Long enough

We returned from our trip to Florida. We stayed just long enough to

start a few fires,

make friends with real pirates,

bury a few treasures in the sand,

pat the stingrays and feed them lunch,

dance in the ocean until its waves knocked us down,

see the dolphins in rehabilitation and captivity,

and in the wild,

nap,

and play around with some technology,

meet some other moms,

sail on board a real pirate ship,

learn how to fire pistols,

and listen to pirate stories at sunset,

become honorary pirates,

 

 dance our buccaneer hearts out,

climb to the top of the world,

 

bungee jump,

and flip,

and flip some more,

 hang out upside down to appease our monkey hearts,

make new friends and dance a little,

unmake new friends!

learn how swimming pools work,

and rearrange the fountains,

collect sea shells,

swim under the water,

and pose for a late night family photo with the camera timer.

Until next year, bye Florida!

Farmer genius

There's a certain kind of genius that only experienced farmers possess. That genius has come from years of making mistakes, back-breaking work, and age; age that makes you work smarter because your body can no longer work harder.

After doing much research on chicken waterers, I discovered a chicken farmer who makes his own waterers and feeders for about 10 bucks each. They keep the water clean and full for about two weeks for a flock our size. So, I couldn't resist, I had to make my own because anything that makes my life easier, is a blessing.

First I tipped my 5-gallon bucket upside down in the pan to mark the height of the side of the pan on the bucket. Then I turned it back over to drill 3/8" holes below this line (when turned over).  I filled it up, tapped on the lid,  and turned it over set outdoors for a few hours to be certain there was no leaking before introducing it to the coop. The girls are thrilled with their new watering system! Placed on a cinder block, they can't kick up their bedding into the water.

The feed bucket has 1 1/4" holes drilled around the base of the bucket (again below the side of the pan). I also drilled three 1/4" holes in the bucket and using screws, washers and nuts, bolted them together so it wouldn't tip or get pushed to the side. As the girls eat, their feed refills itself. I only wish I had done this sooner!