Monday, August 29, 2011

As Summer Fades

Where has this month, and Dear Summer gone? We have been busy, but somehow it seems there is a new priority every day… and we keep spinning around in circles. Does anyone else feel like that? Here’s some randomness that’s been happening in our neck of the woods.
We said goodbye to an old wagon heirloom last week (Peter Shetler).
peter_shetler
I’ve been working on a new pen as time allows. It will be  “Fort Knox” for geese (Greta and her future new gander friend), plus a hangout for roosters occasionally. This will consist of 3x6 foot panels with hardware cloth (14 of them). I chose the panel method so I can change my mind in the future and possibly move the pen or expand. You just never know :) There will be something over the top to deter raccoons and other predators. I never ever want a repeat of what happened to Grady Gander :(
combo_pen1
Yesterday was planing day for the walnut lumber we milled last Spring. It was dry and ready to go. Hmmm, we will have to choose special projects for this dear old tree from our backyard that turned out to be our first sawmill project!
planing walnut_planed
Our Hive #2 of Bees (we thought they were Carniolans) had a problem. They were without a Queen. While we were debating what to do, it seems the bees took matters into their own hands. Hive #1 (the Italians) started taking over Hive #2. Also, a frame of brood was moved over to Hive #2 from Hive #1. The objective is of course to somehow end up with a Queen in Hive #2.  We will check in a few days to see if there is any sign of a new Queen. So exciting! In the meantime, Hive #2 is guzzling *two gallons of sugar water per day*. Amazing.

bees_1

Finally, I’ll close with a mosaic of our Sunday evening drive from yesterday. Just a few random views from our neighborhood. We shared the camera, depending on who had the best view at the time!
mosaic8-29-11
Also, Mr. W has had a  recurrence of his back woes. We are not 100% sure, but think there may be yet another back surgery in his future. We would appreciate any good thoughts and prayers on his behalf.
Hope all is well in  your neck of the woods!
sig3

31 comments:

McVal said...

You definitely have my prayers for his back woes!
I LOVE that picture of the bridge.

Dawn said...

Lovely photos, and I can't wait to see the lumber turned into a project:)

TexWisGirl said...

yup, that bridge shot is a winner! sorry for the back troubles! ugh! good luck with the gander/rooster shack!

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

Beautiful Walnut wood! I bet it smells good too.
Tell Pw to take it easy, I know hard for a man to do!
I bet you will miss that beautiful wagon!!!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Tammy, love your bridge photo. It looks much like the ones I remember from long ago. Will pray that Mr. W gets relief for his back without having to undergo more surgery! Take care!

Farming On Faith said...

Hi Tammy~
I sure enjoyed catching up with you, I too am wondering where Summer has gone. It has flown by!
I have you entered for the drawing over at Farming on Faith!
Hope you have a wonderful evening!

Blondee said...

I hope you never have to go through another loss like the one with grady again, either. :(

That wagon is gorgeous and I love the updates on the bees. Had no idea they would take that much sugar water!!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Great photos and, like you, I wonder where summer has gone...seems I was just planting and now it's harvest time.

Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarm said...

Can't wait to see what you come up with as a project for that beautiful walnut. Interesting about the hive....can't wait to see if it works. So sorry to read about Mr. W. Thoughts and prayers are coming from me. :-)

Michaele said...

I really like the panel idea. Hope you post more on that later. The collage photo is really nice.

Melinda said...

Great pics.
Hope Mr. W gets to feeling better soon.

Melinda

Lynda said...

I like your Fort Knox. Great design idea. The wood is BEAUTIFUL! How wonderful to have its heritage.
Interesting info about the bees. I admire you working with them. I have been stung about 10 times in my life - - - and now have an allergy to them. However, I do like to use honey in my cooking.

Kilauea Poetry said...

