Monthly Archives: January 2015

Curious Chickens

Posted on January 31, 2015 by amanandhishoe

Chickens are as curious as cats which are as curious as dogs which are as curious as ? Curiosity is universal. Researchers have identified many parts of the brain such as the anterior cortices, the striatum, the hippocampus and dentate … Continue reading →

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Our Solar System Goes Live

Posted on January 30, 2015 by amanandhishoe

On a frosty morning, the new solar system looks like a piece of art. This morning, the installers put in the production meter to tie the system to our electric system. With sunlight streaming down, I watched our meter stop … Continue reading →

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Only Here

Posted on January 29, 2015 by amanandhishoe

No matter where you are, there is something that happens or exists only there. For starters, wherever you are, it’s the only place someone can find you. Today is egg delivery day, and as I pedal through the valley to … Continue reading →

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Pygmy Tragedy

Posted on January 28, 2015 by amanandhishoe

Bicycling home from an errand today, I came upon a pygmy tragedy on the side of the road. A northern pygmy owl lay dead. Not too long ago a vehicle hit it, and it died. It’s very sad, but the … Continue reading →

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The Seasons Change

Posted on January 26, 2015 by amanandhishoe

On a warm, sunny day like today, winter already seems like a memory. I must keep in mind that the last frost date here is around April 15, so there is always a chance for a cold spell or two. … Continue reading →

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Chickens Can Solve Problems Too

Posted on January 25, 2015 by amanandhishoe

It’s breakfast time and the chickens are crowding around the feeders. Instead of huddling with the other chickens around the feeder, this hen has learned that she can have the whole feeder to herself by flying to the top of … Continue reading →

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Having a Dog Is Like Being Married

Posted on January 24, 2015 by amanandhishoe

You can be married to someone for a long time and still learn something new about them. It’s no different with a dog. We’ve had BB for nine years, and I had no idea he liked squash. I guess I … Continue reading →

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Two Faces

Posted on January 23, 2015 by amanandhishoe

No matter how many chickens you look at, each one has a unique face. Missa above has a short comb which leans to the right side of her head. She has a cream colored beak, and compact wattles. Nancy has … Continue reading →

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Up It Goes

Posted on January 22, 2015 by amanandhishoe

The crew came this morning to finish installing the solar panels on the roof of the garage. By mid afternoon, all the panels were installed. The next step is for the state to inspect and approve the installation. After that, … Continue reading →

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City Greens and the Pursuit of Freshness

Posted on January 22, 2015 by amanandhishoe

You don’t have to live in the country on acreage to enjoy fresh greens. It doesn’t take a lot of space to grow vegetables. We were in Seattle yesterday to enjoy one last meal at The Kingfish Cafe with a … Continue reading →

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Just Ask

Posted on January 21, 2015 by amanandhishoe

Some of the chickens, Lucky especially, aren’t as shy as I am. If she wants something, she doesn’t hesitate to ask. This afternoon, she wanted her supper hand carried to her. After raising a clutch of well adjusted chicks this … Continue reading →

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More Signs of Spring

Posted on January 20, 2015 by amanandhishoe

With the unseasonably warm weather and increasing length of the days, it’s impossible to step outside and not see new signs of spring each day. Daffodils are popping up and sweet daphne buds are bulging. It feels more like mid-February … Continue reading →

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The Law of Beauty

Posted on January 19, 2015 by amanandhishoe

Deep in the woods, an alder has died. The mushrooms and mosses and ferns have moved in and are devouring it. But, even as they slowly turn the tree into dirt, they assiduously follow the law of beauty, one of … Continue reading →

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The Delicious Warmth of Eggs

Posted on January 17, 2015 by amanandhishoe

What no one prepared me for was how warm fresh eggs are. The first time I picked up a just laid egg, what charmed me most was how warm it was. The internal temperature of a hen is between 105º … Continue reading →

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Common Things Can Be Amazing

Posted on January 16, 2015 by amanandhishoe

In late fall, the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) caterpillars, called Woolly Bears, are crawling over everything. There are thousands of them just here. Yesterday, I noticed one crawling about already. I never knew how amazing these caterpillars were until … Continue reading →

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Beauty and Her Egg

Posted on January 16, 2015 by amanandhishoe

After a short winter, Svenda is back to laying eggs. She is a hen with class. She’s the kind of hen you’d expect to find shopping at Dior. Just like the runway models, she knows how to stare without cracking … Continue reading →

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Solar Power Is Coming to A Man and His Hoe®

Posted on January 15, 2015 by amanandhishoe

The crew from Banner Power Solutions began work yesterday on installing a solar power system on the garage. By next month we should be generating electricity and reducing our carbon footprint. They will be using solar panels made by Itek … Continue reading →

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Everyone Deserves a Little Love

Posted on January 14, 2015 by amanandhishoe

Everyone deserves a little love, even Billy, our old rooster. He’s reluctant to go to bed through the main entrance of the chicken house because the younger roosters bully him. So my kind husband let’s him sneak into the coop … Continue reading →

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One Last Meal

Posted on January 13, 2015 by amanandhishoe

A common practice when butchering chickens is to not let them eat any food for twelve hours to a full day before you butcher them. The reasoning is that you want their digestive system to be clear of food when … Continue reading →

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You Never See This on a Regular Egg Farm

Posted on January 12, 2015 by amanandhishoe

This two and a half month old chick waits patiently while its mother takes time to lay an egg. Some young chicks have a hard time growing up and leaving their mother’s side. This chick is one of the lucky … Continue reading →

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