Rough Travel Day Yesterday.

I had a very um.....interesting day yesterday! I thought I would share my experience with you all.

It all started when I got off work at 8:00pm from work. The rain and ice had started coming down around 4:30pm. Then the news started reporting many accidents, esp. on the overpasses. I was really hoping that they would let us off early so we could avoid the worse weather....no such luck. On a usual day it only takes me about 30 minutes to get home, if that. I only have two different ways to get home, one is taking all the major highways and the other is to take all the back roads. On a day when the weather is bad I always take the highways just to avoid the slick back roads.

I had decided that I would take the highway even though the overpasses were still closed due to accidents. It would probably not be very bad on the highway......RIGHT! I get off work and headed to the gas station, since I was running on fumes. I put 5 dollars in which gave me 4.4 gallons....lol. I about fell on my but just filling up with gas, the concrete was so slick! I have never really experienced Icy road conditions since I am still a new driver.

I managed to merge onto the highway doing about 20mph. About three cars in front of me a driver looses control of his car and ends up nose firs on the side of the embankment. He was not getting out of that. So I started slowing down, finally realizing the roads were nothing more than a sheet of ice! I fishtailed a could of times, but managed to keep the car under control, when I came to a stop behind a very long line of cars.

I sat in that line for about 2 and a half hours, moving little to none. Turns out there was another accident on the overpass so there was no getting through. I ended up turning my car off and sitting there waiting, it was not fun! I was hungry, I also really needed to use the restroom.....lol.

I finally got moving around 10:50pm. Although the traffic was still heavy the roads were not as bad as they were earlier. So I managed a steady speed of 40mph on the highway. I finally made it into the driveway around 11:15pm. Safe and sound...thank the Lord!

This is buy far the most stress full driving situation I have ever been in, but I was a good learning experience!

Tools and Their Uses

Tools and their uses

If only I couldn't relate

DRILL PRESS:
A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat
metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and
flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project
which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.

WIRE WHEEL:
Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under
the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and
hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say,
'Oh sh -- '

ELECTRIC HAND DRILL:
Normally used for spinning pop rivets in their
holes until you die of old age.

SKILL SAW:
A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.

PLIERS:
Used to round off bolt heads Sometimes used in the creation of
blood-blisters.

BELT SANDER:
An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor
touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

HACKSAW:
One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board
principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable
motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more
dismal your future becomes.

VISE-GRIPS:
Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt
heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer
intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

OXYACETYLENE TORCH:
Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable
objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside
the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.

TABLE SAW:
A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood
projectiles for testing wall integrity.

HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK:
Used for lowering an automobile to the ground
after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle
firmly under the bumper.

BAND SAW:
A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to
cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into
the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the
outside edge.

TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST:
A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of
everything you forgot to disconnect.

PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER:
Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids
or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on
your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out
Phillips screw heads.

STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER:
A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to
convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws and butchering
your palms.

PRY BAR:
A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or
bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

HOSE CUTTER:
A tool used to make hoses too short.

HAMMER:
Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is
used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts
adjacent the object we are trying to hit.

UTILITY KNIFE:
Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard
cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on
contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles,
collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts.
Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.

DAMM-IT TOOL:
Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage
while yelling 'DAMM-IT' at the top of your lungs. It is also, most
often, the next tool that you will need.

Angora Bunnies!

I don't know If I have mentioned it or not. I think I did. Well, anyways.....we have English Angora Rabbits. There not mine but my moms, and she has a pair. I don't have a picture of the female but here is a picture of our male. He is the most friendly and softest rabbit I have ever seen! I can't wait till spring when I can see them in their full fur.

I plan on doing a post tomorrow with a lot of pictures from around the farm. I hope to get some good pictures to add to the website to update it a little. I think its time for some new pictures.

For Comparison.

I have here three pictures of the White Leghorn Cock in the post below. This is just to compare how the tail length has got longer over the last three years.

One Year Old


Two Years Old


Three Years Old

As you can probably tell, I'm very interested in this bird. I will be keep close watch on the total length. I plan to measure the length of the main sickles this year once he has finished out his molt. Then I am going to measure the length of the main sickles after spring molt to see if they get any longer.

White Leghorn........Pheonix????

