Sunday, May 31, 2009

An Even Dozen (12)

Two new litters of baby bunnies have arrived here at the ole homestead on 5/15. Each litter has (6) babies - 12 total, WOW! As you can see from the pictures below, both litters look similar in color and markings.

We noticed yesterday that Salt & Pepper's babies are now half the size of Honey's. After a closer inspection her babies are all skin and bones. It appears that she has stopped nursing them. This may have occurred after I moved them to a different cage about a week ago. So last night we stepped in and forced the mothers (both) to nurse. I held each doe (mother) on their backs while JoAnne and Emilie placed the babies on the tummy so they could nurse. It's amazing to watch how the babies come to life and immediately search for and latch onto a nipple and begin to feed. We're not sure how this is going end but hopefully our efforts will pay off and save them.

Honey's litter -


Salt & Peppers litter -


In case you've not been following along, Salt & Pepper is the mother of Honey who was one of the babies we kept from last spring\summers litters. The two were kept together in the same cage until they were breed and then separated.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Scram. Take Off. Beat It. Silly Monkey.



Well, can you? If you can't beat the monkey, might I suggest spanking the monkey...

Someone at MSN posted a faux pas, in reference to their "Need a Break? Play a Game" posting.

Of course if you have a dirty mind like I do it can certainly be taken out of context.

As you can see below, they realized their error and quickly modified the posting -

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Menagerie Addition - Spring 2009 - UPDATE

Oreo's babies are 5.5 weeks old this weekend - (3) males and (1) female. All four have been sold and placed in their new homes. Their mother has been relocated outside, finally, with the other rabbits...actually that's not entirely true. Salt & Pepper and her baby from last summer, Honey, are currently in the garage raising their litters. Each had (6), so we're up to our eye balls in bunnies! These new babies are just over a week old and not yet mobile but their colors look interesting already.

The baby chicks are also getting big and have been moved outside, again finally! We're going to keep (4) two of each kind, so I'll be advertising the others soon.

Too many babies = too much work...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Columbine Sawfly Larvae Infestation

We have our first insect critter problem of the season. We’ll actually the second; the first was an Eastern tent caterpillar nest and associated caterpillars that took up residence in our peach tree. The nest and occupants (most) have since been destroyed :-)

This second insect critter problem involves our Columbine plants. We have an abundance of these plants all over our yard, I’d say well over 20+, and in a variety of cool and unique colors. With that said this critter problem has huge, damaging implications.


I noticed one plant in particular, that resides next to the back gate, which was missing 90% of its leaves – it was a virtual Charlie Brown Christmas tree. After a closer inspection, one that required me to get on my hands and knees, I found the culprits responsible – the Columbine sawfly larvae - worm or caterpillar.


Pristophora aquiligae

This is the first year that we’ve had this specific issue. The plant was covered with these little green eating machines. I picked a handful off and fed to the chickens, which they gobbled up. I’ve inspected the other Columbine plants throughout the ole homestead and frustratingly they’re affected also. However, the damage is not as bad as on the initial plant but I suspect it won’t take these pests long to defoliate these plants too.

I’m sure there are chemicals that could be sprayed to kill these critters but instead Emilie and I have decided to take the hunt and kill approach. I use a pair of long nosed, sharp scissors to cut the little fuckers in half; Emilie has chosen to squish them between her fingers. There are simply too many and they’re too small to try picking them off to feed to the chickens at this point. We’ve killed over 200+ in just two days! The goal is to kill as many as possible to minimize their damage. Perhaps, I will look into a safe insecticidal soap that I can use to ensure a higher kill rate.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A Pair of Sox's

It was Stephanie's birthday on Saturday and we took her out for an early diner at Bertucci's. Afterwards, we stopped at Bird Park in Walpole to take some pictures and check out the ponds wildlife. It was a beautiful spring day, and except for having to navigate the incredible amounts of Canadian Goose landmines (poop) littered throughout the grass, we had a nice time.

Here is a picture of Boston Red Sox players #46 Jacoby Ellsbury and #34 David Ortiz, who just happened to be out and about taking in the wildlife also - what are the odds?! I just wish we got their autographs...

Sunday, May 10, 2009

And We're Off II...


We got out in the yard yesterday and did some gardening, among other things. We transplanted (18) sunflower seedlings outside; (23) to go, where these will be planted I don't yet know. Emilie and I started these in the house on 4/5, along with some some white pumpkin seeds, which have since been dropped of at my dad's for planting.

We planted the following veggies yesterday:

  • A row (package) of Kentucky Wonder pole beans - 65 days to maturity.
  • A row of Silver Queen corn (30 seeds) - 88 days to maturity.
I took a ride at lunch on Friday to my favorite nursery and picked up the following plants:

  • Two six-packs (12 plants) of Roma VF tomatoes - 76 days to maturity.
  • Five six-packs (30 plants) of Better Boy tomatoes - 70 days to maturity.
  • One six-pack (6 plants) of California Wonder sweet pepper - 75 days to maturity.
  • Two six-packs (12 plants) of Inpatients.

Friday, May 08, 2009

She's SAFE!

#4


Here's Emilie laying down a perfect bunt and heading for first...

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Donate Today!

I gave blood today at work - 1 pint. It's now your turn! Consider yourself officially asked.

One blood donation can help save up to 3 lives. Only 5% of eligible Americans give blood. Every 2 seconds someone in America needs blood. Less than 30% of the people who give blood once will ever give blood again. Donated blood only lasts for 42 days. You can donate blood as many as 6 times a year. There is a 97% chance that someone you know will need a blood transfusion.

Click here to go to The American Red Cross and learn more.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Christopher Lacrosse

#13


Mr. Lacrosse, a.k.a tough guy!

Whut yu look'in at? Yu wanna piece of me?!

Notice the 6' defensive stick he's wielding. It's taller than he is!