Too hot

Nine laying hens, eight eggs today.  I think they were relieved that it only hit ninety-three today and not one hundred and three.  All told, we now have twenty-three chickens.  Two roosters.  Nine that lay, now.  The rest are too young.   We sell our eggs for three dollars a dozen.  That is what I always paid my friend- until she convince me to start keeping my own chickens. 
Some people complain about three dollars a dozen saying "I can get them for a dollar a dozen at WalMart!"  I tell them to go to WalMart- that these are farm fresh eggs and worth every bit of three dollars a dozen. 
When it is terribly hot, such as over one hundred degrees, we've only been getting four to six eggs from the nine hens.  All twenty-three drink close to two gallons of water a day.  In the summer our cats are outdoors almost exclusively and we've been careful to leave water out front and out back.  Our Corgi is indoors and she gets fresh water daily.  All of our stock gets fresh water daily and we make certain their bowls are clean.
I've got one naked lady out front and it isn't me.  Normally, I have a row of them and this year there is one and I'm surprised we got that one.
It has just been too hot.  Too hot to lay eggs.  Too hot for the flowers.  I've been watering to keep Hostas alive.  Normally, Hostas thrive, no matter what.
Too hot and no rain.  Someone I know told me last weekend that they are leaving water out for the deer.  Creeks beds that never dry up are dry. 
I've heard a rumor that this is going to continue until October. 
Sometimes people will lose chickens just due to the heat.  We lost one last summer.  We have a lot of young ones, and there is our old flock, too.  So far, so good.
If you have animals, wild or domestic, please give them fresh water.   It is just too hot.

Riding the B-line trail

When I last posted about buying my bike, Jan from Colorado asked me to join her in a ride.  So, I thought I would take all of you along on a ride with me.  Last Sunday I went out for my second ride on my new bike- my second time to ride the B-line trail. I parked at the farmer's market parking lot and headed South.

Artwork

I paused to take a photo of the property below.  It inspires me.  It is clean and tidy.  The first time I rode the trail, a gal was watering her flowers.  We are in the midst of a drought.  Her flowers are beautiful  There are boxes with plants in the fence on the right.  I don't know if this place is a business or a residence.  I plan to keep my eye on it. 

This is the bridge that goes up over the road.  You can ride up and over or wait and cross the road.  It is a challenge for me to go up and over.  But a good challenge.

Along the way there are informational signs giving the history of the area.

Way south on the trail.  Sunny and open.  Hot.

From the top of the bridge.  The first time I went down it only when I reached the bottom did I learn that I was holding my breath.  I haven't ridden a bike for about five or six years.  I'm like a little baby learning to walk.  And afraid that I am going to fall (wreck) the whole time.  Loved it when I was talking to my son about riding and he told me to wear my helmet.  

heading back into town

Bicycle wheel artwork

antique mall along the trail

more artwork and a brain along the trail

artwork at La Petite Cafe

French expression at La Petite

Johnson Creamery information

The Johnson Creamery

what is going on in town?

Heading north

an owl in a tree

do you see the Sample gates?

Love this tree-lined section

Historic information on the Showers Building

The Showers Building

Historic information on the train depot

the depot

 Farmer's Market area

Street markings

Quelle heure est-il?  Tables along the trail near the farmer's market area.

Hope you enjoyed going along for the ride...for more information- here.

The B-line is 3.1 miles each way for a total of 6.2 miles.  I rode it last Friday and last Sunday.  On Thursday night I went out to ride the Clear Creek trail which is 2.5 miles each way for a total of five miles.  I was nearly to the turn-around point when the sky open up.  It ha been so dry.  Each and every time we get any rain at all we are over-joyed.  It wasn't cold so I went on out to the turn-around point and finished my ride in the pouring rain.  It was refreshing and kind of fun!

I bought a new bike!

I bought a new bike! 

It is a Trek 7.2 FX WSD.  WSD= Women's Specific Design.

Here is a photo of me on my bike:

 In my mind I look like:

 In reality I look like: