He's visiting on his Blog Book Tour!

Note: Thanks to Laurie Legrow for posting this and for helping me promote my book. If you’re in Newfoundland (and near St. John’s) you really owe it to yourself to check out Some Good Market, for some excellent handmade items (and my book) also please check the end for a prize! 

Writing Tip: The Importance of an Outline (Two even!)

    It is one of those simple things you learn in school early on (at least I did), the importance of an outline for a story. The funny part is that for all my time in high school and university (I have a Masters) I never bothered to do an outline. It was only the past few years when I started writing my book that I finally saw the benefit of it. When you have an idea for a novel/short story/blog post/whatever you just want to go with it, get it down as fast as possible. What I have discovered though is that once you get the first few chapters done you need to come up with a plan, you need to know where you’re going and as the writing continues, where you’ve been.

At first I was content just have an outline which contained four things, chapter titles, dates when the story happened, a brief description of the chapter and of course the chapter order. I found that by always at least having ideas for two or three chapters ahead I had an idea where the story was going and it always gave me something to think about in terms of scenes, characters and the storyline in general. What I’ve discovered though, with the help of my most excellent editor at Penumbra (Pat), is that it helps a great deal also to have a detailed outline. A detailed outline contains all of the above details but also describes briefly every event, small or big, that happens in each chapter. Why go to this level of detail you ask? Consistency, logical flow and evenness of the storyline and characters in your story is something that may be hard to keep straight otherwise.

    Two examples from my own experiences: when I wrote my first novel “The Newfoundland Vampire” (available now ) I just had a basic outline. It gave me an idea of what happened in each chapter but with editing and changes I lost track of a couple of things. The sequence of days, while it may not sound important, if you’re going to have your characters follow the regular week that it has to be correct, otherwise readers will become frustrated and taken out the story. Another thing I missed was the time of day that the sun would set, for a vampire novel that’s important. Without a detailed outline I had the sun setting at the wrong time for September and it needed to be changed to October.

More recently while working on book two (tentatively called “Killer on the Road”) I spent a few hours and did an outline for the entire novel. While I’m sure this will change, chapters will be removed, edited and moved around but I have an idea now of where the story will go and a plan. As I complete each chapter I add to the more detailed outline discussed above.

    While writing is a creative process, I have found it invaluable to be organized when it comes to writing anything beyond a short story. If you are going to create your own world it needs to make sense and outlines (at least one) make sense to me.

The Prize: You’ve made it this far so here’s your reward. Today (November 22st, 2012) my book “The Newfoundland Vampire” is free on Amazon Kindle. I hope you’ll check it out and if you do read it, I’d love a review. Feel free to get in contact  with me through here. Thanks and have a great day/afternoon/evening!

Busy Times Upon Us

This is the time of year when thoughts for most turn to shopping for the upcoming festive season. For those who make many of the things people buy its the time of year we wonder where the year has gone and how are we going to be ready for all that is coming.
Some tips for getting ready for whichever end of the spectrum you are on (maybe both?):
- Tea is key.
- Its never to early to buy a handmade something from a local craftsperson. Many times if you wait you will miss out.
- Breathe. It will all get done.
- Smile.

And with that out of the way... here is a list of places you can go to buy lovely local somethings! (And I will be at all of them...come say "Hi")

Nov 4 The Little Christmas Fair at The Rocket Room (supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Atlantic) Check out Pink Days in Bloom on Facebook

Nov 10 Some Good Market
http://facebook.com/SomeGoodMarket

Nov 14-18 The Christmas Craft Fair at the Arts and Culture Center ( Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Council juried members)

Nov 24 Some Good Market

Dec 1-2 No Idle Hands at the Quidi Vidi Village Plantation

Dec 8 Some Good Market

Dec 15-16 Anna Templeton Centre Tea and Sale

Happy shopping!

