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!”
how about planting catnip..that is supposedto keep mozzies away ( did not work in my garden but then my cats did not like it either
or citronelle (lemon grass). The only alternative is to smother yourself with your local equivalent of Jungle Formula
I’m not surprised at all of the mosquitoes given all of that rain. I am like a mosquito magnet. For some reason, they are drawn to me. And when I’m bitten, my skin reacts quite badly. But I refuse to spray on a repelling chemical.
I learnt the best mosquito repellent is just plain old “Listerine” in a spray bottle from some old down south moonshiner that I met a while back. Yes it works!
What a great tip! I have a spare bottle… couldn’t stand the taste, that I will test out next summer 🙂
I hope poppy has a good birth and turns into a good mother. Let’s hope she’s not like charlotte. But I suppose animals are like people, some take to motherhood naturally and some don’t. I hate mozzies especially if one gets stuck in your bedroom as your trying to get to sleep! Have a great day x
I hope the new little ones arrive without issue. Sorry you are having so many mozzies; hopefully it dries out soon.
Oh, how exciting! We can even see the bulges and the lumps! I can hardly wait to see how many little ones appear! Fingers crossed for all live births and no smashes from hooves or a big Momma (on accident, of course!)
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Mosquitoes love me because of my rich wine blood.
Viv, I read it’s 103 in Paris….and I bought an outfit just like you and now can’t muster the courage to wear the darn thing.
My dad always chewed tobacco and mosquitoes never bothered him and he lived in Minnesota where they are the state bird! 🙂 So I guess a good ole wad tween yer cheek and gum ill do the job! Hah! I love Pop pop poppy’s little back toes! Equus…I too have rich wine blood but mosquitoes be damned…no way I’m giving up my wine! 🙂
Say, here’s an idea! Tell the Architect Fede that you require a Swallow Apartment House design… hehehe Perhaps when he returns to begin his studies he will be able to build it for you!
Yes, the peacock on car shot is a beauty! He doesn’t go indoors at night?
I am wondering if “mozzies” is an American slang or one from down under. It’s a term I’ve not heard before and I guess our shortform is “skeeters”. I found, when living outside the city, the first year I was eaten alive and then, after that, they rarely bothered me again… and I thought perhaps I’d built up some sort of immunity. Many others I knew were not so fortunate, my son in particular.
Poor Poppy, I feel for her — as long ago as it was, I clearly recall the uncomfortable feeling of hugeness as the time drew near. I have an idea in my head that pigs generally have large litters of wee ones. I am getting excited too. I wonder what the reaction of the kunekunes will be to seeing baby piggies.
Hoping for continued dry weather for you, and a lovely day – Mame 🙂
Yep, mozzies are what we call the bitey little buggers down under!
How is Tane recovering? I hope he is feeling much better. Best of luck to Poppy.
he is in good form now.. at the ready in case Tima comes back int o heat – I hope she doesn’t – he is only just getting over last time!
Sending positive energy for Poppy to deliver easily and no casualties. The mosquitoes here are still a horror from 20 plus inches of rain last month. The rain has caused pestilence here, and the weeds have gone a muck!! I’m losing ground… can’t keep up with the gardens!
I know that feeling.. c
we’re being eaten up alive here while midst a horrible drought….go figure! wishing Poppy a safe and easy delivery for all the piglets!
That sounds like me – mossies don’t like me either. Except for the super special ones! Blessings for Poppy and the piggies-to-be! And that is one gorgeous peacock…
A 9 yr old and I were looking at the photo of Lady Astor in the rain and I was telling her that cows don’t mind the rain. She then asked if Lady Astor would mind the mosquitos that would surely come with all the water!
I think the flies are worse.. tell your 9 year old Hullo! c
We do not have mosquitoes but certainly have midges. They seem to come in swarms, They would drive Jack mad if he was working in the garden and Elly would be eaten alive. I was left alone so my blood was not sweet enough for them. Please tell poppy my fingers are stuck in the crossed position. Love your car ornament!