We Are Melting

     Last evening brought rainbows and lightening simultaneously. Wind and hail.  When the storm subsided, it still wasn’t quite dark, but the chickens were all huddled together on the perches in the coop.  The storm cooled the evening at least 30 degrees from yesterday’s high of 95f.  Today is another mid 90s day and with the humidity, I feel like I’m back on the coast. This is not mountain-like.

    The morning is already hot and humid, a heavy haze hanging over the ridges to the north and  south of us.

     The hens gathered early for some morning treats, but will soon disappear under the coop in the shade.

I’m trying to figure out how to give them more shade and a place to put their food and water outside in the shade.  The coop is well ventilated, and the roof is insulated, but it is still hot when the air temperatures are in the 90s.

     Today we are going to venture to the garden center to see what they have in vegetable starts and seeds to begin thinking about what to put in the beds that are empty from harvesting onions, garlic and peas.  I continue marveling at being able to walk to the garden and pick vegetables for our dinners and having enough to put away for the winter.  Our city gardens were for fun, a few small boxes with tomatoes, peppers, maybe a cucumber or two and a handful of beans.  Last night again, our dinner was entirely from our garden and the farmer’s market.  Live locally and eat locally.

Life is good.