Mostly about my backyard chickens. (Boring, I know), but there are a lot of us out here. Mine are only kept as pampered pets. I could eat a neighbor's chicken, but not MINE. There may be a comment on current events only if I get riled up enough. And there will always be a cartoon or a joke to cheer us. I promise to try my very best to respond to comments. Now I have to figure out how this blogger thingy works....

Saturday, April 30, 2016

The Everly Brothers are the most important vocal duo in
rock. The enduring influence of their close, expressive harmonies is
evident in the work of British Invasion bands like the Beatles and the
Hollies, and of folk-oriented acts such as Simon and Garfunkel, not to
mention countless solo artists, among them Dave Edmunds, Gram Parsons,
Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt. Most of the Everlys' hit singles —
"Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up Little Susie," "All I Have to Do Is Dream" —
merged Nashville's clean instrumental country style with innocuous
teenage themes, and were smoother than other contemporary country-rock
hybrids like rockabilly. Their mastery is revealed in their ballads,
among them "Let It Be Me."
Don Everly was born on February 1, 1937; his brother Phil arrived
almost two years later, on January 19, 1939. They were the children of
Midwestern country stars Ike and Margaret Everly of Shenandoah, Iowa.
The boys toured with their parents around the South and Midwest and
performed on the family radio show (a taped sample of which appears on Roots)
throughout their childhoods. In the summer of 1955, still teenagers,
they left for Nashville, where they were soon hired by Roy Acuff's
publishing company as songwriters. Don had a minor success when his
"Thou Shalt Not Steal" became a hit for Kitty Wells. The brothers also
recorded a country single entitled "Keep On Loving Me" for Columbia
before signing with Cadence in 1957. Songwriters Felice and Boudleaux
Bryant gave them "Bye Bye Love," which 30 acts had previously rejected.
It was an international hit (Number Two U.S., 1957), topped the country
chart, and established the Everly Brothers' style of close country
harmonies over a rocking beat.
The Everlys toured internationally with a small combo over the next
few years, sporting matching suits and haircuts and leaving fans to
identify each brother by the color of his hair (Don's was darker). Their
heyday lasted through 1962, by which time they were at Warner Bros.,
with cumulative record sales of $35 million. In their three years with
Cadence (which they left in a dispute over royalties) they averaged a
Top 10 hit every four months, including four Number One hits: "Wake Up
Little Susie," "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Cathy's Clown," and "Bird
Dog."
Some of their most successful records — "Till I Kissed You" (Number
Four, 1959), "When Will I Be Loved" (Number Eight, 1960) — were written
by Don or Phil Everly. Their best-selling single, "Cathy's Clown" (sales
of which exceeded 2 million), came after their switch to Warner Bros.,
but their success with the new label was short-lived. In June 1962 the
Everlys' string of hits ended with "That's Old-Fashioned" (Number Nine,
1962). They remained major stars in England, but their careers slowed
markedly in the U.S. despite continued releases on Warner Bros.
("Bowling Green," Number 40, 1967) and RCA (where they moved in the
early Seventies, shortly after hosting a summer TV series on CBS). Their
latter-day backup band was led by keyboardist Warren Zevon and included
future L.A. studio guitarist Waddy Wachtel.
By then the brothers' personal lives had gone through serious
upheavals. Both were addicted to speed for a while, and Don was
hospitalized for a nervous breakdown. Their relationship became
increasingly acrimonious until it blew up at the John Wayne Theater at
Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, on July 14, 1973. Phil
smashed his guitar and stalked off stage, leaving Don to announce the
duo's obvious breakup. Subsequent solo attempts by both were largely
unsuccessful.
In 1983 the Everlys returned to the spotlight. Phil's duet with Cliff
Richard, "She Means Nothing to Me," reached the British Top 10 in the
spring. That September the brothers reunited onstage at London's Royal
Albert Hall for a triumphant concert that was chronicled on Reunion Concert and in a video documentary that was widely aired. In 1984 they released EB 84
(Number 38, 1984), produced by longtime fan Dave Edmunds. "On the Wings
of a Nightingale," penned by another admirer, Paul McCartney (who'd
mentioned the pair in his "Let 'Em In"), went to Number 50 in the U.S.
and Number 41 in England. Edmunds also produced 1986's Born Yesterday,
which came out the same month that the duo was inducted into the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame. The Everlys continued to perform well into 2000s,
and Phil resurfaced on a recording in 2006, singing a duet with Vince
Gill on his album These Days. The Everly Brothers have inspired several musicals, including 1998's biographical Bye Bye Love: The Everly Brothers Musical, which ran in Nashville, and 2000's Dream, Dream, Dream, which played Atlantic City.

