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!

💙💚💗