Hey everyone, I have an interesting blog today. I have a two, almost three year old SC White Leghorn Bantam Cock. I have used him the past two years in my breeding pens, and was planning on using him this year also. Well, he molted started molting around the end of September. I didn't start noticing anything unusual until about Thanksgiving. I started to notice that his tail feathers were beginning to drag the ground. I though maybe they were just wet or dirty making them heave and drag the ground. But when I started looking over the bird he was quite clean. I also examined the shafts of the main sickle feathers and notice that they were still blood feathers! Meaning they are still growing. This is very unusual, and I don't know when they will stop. He is going on three months since his molt. I find this very interesting since he has never had this same feature in the past years molts. I have some pictures here of the bird, and I tried to show the length. I will also try and get some pictures of the shafts to show how they are still growing.

Here is a picture of the same bird at one year old.

You can see his full son in the background at 10 months old. He dosen't have very long sickle feathers either.

So If anyone has any clues as to why this is happening let me know. I am very curios to see how long they will actually grow!

First Day of Work!

Well, ya'll. I had my first day of work today. I got a part time job at a local Library branch as a front desk clerk. I have been unemployed since October of last year, so having a paycheck again is going to be really nice.

They day went by very slowly, with a lot of training and paperwork. Surprisingly, it's not a difficult job, just a lot of technical terms to memorize, and a lot of policy information to memorize. It will be an easy job, compared to my last job, when I get settled in real good. So, as of right know, I am employed.....lol.

As for the chickens. The are all doing good, a few frostbit combs but otherwise healthy. I had to move my breeder cocks into my hen barn in order to keep them warm. The Breeder barrels just weren't going to be warm enough for this year. I have winterized all but one of the coops so everyone is staying nice and warm. I am getting about 10-12 eggs a day, which in the winter is very good. My moms big Langshans are giving about 1-3 eggs every other day in a flock of about 8, so right know my chickens are producing the eggs we eat....lol. I'm already getting close to working on my breeding pairs, and getting the breeding barrels ready. I still have to buy a new incubator for the year, waiting for my first paycheck....HEHE! I plan on doing a fairly big hatch next year, about 50-80 Leghorns and 30-40 Dutch. Due to the loose of our main Silkie breeding cock, we will have to hold off on the Silkies for beginning of the year.

The goats are also doing very good this year. They are handling the winter very well, due to the fact they are slightly fat.....! (Notice the slight sarcasm there!) We breed two of our does this year, and so far we think they are both pregnant. We really won't know for sure if they are until about January or Feb. Most likely we will be selling everything this year from our does. So keep a close watch out on the sale listing next spring.

Well, I will try and keep you all posted on any new happenings. Until then.....Later!

Twin Chickens!

Hey all. I found this video on Youtube the other day and thought it was interesting. They are a little long but worth watching! These are not my videos.

This is the second video.

Ohio National, November 8-9, 2008

Well, the Ohio National was a great show, with over 5,300 birds and 440 exhibitors! I had a blast, I got to talk to all my chicken friends and make some new ones. I also look some pictures, sorry about the quality, my camera is a pain in the you know what. All the pictures are mixed up, Blogger is bad about arranging the photos, it takes forever. Well, hope you all enjoy and if you know of the names of some of the exhibitors pictured here let me know so I can add them to the photos.

BV RB, Buff Brahma Pullet

White Laced Buff Frizzle Polish Cockerel

RV, SC White Leghorn Pullet, George Beyer.

RV RB, Standard Black Langshan Cockerel.

BV RB, Reserve Champion Mediterranean, Standard SC Light Brown Leghorn Pullet.

BV BB, Champion Mediterranean, Standard SC White Leghorn Pullet.

BV BB, Champion Continental, Standard White Crested Black Polish Pullet.

BV RB, SC Light Brown Leghorn Pullet.

RV, Silver Dutch Pullet.


RV, Light Brown Dutch Cockerel, Blue Run Bantams

BV, Silver Dutch Pullet Wayne Gritter.

BV RB, Cream Light Brown Dutch Cockerel, Laura Haggarty.

BV, Blue Light Brown Dutch Cockerel.

BV, Blue Cream Light Brown Dutch Hen, Laura Haggarty.

BV BB, Standard Black Langshan Pullet.

BV BB, Silver Sebright Pullet.

BV BB, SC White Leghorn Pullet, George Beyer.

BV BB, Brd. White Polish Pullet.

BV BB, Light Brown Dutch Hen, Laura Haggarty.

BV BB, Light Braham Pullet.

