Hi Annie,

I had no idea that chickens would behave like that!!! Then again, I know absolutely nothing about chickens at all!

You sure do keep yourself busy! Not much to do here. We are still on the cold side here ... mid 30's but feels colder cause of the wind chill. Still have about 2 feet of snow on the ground. At least the sun is out.

I've been amusing myself with my little collection of houseplants. Bought a nice healthy aloe plant ... still healthy despite the fact that I recently caught the cat up on the table where my plants are. He broke a few leaves on the aloe, but it's still doing OK. Also have a Jade plants that's doing fine. Thanksgiving Cactus is making new leaves ... and my 2 Amaryllis plants have nothing but tall, green leaves. No flowers. Didn't bloom last year either. Maybe right around Thanksgiving 2021, I'll just buy 2 brand new plants with developing buds in the supermarket. At least then I know I'll have Amaryllis flowers for Christmas.

I have bought some seeds to start inside to get a jump start for the Summer/Fall seasons. Picked up Heavenly Blue Morning Glory, Moonflower, and Black-eyed Susan Vine seeds. I have 3 tall trellises to cover, so the MG, Moonflowers, and BE Susan vine will have a good head start this year. Last year I direct seeded them outside, but they really didn't have enough time to take-off! I had only a few flowers actually bloom and it was way too late in the season. Our last frost here could occasionally be as late as early June. And our first frost for the Fall season can come as early as mid-October. I live in TOBYHANNA, but the weather can be very strange to say the least. We locals here often refer to our town as "TOBYHORROR".

As far as the Foxglove seeds go, I'll start some inside and try to direct sow some outside, too. Hopefully, we will have enough snow melt and warmer weather in mid to late March, and I can just loosen up the soil and direct sow some seeds. Foxgloves don't mind a bit of a chill. If not, I will still have some decent sized indoor grown seedlings to plant out later in the season. The foxgloves won't bloom til the following year anyway.

Geez!! I can't wait for this Winter to be OVER!!!!

Take care,
Jane

Hi Jane, it's always SOOOO nice to hear from you. I know what you mean about sort of running out of growing season. Even though it's warmer here, Morning glories really are only in their "Glory" in September and honestly they can look pretty forlorn at that point, with everything else folding up for fall. I may try to start some indoors too, you've inspired me. I tried one year but I think way too early. I put the seedlings on the floor in front of my patio door and they ended up climbing up one of the dining room chairs! By the time it was warm enough to set them outside, they were such pale skinny things they never did anything.

Yeah, chickens can be strange birds. Unlike wild birds, they don't take baths in water. They take dust baths. They'll scratch and scratch at a patch of fine dry dirt until it is a deep scooped out hole then wallow around in it like a hot tub. Then, once they are completely full of dust, they'll fluff out and shake and it's like a miniature dust storm. Funny thing is today I was sitting at the dining room table and all of a sudden there's this cloud of dust rising from under the deck...one of the chickens. It's hilarious to watch them sun-bathe, they stretch out like bathing beauties. But they do tend to look like dead birds then. One of my neighbors once came over to tell me tearfully that she saw a couple of my hens dead beside the hedge but when she got near they stood up and ran away *HA* This is one reason not to have chickens loose in a garden, they have wreaked havoc with a couple of flower beds. I have to keep fence wire on the ground to keep them away.

We still have some snow, but it's going. Supposed to get rain/sleet this weekend, so I don't know what will be left. I really cant complain, we haven't had a real winter here in about 4-5 years. It was actually kind of nice to see snow on the ground for a while.

I guess I'm busier this year because my husband Rodger's health is slowly failing. He's had two major heart operations over the past 10 years, first to replace his aorta and aortic valve, then the valve failed only a few years later (was supposed to last a lifetime) and he had to go thru that again. He's on so much medication, and now he's developing tremors in his hands. The doctor says it's side effects of meds, but the meds keep his heart working so live with the tremors. Plus he had double hernia surgery about 5 years ago, they put in mesh and he's been in pain ever since. He can't ride in a car for more than few minutes because of pain, and he can't lift anything. He still does push the lawn mower around and shovel some snow, but I worry every time he does. But you know men, he won't hear of hiring someone to do it as long as he can.

Otherwise, it's been pretty good here. No excitement...well, unless you count the cows getting loose from the farm down the road and wandering out into the road. The township snow plow had to stop and the guy had to chase them. That was pretty exciting actually! Good thing it happened middle of the day!

Rodger is eligible for vaccine, but can't get an appt yet. I'm still WAAAAYYYY too young *oh just say you believe that!* *LOL*

Keep safe, be well, spring will be here afore'n you know it. Annie

Hi Annie,

Good to hear from you, too.

Sorry to hear about your hubby's health issues. Life can sometimes be so difficult. My hubby, Bill, has had a hell of a year, too. Actually started September 2020. Prostate issues. Had to have a TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) done. After the procedure he still had burning and urgency issues for 8 weeks. Was on all kinds of meds, frequent bloodwork, etc. Finally, he went for an exploratory procedure to try and determine what was causing so much discomfort. Turns out he had developed a "stricture" which is a blockage in the urethra sometimes cause by the TURP procedure itself. A dilation was done and since then he's doing pretty well.

BUT - even more serious health issues concerning him really flared AGAIN during this past week. He's a diabetic, and he's had heart issues for many years .... triple bypass 24 years ago, and in the last 10 years, 2 stents. For the past few months he's had mild chest pressure, but he was kind of ignoring it. Anyway, on 2/23 he told me he wanted to go to the hospital because he was having more chest pressure/pain than usual. Long story short, he was admitted to the hospital . An Angioplasty was done on one of the existing stents and he's doing well. He was released from the hospital on 2/25. He has a follow-up with his doctor next week.

As for me, I'm doing OK. Just stomach issues. I'm very prone to Diverticulitis flares, and when I have one, it really can knock me down for 3-4 days. I really have to WATCH my diet -- no high fat foods, dairy can be tricky ... but coffee and chocolate can sometimes REALLY set me off. I still refuse to completely eliminate my C&C, so I indulge occasionally.

Don't get me wrong ... my gastroenterologist is a very good doctor, but sometimes
Because of my stomach issues, I'm very good about getting my check-ups, so I went and had my required Colonoscopy, in October I think ... and everything was fine. My doctor then tells me that I won't be due for another one for 10 years. I smirked at him and said, "I'll be 80 years old in 10 years. I really don't see much point it having it then." He kind of huffed at me, but didn't say anything else.

As far my biggest health concern, being a Breast Cancer survivor, I'm doing well. Will be 5 years Oct. 2021. I thank God every day. Every day is a .... GIFT.

Well, that's the scoop. Just looking forward now to nicer weather and the chance to go and PLAY IN THE DIRT again this year.

Take care,
Jane

Sometimes it just seems like one thing after another once you pass 40. I hope your husband's health improves and continues good. It's sometimes harder to deal with the Other person's issues than your own. So far, I've been very blessed and my health is pretty good, but I don't take it for granted.
We've got pretty heavy rain here today (Sunday 28 Feb). Naturally the cats find this irresistable, in and out, in and out, my floors are so muddy we could plant rice! *HA*