The Bulletin Board

Normally when I need to print things I go to the Bay Roberts Public Library. Today o mixed it up because times a'wastin and I wanted to get a wiggle on. Whitbourne Library opened an hour earlier so off I went.
Whitbourne has a small cozy library. My first time there and it was awesome. And lots of kids there too which is double awesome. I was there to whomp up a poster for SGM. In talking to the librarian I told her about my chickens and how they lay green eggs. A few minutes later I heard her telling some of the kids who were there with their poppy. I showed them some pictures of CoCo and Nacho and Onesie and of course the eggs and they were amazed.
The librarian asked me would I come back for an official talk some day about chickens and weird coloured eggs and all the other stuff that goes hand in hand with living in the woods. So that's cool.
Oh and of course I left with books...Greg Malone's biography and the Dictionary of NF English and a geology book amongst others. I know... I know.
But anyways I got my  poster done and printed and then off I went to put em up. Almost every little shop, gas station, supermarket and post office in this area...and probably most of rural Newfoundland has a "bulletin board". Its funny. Sometimes its a wall. Or the side of a Pepsi cooler. Or inside a glass case. Or in the window. Or on the office door.Or maybe even a cork board. Some have thumbtacks. Some have pushpins. Some use tape. Some have more rules than others.
People post about all kinds of stuff...and yeah this is ole timey kijiji before there was a kijiji. Three cord of dry wood. $330 Funeral notices. Baby sitters. Knitting Lessons. Church functions. Dances at the Legion.
Has anyone written about this in depth? You know for their folklore masters or something. I find it super interesting.
But it was a lot of stopping and going. Let's see if I remember. Whitbourne: Library, Foodex, Food land. Blaketown Ultramar. Needs in South Dildo. Pitcher's in New Harbour. A little place without a name in Tilton. A-1 Convenience in Spaniard's Bay. Bay Roberts: Me Buddy's Brew Shop, Library, Irving. South River: Ultramar, the Fish Market and the lady who sells flowers and plants. Oh and a random fudge seller and veggie farmer lady.
But I also got yummy bread and chocolate coconut squares from Pitchers and local spuds from the farmer lady. And some phone numbers of farmers that might bring veggies to SGM.
It was some good day.

Sunday Visits

So yesterday was a beauty of an end to September. Warm and lovely. But you know its fall because you can smell it.
I had visitors yesterday. Which is always a good thing.
First my buddy Diane of fancy cake fame dropped by with her kiddies. Scarlett was kind enough to be my hat model. She had fun crawling around and showing off her new standing skills. She's a cutie. We thought Onesie was going to eat her but we discovered she was covered in rice crispies. Why? Cause she has a big brother who shared his cookie with her on the drive out.
And what a big brother. Sebastian is a little over four and he's a character. He jumped out of the truck with a cheery hi Laurie we came to see the goats! Off he went. He loves those goats. He also loves checking the chicken coop for eggs. He calls it the the chicken poop though. He's a riot. He watches out for his baby sister like a pro. He also likes me holding his two hands and twirling him around and around. He always points out he doesn't get dizzy.
He was checking the coop a lot yesterday and but I had collected the eggs in the morning. I told him it was okay that their weren't any in there. But then he said but noooo Laurie we need them to make pancakes and french toast. Oohhhh now it all makes sense. When I told his mom I did have eggs in the fridge she explained when they got up this morning he wanted pancakes/french toast but they were out of eggs. His response: Let's go to Laurie's and get eggs. So when I brought out a dozen and showed him he was sooooo excited. Really really excited. What a kid!
Later on my buddies Jasmine and Micheal stopped by for a quick visit too.  Awesomesauce. Its good to have visitors on The Compound.

Nar Drop B'y

So this has been the best summer since the dawn of time. Warm. Sunny. Dry. Very dry. Locals have told me they haven't seen the pond this low in 40 years. I believe it.
This is the driest I've seen it. Its only our fourth summer here but its parched. Every drop of rain we have had has been collected in buckets for flushing. Drinking water is brought in. Over 100lbs those big blue containers are. The furred and feathered get their required ration. Veggies got whatever fell from the sky.
We have dug wells here on The Compound. Three of em. Primary well is in the house and has been dry since early June, I think. The secondary well has been down to less than 12 inches of water now for months. The tertiary well is up in the woods and it has a good bit of water. Getting that water from 3 to 2 or 1 is not so easy.
Now there was some panic a couple days ago when the pump on well 1 went haywire. Thought I'd have to get out the shotgun but it came back. Thank goodness.
Also thank goodness that its still warm and dry considering it could be cold and dry nearing the end of September. Himself gets what shower water ration is available. Why? Because I told him there was a little girl in the pond. Ages ago. But he is hasn't gone swimming since. What a sook. But this means my bathwater is getting cooler everyday. Nothing like hopping in the pond at 6am because Land and Sea is arriving at 9 but at least that was in August. But I'm no diva so as long as the well(s) recovers before the ice is on the pond we'll be alright. I know, but its a good thing I'm cracked and this isn't complainin' its explainin. Snort.
Gotta love the Laundromat. "Still nar drop, maid?", says ole feller.

