Fire Ants

The Lord made all of our world, in such glorious estate. As He sat and admired His creation, the devil came to Him and said, "You have made all of this, and didn't let me add anything. I should have the chance to add something to this world." So God thought about it, and came up with a plan. He said, "Satan, you are evil, but maybe I should have let you add something. So you can make one thing. But it can't be bigger than just a few grains of sand." So Satan made the fire ant. It is as small as a few grains of sand, but its bite burns like fire. This reminds us that separation from God is burning in an eternal fire.

No Pets!

The purpose of this post is to thoroughly convince you never to own pets again. If someone in your life is trying to talk you into a puppy, or a kitten, or a couple of those cute fuzzy yellow chicks at the pet store, show him/her this post, and the matter will be shut down right there. No questions asked.

It all started about 6:45 am, getting up and ready to take kid to the bus. We've recently been leaving our pup Aspen out of her crate while we are gone for short jaunts. We look over the house, make sure we have anything temptingly chewy out of the way. (I didn't know temptingly was a word, but spell check accepts it.) We think we have everything up, and head out the door.

Bus arrives, but breaks down at the bus stop. Driver dilly dallys around before another bus comes to pick up the kids. As a result, I am gone longer than usual. I arrive home, and walk in the door. This is when the fun begins. Remember that bit about removing all things temptingly chewy? Yeah, we missed one. A big one. Aspen has dumped the kitchen trash, and had herself a big party in the 15 or so minutes I was gone.

After chewing her out, I commence cleaning up the mess, leading from the kitchen to the living room. While I do this, Aspen starts throwing up all over the living room. Apparently trash doesn't agree with her tummy. I quickly leash up both dogs, and throw them outside. I finish cleaning up the trash, and take it to the outside can.

While I am outside, I let the big chickens out, and feed the younger ones. Last night was the chicks' first night outside in the big world. It looks like things went well. By the time I finish, the dogs are raising pure cane, wanting to come back inside. So I leash them up, and head to the house. While I was outside, I had the kitchen door open. Something we frequently do when the dogs are in the yard.

The chickens had come in the house in search of cat food. They ate most of what was left in the bowl, but that wasn't the worst of it. Chickens normally leave a solid, dainty little dropping when they have to go. However, about every 10 droppings is a big, wet, sloppy mess. Guess which one was left on my kitchen floor? I'm trying to hold onto two good sized dogs, intent on cleaning up for me, while I shoo 3 skittish hens out the door where they belong. I get Feathers and Chicklet out, but can't get Slow Poke headed in the right direction. I finally scoop her up in my arms, still holding the leashes of these crazy dogs, and throw the chicken out the door. The door may have been slammed shut at this point.

I clean up the mess on the floor, while I watch the dogs like a hawk so they don't help me. The kitchen smells terrible. I wipe up with a disinfecting wipe, and take the trash out again. Meanwhile, Aspen finds the laundry room door open (I was in there getting a roll of paper towels to replace the one Aspen ate) and helps herself to the litter box.

This all happened before 8 am. I give up! All my pets are now for sale on Ebay. Or Craigslist. Or whatever site will let you sell pets from...Hades.

Mock Pecan Pie

This pie is amazing, it tastes just like pecan pie, but without the pecans. Great for someone who is allergic to tree nuts. Credit to Company's Coming by Jean Pare.

Mock Pecan Pie

2 eggs

1 cup corn syrup

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

1 cup quick cooking rolled oats

1 unbaked 9" pie shell

beat eggs in small bowl, beat in next 4 ing. Pour into pie shell, bake on bottom rack at 350* for 50 minutes until set. Scrumptious!

Sleeping in....or Not

It's 6:30am on a mid summer day. I'm awake, though I don't want to be. I have no where to be, nothing to do today, yet here I am awake. I'm hungry. Simple enough, get up and grab a bite to eat, then go back to bed until a reasonable hour.

Except....if I get up, the dogs will get up with me. They'll need to go outside.

If I take them outside, the chickens and the horse will want to be fed.

When I get back inside, the dogs will want to be fed.

If I feed the dogs, the cats will want to be fed.

If I feed the cats, the ferrets will want to be fed as well.

If I feed the ferrets, the guinea pig will want to be fed.

