Happenings around the place

Two days ago I noticed I had a couple of tomatoes turning ripe.  My mouth was watering!  I am so ready for a fresh garden tomato.  But yesterday my hopes were dashed.  

Some pesky varmint had himself a feast.  You can tell the chickens didn't do this.  It was somebody with teeth!  The tomato was still attached to the plant when I found it, but I brought it inside to show Cliff.  Later on, I took it back outside and put it on the ground near the caged tomato, hoping that if the varmint came back he would finish this tomato rather than ruin another one.  This morning it was gone.  

I should have baby chicks by this evening:  Before we went to Iowa, one of my Buff Orpington hens went broody.  Once we returned, I had Cliff get my little portable chicken coop and put it near the chicken house,; I put some straw in it and made a nest, put some eggs in it (a dozen, I think) and placed the hen on the nest.  Not all settin' hens like to be moved, but this gentle lady didn't mind at all.  This morning when I checked the eggs, at least one was pipped, a couple were peeping, and I heard pecking in a couple of others.  Apparently the rooster has been doing his job correctly!  The eggs were fertile.  

I really need to take a video of what goes on at the chicken house first thing in the morning:  The rooster is always the first chicken off the roost, strutting about and crowing non-stop.  Heaven help the first hen that follows him off the roost, because Romeo Rooster only has one thing on his mind, and he is in hot pursuit.  That first hen gives him a run for his money, but she's doomed.  She is going to get some lovin' whether she wants it or not.  It's laugh-out-loud funny.  

We are enjoying it back here in the trailer house where we can see the sunsets and sunrises every day, without leaving the house.

  This was the view last night.  

We can also see the cattle herd from the house, most times.  Here they are this morning:

Yes, I have turned the boys out with the herd.  All of them had become acquainted through the fence, so it's quite natural that the calves hang with the adults.  That keeps them out of a lot of mischief they would get into on their own.  

My garden is pathetic this year.  I haven't even got all of it planted, and can't summon up enough interest in it to care whether things do well or not.  Meh.  I'd rather play with the baby when she's here.  

Speaking of the baby, she should be here soon, so I had better get out of my nightgown and into daytime clothes.