Charlie, Maude and Laverne were digging by one of the trees at the rock wall in the front yard. Charlie saw me and figured I had his treat, so he came walking over. Maude thought she was going to miss out on something, so she flew over. They didn't see the treat bag, so Maude just started to scratch in the dirt looking for bugs. Charlie just waits....and waits.

Finally, Laverne s-l-o-w-l-y starts walking back. She doesn't run anymore, just like her owner!

(Sorry, don't know why my camera is making those wonky noises)

Hubby bringing in more wood. I can't wait for the warm weather to get here. Getting tired of that fireplace and the dust! Maybe next week....

Thursday, April 28, 2016

"This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing is wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it. You may still not think anything is odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching."

The white tail is the most conspicuous feature of adult Nicobar pigeons, particularly when seen at a distance in the twilight

The Nicobar pigeon roams in flocks from island to island, usually sleeping on offshore islets where no predators
occur and spends the day in areas with better food availability, not
shying away from areas inhabited by humans. Its food consists of seeds, fruit and buds, and it is attracted to areas where grain is available. A gizzard stone
helps to grind up hard food items. Its flight is quick, with regular
beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings, as is characteristic
of pigeons in general. Unlike other pigeons, groups tend to fly in
columns or single file, not in a loose flock. The white tail is
prominent in flight when seen from behind and may serve as a sort of "taillight",
keeping flocks together when crossing the sea at dawn or dusk. The
young birds' lack of a white tail is a signal of their immaturity
clearly visible to conspecifics –
to an adult Nicobar pigeon, it is obvious at a glance which
flockmembers are neither potential mates, nor potential competitors for
mates, nor old enough to safely guide a flock from one island to
another.

This species nests in dense forest on offshore islets, often in large
colonies. It builds a loose stick nest in a tree. It lays one
elliptical faintly blue-tinged white egg

To learn more about this beautiful bird:
http://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/birds/Columbiformes/Columbidae/Caloenas-nicobarica

..... make a run to the store in town to pick up a few things. Glad I had my camera with me!

Black Vultures!

Some little critter got smunched on the road:

This one was sitting on the roof of a house - look at that wing span!

They are fascinating birds and we are starting to see more of them around. Sometimes they will dine with the Turkey Vultures (they have a pinkish colored head) which are very common. On the way back, the road was all cleaned up.

With sooty black plumage, a bare black head, and neat
white stars under the wingtips, Black Vultures are almost dapper.
Whereas Turkey Vultures are lanky birds with teetering flight, Black
Vultures are compact birds with broad wings, short tails, and powerful
wingbeats. The two species often associate: the Black Vulture makes up
for its poor sense of smell by following Turkey Vultures to carcasses.
Highly social birds with fierce family loyalty, Black Vultures share
food with relatives, feeding young for months after they’ve fledged.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

These Horses Are Getting The Coolest Haircuts Ever

Humans are always doing strange and interesting things to their hair,
but JMC Equestrian Driving & Custom Clipping based in England has
decided it's time for horses to get in on the fun too.

