crazy days

Over a year ago Mom told me she had a knot on her side. I asked her if she had told the dr, and she said no, she was just watching it. It never went away, but it never grew any, either. Until 2 weeks ago, when in the span of 3 days it grew from a small knot on the side to a small bulge on her stomach, and then grew again the next day. Her general dr saw her immediately, said he did not think it was a hernia and scheduled an appt with a general surgeon the next week. I was not overly thrilled that he did not order any other tests (and I don't think the surgeon was either) but we were all impressed that the surgeon had actually skimmed some of her charts, asked quite a few questions about her previous bouts with melanoma and had her set up for tests at the local (Mom's local...not the the dr's local!) hospital the next morning. We were all pondering the different possibilities (and there were many) and at the same time, trying not to think about it.

Meanwhile we (more like me) was debating whether or not to actually go anywhere for our anniversary. We finally went, and were thankful to get the texts/call about the appt on Friday, as well as get the call on Monday (our actual anniversary) that Mom's abdomen muscles have simply worn out and separated. She'll be fitted for a brace to wear to help it from getting worse. We don't know a lot more than that at the moment, but she's already anticipating that it will help with her back and hip pain. Considering that comes from disintegrating bones, I don't think it will, but I'm not about to tell her that.

I hope to post pics and tidbits from our trip soon, but I actually had some vegetables to prep and put in the freezer when we got home (a first this summer!), and I still have laundry and some other things that need to be done so it won't happen tonight or tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile 3 of our young hens (the leghorns, meaning white eggs!) have started laying. We are very happy to have our egg production come back!!!

We harvested most of the pears before we left to keep the squirrels from eating them all, so more pear salsa is on the horizon for this week.

And elections training for trainers is this Saturday - so life is about to pick up tempo again!

Weekend fun

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to attend my niece's baby shower. It will be my first great niece born on my side of the family. We are all super excited, though still praying for a safe delivery. Ellen and baby Lucy are doing well, though Ellen has been very sick, including two hospital stays and one ER/outpatient visit for fluids.  Her due date has moved around a bit, though the last date was moved up instead of back. Kevin's aunt made the above shirts. I think it's adorable. He says he will not wear it. I expect to see a family portrait with them before the year is out...haha!
I enjoyed the time with family and family friends, and I think Thanksgiving will be a very special time in 2018.

Land turtle

I don't know my turtles. My husband says it's  a land turtle. Regardless, it had the dogs barking like crazy yesterday by hanging out in the garage. When I got home last night, it brought out both the dogs and the chickens. I think the birds scared it more.

When the chickens are the pumpkin

I might not carve a pumpkin this fall...just at it on the porch for the chickens!

Fish

There are several ponds on various parts of the Bryan farms. One of them is located in the last cow pastures owned. After the cows stopped, it was planted with trees so it could retain its agricultural status. The very tip of the property will be acquired by DOT (dept of transportation) this fall for the new section of I540. Once that happens, the property will be landlocked, meaning there will be no access to it whatsoever. When that happens, DOT purchases the entire tract of land since they're essentially making your property worthless. They plan to drain the pond and that area will become wetlands (which makes me wonder why drain the pond, unless it's a liability issue).

Anyway, since we've stocked the pond within the last few years, we are now attempting to catch and relocate the bass and catfish into the pond behind our house. We've been twice this week. On morning one we relocated one bass. Yesterday we caught 2 catfish (almost had a 3rd one), but I relocated those to my refrigerator. Guess what's for supper here Friday night?

The 6 pounder is on top

1 lb. 11 oz

If I had a boat, I might seriously consider running a trot line.

July 4th

Well, our voluntary pumpkin has ripened - in time for the 4th of July. Most gardeners have watermelon for this holiday, but not this crazy chick!! It's currently outside the garden area waiting to see what the chickens will do with it. If they've left it alone when I take out the trash in an hour, I'll bring it inside and make some pumpkin desserts this weekend. Now if my veggies will finish growing :and filling out!