Winter's Cold

It has been a long time since I posted.  We got caught up in holiday preparations and traveling, a human loss in the family and, sadly, a decline and death of our dear Obie, our 87lb rabbit and garden saboteur.

Celebrations and Losses

The Holidays and January were a mix of wonderful times with family and friends and difficult losses.  Thanksgiving was wonderful with family in Ohio and we decided to plan our first Christmas to be in our home with family.  We were blindsided the sudden death of a family member just before Christmas.  So the normal gaiety of Christmas with our family was tempered by that loss.

We traveled to Ohio to visit more family for the new years celebration and returned for a January consumed by the decline of our beloved Obie.  We were able to find solutions for his pain.  We are not able to find solutions for the neurological issues that left him unable to walk, sit, shift position, or lie comfortably.  In short, he was unable to participate in his life on his terms.  When he had a seizure that left us both lying in the snow on a very cold January morning, he asked to go.  I honored that request. I miss him terribly - I still find myself rushing to be home by 5:00 pm only to find no reason to be here.  I still get up at 5:am only to realize that nobody is hungry and waiting.  This part of winter has be very cold.

Plans

That said we are planning for next year's garden and more infrastructure for the back yard including a laundry line that won't be in the way and adjustable in height and a tomato structure that will allow us to plant more, spread them out better and allow for more height than our stakes did this year.  We also think we may have better ways of protecting our squash and fruits as summer turns to fall and the squirrels become desperate.

We have also concluded that we want to start saving seeds and we will be planting key veggies based on the requirements for pollination that will allow us to make good seeds for next year.

We also hope to choose one or two fruit trees as additions to our yard for this year.  Cherry? Apple? Pear?  We don't know yet - we're debating.  We have more time to make the decision.

We also are signing up for a CSA.  We have chosen Zilke Vegetable Farm based on their delivery to our Farmers Market here in Ypsilanti and location close to an almost daily route.


And Finally, The Chickens are All Right

This is our first winter with chickens.  Some of you might remember that we chose a breed of chicken specifically for our cold winters.  Buckeyes were developed for cold weather in Ohio.  Ours are doing well.  We are still getting 2 or so eggs every day, often 3.  They have adjusted to being in their pen for the most part.  When they do venture out it is clear that they are happy to return to the pen given the lack of grass and greens to eat.  Deep snow befuddles them.  I shovel paths in the yard from our door to our gates and to the door of the coop.  They have learned to stick to the paths.

I am pleased to report that the coop has worked well. I make sure there is fresh water twice a day and have added cottage cheese treats to some mornings. The coop seems plenty warm for them and we have been rewarded with pretty happy chickens.

More coming soon....adventures in a foster chicken...