Muddy Mess!

With the heavy rains of the last week and the construction, Walnut Grove has become quite a quagmire. Instead of cursing Mother Nature (whom I dearly respect), I instead think of Gillian Welch's song "Red Clay Halo." We may not be heavenly beings here, but we sure have muddy feet!

Digging is progressing slowly but surely. A vein of shale runs directly under the house, so Mike is having to use a jackhammer to break it loose. It will be well worth the effort, though, when we have a full basement under the house.

George Bradley, who was born in the cabin in 1924, his wife and their three daughters visited us a couple of days ago. They shared family stories and pictures, and most importantly, excitement about the project. It was a joy to collect oral history from the family who lived in the cabin--that's what historic preservation is all about!

Happy Birthday, Ruby and Heather!

Today, Ruby turns 1 and Heather turns 28 (oh, Lord!). Also--we've moved Iris into her OBGYN suite. She and Billy can still touch noses through the fence, but her new little kid will be protected from his/her rambunctious step-father for awhile.

Movin' More Dirt

A couple of pictures after today's work...(1) Lance under the house and (2) a view of the cold, cold floors from beneath.

Movin' Dirt

Mike began "movin' dirt" this week with his favorite tool - the back-hoe. Movin' dirt from under the front of the house will allow him to seal the crawl space and stop the nasty winter drafts. I am looking forward to warm feet next winter.

Lance

Green Eggs, but No Ham

About two weeks ago, we "freed" our chicks, who have grown into young ladies now. With the excitement of being able to free range, the recent warm spell, and the "encouragement" of two eager roosters, the hens have started laying earlier than expected. Only one Aracauna (probably Lance Jr.) is laying--appropriately pale green (jade-ite!) eggs--but the others are soon to follow. As vegetarians, we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss's advice in part--green eggs, but no ham!
Included are pictures of the first green egg, shown with a standard brown egg from one of our older hens and jade-ite in the background; Heather and Lance Jr. (with Henny Jr. in the back); and the chicks foraging around the horses' feeders. The final picture is of Frank (banty rooster) and company. The two fuzzy chickens (called Silkies), whom we named Dude and Maude (Lebowski), were a gift from Heather's dad, the mottled rooster (Ace) was a gift from one of Bobby's hunting buddies, and the two white banty hens were a gift from Heather's Uncle Baker. Unfortunately, Ace nudged Frank out of alpha rooster-hood, and after a long and bloody fight, Frank refused to come out of the coop. Because one of Lance's colleagues had been looking for some Silkies for her son, and knowing that she has a safe coop on her farm, we agreed to give her Dude and Maude if she would also take Ace. She agreed, and the banty coop is back to normal now with Frank crowing incessantly to impress the two remaining hens. His pride wasn't wounded for long!

It's here!

The cabin is now completely disassembled and neatly stacked behind the house. There are only a few remaining loads of chimney stones to transport but the logs have arrived. Unfortunately, a header log broke in half during the journey, but Mike is confident it can be repaired. Posted are a picture of the original cabin site (without cabin) and Heather with three of her favorite things -- a cabin, a chicken, and a cat. Sounds like a song.

Lance