King of the Coop

I meant to post this picture a few days ago when it was so cold. This is Dave, my rooster.

Dave was in this spot every time one of us went into the coop. As the husband noted, “Dave’s not stupid.”

I’m going to have to incubate a few eggs this spring to try to get a baby rooster. Dave will be four years old in March and that’s getting up there for a rooster. When I get an exceptional rooster, I like to keep his genetics going. Dave’s father was a Buff Orpington and his mother was a New Hampshire Red, so any baby isn’t going to be a purebred by any stretch of the imagination, but I want one with Dave’s personality.

We ended up with about 10" of new snow, but somehow managed to avoid the blizzard. The wind blew a little bit, but nothing like those windstorms we often get. I see that by the end of January, our temps are supposed to be up close to 40F. The husband really wants to get back to work. He is not enjoying his enforced vacation.

I did not sew yesterday. I spent most of the day sorting and organizing paperwork and other stuff. I still have a few things to update in QuickBooks but the bulk of that work is done.

While I was working, I watched one of the Special Operations Equipment build videos. Special Operations Equipment makes tactical gear in Camden, Tennessee, and their facility is where the Self-Reliance Festival is held. SOE is owned by John and Amanda Willis, and John has a thriving YouTube channel. The video I watched yesterday was of him making a dog leash. I couldn’t see the front of the machine, but I am pretty sure he was sewing on a Consew 206. I like watching his build videos because he’s is a great teacher and explains everything he is doing and why. Also, he does dumb things and says bad words just like I do, and that makes me feel better. (His videos are a bit salty. You’ve been warned.) I always pick up some useful tip from watching him sew. When I was there in October, Amanda had just acquired a beautiful Singer Red Eye treadle.

It’s time to order seeds for the garden and plant sale. I found last year’s order while sorting paperwork. Thinking about the garden is not easy when there is so much snow out there, but we have our first planning meeting for the plant sale this week, so I’ve got to have some idea of what I’m going to grow. We’re also resurrecting our fundraising garden tour in July, and I really need to get started on the herb garden plan. I have the luxury of being able to spend some money on infrastructure for both gardens this year. The herb garden will get raised beds, and both gardens need a comprehensive watering system instead of something cobbled together.

The husband says that a tree fell down in the pig pasture in last week’s storm and took out part of the garden fence. He’ll be able to fix the fence once the snow melts. I am thinking of hiking out there to take a look (and maybe a photo).

This is also the time of year that Susan orders scion wood for grafting apple trees. She always finds the most interesting varieties. Of course, everything sounds delicious in January.

I think today is going to be devoted to trying to get that knot top pattern squared away. I might also start the Oxbow Tote, finally. I have no desire to go anywhere—running errands in town on Tuesday was a slog. I’m driving the Acura until the husband figures out what is going on with the BMW. The Acura does okay in the snow—it has snow tires—but it’s not ideal.