Hen Counting.

 Last night one of the Black-laced Wyandottes was missing. Thompson alerted on the deck this morning and showed me where she was--dead, of course. So, now there are nineteen hens: seventeen are laying and two are broody. Going to have to talk to Michelle DeMers. If these two don't straighten up and fly right, they are going somewhere. Think Michelle has a rooster that would be right up their alley. They get in the nesting boxes and won't move and fuss at any of the other hens who dare get in there with them! Just in case you wondered, it is not just the Democrat women in Congress who are tacky. 

Years ago we had tacos or chalupas every week for at least one meal. Bought the shells for chalupas, but have not bought the cheese or the lettuce and tomato. Got a can of refried black beans--a little different from the pinto kind. We will see if this actually happens sometime in the near future. It just sounds good.

Got a Mother's Day card today. Think my son is trying to get ahead like some other person in the family who ordered birthday presents all at one time! giggling When one's memory is kinda slack, ya know, you do whatever to keep from forgetting someone's birthday. Had to look up Mother's Day--May 9.

Had to go get Sylvia's city tag to the tune of $20. To replace the one that Thompson lost it would have been another $7--just for the little metal thing. Argh! Told the lady we could just wait until it was time for his renewal. Those little metal wires don't keep anything on a dog's collar--especially if the dogs are constantly getting into things. Found the wire near the back gate, but no tag. Not that it matters much. Sylvia's little tag will probably stay in my purse for however long. sigh

The flowers in the front yard are standing up tall and happy as if they know they have only a little time to look this good. The Bluebonnets already have seed pods on them, but it will be at least another week or so before they are ready to clip off to save for seeds. The timing has to be just right. Too early and the seeds won't sprout next year. Too late and the seeds will already have shot out all over the yard. The poppies are almost that bad. The heads are easier to cut and keep, but the wind sometimes spreads the seeds before the head is even really brown.

Went to FedEx to pick up the copy of my Grammar To Go book. Realized it was not the one that was on the new computer. Oh well. The boys will have THIS copy on their computer, so we can stay on the same page with assignments. Just have to go back and correct my last request for them. They are supposed to be writing a paper today about "how to" for directions. Actually, anyone who is really good at this can do it for a living for some companies. Can see these boys writing for IKEA. We will see. At least they have now had the opportunity to see how important "distructions" can be.

Had a can of Margaret Holmes "Hoppin' John" for lunch. It is basically black-eyed peas with tomato, onion, garlic, jalapeno,  and other peppers in water to wash it down. Spicy, but delicious. Her brand is more expensive than most, but the combinations are fantastic. Now if she just did something with okra! Sitting here laughing and thinking that Carol Thonton is making faces. She can't believe that anyone thinks that okra is tasty, much less delicious. Bless her heart.

Stirred the dog hair around this morning and dumped two dust pans full in the trash. But still did not get the vacuum out and clean the rug in front of my desk. Lazy ol' woman!

Just went out and picked up Athena and told her she is noisy. Took her out and put her in the same hutch as the two broody hens. She was ticked off because all three of the "good" nests were occupied. Told her she could go in with the other two hens who were already ticked off. They would enjoy listening to her yelling! Don't know if that will work or not, but at least she is no longer yelling her head off.

My trash bin is full to overflowing because of the boxes and stuffing that came around the bed frame and rails, parts, and pieces. If JoAnn does not come and fill up both of Jerry's bins, one of them may show up at the edge of the road with some of my trash in it. Or not. We will see.

Thompson has decided that the recliner in my bedroom belongs to him now. He does not like the ceiling fan--at all. But then, he has so little hair on him that he gets cold without a blanket.

Athena is nobody's dummy! She figured out that the front side of the pen would open and almost got it out far enough to get out. Now she is ticked off again since a bucket is propped up against it. Oh well.

The other day when Lance was here, he told me he wanted some garlic when it gets ready. Can anyone tell me how to know when garlic is "ready"? Kinda thought ya just dig some up and use it. But maybe it is after the tops go to bloom or something. Suggestions?

Went by the last house on this stretch of Kemp going past the hospital gates. The irises in that yard were in full bloom--with the UGLIEST color of iris in the entire world. They looked grey. Almost tempted to stop and see if they really were that ugly or if it was just the angle or something. My sister-in-law keeps posting pictures of pretty roses and other flowers on FB. God makes some spectacular ones.

Left the street earlier and a male duck was out in the road watching his hen in the grass. Thought maybe she was wounded or something, so came back home later and walked down there. They both flew off, so maybe they were just tired. Probably just as well not to bring a strange bird into my yard since they carry diseases. Even taking hens from someone's yard to mine requires quarantine for at least a week or more. My girls get VetRx on a daily basis in the water kept inside the coop. And they go through a container of water every few days. Not sure why that water is better, but maybe it has a flavor to it.

Got a sweet note from my sister-by-another mother, Sharon Dickerson. Some folks just know how to make your day and help you find your smile.

Talking to Connie this morning and hoping that Rebekah is about ready to stay here in WF and live in the apartment she has rented. At least, Connie is helping her prepare to do that. Please pray for both of them. Mental health is something we often take for granted, but the "health" part can be pretty iffy at times for any of us.

Want you to know, if someone had introduced me to these "cargo" pants years ago, that would have been the only thing ever purchased! Talk about comfortable! And so many nice pockets for stuff! Now it makes sense to see the nurses, firemen, EMTs, and others wearing them. Room for all the necessities plus room to stretch! Think my daughter should be wearing these.

Walked out to the east side lot to check the rain gauge: 1/2 inch since last night. Walking along and noticed the "sour" plants all over the place. Tiny little yellow flowers on some leaves that look like four leaf clover. We used to eat the stuff as children just to make our mouths sour. Yeah, weird kids. But the side lot is just covered in this stuff. Wish its name were easy to find. Lance uses iNaturalist, but he takes good pictures with his phone. Jennifer figured out what the plant was that came up on the side of the big coop from taking the picture and using that iNaturalist thing. And yes, that plant has gone to glory since it was dangerous.

Athena has stopped yelling, so later this evening will allow her and the two broodies out of the little chicken coop. Betting the two broody hens will sleep in the nests again! Crazy hens. Probably should make them stay in the pen just to break up their little mothering act. You should see them puff up and get all hackled up when they are messed with. If a person were not familiar with hens, they would strike fear in one's heart!

Don't really know much. The sun has come out now, so the birds are really telling the world about how beautiful it is out there. Ah, nature.

As much as possible, we should all try to keep the peace that God has given us. Let others live their lives and be happy to live your own. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.