Since I'm up early and have to go to work in a little while, thought I'd take the lead in saying "Happy fathers day" to all the dads out there. I'm sure Hallmark & Co. is glad for you and the pulp trees aren't!

We've had a variety of weather this past week. Hot and humid, storms, Hazy and clear. Something for everyone I guess. Needed the rain tho.

I finally finished "Dog Boys-Dog House" this week. Thank goodness. Dog Boy is my 14 y/o son, Ian. He is "The Dog Whisperer". He never goes ANYWHERE w/o a dog or 3 in tow. I had promised to build him a club house when we moved here. Fair enough. Things started going downhill for dad about the time he said "It would be cool if it could be up off the ground like a tree house". This simple project took after a typical government construction job and took on a life of it's own! But hey, it's done now and I have a 14 y/o who wants me to sleep in it w/ him. THAT is worth a bunch.

I found a good supply of stall cleanings for the garden close by this week. One more week till the chicks are due-little longer for the Guineas. Putting an addition under the back roof of the barn for them this week I hope. Have a great week!

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), June 17, 2001

Answers

I just got back from visiting my folks. And you know what? I forgot to give my Dad a card! I tried to be one some of the time that I was there, but I feel bad that I didn't get him one. Uggh.

Well, I have a ton of things to get to around here. My friends did a great job taking care of the animals and all while I was gone, and they think I am even crazier than they thought I was before. pastuerizing and bottle feeding baby goats is a serious chore. My grass is overgrown and I have a lovely crop of hoppers eating all the fruit trees I planted for them. I am about to head out and attack the buggers a bit. My broody hen is sitting on her nest, but my friend reported that she had abandoned five of them, so I have no idea wheree these are at in their time frame. The pencil marks have been sweat off of them. I will give her until the end of the week and then break her off the nest if nothing hatches. She will be really pleased. Ha.

I put in an offer on a thirty acre piece of property up in MO and we shall see what happens there. It's all in the Lord's hands. If he wants me to go up there, then I have prayed for this to work out. If not, that's okay too!

My Dad isn't doing all that great with the diabetes. He just insists on eating white bread and small bowl of cereal before bed, so I would expect his sugar levels to be a tic out. Since he has it and his sister does, as well as my mom's aunt I am watching things with myself. My sugar was 91, so I think that's okay. Something to watch closely though.

And now to get out in my jungle garden and after these hoppers! Happy Father's Day to all the dad's and I wish you all a great week!

-- Dreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), June 17, 2001.

John, you've must not have gotten all the rain we got(about an hour away). Hope we dry out before the next batch.

-- Cindy (SE In) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), June 18, 2001.