Butterfly Hill Farm: Getting Ready for Baby Peeps

Banner Photo

May 20:

The Farm is really greening up. Plants are breaking into buds and flowers, under our ever watchful eye. Buffalo Gal, a rose we brought with us from North Dakota, is covered with buds and today she presented us with her 1st flower.

Irises began blooming yesterday. And we were not surprised that the 1st to flower were Irises from Melanie's 2 Grandmas (Ethel and Dorothy, who have both passed). I noted that the Yellow Columbine is also breaking into flower. And the Bleeding Heart just continues to throw out cascades of flowers.

We got 1 inch of rain last night. We did lose a few limbs, but otherwise, the countryside is in that luscious, after rain, spring-moving-into summer, green.

I do remember that my Dad, when he came to our Farm in 2007 just 2 months before he passed, said: "This is paradise. When I go to Heaven, I want to come here." It surely is beautiful here. The landscapes are radiant.

And the Hummingbirds, with all their energy, have just arrived. They buzz about. I don't know how they have all that energy. They wintered in the Yucatan, crossed the Gulf on those tiny wings, and now are setting up home here. I supposed you could say, they are setting up home just like us.

All this makes a perfect backdrop for wedding preparations and for the wedding itself. Is this for real?

Photos

Except in very specific circumstances, all photos depicted here were taken on our Farm. Those circumstances off the Farm relate to the purposes of this Farm and this writing exploration. Almost all were taken by 1 of the 3 C's. If not, I try to make sure others are credited. I (Glinda) am usually the one carrying the camera, but not always.

I do my best to gain permissions of Folks whose pictures are shown on this Blog. If for any reason, you are pictured and would like your photo removed, just let me know. Thanks.

Glinda

...began her professional career as a Home Economist, later serving as a Home Economics Teacher Educator for 2 decades. In 1995, she moved into analyzing the Human Side of Environmental Issues. She went from studying Humans in their Little Homes to studying Humans in their Big Home, the Earth. Those 2 leggeds were, after all, creating a substantial problem for the Earth, which sustains them. After 30 years in higher education, she became Professor Emerita of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Ecological Studies at the University of North Dakota in 2005.

Glinda has a special interest in analyzing the split Humans have with Nature. Her focus is bringing Humans home to the Earth, opening at long last to the awe, magic, and love of this beautiful Earth whirling in the Great Cosmic Sea. She is a writer, teacher, poet, artist. She is the writer for this Blog, the substance of which will likely become a book she has known she would write.

Recent interview with Fast Recipes: http://www.fastrecipes.com/latest-news/nature%E2%80%99s-recipes:-living-off-the-land-in-missouri-2010061740080/

Richard

...grew up on a 120 acre Farm about 5 miles west of here. Those humble beginnings have had a profound effect on his Life. He was trained as a Wildlife Biologist and later responsible for the Wildlife Management Program at the University of North Dakota for over 3 decades. Retiring in 2007, he is a UND Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology.

Richard brings to the Farm a lifelong interest in the Natural Sciences (Birds, Wildlife, Prairie Restoration, Ecosystems, Gardening) and the Humanities. As his wife (Glinda) says: "He is one of those few people in our Culture who can still read Nature's story and make it accessible to those around him."

Melanie

...would list a bio a little shorter than her Mom and Dad. That's because she hasn't lived quite so long, which is the normal course of such things. But her bio would be no less interesting and perhaps even more so. She has come to this work and this walk far earlier than her Mom or Dad.

Melanie has an interest in healthy lifestyles. It's not something you read about; it's something you do. She brings her love of life, her travel near and far, her love of people known and unknown, her playful curiosity, and her knowing to Gardening, Raising Chickens, Herbal Healing, and the Culinary Arts. She makes a place for Kids of all Ages on this Little Farm.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Getting Ready for Baby Peeps

Today Melanie spent time getting supplies and "rooms" ready for Baby Peeps. She got boxes tidied up and put stacks of plain newsprint (without ink) liners in them. Baby Peeps poop a lot, you know. When the papers are soiled, she just pulls the top layer out exposing a clean layer below. She arranged "circles" of cardboard in the middle. That is essential because otherwise the Baby Peeps would pile up and smother in the corners. The cardboard and newsprint are remnants of our move 4 years ago.

You will note that the boxes are up on pallets. The garage is unheated. At this season, the floor is cold and will be damp next to objects placed upon it. Putting boxes up on pallets will contribute to good air flow and will keep the boxes from getting damp. That means it will be healthier for the Baby Peeps.

Melanie rounded up all the supplies, cleaned them out and got them in order. She brought food in close too. We use a Chick Starter from Brad Whitaker. It is organically grown and has higher protein. Our Baby Chicks have done really well on it. They have been much healthier than when we used more conventionally grown products. They seem much more vibrant. (Shhh...the Boys taste far better too.)

We have 1 task left to do. Richard needs to hang the warming lamps over the boxes.

Baby Peeps are in transit now. When they arrive at the Post Office, the morning crew will give us a call to pick them up. Quite possibly that call could come tomorrow. It is more likely that it will come on Monday.

Our order is from Murray McMurray Hatchery out of Webster City, Iowa. http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html It will include 40 White Rock Cockerels and 10 Buff Orpington "Straight Run". Straight Run come pretty much as the Hennies laid them, so they will include males and females. We are not sure the ratio, but it would be nice to add about 5 more Hennies to the flock.

Melanie noted that the arrival of the Baby Peeps is when things get really busy around here. "See you in the late fall," she said. We nodded our heads knowingly and smiled.

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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Getting Ready for Baby Peeps

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