It's been nearly six weeks since I posted to the blog. I'm not even going to apologize. I've been busy finishing, refurbishing and modifying the chicken coop II. It seems my Welsh Terrier terrorist takes great pleasure in tormenting and watching the two new chicks through the chicken wire mesh. In fact, while doing something else a week or so ago he managed to tear down the upper portion of the wire with his dog toenails and canine incisors. So I had to re-staple and adds some wood over the top of the edges where the wire ends to dissuade him.
I had painted the door what was supposed to be federal red, but was more akin to some 50's era red pinafore colored sun dress my mom would have worn. WAY TOO RED! So, off to Home Depot for a cinammon tan shade that toned it down. Thank goodness for spray paint. It works wonders for graffiti and also chicken coop doors.
So the coop is done. I've added a roosting bar outside that the new chicks seem to really like. The hens beat up on them pretty regularly, so they fly out of the coop and onto that out door roost. The big girls don't seem to bother them there. Though they've taken to knocking their waterer out of the coop and down the gangplank for spite.
My neighbor had to come over last week when he heard what sounded like chicken murder and intervene as the neighborhood "chicken whisperer" and break up the altercation. Things seems to be getting a bit better. Fortunately for me, my Thelma and Louise are really nice chickens and they like to sit on my arm and perch, or on my shoulder or even jump on my back or head. They like to be petted and come when I call them. Okay, enough drivel on chickens.
Below is an excerpt from an email I received from my friend Mark, who is currently travelling in Italy and Germany. Mostly Italy. Mark is also an exceptional writer and observer on life. Enjoy this tidbit.
"Subaru has been the official vehicle of the US ski team for some years. It is sporty,fast, good in the snow... a perfect fit.
In italy, there is a 3-wheel mini truck, the Piaggio, powered by a scooter engine that should be the official
vehicle for old codgers.
The truck for the older man who's "get up and go" has mostly got up and went, but who still likes to get out
and annoy others. (When you buy one, it comes with a free case of duct tape.)
It is grossly underpowered, cant go fast or climb, its noisy and stinks. It only has room for one
...and some junk in back. It is perfect for the misanthrope out scrounging wood or recyclables.
On twisty narrow roads like in central Italy, it has an additional feature; It is the one time your older driver
can make a large number of people slow down and go "his" speed..."Let that young guy in the new BMW, with his huge salary
and nice suit, just "cool his heels" a while longer.Heh heh heh."
My other main occupation the past few weeks has been to watch the USGS river gage for the MIddle Fork Salmon at Middle Fork Lodge. I leave on a trip next week and had been cautiously optimistic it would drop to 6 feet or below, and that we might actually have some sunshine and mostly rain free days. Things are looking up. It peaked over a month at just over 7 feet. The latest plateau was similar. The biggest glitch is waiting to see if the road will magically plow itself, since the USFS has prohibited the outfitters from plowing this year, even though each and every year when the FS didn't plow, the outfitters put up a $1000 bond and did it themselves. There is an ongoing battle with USFS upper management in Region 4 in Idaho the past couple of years due to an amazing lack of common sense as of late. I don't know what has happened to their upper management, but it has been making some of the most boneheaded decisions I've seen the USFS in our Region make in many years. Stunning in their lack of insight, foresight, hindsight.
So that's my little rant for the night, too. You are getting a triple hitter here with three themes in this blog. Enjoy, cause there isn't going to be another one for a while again.
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to the river I go.
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