Any Chickens 'Lowed in?

So I was out puttering about The Compound this morning. Burning a few branches and whatnot seeing as its damp and cam. Yes cam.
As I go towards the house what do I see but some of the chickens going up the steps....which is weird. But when I get to the top of the steps the Three Sisters are at the patio door wanting to get in. Chief and Spider were also at the patio door on the inside. They totally wanted the feathered ones to come in for breakfast.
No chickens 'llowed in today b'ys. The ladies did pretty well with the steps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BRyqKtPM0U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Larry Templeman

We had a storm blow in this week. Hurricane Leslie. And as she blew in, my uncle blew out.
I come from a very small family as they are reckoned here in Newfoundland. My mom only had the one brother. I got called Larry by my Nan T more times than I can count. I always chuckled about that.
Larry was born  and raised in St. John's but lived out on Mockbeggar in Bonavista for most of my lifetime. I saw him and Aunt Linda and my cousins Bonita, Krista ( Krissy) and Paul a good bit over the years.
Now in the past year or so I saw Uncle Larry more often than I did. He stopped by The Compound on his way to and from from Bonavista to town. He brought me a beautiful sealskin for me to make some boots out of. I had made a smurfberry cake that day and gave him and mom and dad some hunks for the road. He was a tall drink of water and I figgered a few calories might do him some good. Mom told me after that when she passed the bag to him in the backseat he eyeballed it and asked what kind it was cause it looked like what Nan T ( his mom) used to make. Sure 'nuff it was and he was impressed. Ate a hunk with fussels cream when he got home.
He had a couple of lovebirds; offspring of Olive and Popeye. We put em in a wee box for their trip. They got up to a lot of mischief I think. He was quite the artist and even when he was sick he drew me a picture of one of the birds.
This year I was told a few funny stories as well. I always joke about my Kramer hair especially when windy if my hair is pulled back. Well there were a number of pictures of me when I was little with my curls all brushed out. I could never figure out why. Well apparently Uncle Larry was the culprit. He'd always brush my hair and Nan would tutt tut at him and say Larry! What are you doing to that poor youngster's hair. That makes me laugh.
And there was a picture of me perched up in a boat. I had always thought why the hell was the boat so high in the air and why was I in it. Now Uncle Larry was really tall and I was higher than him in the boat. But apparently I wanted to be in the boat AND in the picture BY MYSELF so Uncle Larry coopied down so I couldn't see him and have a fit. Which is why he was smiling. Too funny.
Uncle Larry fought a hell of a fight over the last while. He had as many lives as a cat. Every time he would be on deaths door I would say...yeah right he's not going anywhere yet. He waited till there was a good exciting weather day. Nothing boring for him on the last going off.
He'll live on in the stories, memories and pictures of his wife, sister, children and extended family like me.
Gonna listen to some Johnny Cash later *wink*

Descended From Goats..

Watch "Sam brings home goat greens" on YouTube

So you might be thinking...descended from goats? What now?
Well when I first mentioned goats to Himself he wasn't overly excited but once they got here....well that's a different story. He shaves carrots for their breakfast and calls to see how they are doing. Yesterday he stopped at Butterpot to get ginormous dandelions and raspberry for them. Had to wash em too to remove spit bug spit and other possible nonleafy material that might be abhorrent to a goats palette. Yes I know...
Anyhoo it makes sense that he's a softie for goats. Here is the story. Sixty odd years ago Himself's dad was born and his mother passed away. So as his newborn son stayed in the hospital, Himself's pop (also a Sam) buried his wife. He then brought his baby boy home, to die they said. But there was a goat. And that goat provided the milk to keep the baby alive. Can you imagine? Well that baby grew up and had his own kids (couldn't resist) and one was Himself. So there it is. Thanks long ago goat!
So we will have the spoiledest goats in the world. Not a surprise I know.

