Dreary weekend, actual church

Mama and I had planned to drive to Lawton Saturday, but we backed out given all the unknowns caused by the state and local quarantines. We need to go as soon as it is feasible to do so, but yesterday did not seem like the right time. Mama and I could not be certain that we could meet with our realtor. He ahs been somewhat evasive. Nor could we be certain that we would find places to get gas and go to the bathroom. We probably could but you never know. Nor are we certain that we are allowed to travel interstate without express permission. Weird times. The United States is looking more like Europe than the United States. Having made that decision, we accepted Trace’s request to keep the kids while he and Krystal spent the day together shopping. It is the only full day they have had together in three weeks. The boys are not a problem and Victoria and Mama love having a baby in the house.

It was raining off and on all day Saturday. Temperatures never got out of the forties. The winds blew hard throughout the entire day. When I worked in the shop, I was dressed for winter with all the doors closed. It reminded me that I need to take the time and seal the openings over the roll up doors on the north and south end of the shop. Even the chickens did not venture too far out of the shelter of the coop. They were hunkered down inside the building until late in the afternoon. When we opened them up to forage outside of the coop yard, they flooded out in spite of the drizzle. We have adopted the practice of leaving them in the coop yard until late in the afternoon. Partly to keep them out of the garden and partly to keep them closer to the coop so we can steer them away from the coyotes. The longer they are out, the farther they roam from the coop. Making them easy prey for the scavengers. Even still they go too far afield to satisfy Mama.  When the Lord gives us the money, we will install a better fence on the south and west sides of our property. That will help us control the predators a little better that the rickety barbed wire fence we now have in place.

Mama has chicks in the garage. Two batches that are about a week apart and the slightly older batch is at the point that the tote we have them in is not adequate to house them. So, I set up the large cage we typically use in our progression in the swell house for her to house the chicks until we move them to the Banty house and then to the coop. Integrating them into the coop is always a traumatic experience for Mama. Per her request, I installed two roosts per side in the large cage. That will help the little ones find space to sleep without squatting on the floor of the cage. Mama does not like that arrangement. That transition will happen today. At least with the first set of chicks. I have installed the cage in the coop in times past, but Mama was not thrilled about that idea this time around.

It is interesting to see the difference in the breeds of chickens. The first set of chicks is wild and flighty. Mama cannot fool with them without them squawking and flailing around. The other group is so calm, they will approach Mama and hop into her hand. They seem to love the attention. We will see how they grow, but it is an interesting dynamic to see in such little ones. The wild ones will eventually calm down somewhat. They always do, but for now, you can expect a panic every time you approach them.

Pastor called me Saturday to ask if I would be willing to lead a couple congregational songs for each service. Of course. I was praying he would ask. So, yesterday, Mama and I actually got to go to church for both services. There were only a few people there. Less than ten. Mostly the “film” crew, the pastor, me and Mama, and a couple men there to cheer on the pastor. It was wonderful. We had all gone to the church Friday night so Victoria could update her new computer and so Mama could get a party on the books electronically. We needed a faster internet connection than we can get at the farm. I told Mama it was nice to be in church even though we were not there for services. So, when the pastor called, I was ready to agree to his request. We will continue with that arrangement until we are able to have regular services. Hopefully soon.

This week will be another worked largely from home. I think most everyone at this company is ready to get back to work in the office. I know I am.