Stephen Colbert on Ethanol and U.S. Energy Policies and Ideas

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=167098


... which, oddly, reminds me that I need to get some maize seed... to try to keep grain costs from getting completely out-of-hand for feeding the chickens, and also cut down on having to order in grain, we're going to grow some corn for them (and maybe some for us too).

And if the oats do _really_ well this year, they might get some of that too.

Haven't ruled out rolling cages or building a cage next to the barn with ramps from the chicken rooms, but finding the time to build is definitely a factor...

Chickens: cage attached to barn, rolling cages, or....

... maybe we really should consider rolling cages, or setting up areas around the fruit trees we're planning on putting in this year...

Gene Logsdon's Accidental Peach Crop

... although I still like the cage attached to the barn idea too. That way all the chickens can supplement their diets with grass, grubs, and bugs, and we just cage and move some of them over to the fruit trees now and then.... And no, we _can't_ have free range chickens. While the chickens would be happy enough staying near the house and barn -- easily acquired room and board after all -- we'd lose too many to wild animals. Also, many dogs aren't on leash around here and I don't trust them not to try to have some 'fun' with the chickens.

Range-free works better some places than others. We have weasels, fishers, fox, ermines, and other fun critters.

Walpurgisnacht

'tis Moving Day.

And an interesting day we had earlier, as I managed to pack and move some things, mostly up in the attic. L moved the heavier things of course. My mother called this afternoon with a bunch of computer techie problems (pretty easy stuff really, but she needs someone who's willing to repeat things several times without losing patience, and who can figure out what's going on from a very non-technical description -- L answered the one real software/security question, but now I know for future reference). Then we discussed a few book things, and then L came in and announced that it was snowing.

Snowing, and 48 degrees F outside.

Just a few flurries, but a reminder that we were going to be getting a hard frost tonight.

Plants are covered. More sewing accomplished. Kitties are settled finally. L is listening to ani-music - very cool.


May the new year bring you joy, good health, good company, lighter burdens, and illumination to light your way, wherever your path may lead you.