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Rain fell this week, half an inch Tuesday and one and a half Thursday. There was also about half an inch that fell while we were in Garland. Things are looking up. The rain Thursday evening was particularly gratifying. There was a storm headed our way but Abigail and I still drove across town to her softball practice. It was sprinkling by the time we got there but the coach was on the diamond hitting balls to a handful of girls so Abigail joined them. The sprinkle gradually got heavier and while not close, there was lightening accompanying the storm. I was on the verge of summoning the Abster to the car when the coach finally called off practice. Half way home we drove out of the rain which was coming down pretty hard but had no sooner gotten home when it started raining on SA. It was good to see the little dry stream in the front run the length with water, probably the first time it’s done so since I put it in. Never mind that practically the whole yard was running with water also.
Tuesday we rented a power washer and hosed off the chicken house after Joyce cleaned out the inside. We also used the washer on the swing and the playhouse, as much to remove loose paint as to clean off dirt. The chicken house hadn’t been painted, only stained, and we were getting it ready to re-stain. While we were in Garland Chris the Knife killed all the old chickens but two that Joyce especially liked. They weren’t producing eggs anymore and the new batch of chickens was ready to inhabit the chicken yard and house where they will have nest boxes. Joyce thinks they will start laying next month. Not even John Henry escaped the slaughter. Rojo takes his place, I guess. I was wondering how they were going to handle two roosters. It seemed to me the two would spend all their time going after each other, which would have been entertaining, but perhaps counter productive. We got the chicken house painted Thursday so everything was ready for the new batch to be moved in in plenty of time for them to get used to their surroundings prior to commencing egg production. I think I’ll stick to my grapes. I don’t care much for the realities of livestock management.
Renée was in town Wednesday and joined us for lunch. Like use she had been recently to visit her grandchildren in Abilene (Eric’s) and College Station (Lisa’s). All are doing well.
As for SA maintenance, the rain has stimulated the weeds but I’ve got a surprise for them. I now have time to spray them when they are small and growing rapidly, which makes them more susceptible to Weed-B-Gone. For years I’ve fought a loosing battle trying to spray at the best time, which usually conflicted with work. Knocking them in the head before they get going good can make a big difference in how much time is required to get them under control.
Saturday Abigail’s softball team played in a tournament. The tournament started Friday evening but Abigail went to a dance at her school instead. She was at the softball facility Saturday from 10 a.m. until the end of her last game at about 9:30. Kari and I attended three of the four games and Chris attended the late game. It was a beautiful day and everybody should have gotten their fill of softball. Abigail played some right field and some left field. While she didn’t get a hit, she connected on every at bat and had an RBI. It was fun watching her and her team even though they mostly came out on the short end of the stick. Joyce and Chris got the new chickens moved to the chicken yard from the dog run while we were at the games. Chris had to catch each one and put it in the chicken house when it was time because they couldn’t be coaxed into it. It probably won’t take them long to catch on to the protocol though.