Imagine a life where the mosquitoes were as big as mice. It could have happened you know. And right about now we are heaving with mosquitoes. So I am kind of grateful they are so small. They seldom actually bite me which is nice but no-0ne wants to stand next to me when we are picking the dinner at dusk. The mossie flies over me and straight at you. But I still hate their whining and their sticky little feet. 
But there are more mosquitoes now than I have ever seen. There is no filling in the stagnant little lakes that are all over the fields and mud holes around the buildings. There are too many. We are just going to have to wait it out and hope it dries out fast. Mud is everywhere.
Poor Poppy is so uncomfortable now. She lies so awkwardly. Luckily it is nice and cool. She has two days to go. Or one, maybe. Last night she was dragging bits of hay here and there looking for the perfect nest spot. We are close now. Now, remember, that we are allowing her to have these piglets out of a farrowing crate which means that we may have casualties. Even good mothers can stand on their piglets by mistake this is why they usually crate the mothers. Letting her make her own nest has its risks.
The hens from the Easter chickens and the Accident chickens have gone into the chook house to join the laying flock. There were very few roosters and they are in the garden chicken tractor. We have enough roosters.
Every field seems to have its resident rooster.
My car has a resident Peacock. Well, what can a girl do. It looks like the perfect peacock chair.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love your friend on the farm,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
65 responses to “Two days to go!”
Mr Flowers draped across your car bonnet outshines the scantily clad girls that usually grace them on the calendars hanging in automotive garages across the lands. A Farmy calendar inclusion?!
Just read that drinking Tonic Water helps to keep the mozzies at bay. G&T anyone?
It doesn’t work – the quinine in tonic is just there to stop malaria, sadly it doesn’t stop the bites 😦
Well I am still taking it for the malaria!
Ha ha – I’ve been drinking it tonight with vodka. The damn things love to bite me so I need the antimalarial protection 😉
ME!!!
I’m not coming to visit – mosquitoes love me. I once got bitten twenty times on each leg while eating outside at a restaurant in Georgia. Now I won’t go out without long trousers or citronella candles in mosquito country 😉
Not sure about any of the things folks have suggested for keeping the skeeters away. My dad wasn’t bothered by them, but he ate a lot of raw garlic. I have heard that one of the Avon products, skin so soft, is good for keeping them away – the cream or the bodywash or the body spray – so there’s something else to try.
Perhaps a few drops of oil on the surface of the puddles closest to the house and barns – it spreads over the surface and keeps the eggs from hatching. Use the cheapest oil you’ve got – don’t waste the good stuff.
Chris S in Canada
hmm that oil trick sounds like a good one would it hurt the frogs? I don’t think so.. not food grade?
Tonic water and garlic definitely do not work: I use plenty of both and am ‘most beloved’ by our large mozzie community – citronella on the other hand is terrific and we can buy citronella wristbands here [made in China naturally, so I do not overuse 🙂 ! ] which they do not seem to like. Here tho’ there are none around bar at dawn and sunset . . . I simply put sleeves and long pants on if I am gardening at the time: but then temps of close to 40C don’t bother me. Hope for an easy delivery for Poppy: there are quite a few ‘in’ there . . .
I think there are a few too, I put my hand on her belly and they kick and squirm about. Definitely more than one!
I saw something on the Today show the other day, that I am waiting now to try when it is summer here in NZ! Apparently mosquitoes hate grapes, so having some around, or even drinking wine, is meant to keep them away – I think I could give that one a good go next summer! And also learned that it’s not having sweet blood that attracts mosquitoes (all blood is the same), it is the person’s sweet smell. I guess that explains why women always seem to get bitten more than men – a lot of women wear sweet smelling perfumes, which is actually attracting the mosquitoes straight to you!
How exciting that the birthing is near. The peacock shot is very elegant.
Wonderful post Celi. Perfect spot for a peacock. Best of luck with Poppy 😃
Celi….be careful with all those mosquitos with your dogs. They bring a big threat of heart worm infestation to our doggy buddies!! I don’t use the preventative on my dogs up here in the pacific northwest…but I would in your neck of the woods. You’re probably already aware of this…just spreading the word on the off chance that you’re not. Take care!!
For all manner of reasons my dogs are on the heartworm pill once a month. We have some pretty vile intestinal worms in the ground over here too.. plus when I have pigs and dogs together it is wise to be careful – thank you for thinking of them.. c
Poppy looks uncomfortable! I hope all goes smoothly.
You are the envy of the neighborhood with that peacock hood ornament!