This was a tough weekend. Hay making is always hard work. Almost a lesson in perseverance. Pushing through. And it takes a while summer to get in shape when you are a lady of a certain age.
We have to make hay. Feeding the animals from our own land is critical to the bottom line of a small farm. Using muscle instead of money.
I made it hard on myself by not being here for hay making last year and the new hay went on top of old hay. So a great reorganization has been called for. And the old hay has to be restocked onto the ground floor. And the ground floor has to be prepared for the old hay. So I am determined to sort out the barn before I can bring new hay in. Half this last cut has gone into the big white barn across the way because I was not ready.
Which leaves 100 bales ready to move in. Our John has left them on the rack to wait.
We have a few more days without rain – so today I work in the barn again. After chores.
The TkG Sustainable Sunday Newsletter is HERE.
With Chapter Two.
I realized yesterday how much I love describing rooms especially houses from my history. In between writing periods I was throwing the bales. This mindless heavy work allowed me to set my mind free to go INTO the locations I was writing about, like a ghost from the past. To stand IN the kitchen, turn 360 degrees and really look at the room in detail. Then jog up to the house and write it.
I was living in two spaces at once. Raking out old hay in 2024 and working in a farmhouse kitchen in 1975. It was interesting. And I did not end up with a split personality!
There will always be an element of filling in the blanks with guesses. But mostly it is an exercise in recall. And each one of these pieces of writing is still raw. I should spend more time on them but I set myself a Sunday deadline.
Anyway ~ thank you for supporting me in this writing endeavor.
It is much colder this morning. And will be colder again tomorrow morning. Down into the mid 40’s tomorrow night. It seems to me other areas of the continent are warming up as we are cooling down. Sucking our heat out. Does weather work like that? A see saw? Osmosis? I don’t think so.
But cool and dry is great for hay. And there are another hundred bales waiting for stacking into the barn now. So I better get busy again.
I will throw a few of the old bales over the fence to the big pigs today. Jude and I will stuff them down into their sleeping root cellar.
I have caught five more wild chickens and shut them into the hen house so egg production in the hen house is rising.
This mob is next on my list. ⬇️
I am feeding this flock of spring hatched tweens in the chicken hospital and one day I will shut the door and trap them in there.
Speaking of chicks.
These ones are growing nicely.
Mama Hen and her wild chicks in my wild garden.
She is the best little mother hen this chook.
Have a great day!
Celi
PS – you can steal my photos – I don’t mind. Just give me a credit and a link if you re-publish them.
The Kitchen's Garden 
19 responses to “The Best Little Mother Hen”
Hay bayling is hard work, but they all appreciate you for it!
They all like to eat it – that’s for sure!
Home made is best!
Ditto what Mad said above!!! Hefting square bales of hay up into the barn hay loft is definitely one of my least favorite things to do. And for now we are not doing it any longer, as friends bought and rehomed our last four goats last summer. My John really misses them, but I don’t miss the twice daily milkings and organizing our days around milking and feeding times. And, as you know, goats can be real stinkers and trouble makers at times! 🙂 Sounds like all is going as planned on the Farmy. My wish is for you to have some help with getting all the fresh hay squared away. For sure you are developing some serious muscles!!! xo
I do not miss milking at all. I miss the milk but not the anxiety of milking. I think we might sell some bales this year. Though with five cows we might need it all – we will see. The calves won’t eat much for a while
I have a desire to lecture, but I will not because you will do what is necessary for the farm and honestly if I was in your place I would do the same. I do think about you though, the major role you play on the farm and hope when these days are behind this hay season there is a look at how you may be able to lead more, direct more, organize more in the future but leave the majority of the truly physical maneuvering to others…That likely does sound like a lecture doesn’t it 😉
FreeBee has been in the wallow! I think he and Jude are enjoying their summer garden home.
Yes. But it was a loving lecture. And believe me if there was someone who could help I would have them up there. It needs a good sort out and I can’t wait for help: I just have to get on with it. And I am more than capable!
I will give them a good plan going forward. So this does not happen again. Thank you though.
Love this so much. Envious of the hay-muscles you are going to have! So much affection for the little hen in the greenery. A very good mamma indeed!!! You have inspired me to start describing my childhood rooms to myself. Will get started as I pack moving boxes!
Packing moving boxes! Let me know if you need a hand! That would be so much fun!! I love shifting houses!
You’re not kidding about it being cold. I went out to weed earlier this morning wearing a T-shirt and jeans. The sun was out and I was was out in it and the temps seemed pretty much okay. Just now I came in to get a denim jacket. It is definitely cold, has become overcast with a stiff breeze. Looking forward to the 90’s coming up this weekend and all the next week! No, not! This is ridiculous!
I am not complaining either! It is lovely. We zoom up into the 90’s by Wednesday so I am trying to get as much of this heavy work done today and tomorrow.
I’m afraid you’ll block or ghost me if I say what I’m thinking, so I’ll bite my tongue–as you are doing too. When I was a kid I worked at Jewel and besides cashiering, we did what was called “facing.” Moving the old stuff in front and the new stuff in behind. It seems so…basic. I feel enraged for you.
Indeed! I will be very specific with my directions when I go away this winter.
It hasn’t even reached summer solstice yet, but already it’s almost 100 degrees F in late afternoon and humid, here in the swamps of Savannah. Enjoy what’s left of your spring. We may get thundershowers later today, again.
That kind of heat must attract some real bangers. I do enjoy this cool weather and even cooler tomorrow. I hope you do ok in that kind of heat.
Sadly, I’ve had to admit I simply cannot do as much in a day as I used to. However, I refuse to give up doing what I can. It may mean I feel totally wrung out at times but you know what they say: use it or lose it! I do have people willing to help and when necessary I accept it. Often, though, I simply do not have the patience to wait for them – the old, when I want it done, I want it done now. A great benefit of hefting hay bales, or anything else for that matter, is it helps avoid the double wave – toned biceps do not flap! I remember what my dad always said, you can’t stop or ‘it’ll’ get you. He had arthritis in his neck and spine, had both hips replaced but never slowed down.
I love that last photo. She’s alert, despite being safely hidden in all that greenery.
Right? I should print that one.
It would make a beautiful Farmy postcard…