Sunday, July 30, 2023

July 30th


Yesterday was sad for us.
Due to a neighbor's complaint,
we had to send Gizmo to the SPCA.
He was beginning to acclimate to
our little backyard farm.
But,
in our town there is a domestic
fowl rule that only allows for 4 hens
at the most. 
This has changed from 10 years ago,
when it was 8.
 There always has been a ban on roosters
but,
we heard them crowing every morning,
even before we ever found Gizmo.

So, a code violation notice was pinned
to our front door last Thursday,
It stated that we had to remove
all roosters and hens, over the limit of 4,
or face a daily fine if we didn't comply.
Our 2 girls can remain at home.
Ironically,
we had been trying to find a home 
for Gizmo since the CEO rescued him.
All places he spoke to didn't want
a rooster.
😢
Our only choice was the SPCA.
They assured us that he wouldn't be 
euthanized.

He was such a good boy
riding in the car inside that box.
We said our goodbye's
and left him in (hopefully)
capable hands.

I'm glad we had a small
amount of time with him
and I hope he finds a forever home.
💔



 

Sunday, July 9, 2023

July 9th

Yeah, that sounds about right.
Oppressive, hot days with panting pooches
idly laying around.
But,
that's not why it's called that.
Although it really fits for Southern Louisiana!

Picture it...
back in the times of the Holy Roman Empire,
when Sirius, the Dog Star,
appeared in the sky just before dawn,
it marked the days near the end of July.
It also was the start of the hottest days
of the entire year.
So, in Latin, the Romans called these days,
"dies caniculares"
or,
"dog days".
Now you know.
😀


******************************


Meet Gizmo.
He is a runaway bantam rooster!
We found him in our front yard,
wet and scared.
so, the CEO grabbed a fishing net
and scooped him up.
We were sure he belonged to
our neighbors, but a canvas of 
the neighborhood proved us wrong.
No one claimed him.
😞
To be accurate, we thought
"he" was a "she" at first.
He wouldn't let us handle him,
so we couldn't "lift his skirt"
to tell what his pronouns were.
😆😂
We gave him some water and food
but the girls we not happy!
As far as they are concerned ,
he's an unwelcomed interloper.
After a day, the CEO was able to grab him.
Thats when we noticed the spurs
(a dead give away!)
and a bushy tall tail,
(another give away)
and morning cock-a-doodle-do's!!
(that sealed the deal!)
That's when we changed his name 
from Gidget to Gizmo.
We have tried to have him adopted to 
a good home but the problem is that
no one wants a rooster,
so they become fodder for 
dog fights or cock fights.
NOPE!
We won't allow that.
So, now we have 3 chickens.
His breed is a Belgian D'Uccle
Millefleur Bantam Cock.
(I looked him up online)
Big name for a little guy.
Lucy and Ethel are about twice his size.


He's missing a couple tail feathers.
Seems he got too close to bitchy Ethel,
and she grabbed a feather souvenir!
But that didn't stop him,
he's a brave little soldier.
He crows at "threats",
like Jesuit our resident Blue Jay,
or a few Mourning Doves,
or the morning sun!
Ha!


Finally fitting in.
The CEO is making him
tame by handling him often.



Lucy and Ethel reluctantly
share the coop.


He settled in nicely.


Minew couldn't care less.
At least Gizmo doesn't peck at cats,
so maybe he's her ally.


Ethel eyeballing Gizmo.
She watches wherever he goes.
Kinda reminds me of the Nuns 
back in grade school!
😆


Curious cat.


Follow the leader,
as long as Gizmo stays away.


Potted meat?


*******************************


The heat got to a lot of our crops,
so we harvested as much as we could
to dehydrate or freeze.
The dead ones were put into the compost bin.


These are different kinds of eggplant,
Japanese Eggplant - long curvy ones
Italian Eggplants - large regular kind
Mini Eggplants


Several kinds of cherry tomatoes,
and a few regular small ones.
I cooked these down to a pulp with some
wine, olive oil, seasonings and chicken bouillon.
Then I strained the pulp and froze 
the gravy.
I then add 1 egg and some breadcrumbs to the 
pulp and spread it out to bake in a low 
350 degree oven.
When I take it out of the oven, before it hardens,
I cut it up into squares.
Makes about 2 dozen small "tomato crackers".
They taste great!



Okra flower.
These veggies can withstand the heat.
I usually pickle the pods.


Picking the few cherry tomatoes left.


Cucumbers.
Regular green cucumber.
Round Yellow "Lemon" cucumber.
The yellow one is milder than the regular ones.


Holy Basil.


Thai Basil and Italian Oregano.


Scarlet Mandevilla.


Reddish Orange Dragonfly.
Beautiful!


The Bee garden.


Echeverria with an unusual bloom.
It's a bright pink and grayish green bloom.


*******************************

This is a unique way of looking at
the month of July.
I like it!



Love this!

💙💚💗