Finally

After retuning from the gym today, one of my girls were making the loudest racket. I knew I would fine an egg, but I wasn't expecting two. I was worried that they were going to find some place in the woods since they get to go just about anywhere they want to. My little darlings used their boxes, though. They are the craziest characters. I have been raking up all the large rocks loosened last year in the tree masacre and have to be careful because the ladies stay right on top of my rake, happy that I am doing some scratching for them.

Then Suz, Retta and Cliff arrived for some corn soup, corn chips and popcorn and a movie.

Nest Boxes and New Roosts

Here is a pic of the new roosts and nest boxes. The boxes have lids and are made from 99% recycled materials. The roosts are wooden curtain rods which the ladies have not yet used, prefering the shelf above.

The Girls - All nine of them

Alright, here is a pic of the girls. I will TRY to put up a more recent pic as this one was taken a couple of months ago. These little ladies are so awesome. I have seen them eat a snake, chase a squirel and go crazy over cockroaches from the compost pile (kind of creeped me out). I worry about them all the time. I mean ALL. THE. TIME. My girls are also heroes. A couple of weeks ago, I got called into work at 0600 and wasn't able to let them out before work. It was a foggy morning and people could not stop running into each other and sliding off the road into things: included in the mayhem were two wrecks into guardrails, a car sliding under a school bus loaded with high-schoolers, and 3 others not worth recalling. At about 1000, I had permission from the on-duty commander in my area to go to my house to check on my chickens (my house is in the response district of the unit I was called into, or this would NEVER have happened). After releasing the girls, and on our way back to our station, we were first on scene of a rollover that trapped one of the occupants - very close to the house - this would not have happened had we been in station. While not violating HIPPA, I can tell you that although the person was trapped in the wreckage, it was only by a limb, turned out not to be so serious and a complete recovery is expected. Next time, that person will wear a seat belt.

Explanation

So, ah, Cy mentioned that I haven't blogged in a while. He also said I didn't explain the difference between "hydro" and "wet". So, here it is, a two-in-one and probably not entirely and/or exactly correct since I am not an expert in this area. "Hydro" is what users call hydroponically grown marijuana. It is supposed to be "good stuff". "Wet" on the other hand, are marijuana cigs that have been soaked in formaldahyde (sp?), or PCP, or god knows what - maybe Juan Valdez's mule's piss. The inexperienced should not confuse these two, because when they start to feel "funny" the first thing they do is call 911. Which I thought the point of people doing drugs was so that they would feel funny. Conincidentally, we were called again the other night for someone who smoked and then felt funny and called 911. Here is a clue: the caller is waiting outside and doesn't let you in their house. They "know" their supplier - their supplier is "in the family." (Yes, if you do drugs and call us, we are going to ask you if you know your dealer and if we can keep a straight face, if you trust your dealer. Trusted drug dealer - an oxymoron). Odds are, they are growing their own, their house is filled with drugs, or porn or both. Don't people realize that if everyone who did a little dope called 911, 10 City busses wouldn't be enough to hold them all?This is when I want to grab them by the shoulders, give them a good shake and say, "maybe crack/marijuana/alcohol/meth/heroine isn't your thing." Why can't bitch-slap be a treatment protocol?

Google, Please

Once again, without violating HIPPA, I offer some helpful info. Google people. You can find out important stuff. For example a "patient" we saw the other night, made me suspicious about several things they said. They ended up refusing transport to a medical facility, but I had to say several times: "no. that's not what I said. I said..." "...okay, this police officer and my partner are witnesses, I said..." "... not..." So I googled that person today and lo and behold, they had filed legal things against police officers and paramedics in other Texas cities and other States.

In a related theme, please know your drug dealer. There is a difference between hydro and wet. A big difference. Enough to scare the user.
Also, if you do use, especially regularly, and the last time you used was "a long time ago, " one hour is not a long time ago.

I know if you are reading this, none of it applies to you, but you can pass it along.

Found One!

Well actually I found several. But here is one of the first pumpkins. Look to the left of the baby pumpkin. Can you see the nasty stuff lurking in the background? I put on disposable gloves and yanked that one and a few more.

What Smells Like a Salad Bar in a Massage Parlour?

Suzy's car, that's what. I was cleaning my car, so I just did them both. Feeling a lot better and a little more energetic, cloudy skies, cooler weather, a bare sprinkle instead of the expected downpour and see what can happen! Anticipating that Suz wouldn't appreciate chemicals, I used a vinegar and water mixture with a few drops of lavender oil. After the vinegar evaporates, it pretty much leaves the lavender scent... pretty much.

In spite of the heat and little rain, look how the pumpkin patch is coming along. I am sure it is because Suzy touched the seeds. Everything she touches turns green and thrives.