It only makes sense, considering animals also need a trim every now and
again. The business is giving horses spectacular designs that dazzle
onlookers as they gallop by.
JMC Equestrian Driving & Custom Clipping/Facebook\
Clipping is not only beneficial to the horses in the summer for keeping
cool, it also helps to prevent their hair from getting matted. All of
the designs are done freehand, and no stencils involved.
The design pictured above is called "The Armor Of Love."
It's got swords, hearts and even the letters JMC hiding in the pattern.

JMC Equestrian Driving & Custom Clipping/Facebook
The artist says that she not only has lots of passion for her work, but
for the horses she gets to meet and work with along the way. The horse
below gets some funky stars on its back.

JMC Equestrian Driving & Custom Clipping/Facebook

A four-leaf clover was chosen for the lucky Irish horse below.

JMC Equestrian Driving & Custom Clipping/Facebook

These haircuts are so unique and cool, we can only hope the concept spreads to the other side of the Big Pond.

To view more of Romeo and JMC's custom clippings, head to the company's Facebook page.

When I went to let the gang out for breakfast yesterday morning, only three of them came out. Not unusual as sometimes one of the girls will be in the nest box.

Peeked inside the coop and there was Sophia. Dead on the floor. Damn! She was so sweet and liked to be held and petted more than the others. She's the one that made that funny egg, but only laid one more after that, but seemed just fine otherwise.

Hubby dug a hole and we buried her along the stone wall in the back. I hate when I lose one - I always wonder if I did something wrong.

Now there is only Charlie, Laverne and Maude left. I really don't know if I'm going to get any more.

Monday, April 25, 2016

The Hang (German pronunciation:[haŋ], plural form: Hanghang[) is a musical instrument in the idiophone class created by Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer in Bern, Switzerland. The name of their company is PANArt Hangbau AG.The Hang is sometimes referred to as a hang drum, but the inventors consider this a misnomer and strongly discourage its use.

The instrument is constructed from two half-shells of deep drawn, nitrided steel sheet
glued together at the rim leaving the inside hollow and creating a
distinct 'UFO shape'. The top ("Ding") side has a center 'note' hammered
into it and seven or eight 'tone fields' hammered around the center.
The bottom ("Gu") is a plain surface that has a rolled hole in the
center with a tuned note that can be created when the rim is struck.

The Hang uses some of the same basic physical principles as a steelpan, but modified in such a way as to act as a Helmholtz resonator.[7] The creation of the Hang was the result of many years of research on the steelpan and other instruments. The inventors of the Hang have continued to refine the shape and materials and have produced several variations over the years.

The name Hang comes from the Bernese German word for hand. It is a registered trademark and property of PANArt Hangbau AG.

Playing the Hang

The Hang is typically played resting on the player's lap. The Hang is
generally played with the hands and fingers instead of mallets. This
lighter means of playing produces an overtone-rich sound that could be considered 'softer' and 'warmer' than the 'bright' sound of a mallet based traditional steelpan.
The top (Ding) side of the Hang, depending on how it is played, can sound like a harp, bells, or harmonically tuned steelpans.
The notes are laid out in a cross pattern in the 'tone circle' from low
to high so that with a specific orientation of the Hang, the player can
ascend or descend the 'scale' by alternating using the left and right
hands to strike the 'tone fields'. Each tone field has multiple
overtones oriented specifically in the flattened field with a dome at
the center. Typically there is a fundamental tone, an overtone tuned to
an octave above that fundamental, and an additional overtone a fifth above that octave (twelfth/tritave).
The orientation is fairly consistent across the fields on each Hang so
that the overtones can be highlighted, muted, or extracted based on how
and where the player strikes the tone field.
The bottom side of the Hang has a round opening, the Gu, producing together with the air in the cavity a Helmholtz resonance similar to a ghatam or an udu.
In the 2nd generation, Integral Hang and Free Integral Hang adjustment
of the size of the Gu (by partially blocking it with either a hand, or
the legs) can generate a sympathetic D2 from the Helmholtz resonance,
which introduces subtle layers of cross complexities in the resonance of
the instrument as notes are played on the Ding side. In the 1st and 2nd
generation models there is a single high note with a long sustain that
can be generated by striking the rim of the hole on the 'Gu' side. In
the Integral Hang there are two notes that can be generated (F and F#).
The Hang can also be used as a friction idiophone. Shaker-like sounds can be made by sliding a hand across the surface, and it can also ring like a singing bowl by using skin (a hand) or a bow.