Livin' the Dream

I'm sitting out by the chicken coop hanging out with Onesie. He gets picked on sometimes by the big chickens...even his mom. But he/she is a very advanced chicken...way smarter about everything than the other young chickens.
I just got back from a swim. Swimming in the pond is like walking around in the night being able to see in peoples houses. Nothing better than swimming around the pond after a hot day outside weeding and whatnot. There were swallows doing loopdeeloops overhead and then skimming around me an inch above water. Awesome.
When I was walking up the driveway there were baby bunnies hopping away. Himself says if I catch any I can keep em.
Storm and Cloud had lots of visitors this weekend...21 to be exact. Between them and the silkies everyone is amazed at the cuteness. Duke and Chief still don't know what the horned creatures are all about but as long as they all get the same amount of scratches and rubdowns they are content.
All the weekenders are packing up to go back to civilization so it will be back to normal peacefulness soon. Poor buggers slogging back over the highway in that end of long weekend traffic.
I love it here. I'm like that little jammy girl in the coffee commercial. I love my house! I love my beagles. I love my garden. I love my goats...you get the idea.

Goat News June 28

So I have spent the last 36 hours stalking my new goats. You've probably seen umpteen pictures and videos and that won't change till the data allotment gets used lol. Here are some things I have learned about Storm and Cloud.

1. They are super cute and are personality plus. They would be sure to win any Goat Congeniality award.

2. Storm loves raisins but Cloud does not. Can't blame him really.

3. They need raincoats and sou'westers and goat rubbers.

4. Hay is their least favorite thing to eat. Least being relative when it comes to eating anything.

5. I have said stop eating my shorts more times than Bart Simpson said to eat his.

6. As much as I hate people eating noises, goat chomping is a very soothing noise...just like chicken cheeps.

7. Himself makes more goat noises than the goats do.

8. Dandelion leaves and raspberry bushes are yummy.

9. They like their new furniture.

10. Its only a matter of time before I am sharing the couch with two beagles, a cat and two wee goats.

I need to learn tons more about goats but in the meantime thanks to everyone who helped in my procurement of Storm and Cloud…and if you love hearing about goats...go to The Grumpy Goat Gallery in Upper Island Cove to see two awesome girl goats and beautiful art...and Baynoddy in Chapels Cove to see goats, llamas and sheep not to mention the lovely spinning and knitted things.

Storm and Cloud

They arrived at about 5:30 yesterday. The cutest wee goats, Storm and Cloud. They didn't have to travel far...only from Whitbourne.
We had just finished their accommodations. And I had to laugh because I told Himself how little they were but he must've tuned me out or not believed my crazy talk. Well when he saw them both in a dog crate in the back of the pickup and then picked up one to carry him...well then he believed. Our beagle Duke weighs more than twice what one goat does.
Storm and Cloud had been living on a patio. They were filled with goaty glee when they were put in their pen. Grass and shrubbery to eat. Things to jump and play on. They started chomping and frolicking immediately. Duke and Chief were very interested in their new hooved brothers. They sang them a beagle welcome. Storm and Cloud ignored them.
Then as darkness fell Himself worried that the goats needed a night light. So there was light in the Old Shack for the first time in years in not decades. Storm and Cloud snuggled up together and went to sleep.
I dare say there will be even more visitors to The Compound now that these little munchkins have taken up residence. I know I am still doing a goaty jig! They are goatacular!

