It's Been a While...Again

...since I last posted. Much is the same, much has changed.

I've almost entirely changed my flock of poultry - having accumulated some, sold some, lost some I've now got 4 pens/coops, with a trio in two of them, 6 in another, and 4 ducks in the last one. I'm currently treating Emu (an enormous and handsome Speckledy cockerel who was reared from chickdom to keep another chick company) with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds as he has a swollen foot. He's been to the vet quite a bit so I'm not counting the ££££ I've spent on a rather worthless rooster - he's a male hybrid so I can't even breed from him due to his parentage, but did I mention he was really handsome? At least it's not Marek's disease which can afflict chickens who haven't been vaccinated as most commercial hens are, but the vet gave him a thorough going over and couldn't find any tumours so fingers crossed.

Simba is another cockerel from the batch of chicks, and we had to keep him as Amber used to brood him in the crook of her arm and consequently got extremely attached to him. 'Him' of course, so that involved getting another coop...

I'm still knitting although plodding rather than rattling through projects as I once did. I'm working for myself part time as a beekeeper/gardener and have less time to spend dossing around enjoying myself. It does mean I managed to justify getting a bit of domestic help - Jo (who I think one would term as a "treasure") has done an excellent job on the house so far, although I was mortified last time when I came down and found she'd pulled out the blanket box which has been there for erm, since we moved in..."Ooohhhhh, let me get you a bin bag" I said :-/ as she unveiled 5 years' worth of crap. I returned later in the morning to a sparkling lounge and all the hair bands/marbles/Lego and plastic beaver sitting neatly on top of the blanket box. However - she then dealt the killer blow: "I found a cheque book in among the sofa cushions..." Nooooooo, not the sofa!!! I then apologised for the amount of Cheerios and guinea pig poo that I knew was under there, just knew yet never cleaned up. I could have got away with it too as she said "Poo? Oh I thought it was guinea pig food". I may as well let her do my fridge now; I can't sink any lower, surely?

Cleaning and Crowing

I thought I'd prepare for Jo's arrival today by cleaning out the fridge, as she said she'd tackle the kitchen this week. After the sofa last week I felt it was the least I could do, so when I got back to find she'd done behind the fridge I realised I was fighting a losing battle. Anyway, it looks very shiny and clean, and despite my eyes smarting from the bleach fumes it has inspired me to tidy up the dining room, which I ambitiously call my study/workroom. Having domestic help is a bit like being married to both a houseproud husband AND wife: half of me feels "Oh no! Look at the state of the lounge - I'd better wipe the table" and another half feels "Wow, look at those taps! You've done a fantastic job..." I'm probably getting the best of both worlds.

I did wait until after Jo had left before I brought Emu in to the kitchen to give him his anti-inflammatories. He's looking much better and squaring up to the other cockerels when they goad him through the wire rather than running back inside. He came out of the broody coop for a constitutional this morning. He can't stand upright in there as he's so large, and has to crow by stretching his neck horizontally which gives an interesting tone to his vocals.

His matching wives, Emily and Mary, are currently running out with Simba and his two, as Emu is on erm, 'restricted duties' due to his poorly foot. Simba seems unsurprisingly thrilled with the arrangement, and thankfully adultery, bigamy, trigamy and anything else is all taken in good heart so everyone's happy.

The girls are now making a cake - in my clean kitchen. They've promised to tidy up afterwards...