Took the tarp off the coop and the pen roof and got rid of the plastic around three sides of the pen.

I'll take the other side off once I know the weather will stay warm. The tarp and the plastic were loaded with spiders - yuck! There were also mushrooms growing under the plastic and along the bottom of the fence.

Everything got a good cleaning and sweeping out. All fresh hay was put down in the pen and the gang had a fine time scratching through it when they went back in!

The coop had a good cleaning and airing out, too

The poopie bin filled up fast and Charlie was the first one in.

Sorry, Charlie - the girls were NOT interested - (again)!

Went to the store and bought a new growing tray along with lots of seeds.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Other than the famous RENO steam locomotive, the second most popular iron
horse on the V&T is the INYO. Out shopped by Burnham, Parry, Williams & Company,
Baldwin Locomotive Works in February of 1875, the 4-4-0 arrived in Reno on March
22, along with the J. W. BOWKER, to begin a long career starting in April. The
wood burner cost $9,065 and when filled to capacity with approximately 2,000
gallons of water and three cords of wood, weighed over 58 tons, INYO, the name
applied, is Indian meaning "dwelling place of a great spirit." INYO is also
affixed to a lengthy mountain range and a large county in eastern California.
No. 22, nicknamed the BRASS BETSY, gained the admiration of many of the road's
veterans and rightly so as it came furnished with an enormous amount of highly
polished brass work including the bell and bell stand, steam dome and sand box
casing, boiler jacket bands, cylinder jackets, and running board edging. By 1879, the brass bedecked engine was employed in the V&T's regularly
scheduled mixed passenger and freight service. At other times it substituted for
the RENO and GENOA engines when they were in the shop. Beginning in the 1890's,
No. 22 handled the road's crack Virginia City express train and saw extensive
use during the Tonopah mining boom soon after 1900. In 1910, the INYO was next
to the last of the V&T iron horses to be converted to burn oil. From 1926 on,
the engine was considered to be retired, although she did replace the RENO
occasionally.

The BRASS BETSY became the first of many V&T cars and locomotives acquired
by Paramount Pictures. In 1937 No. 22 starred in HIGH, WIDE AND HANDSOME,
followed by roles in UNION Pacific,
RED RIVER and Disney's THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE. She last operated in 1965 for
the TV series WILD, WILD WEST. Four years later the INYO participated in the
Gold Spike Centennial at Promontory, Utah. Starting in 1970, the engine appeared
as a replica of the Central Pacific's JUPITER at the Gold Spike National
Historical Site. The State of Nevada purchased the 4-4-0 in 1974 and when it was
no longer need for display the ex-V&T engine returned home to Carson City. After
more than a year of restoration work, the INYO made her debut on May 29, 1983.
Since then the wood-burning BRASS BETSY has operated on numerous occasions and
participated at the grand opening of the Palace Station Casino in Las Vegas
during April of 1984. It was also one of the stars at the 1996 4th of July
Transportation Fair.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Monarch
butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle, and through
four generations in one year. It’s a little confusing but keep reading
and you will understand. The four stages of the

monarch butterfly life cycle
are the egg, the larvae (caterpillar), the pupa (chrysalis), and the
adult butterfly. The four generations are actually four different
butterflies going through these four stages during one year until it is
time to start over again with stage one and generation one.

In February and March, the final generation of hibernating
monarch butterflies comes out of hibernation to find a mate. They then
migrate north and east in order to find a place to lay their eggs. This
starts stage one and generation one of the new year for the monarch
butterfly.

