Seven years ago, a tornado target south-central Wisconsin, exactly on the same day that yesterday's tornado swirled through our state, only yesterday we were luckier -- it passed a little to the west of Madison. We got the winds and the stormy skies, but thankfully we did not get that dangerous mass of air sucking up everything in its path. Other communities were not so lucky, though at least we know that no one was hurt. We had plenty of warning. Many businesses closed down early. Kids were picked up from summer programs and taken home. People took care.
It's gratifying when people take care.
Our clean-up seven years ago was huge and it took place just a handful of days before my younger girl's farmette wedding. This morning the post storm clean-up was nearly non existent. No large limbs toppling, no fallen trees. A clear sky and a sweet breeze to welcomed us to a new day. Oh, and another day lily. A new one, still very short, even as it will give maybe one or two blooms this year. Here's one of them!
And still, the warmth continues. We closed the doors and windows early. Keeping the house cool is getting to be more challenging. But breakfast is on the porch! The morning is that pleasant!
We review the chicken idea. We have heard from plenty of chicken people that if we want to raise broilers in small numbers, we have to learn to butcher them ourselves. I don't see that happening. What's the point of taking in a few young chicks, only to slaughter them some five months later? Seems like a gruesome hobby. Even roasting and serving the finely marbled meat of a Bresse bird doesn't motivate me to learn how to butcher the birds. We'll eat chickens, but someone else has to do the dirty work, and it seems there aren't many out there who will take your birds and turn them into chicken dinner.
I say to Ed -- how about if we raise little pigs, like we saw yesterday?
No.
But they're smart and cute and would make lovely farm pets!
We have six cats that make lovely farm pets.
Not the same...
And perhaps that's a good thing.
For the moment then, we are with our six cats, four hens and a rooster. Oh, and a groundhog family that has been hanging out in the barn lately. And don't forget the swallows!
So many swallows! Lucky birds, treasuring their freedom, swooping down, chirping to their young, screeching at anyone who dares to come close to the nests high in the barn's beams and eaves.
With love...