G-Day

Today should be the day. Don't wanna ginx it (today we shall use G's for J's).
Little Storm and Cloud should be making the trek from Whitbourne today. Yippee!
Since Saturday we have been going steady belt to get everything ready. Gutted the side of the Old Shack that will be their inside accommodation. Cleared trees and whatnot out of the first stage outdoor paddock. First stage because we will keep expanding.
Felled a gazillion trees for fencing. Dragged em out of the woods, limbed em and skinned em. Measured and cut them and pounded and nailed em. Ran out of nails.
Yesterday Himself went and got hay and hinges and nails and fencing. Discovered a 50lb bale of hay will not fit in the trunk but will fit in the back seat. When he got home we continued and finished the fence. We've got a few more things to finish before the little munchkins get here but nothing too much :)

Getting My Goats: Part Deux

So yesterday I decided to zip out to Whitbourne to see the little goats. Its only ten minutes away. I called the lady and she said come on over. So off I went.
When I arrived there was a welcoming committee of puppy dogs. Let's see if I can remember. There was a Burmese mountain cross. A seven month old Newfoundland. A fluffy black pregnant teacup Pomeranian about to have her puppies. A golden retriever cross. Another medium size fluffy something and two more Pomeranians.
In I went and out through the house to where the goats were. Now I went to see them thinking about getting one. Because they are both boys. And I thought I would only have one boy and then find a girlfriend for him. Well at some point there might be a girlfriend but these little dudes are twins and act like it. So we will cross any bridges when they get older if we need to.
Now before I go on about the goats. This lady also had two horses there. Now she used to have miniature horses too but they had already gone to new homes. Her health isn't so good so she is having to downsize her menagerie. Her friend was there told me she had been in tears lately about it. Poor lady.
But back to the horses. The first one, a mare was gigantic. A former racehorse who had been worked almost to death in the woods after retirement. She is 12. When the lady rescued her she was hundreds of pounds underweight and had broken ribs and cuts from barbed wire. The man who owned her and abused her to this point had already shot a Newfoundland pony in his "care" and the only reason this horse hadn't met the same fate was that she was so big he would have had trouble hiding her body. The vet said she was on deaths door. But she is back to health and lovely. I fed her carrots (like ya would) If anyone is looking for a beautiful, calm ride able mare contact me and I'll get you more info :)
So that was sad and happy at the same time.
But Storm and Cloud meanwhile were playing with their rubber chicken...I know awesome what? They ate some carrot too and basically were too adorable for words. So the lady said she would drop em off on Tuesday and I thought she was gonna cry when I said I would keep them together and take both. Why Tuesday? Well there are goat accommodation to get ready and fences to be built and hay to be gotten and all kinds of goatly things to do.
When I got home and told Himself he was like what?! I think he thought I wouldn't find goats lol. So he started the list of things to do ( trying to scare me off) and off I went. Most of the interior work is done. Fenceposts will be cut today. And tomorrow he gets to cram the car with as much as will fit from Country Co-op. We need chicken feed anyways...fencing, hay, grain and buckets and a gazillion other things. Come on Goat Day...I mean Tuesday.

Goat Getting

I am getting closer to my goat getting goal. Its been a multi step process. I never thought Himself would agree to goats but I can thank Cliff (his dad) for saying, when he saw what Himself had done to the Old Shack (our extra house), "You could keep a couple calves in here". Well when I heard that I thought to myself, "Self, pretend you want calves and as a compromise you'll get goats"
So two pygmies were agreed to. Its funny because months ago my friend Linda Lewis ( who has a wicked awesome spot called Baynoddy in Chapels Cove) had posted pictures of wee cutie-goatie pies from a place called Innisfree. I LOVED those little creatures. Then when I put out a plea for goat leads Linda mentioned those same little goats.
She contacted the owner and found out that all the little goats were gone. Alas it was not to be....or was it?
Yesterday I posted a goat wanted ad. I had been checking online daily for available goats and no luck. Shortly after I posted I got an email from a lady with pygmies. I called her and in getting some details I thought these little fellers sounded familiar. Sure enough she had Storm and Cloud.
So now I need to finish my list of goat supplies and we need to get cracking on making a goat palace with a playground for King Storm. I will try to find him a Queen because its not sensible for me to have have two boy goats and I don't want him to be lonely for goaty companionship. Goats get sad if they are by themselves.

