ONE of the questions that came up in yesterday’s poll was what Zone is the farm in. Excellent question. The USA is so vast that the USDA created Zones which are very useful for us gardeners. We are in Zone 5 but very close to Zone 6. Right in the middle – so we can expect extreme cold or extreme heat but the temperatures can change by 30 or 40 degrees in a day.
Mr Flowers began to display his tail yesterday so the excess peeling on the shafts of his feathers is not impeding his performance which is a relief.
The dump truck seems to be a popular place for lounging about.
These three middle sized pigs are behaving very well though their electric fence is not on yet. The little mobile solar charger is still charging up though it is going to be cloudy today. Hmm, We have one pig missing though. There should be four.
Sheila came out for her walk.
And during Sheila’s afternoon saunter we found the missing pig. She is in heat and would not leave this steer. I took her back three times but she still found a way back to him and made a mess of my fences along the way.
In the end I left her there. Until I get that electric fence up and running she is just going to escape again anyway.
So Sheila and I and the cats and the dogs walked back up to the barn again.
Where Mournful Moon has turned back up.
Above is the sky in sunset out to the West. Below is light thrown from the sunset into the East.
The reluctant peach-light hung in the air for a long time, before following it’s stretching tether down over the horizon to catch up with the the sun. In the gathering dark I went out and found the middle sized pig waiting at the gate again and led her back to her sleeping herd. Who knows where they will be this morning. My fence is truly breached and not on the list for this busy day!
I am leaving the poll up for a couple more days. So if you have not voted yet pop in and take the little questionnaire. It is just a few multi-choice questions about the you and the blog and won’t take longer than a minute to tick the boxes that match your answers. I will publish the results this weekend.
Warm today again – a high of 70f/21c. The perfect temperature in my humble opinion.
Tomorrow morning I must get up and get going even earlier than usual so I can leave the farm and catch the train then travel up through the big city to the O’Hare International Airport to collect two very special visitors to the farm. Three hours there and three hours travel back. Then add another hour for connections. So tomorrow’s blog will be brief and the following day’s blog may be missing. Not to worry – I will be back after that.
Have a lovely day.
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
70 responses to “Zone 5”
Ooo! Visitors! I think I know who it is!!! 😃
Visitors to the farmy! That sounds wonderful!!! Perhaps they can help with those rowdy pigs! 🙂
One always lives in hope
Lovely colors this morning. Your sweet Moon has such a soulful expression. 70 degrees sounds just perfect! We are expecting another drop into the deep freeze tomorrow night. Bleck. I think I’m done with winter.
I think we are following you down – misery. c
Special visitors – how intriguing!
My daughter and her man – I am thrilled to be seeing her for a few days
That made me laugh a lot – the missing pig seems to be in love with a steer. There are some weird goings on at the farmy 🙂
I know – maybe something in the Air?
Good job Manu’s across the water!
Ha only on the Farmy a pig in love with a steer! I love that cats round face so funny, and what an apt name he has. 😀
He is a very strange cat that one.. c
Haha… yes, does the piggie not understand her true love is a eunuch? Won’t be much good to her in her present state.
Your temperatures are just about perfect but it concerns me they’re happening in February. Even here (Toronto Canada), the weatherman says it will rise to 8c. today (just under 50f.) and that is a concern. Great, yes, on the surface but I can’t help thinking how all of this will be affecting the environment overall. Ah well, I suppose, as we can’t do anything about it, we must just enjoy as it comes and adjust as we go along. Hope your day goes well. ~ Mame 🙂
I have trees budding too and now the temps are dropping – not good
Mourneful Moon does look a bit gloomy. he looks like a cat with attitude..he is also very beautiful…
That sounds very exciting? Are we to have some new helpers…cant wait to find out!
Have a safe journey and enjoy your day away from the farmy ..we shall wait for your return
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 2:50 PM
This is family but there are a few workers being organised right now for next month.
Just remember something else I was going to say…When looking up plants and things I have often seen Zone ? and wondered what that was all about and now I know..You learn something new each day even at my age of 78…
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 2:50 PM
I like to learn too..c
That Tabby cat needs a caption.
That is MOurnful Moon.. he is a caption in himself I think.. c
Well, Sheila sleeps with calves, why can’t this piggy fancy a steer? Your daughter at last, I was beginning to wonder if she had slipped in and out (of the farmy) when we weren’t looking 🙂 Laura
Yes, it is just a stopover but I am very happy ..
J > ‘Mournful Moon’ – perfect for that expression!
PLus I never see him move – he just appears places like the cheshire cat but without the terrifying smile
I need more tea – for I feel like Mournful Moon myself. I’m sure he feels just fine, but wears the frown all the time. Some are just like that……. Love the dump truck picture also. “hangin’ around” is that kitty theme. Ohhh visitors!!! Intrigued!!!
I am like that when I am not smiling – there is an american saying for it but I cannot remember it.. poor mournful and me..c
Looking for love in all the wrong places… Trashing fences along the way and adding to the work load. Hard to get worked up when everyone is lounging around enjoying the warmer weather. Looking forward to seeing who your guests are. Safe travels.
That is a very apt description!
I’m glad Mr Flowers is functioning properly. Maybe all that ostentatious male gorgeousness will mean fertile eggs and more peacocks in the world. A very good thing, in my opinion…
It is possible though we got no chicks last year remember – we will see! c