BV BB, Champion RCCL, Black Rosecomb Pullet. I think went on to be Champion Bantam.

BV BB, Champion AOCCL, Dark Cornish Pullet. I think went on to be Reserve Champion Bantam.

BV BB, Brd. White Silkie Pullet.

BV BB, Black Wyandott Cockerel.

BV BB, Black Sumatra Pullet.

RV, Blue Cream Light Brown Dutch Cockerel Laura Haggarty.

God Bless American and It's People!

This is for the Christian Americans

I'm writing this for all Christian Americans who plan to vote in this yeas election. I'm not going to judge anyone or put anyone down about there decision. The decision you make is yours, and yours alone. I just want to put into perspective for everyone, what America has become and what is should still stand for. I know that just about everyone is sick and tired of this election and doesn't want to read or hear any more about it. I understand this, and I couldn't agree more. I just wanted to say this, before the election is over so that I know I have tried to open the hearts and minds of the Christian Americans living and voting in this election.

It has been many, many years since we have had a president that would stand up for the rights, and beliefs of America. Every president has had his mistakes, that has offended one side or the other. You can't please everyone, but the difference's is what makes America what it is. I get tired of people, saying they aren't voting for one party or another due to what the previous president and his party has done. The political parties have nothing to do with the personal beliefs and standings of a person. For instance, say I'm in party A and my best friend is in party B. Party A believes in eating only chicken, while party B believes in only eating beef. OK, now say, party "Member" A decides he likes to eat both beef and chicken, and the same with party "Member" B. They both can still be part of their political party but they can have their own personal beliefs that have nothing to do with what their party stands for. So many people or voting based on the candidates political party and not even paying attention to that persons personal beliefs and standings. I'm saying that before you make your decision on who your voting for, look deep into that persons beliefs. What does this person believe in, is he or she a Christian believer, devoted to the word of God and willing to stand up for Christian Americans? Does this person have a good political record, standing up for Christians? Such as being Pro-Life, Ant-Gay Rights, Pro-Constitution? These are things you should look at beyond the "political party" their associated with. I know that many of you are extremely devoted to your political party, and will vote for only that party. I'm simply asking you, as a Christian American to take a few minutes to do some research into the party candidates personal beliefs.

What America is know, is not what it was 100 years ago. Americans have become lazy and submissive, instead of standing up and defending their rights. When our ancestors came to searching for a new land. Why did we come searching for this new land? All though they had different beliefs, they all one thing in common. They all wanted Freedom! They wanted a place were they could live without tyranny or oppression from a tyrannical government. These people fought and died to give us the greatest gift a country can have. Freedom! The right to Free Speech, the right to Bear Arms, the Right to Religion, all established under the United States Constitution. The Constitution was the most important document of its time and was signed by good upstanding Christians. Unfortunately, the Constitution has become no more than a piece of paper. Politicians manipulate it to make it how they want it to be. Many people have forgotten or just don't know, what the Constitution stands for. We as Christian Americans have failed to uphold what we have fought so hard to obtain and sustain for our future children. What future is their know for the children of America? With the mess we have created and are creating, how are they to live with our gift of Freedom, if we don't act now. I'm asking that you also look into each political candidates standing here. Looking beyond the political party, what is the standing of the candidate when it comes to the Constitution? Do they uphold the Rights given to us according to the Constitution?

It can be hard sometimes, to really see what a candidate really stands for. They twist and contort words to make them sound truly better than they actually are. This is the problem with politicians, they can make the people believe what they want them to believe simply with manipulation of words. In order to understand what they really believe in, you have to look past the "Media", the "Press, the "Political Party" and look deep into that persons affairs, both present and past. Its our right as Christian Americans to know the truth, and although the truth can be hard to find, It can be found. I know many people that have looked deeper into a candidates standings, and it has changed their understanding of that person. If you will, just take a few minutes to look beyond all this political nonsense, deep into the candidates beliefs and standings.

No matter what decision you make, you will now know for sure who you are voting for and what he or she really stands for. I pray for everyone that they make the right decision on who should be next to lead our great country. Remember the future of America is in your hands.

I promise that this is my last political blog until the elections are over. I have done what I can to help open the eyes of my fellow Americans. The rest is in God's hands.

The Night Before Election

The Night before Election ...

'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!

I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap

Had cut off the TV

Tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden

There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys.

They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink.

He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!

On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!

So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!