave the food out. She still does though.

8 newborn rats? Blood and bone (just ask Yeehah)…

I bought a treadle feeder, Grandpa’s feeder…it would work if Pancho did not have that broken foot so I put a weight on the tread…generally move it off of a night…the chookens still mess seed about, and I have it on the concrete under the house so I can clean up…not every day but most days…it is exxy isn’t it? Also I find the coarse grain mix flows through better than the layer mash mix. The latter has lucerne pellets (which Pancho fancies) and does not flow through very well…I still have to push through the coarse grain mix, and 4 days is about as long as I’m comfortable leaving it for…(when I go away I mean)…

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

Not at Happy Potter’s place, obviously…

There’s some here. The garden attracts them, like towns have rats, because there’s food about. Remembering I posted about my pumpkin vine being chewed through with pics of the damage, but fruit not even touched, and RB replied ‘rats’? Yeah that was rats.
In the big clean up and rubbish throw out I found a rats nest. Well max did and I had to forcefully drag him away from it. The mother shot off and there was this nest of 8 newborns behind a pile of stacked bamboo poles. Destroyed. It’s breeding season.

I’m supposed to buy a treadle feeder for the chooks grains. But too exxy for me atm so I clean up any spilled food and soon as they stop eating I take the bowl away, pick up watermelon skins etc. That’s as much as I can do.

There’s a lady a few doors down who rescues and re homes lost and unwanted dogs. She’s an angel, no one could complain about her. But she does leave bowls of dog food outside. I’ve taken lost dogs to her and told her not to leave the food out. She still does though.

Yes. I recall many decades past when I was mentioing the possibility of disease from the rats attracted to the walnuts with my SIL. She said “That is of no concern to you because your rats are living such a healthy lifestyle.”

roughbarked said:

Yes. I recall many decades past when I was mentioing the possibility of disease from the rats attracted to the walnuts with my SIL. She said “That is of no concern to you because your rats are living such a healthy lifestyle.”

Oh that’s a gem of a quote!

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Yes. I recall many decades past when I was mentioing the possibility of disease from the rats attracted to the walnuts with my SIL. She said “That is of no concern to you because your rats are living such a healthy lifestyle.”

Oh that’s a gem of a quote!

She has a masters in geology and a Bsc, dip ed too.

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Yes. I recall many decades past when I was mentioing the possibility of disease from the rats attracted to the walnuts with my SIL. She said “That is of no concern to you because your rats are living such a healthy lifestyle.”

Oh that’s a gem of a quote!

She has a masters in geology and a Bsc, dip ed too.

All handy tools when it comes to rats and disease…but yes, I do love a witty comeback…she would have been an egg-sellent teacher?

Something odd happening with the formatting here…or the computer “language”…

Dinetta said:

Something odd happening with the formatting here…or the computer “language”…

Computers will often live in a world of their own unless they are spoken to with a degree of authority.

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

Oh that’s a gem of a quote!

She has a masters in geology and a Bsc, dip ed too.

All handy tools when it comes to rats and disease…but yes, I do love a witty comeback…she would have been an egg-sellent teacher?

That she is.

Smile, you are on candid camera.

roughbarked said:

Smile, you are on candid camera.

I think s/he is…smiling that is…great shot…

roughbarked said:

Dinetta said:

Something odd happening with the formatting here…or the computer “language”…

Computers will often live in a world of their own unless they are spoken to with a degree of authority.

I like that quote…sorted now anyhow…

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

I’m supposed to buy a treadle feeder for the chooks grains. But too exxy for me atm so I clean up any spilled food and soon as they stop eating I take the bowl away, pick up watermelon skins etc. That’s as much as I can do.

I have the type that mounts to the wall that opens when the chooks sit on the perch to feed. It got a bit bent up when the lamb kept getting in the chook pen so I am not using it, but it is fixable. You can have it if you want. Just got to work out a way of getting it there.

roughbarked said:

Yes. I recall many decades past when I was mentioing the possibility of disease from the rats attracted to the walnuts with my SIL. She said “That is of no concern to you because your rats are living such a healthy lifestyle.”

lol! love it :D

roughbarked said:

Smile, you are on candid camera.

:D

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Dinetta said:

I’m supposed to buy a treadle feeder for the chooks grains. But too exxy for me atm so I clean up any spilled food and soon as they stop eating I take the bowl away, pick up watermelon skins etc. That’s as much as I can do.

I have the type that mounts to the wall that opens when the chooks sit on the perch to feed. It got a bit bent up when the lamb kept getting in the chook pen so I am not using it, but it is fixable. You can have it if you want. Just got to work out a way of getting it there.

Thankyou BG, but no need. I had a rat proof cage for broodies, thick steel like flywire so I could put a chick feeder in there for the hen and chicks to eat from, but have give that away too now. I am not coping well at the moment and may even surrender the rest of the hens, if they harass me enough I’ll explode.

roughbarked said:

Smile, you are on candid camera.

Love it :)

]

Thank you all for your appreciation. :-) …

I’m not scared of spiders and snakes. In fact, I find them all fascinating.

…

Happy Potter said:

Thankyou BG, but no need. I had a rat proof cage for broodies, thick steel like flywire so I could put a chick feeder in there for the hen and chicks to eat from, but have give that away too now. I am not coping well at the moment and may even surrender the rest of the hens, if they harass me enough I’ll explode.

(((HUGS)))

Happy Potter said:

I am not coping well at the moment and may even surrender the rest of the hens, if they harass me enough I’ll explode.

Now now, that’s enough! You’re tougher and smarter than they are…sneaky wimps …hang in there with your chickies…it will all come good…

((hug))