A Morning of Cupcakes, Chickens and Planks

                                   Ok, so clearly there is a slight problem with being fit and being a baker. I have that under control though. Taste-testers for cupcakes are not hard to come by and its a great way to make people happy. Haha, and making cupcakes is sooo much fun! Next years sales will be off the charts I hope, haha fingers crossed.



This morning began with planks. So, one of my friends and I have a bet that he can out-plank me, which in all reality is probably true. I was quite elated this morning when I was able to plank for 1 minute though! I have been lifting as well which is so nice when the sun is just peeking over my Kansas horizon. I really enjoy talking to that friend he brings me into perspective and is rather witty!



My chickens were doing really clucky today they're not too fond of this cold weather though. They just have been slacking off incredibly, the egg production has almost been reduced to 1/2 of what is usually.

The chicken food container was tipped over.... I have thoughts on who the perpetrator was... possums, little baby possums. Baby possums getting into the chicken food is not good and will have to be taken care of. I had a friend over for dinner last night and as he was coming up the steps he almost tripped over a baby possum. Possum perpetrators! :)






















We have some wild cats that I've been feeding. They're kind of a mangy group, like a group of hardened fighters. Always showing up to the food bowl with different scratches and scars. We have a pair of brother cats, that when kitten played with each other and were besties. Then Frostnip, the princess showed up, she's kind of a drama queen cat! :) Now they absolutely hate each other and of course, Frostnip is sooo sought after. Haha, #farmcatenvy!

The Wind and Whistle Operator

The wind swept through the bricks.
It swept up my stairs.
Beneath my closed door, it whispered its cold call.
Like an operator
An operator of wind and whistle
That scoot under my door and through my window.

It's cold outside
Cold enough to ice skate, no
The pumpkins look like giant crystallized candies.
The cow bucket had a sheet of frosty ice.
A Rain gage is no measure in times like these.

The sun sheepishly peaks through the clouds
On this bitterly cold morning.
Like a tardy student quietly coming into a classroom.
The sky is baby blue like freshly pulled taffy.
Straight from the candy creators.

The night wind sweeps its thanks through the trees.
Like a silently kept night vigil. 

A Season's Bows

The Snow on the mountain bows its head to my step as I wander through their hills. Dew clings to the lambs ear that huddles next to the ground as if it were trying to cuddle with its despondent lover. Puddles deck the muddy ground and a fresh rain drips from the grasses swaying figures. A red gnarled feed trough lies in the pasture holding today's rain. My mint and grey shoes snap twigs and Reizen the petrified grasses. The hills are quiet and the clouds float on like impregnated elephants.

The Angelus

The Angelus

They prayed 

For plentiful crops.

Their heads bent 

During prayer.

Pray for the poor departed

And the lost.

The Angelus 

Rung from the steeple top. 

Reverent mournful

We, now, bow our heads

For the departed.

Rhubarb Planting

Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable that grows in the early Spring. The rhubarb grows in crowns. Not like Queen Anne's.

Please steer away from eating the leaves which are poisonous. Rhubarb generally is a very easy thing to grow. With proper lighting rhubarb thrives. Rhubarb prefers direct sunlight though it is more prone to grow in a cold climate. The soil recommended for planting rhubarb should have lots of organic material like compost or mulch. in Planting rhubarb should be done in the early Spring when the roots are still dormant or planted in the fall when the dormancy is setting in. When planting dig bushel seed basket holes for the crowns to set in. Space the plants about 4 feet apart and dig the hole fairly deep, about 1 to 2 inches below the soil. Be diligent in removing the surrounding weeds that will not only cover the plant but steel vital nutrients from the surrounding soil. This plant is quite handy not only are the stalks eatable but there are several other medicinal and cosmetic uses. I hope this article helped to outline a little of how to plant rhubarb. 

Now is the time to Plant!! 

Summer's End

Soft scarlet

Slips through my lense

Drops down

Sliding 

Escaping my reach

The warmth is gone from my side

Summer is over.

A Smile's Worth a Million Words

Bouquet for the Day

The Poem (Pome) of Spring