If I feed the guinea pig, the fish will want their light turned on, and they will ask for breakfast as well.

If I tend the fish, the button quail Bonkers will want his attention this morning as well...

Can I have breakfast in bed?

God bless,
Chela

Treats, please!

My chickens are growing so fast, they look like adult birds now, at only 10 weeks old. I let them out to free range in the morning, and they spend the day exploring the yard, and looking for bugs to eat. They've also learned that if they peck at the kitchen door, I'll come out and give them a treat. Today was no exception. I brought out an ear of corn for them. Only this time, I pulled down the husk and left it attached to the cob. This is what ensued:

Feathers: What in the name of chicken food is that?

Chicklet: Can we eat it?

Slow Poke: No, definitely not, it will eat us first!

The hens all stand around staring at it, waiting for the corn to make the first move.

Feathers decided to be the brave one and peck the cob

Feathers: Alright, I'm going to peck it. Now be ready to run when I do, this thing is surely going to strike!

She gives the cob a big chicken peck, and all the hens jump

Feathers: Hey, nothing happened, and wait, that was good! Lunch time everybody!!!!!

All the chickens greedily attack the corn.

Thank You Jesus

For the Last Supper, and instituting Holy Communion at the first Mass, thank You Jesus

For your prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, thank You Jesus

For calmly bearing the betraying kiss of Judas, thank You Jesus

For healing the ear of the servant, thank You Jesus

For predicting the betrayal of Peter, thank You Jesus

For bearing the scourging of the Roman Soldiers, thank You Jesus

For the crown of thorns, thank You Jesus

For hearing the crowd cry "Crucify Him", thank You Jesus

For carrying Your Cross, thank You Jesus

For falling, thank You Jesus

For enduring the nailing of your hands and feet, thank You Jesus

For forgiving the thief, thank You Jesus

For providing for your Mother, thank You Jesus

For forgiving your tormentors, thank You Jesus

For bearing the taunts of the soldiers, thank You Jesus

For watching them cast lots for your garments, thank You Jesus

For Your death upon the Cross, for me and all mankind....thank You Jesus

For the Resurrection to give us eternal life, thank You Jesus!!!!

Happy Easter

I recently cared for my friend's farm while she was on a much-needed vacation. Among her chickens is a very broody hen, who threatened very unpleasant happenings on anyone who messed with her. I admired her dedication until her first chick hatched. She then decided she was done sitting, and had to tend her chick. This left 8 eggs that still needed some loving care and warmth. Fortunately, there was an up and running incubator waiting for them.

I gathered up the eggs, and noticed one had a "pip" in it. The chick was hatching, and had made a small hole through the egg shell. As I moved it into the incubator, the chick was talking to me. Peep peep peep!! I was so excited, and felt vested in this egg more than the other 7. I carefully laid it down in the incubator, and hoped for the best.

Hatching is a long process, taking 24 hours or more. But after 6 hours, nothing more had happened, and my hopes were dashed. I was sure this chick, who had been so chatty earlier in the day, had died. I was really feeling crushed and disappointed. I left for the day, not expecting anything more to happen overnight.

The next morning, I went about my duties, and finally made it to the incubator. With some trepidation, I picked up the flashlight, and peered inside. To my delight and astonishment, the egg was broken, and the chick was alive! I was so happy and relieved. Little chatty chick had a tiny little beak, little feet and feathers, and there he was!!

Isn't that what Easter is all about? The disciples had seen Jesus die on the Cross, and their hopes were dashed. This loving Messiah, who did only good for the people, who healed the sick, who preached peace and the love of God, had died most cruelly on the Cross. That was it, then, no one comes back from the dead. The disciples left the tomb feeling confusion, heartbreak, and wrenching grief.

Yet when the disciples arrived at the tomb three days later, it was empty! How can that be? Where was Jesus? Then Mary Magdalene spoke to a man near the tomb.He called her "Mary", and she knew her Savior was alive! How her heart must have leapt, and been filled with joy at the news. Jesus offers us the same eternal life that death cannot keep in the grave. We will live on in Heaven with Our Savior and Lord. All that we have to do is ask Jesus into our hearts, and tell Him we need this promise of eternal life. He loves us with unconditional love, and desires greatly to bring all of us home with Him. Happy Easter!