Chicken Express

Last night’s blog included a photo of the baby chick tub at the local True Value, where I went to grab a bag of potting soil for my 30 shagbark hickory seeds. Little did I expect that anyone would find the photo to be of interest.

However, Abby, the chicken expert, noticed it, and immediately asked me to go buy some. Apparently covid has disrupted the baby chicken supply, and chicks are hard to come by. Her standing order has been pushed back into late April.
So at 8 a.m. this morning I was at the hardware store shopping for birds. I bought four of them. I think I bought two buff orpingtons, one ameraucana, and one silver-laced polish—though the last one was supposed to be a silver wyandotte, or something like that.
Next step was to keep them alive and deliver them to the chicken farm in Cedarburg.

Note: the birds were alive and chirping when delivered.

Puddles…

…and a powerful March wind.

Whitewater Lake

True Value Hardware. I didn’t buy any.

And 30 shagbark hickory seeds planted in peat pots. The nuts were locally gathered, chilled in the garage over winter, and passed the ‘float test.’ (They all sank.) I am therefore, optimistic we will have seedlings to spare of these great native trees.

Warm..

…and damp, and and now, a little much needed rain.

Morning at Imagination Station…

…with the Nies kids, then a picnic lunch at Fowler Park.

And then, there was ice cream!

Spring Peepers…

…on the second day of spring. Even though we are quite dry in these parts.

The prairie could use a burn, but too dry and windy for such a thing today.

And, speaking of basketball, my bracket is totally busted. The Big Ten has bombed out.

Happy Birthday Mimi

Daylong gathering and then evening party at the Janowiec’s in Cedarburg.

Keep On Truckin’

Afternoon of hauling stuff from O’wock Nies abode to storage unit.

Photo taken yesterday at Roger’s barn

Because…a rolling stone…

March Winds…

…in fact, rather extreme March winds, dropping branches here and there.

Blowing in the wind

Meanwhile, iceboats to the barn for their long summer’s nap.

Moving Iceboats…

…toward their summer home on a chilly, rainy day.

Photo above by a fellow named Baumgarten and sent by Murray and Elaine.
NCAA tournament brackets filled out.

Home Again…

…to snow on the driveway. On the up side, we missed the snowfall, and it will be gone tomorrow.

Hellebore does not mind a little setback, either.

Big Bertha…

…as the giant white pine is affectionately known. And then, 3 big red pines proving that some trees enjoy close company.

Sal and Glenn off this morning after world famous waffles, and with vivid memory of last night’s Sequence match in which one gender failed miserably.

Riddled With Bullets

At the Little Bohemia Lodge, where the Dillinger gang met the FBI, in Manitowish Waters.

And this evening a couple of pizzas from the Flame restaurant around the flame here in the cabin.

Conversation…

…something fun after a year of its lack. Sally and Glenn here in Flambeau for a few days.

Up North…

…among the big trees at the Janowiec cabin. Cool, calm, and quiet. Pax and I had a long walk in the woods.

And, what do you do as dusk descends across hill and hollow? Watch basketball. Go Illini.

A Year Later

First time in a year!

Breakfast at Natalie’s Park View Restaurant.

Rain In The Forecast…

… but none hitting the ground. A wash down would be welcome—but still a pleasant early spring day.

No Snow…

…except in a few places.

A little outdoor spring cleaning, a few walks, and a bike ride. High in the 60s. Still lots of cranes overhead.

Creek swollen and moving fast, but still within its banks. The melt has been slow, and no rain since the thaw.

Multitudes On High

Lots of humans and canines out too. Temps in the mid 50s, and snow going fast.

I count about 40

Not sure I can count this high. Might have to zoom in. Not really visible on a small screen.

The cranes seem to move in the morning. By afternoon, their calls no longer rattle the heavens. I assume they have settled down to glean grain fields before moving farther north, or are staking a claim to a wetland around here.

In appreciation of the weather, we fired up the Green Egg, and did a slow cook of of a St. Paddy’s brisket (in the more Texan than Irish style).

Nite Nationals

On Green Lake. Five races today on rough but decent ice and a good breeze. Better than yesterday, when there was no wind and therefore much standing around. The family syndicate’s comportment was exemplary.

Now Cranes Abundant

A steady stream overhead all morning, announcing the arrival of spring with their penetrating calls.

In the afternoon, a long bike ride with Kate and Will who, along with Ab, are here for dinner and are spending the night. First time in a year.