See below for pics:

http://innisfreehome.blogspot.ca/2012/03/goats.html?m=1

Little Growing Things

I love growing things. Little seeds turning into food. Its awesome. This year I am doing a two phase planting. Did I plan it that way? Nooo, of course not. But it'll work well.
My peas, green beans, beet, spuds, carrots, and swiss chard are all up. They made it through the couple weeks of fog. The onions are clipping along. I still have to plant yellow beans, more green beans, okra and collard greens.
Yesterday I stopped in to a little spot in South River to get some tomatoes. There is a lady there who has greenhouses and sells flowers and veggies. I don't think it has a name. When I dropped by she was hosting a party for the Clarke's Beach Friends group and they were having a grand ole scoff of desserts and whatnot. She brought me to the tomato corner and picked out beefsteak, sub arctic and tiny tim tomato plants for me. She had asked me what type of tomatoes I wanted and had a chuckle when I said it didn't matter. When she was tallying up my purchase I took advantage of all the locals to ask about pygmy goats. No leads. But they got a giggle out of it.
I planted the tomatoes yesterday. Over the next few days I'll plant the rest of my seeds in between knitting and pickling and marmalading.
Go plant something now...its good for you :)

Some Good Market

This past weekend we held the first Some Good Market. What fun! Lots of people came by on Saturday and Sunday. Everyone got to meet the chickens. Everyone went away away with treats.
The weather cooperated but with the awesome event tent it didn't matter. We were covered.
It was awesome seeing people I hadn't seen in ages and others I had never met in person. We had people arrive on bicycle, atvs and by the carload. Mom took folks up to the Campsite for a look and Sam took others down for a flick in Grand Pond.
Not only was it fun during the day but it was fun to read what people were saying on FB.
Currant buns were inhaled on the way home by toddlers and grownups alike. Babies tried green tomato pickles for the first time. Hot dogs were garnished with cabbage and onion pickles. Little kiddies hid lassy buns away to have one for later and others were devoured. Cinnamon cakes were eaten while waiting at the store on the way home. Puppy dogs scoffed barky bones. Breakfasts of the eggs that were brought home by the 6's, the 4's and finally the 2's were eaten.
What a time. I can't wait to have another one...it'll be July 14-15. There will be repeat vendors and some new ones! Stay tuned...should be some fun announcements as we get closer.

Some Good Market

This weekend whilst knitting I was thinking about the St. John's Farmer's Market. Hordes of folks were going and hordes were talking about their awesome wares. I love markets like that. So I said to myself, "Self, The Compound would be a good spot for a markety thing."
So I hmmmed and hahhhed for five minutes and created my first event on good ole Facebook.
Then the panic set in! What was I thinking? Less than a week. 6 sleeps for cripes sakes.
But what odds. What odds indeedy deed. We'll see how she goes.
Its now 5 sleeps ( if you have time for sleeping). Some Good Market has confirmed guest crafters and some are waiting to confirm.
This is the first go so there might be some bumps along the way but it will be fun! Here's a taste of what's going to be on the go...and stay tuned for more as we get closer to the weekend :)

Mewfoundland Purrrfections - woolen handknit catnip cat toys

Dianna's Diaper Cakes - Wonderful creations made of diapers for any baby-related event ( not sure if she does them in adult diapers too...that might be an idea for a bachelor party lol)

Fit to be Dyed - Colourful tie dye kerchiefs, t-shirts and tote bags

Baked goods - lassy buns and current buns and perhaps some surprises

Pickles and chutneys and jellies and more in the preserve family.

Brown and green eggs laid by the famous Chickens of the Compound

A Fishpond for the young and young at heart! Gotta have a Fishpond and have a surprise.

Stay tuned for more stuff...cause there will be more stuff...and its some good.

See you at the opening of Some Good Market on The Compound.

Fowl Weather- LIVE - the video

Watch "Ice Pellets....Run!!!!!" on YouTube

Fowl Weather - LIVE REPORT

Nacho Grande and the girls were on Here & Now this evening. Post television appearance they share their story with Humskoogeei.