In March and April the eggs are laid on milkweed plants. They
hatch into baby caterpillars, also called the larvae. It takes about
four days for the eggs to hatch. Then the baby caterpillar doesn’t do
much more than eat the milkweed in order to grow. After about two
weeks, the caterpillar will be fully-grown and find a place to attach
itself so that it can start the process of metamorphosis.
It will attach itself to a stem or a leaf using silk and
transform into
a chrysalis. Although, from the outside, the 10 days of the
chrysalis
phase seems to be a time when nothing is happening, it is really
a time
of rapid change. Within the chrysalis the old body parts of the
caterpillar are undergoing a remarkable transformation, called
metamorphosis, to become the beautiful parts that make up the
butterfly
that will emerge. The monarch butterfly will emerge from the
pupa and fly away, feeding on flowers and just enjoying the short life
it has left, which is only about two to six weeks. This first
generation monarch butterfly will then die after laying eggs for
generation number two.

The second generation of monarch butterflies is born in May and
June, and then the third generation will be born in July and August.
These monarch butterflies will go through exactly the same four stage
life cycle as the first generation did, dying two to six weeks after it
becomes a beautiful monarch butterfly.

The
fourth generation of monarch butterflies is a little bit different than
the first three generations. The fourth generation is born in
September and October and goes through exactly the same process as the
first, second and third generations except for one part. The fourth
generation of monarch butterflies does not die after two to six weeks.
Instead, this generation of
monarch butterflies migrates

to warmer climates like Mexico and California and will live for six to
eight months until it is time to start the whole process over again.

It is amazing how the four generations of monarch butterflies
works out so that the monarch population can continue to live on
throughout the years, but not become overpopulated. Mother Nature sure
has some cool ways of doing things, doesn’t she?
- See more at: http://www.monarch-butterfly.com/#sthash.9SJJiTPh.dpuf

Monarch
butterflies go through four stages during one life cycle, and through
four generations in one year. It’s a little confusing but keep reading
and you will understand. The four stages of the

monarch butterfly life cycle
are the egg, the larvae (caterpillar), the pupa (chrysalis), and the
adult butterfly. The four generations are actually four different
butterflies going through these four stages during one year until it is
time to start over again with stage one and generation one.

In February and March, the final generation of hibernating
monarch butterflies comes out of hibernation to find a mate. They then
migrate north and east in order to find a place to lay their eggs. This
starts stage one and generation one of the new year for the monarch
butterfly.

In March and April the eggs are laid on milkweed plants. They
hatch into baby caterpillars, also called the larvae. It takes about
four days for the eggs to hatch. Then the baby caterpillar doesn’t do
much more than eat the milkweed in order to grow. After about two
weeks, the caterpillar will be fully-grown and find a place to attach
itself so that it can start the process of metamorphosis.
It will attach itself to a stem or a leaf using silk and
transform into
a chrysalis. Although, from the outside, the 10 days of the
chrysalis
phase seems to be a time when nothing is happening, it is really
a time
of rapid change. Within the chrysalis the old body parts of the
caterpillar are undergoing a remarkable transformation, called
metamorphosis, to become the beautiful parts that make up the
butterfly
that will emerge. The monarch butterfly will emerge from the
pupa and fly away, feeding on flowers and just enjoying the short life
it has left, which is only about two to six weeks. This first
generation monarch butterfly will then die after laying eggs for
generation number two.

The second generation of monarch butterflies is born in May and
June, and then the third generation will be born in July and August.
These monarch butterflies will go through exactly the same four stage
life cycle as the first generation did, dying two to six weeks after it
becomes a beautiful monarch butterfly.

The
fourth generation of monarch butterflies is a little bit different than
the first three generations. The fourth generation is born in
September and October and goes through exactly the same process as the
first, second and third generations except for one part. The fourth
generation of monarch butterflies does not die after two to six weeks.
Instead, this generation of
monarch butterflies migrates

to warmer climates like Mexico and California and will live for six to
eight months until it is time to start the whole process over again.