I'm sorry you had to part with that snazy heirloom! Gee, my husband deals with a bad back too and it's worse at times than others, when he just can't sleep. He's never had surgery so my thoughts and prayers go out to him!
Again, sorry about your sweet Grady, the pen sounds wonderful indeed!
We had bees for awhile (I was very young) but one of my brothers became alergic. Sad but funny, I can mostly remember him running around the back yard swollen and once he packed me on his mortorcycle and got stung! I think this is pretty cool though.
A great update with a terrific mosaic!
~~Wishing you a great week Tammy~~

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

I can't imagine the frustration of back troubles. I hope things go well for him.

Your pictures are always so beautiful.

V.L. Locey said...

Loved the look of that old wagon!

Unknown said...

I put my back out 'once'. It was enough to make me appreciate how horrible it can be. My thoughts are definitely with Mr W!

I do so hope you see a queen cell soon. Is it too late in the season to buy a queen or is it not recommended?

Beautiful photos, the bridge shot is beautiful!

~Andrea

Old Time Cindy said...

You are busy! I think bees are so interesting. Hubby is allergic to bees so we can't have any hives. Hope your hubby feels better soon!

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Maybe you could put a Help Wanted sign in front of the hive...."Queen Bee needed, apply within"!

I will most certainly keep Mr. in my prayers! J is in the same situation. He had surg 4 years ago. It is time once again :( But, I fear it will have to wait...
Happy almost Fall, Tammy!
xo, misha

Jenny said...

Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear of the back problems. I can't imagine living with something like that.

Your summer looks glorious. I suspect your fall will be the same!

Q said...

Will add your dearly beloved to my daily blessings...hope his back feels better soon...surgery is so difficult as he already knows.
Love the wagon....your walnut boards will be a family treasure for sure. What a great idea you had to save the wood. I have a small piece from my sacred Ash tree that died....
Happy September. Hope it cools down soon 101F today...too hot!
Sherry

GardenOfDaisies said...

Hope your bees get their Queen. And that your husbands back heals. Oh dear, I just read what happened to Grady Gander! Another blogger, Pondside, just had several of her hens taken by a raccoon too.

Jackie said...

Oh, I'm saying some prayers for Mr. W. Back problems are just miserable. I absolutely love the photo of the bridge and I have crossed many of those in my days. Glad to stop by and visit and sorry I haven't popped in lately.

Enjoy the cool weather tonight.
Jackie

Dog Trot Farm said...

Beautiful photographs Tammy, your neck of the country is so lovely. My husband has dealt with back problems in the past, bulging disc, ouch! I keep my finger's crossed that the steriod shot continues to provide him comfort. I do hope your husband can stay out of the operating room. Keeping you in my prayer's. Julie.

Gwenieann said...

Just a note to let you know that you and Mr.W are in our prayers and thoughts. Hope he is feeling better after the surgery. I have a feeling he will be up and supervising the new Geese condo in no time. :-)

Lois Christensen said...

Love the pictures! I can so relate to your hubby's back problems! Just had an epidural myself to help me walk. Been struggling with that for a few months and things are improving. Hope all is well!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I hope your husbands back heals. I always feel for a person who has a bad back. I have herniated discs and boy when my back flares up it is so painful. On a lighter note your photos are lovely and I'm really liking your new header.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Yes, I think we all feel that way at one time or another. Hope your husband mends quickly. Love your photos! They say "welcome"! blessings, Kathleen

Thistle Cove Farm said...

How are the bees doing? Hope the husband's back problems are doing better and loved the drive, thank you!

Anonymous said...

We have one hive that's drinking a quart jar a day. I didn't know they could go up to a gallon! What kind of container do you use. I would love to put at least a 1/2 gallon jar out there but am not sure if it's available. (these are my sons bees and I'm caring for them while he's out of town working)

Elle Bee said...

Oh back problems are so miserable! I hope there is no surgery needed, but if so, I hope it is successful and has a quick recovery! Lovely photos as always. I'm off to read what happened to Grady Gander.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I know exactly what you mean, Tammy. This summer zipped right by and there's still so much going on.

Hope you're doing well... as always, beautiful photos.

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