The unknown is scary

Back in October, I stepped down from a job I've done for ten years. I'd been planning on the semi-retirement for some time, to take a swing at the unknown. Homesteading, building an apartment to rent, and a chance to spend more time with my wife doing things we've always wanted to do, were all reasons for the step down. Exciting yes. Scary yes, too.

For the last two weeks, the chicks have been planning too. Peeking out the screen door into the outside world, full of wonder. A few would even crane their necks around, looking for a way to get out there. They'd sit up against the screen, just looking outside all day long, dreaming of what life would be like out there.

Well, today is the day to find out. Opening up the door to the pen, I sat back in eager anticipation. And waited. And waited. Everybody taking their turn peeking out, then chickening out. So far, nobody's gotten the guts. But it takes time to get ready for the leap into the unknown.

The unknown's scary.

3 weeks

Caught 'em nappin'.

Delicious weeds

Ahh, the dandelions are out and about again. A sign of the return of hot summer and lawn mowers buzzing. Most lawn-abiding Tennesseans are appalled by the sight of yellow dots on their lawns and proceed to spend countless hours and dollars in an effort to erradicate them. I, instead, steep them. Huh? That's right, I steep and boil and reduce. Then pour over pancakes or mix in my tea. If you want the recipe for dandelion syrup, dig in my blog, we made some last year. Delicious.

Saturday night entertainment

This last saturday I had the privilege of sending a crew of tent caterpillars to their deaths. The chicks at first couldn't figure out what to do with them.

Finally after a half hour of nervous chirping and sideways glances, one finally grabbed a squirming bit of chicken heaven. All hell broke loose on the one chick daring enough to grab it. Every other chick had to have it right then and there. They couldn't get one of their own, they had to have his. With Barry Sanders-like spinning, weaving, and sprinting, each chick got a chance to play keep-away until another stole it. After 6 or 8 takeaways, someone would finally gobble it up, and the whole process would start over. I spent an hour and a half that night taking in the show.

Ahhhh, beer

I suspect the sedimentary beer is best. I know it hadn't been 10 days of rest yet, but I couldn't resist. The six pack I made from the cheap, old, hand-me-down kit had left me with enough sediment-filled liquid at the bottom of the plastic jug to experiment with. Instead of the recommended 1/4 teaspoon sugar put in each bottle before capping, I put in 3 chugs of Michigan's finest sugar replacement--maple syrup. I don't think brewers appreciate the 3 chug method, but it turned out AWESOME!! With the subsequent warnings of not putting in too much sugar in the bottle lest you have explosions, I decided to crack this one open at two days. Good thing, too. After chilling it, I popped it open and the live action started. Foaming profusely, I drank up the sweet stuff and spurted out, "This's good!" while it dribbled down my chin. Maple syrup pilsner. Mmmmm. This summer's gonna be sweet.