This is the bag of onions from our last harvest. They were grown in my plastic green house and then allow to dry out under a piece of burlap. They have been patiently waiting in the pantry ever since. It's past time to plant them so they can provide a new crop of onions.
As I walk to the greenhouse door with my bag of onions, the whole flock of chickens and guineas follows me. The flock was recently attacked by a couple of dogs. Over a three day period the dogs killed four hens and mauled Turkey and a couple others before I was able to get my hands on one of them and give him over to animal control. The owners found their dog at the animal shelter and called to offer payment for our lost birds. We didn't ask for money, but warned them that our neighbor is a good shot and is on the look out as he lost some birds to the dogs too. The lady at the animal shelter said that it's common that once a dog learns where to go to chase livestock they will keep coming back, and end up being shot by a farmer.
Poor Turkey was badly bruised after the dog attack, so Brandon and I butchered her and made over fifteen pounds of turkey sausage and six quarts of stock!
February is the month I like to plant seeds in the greenhouse, and start some plants to later be transplanted to the summer garden. I'm having some trouble getting started this year - I'm feeling behind on the garden already! The time and energy that could be directed toward the garden is probably being used up planning for our upcoming international travel. Exciting! After much consideration we've finally committed to a Big Trip, purchased our non-refundable tickets and hotel, and are preparing to travel for over thirty hours to the Republic of Georgia - way over in the Caucasus mountains, on the edge of the Black Sea, right between Russia and Turkey. Whoa.
In terms of miles, Japan is the farthest I've been from home, but that was over thirty years ago, when I was nine years old. This trip will be the farthest from home I've ever been as an adult. Brandon and I will have five days in Tbilisi, the capital city, and we're looking forward to this new adventure. We've readied our carry on bags and neck pillows, and are considering the weather and our wardrobe. We also have to plan for someone else to keep all our critters in food and water while we are away.
After tidying the greenhouse, I decided to put the flock to work preparing a seed bed before I plant. I propped the door open and coaxed the flock inside by sprinkling sunflower seeds in the straw. They worked diligently for the rest of the day, and did a wonderful job spreading the straw and scratching up weeds. No more excuses Rain, get out there and plant those onions!