It is amazing how the four generations of monarch butterflies
works out so that the monarch population can continue to live on
throughout the years, but not become overpopulated. Mother Nature sure
has some cool ways of doing things, doesn’t she?
- See more at: http://www.monarch-butterfly.com/#sthash.9SJJiTPh.dpuf

Basic Facts About Monarch Butterflies

The
monarch butterfly may be the most widely recognized of all American
butterflies with its distinct orange, black, and white wings. While
beautiful, this coloring actually sends a warning to predators that the
monarch is foul tasting and poisonous. Found throughout the United
States, as well as Mexico and Canada, one of the most notable
characteristics about the monarch is the astonishing 3000 mile journey
some will make in the fall to their wintering grounds in the Sierra
Nevada Mountains of Mexico or to southern California, depending on which
part of the United States or Canada they migrate.

Diet

In their larval stage monarch caterpillars feed almost exclusively on
milkweed and as adults get their nutrients from the nectar of flowers.
The monarch will always return to areas rich in milkweed to lay their
eggs upon the plant. The milkweed they feed on as a caterpillar is
actually a poisonous toxin and is stored in their bodies. This is what
makes the monarch butterfly taste so terrible to predators.

Population

Millions of monarch butterflies make the trip down to Mexico to roost
for the winter. During the migration tens of thousands will land on a
single tree in certain areas along their migratory path.

Range

Did You Know?
Monarchs can travel between 50 - 100 miles a day; it can take up to two months to complete their journey to winter habitats.

Wherever there is milkweed there will be Monarch butterflies. The
monarch is widely distributed across North America, from Central America
northwards to southern Canada, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific
coasts. Three geographically distinct populations make up the total
North American range of the species, one each both east and west of the
Rocky Mountains, and one Central American. Each of these populations has
a distinct migratory pattern. Monarchs that live west of the Rocky
Mountains will migrate to southern California for winter while monarchs
that live east of the Rockies will migrate to Mexico.

Behavior

Monarchs can produce four generations during one summer. The first
three generations will have life spans from 2 - 6 weeks and will
continue moving north. During this time they will mate and have the next
generation that will continue the northward migration. The fourth
generation is different and can live up to nine months. These are the
butterflies that will migrate south for winter to either Mexico or
southern California.

Threats to Monarch Butterflies

It is predicted that one of the many effects of climate change will
be wetter and colder winters. If they are dry, monarchs can survive
below freezing temperatures, but if they get wet and the temperature
drops they will freeze to death. Because hundreds of millions of
monarchs are located in such a small area in the Sierra Nevada of Mexico
during the winter, a cold snap there could be devastating.

Did You Know?
Monarch butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less
than 86 degrees. They will sit in the sun or "shiver" their wings to
warm up.

As the world warms, suitable habitat will begin to move northward
resulting in a longer migration. This means the monarchs may be forced
to adapt and produce another generation to reach further north. It is
uncertain whether they will be able to do so. Therefore, few monarchs
may be able to make the longer trip back to Mexico for winter.
Other threats to the monarch include habitat loss
and loss of milkweed which they depend upon as larva to survive.
Illegal logging remains a problem today in Mexico in protected areas and
is devastating monarch winter habitat.

Reasons For Hope

IUCN has designated the monarch migration a threatened phenomenon.
In 1986, the Mexican government created the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere
Reserve which protects 62 square miles of forests in the Sierra Madres
where hundreds of million of monarchs spend each winter. The Biosphere
Reserve was expanded to include 217 square miles in 2000. Local
organizations are also working to stop the illegal harvesting of trees
on the reserve to protect wintering habitat.

About Me

Mostly about my backyard chickens (Boring, I know), but there are a lot of us out here. Mine are only kept as pampered pets. I could eat a neighbor's chicken, but not MINE. There may be a comment on current events only if I get riled up enough. And there will always be a cartoon or a joke to cheer us. I promise to try my very best to respond to comments. Now I have to figure out how this blogger thingy works....