Humskoogeei: You guys made the news tonight. That's pretty exciting for some woods chickens.
Nacho Grande: I just want to say one thing. I am a rooster. I was trying to keep the girls calm. But...
Penney: I thought the sky was falling! I didn't mean to cause a panic!
Nacho Grande: Once Penney started running the girls followed. I didn't think the sky was falling per se.
Flossie: I was in the coop. Sitting on my egg. I missed being on the news. That egg had better hatch.
Humskoogeei: How do you feel about showing such...well...cowardly behaviour?
Nacho Grande: I might be a chicken but I was not chicken. Get my drift?
Mudder: I just thought everyone was coming to see my baby, Onesie. Onesie is so cute it would cause a riot.
Millie: Its about time we got some real attention. Since that Onesie hatched and those five New Harbour chicks showed up its been nothing but look at the babies. Babies. Cluck cluck cluck. I lay green eggs for Shell's sake.
Humskoogeei: Okay well we don't mean to ruffle your feathers with all the questions. We will leave you to roost. Thanks for making the fowl weather of today a little bit funny...and thanks for not crossing the road. This is Humskoogeei reporting live...from The Compound Chicken Headquarters.

Busy Days

Lately I have been doing much digging. Last summer was such a bust the vegetable gardens were a state. Holy mother nature. Weed and weeds and more weeds. But after a week at it, it is getting there.
I've put in spuds, carrot, beet, beans, peas, onions and Swiss Chard so far. I have a few more onions to plant and I will probably plant some more beans and some lettuce. And I'll get some tomatoes from the lady in South River.
This year I actually counted the distance from the well to the gardens. Because there is no hose on The Compound for watering. I throw my bucket down in the outdoor well and fill up my one for each hand two-gallon watering cans. Then 65 paces to the garden, water and then back again. And so on until everything has a drink.
While I'm at it I fill up all the chickens water containers. They love the water straight from the well. Those chickens. So funny. And now that there are toddler chickens and adult chickens and momma and Onesie its even better.
I've had lots of visitors lately too. Which is awesome. The weather had been so nice its been perfect for outdoor activities and people dropping by. And not just people. Rabbits are here everyday. The ravens stop by. A couple gulls have been dropping by too which doesn't happen very often. And warblers and blue jays and junkos and chickadees and gray jays and robins and gold finches and purple finches and sparrows.
The French Open starts today and that's good for knitting...and the weather won't always be so good the next fortnight.

Many a Good Thing

Happy birthday, Vicky. Its Monday of the long weekend and it appears to be a wonderful weather day again. At first blush it looks like its going to be a wicked summer.
I had sooooo many visitors this weekend. There will probably be more today...hopefully. More than rabbits anyways.
Susan Furneaux dropped by and had a cuppa tea with me. She brought me a baby oak tree. I need to decide where to plant it. I love oak trees. I wonder did it come with a dryad?
Mom and Dad stopped in on their travels. They and everyone else who stopped in saw the baby chickens. Onesie is a hit...and the other older chicks. They went off with a few currant buns.
I had two little boy youngsters knock on the door. They "heard" that I had green eggs. It was funny. A couple stopped by to ask about the cabin for sale...they didn't read the fine print on the for sale sign...Eggs Green & Brown. Also funny.
Yesterday my friends Joanne and her husband Charlie and their friends stopped by. Charlie brought me a copy of his first novel. The Newfoundland Vampire was published in April and I have been wanting to read it...and I did last night. It was a fun read. I got a grand kick out of the fact that the main character is an animal rights supporter and vegetarian. (Maybe because I have been having such a fun time lately getting slammed by the anti-seal hunt and animal rights activists on Twitter). Its worth buying! And while I bought a paper copy...you know me and books....its also available for Kindle etc on Amazon for $2.99 so there is no excuse not to read it!
In between visitors....Onesie got stuck in the wall of the outside coop. Momma hen went into crazy mode. Nothing like an attacking chicken when you are only trying to save her baby. As I was fending off kungfu chicken...Onesie squirted out the other side of the wall...into to outside outdoors. Holy Hannah...if there was a baby chick sprint in the Olympics...Onesie would win. What a time. But safely caught and back to momma.
Mom and Dad and Uncle Larry dropped by....with a perfectly processed beeyooteeful harp seal skin. Uncle Larry...you are the bomb! I am going to make footwear for myself. It was an awesome weekend so far...