Ranch Life

2009-08-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

Update regarding Alvin, the house chicken (see July post):
Alvin was moved to the nursery in the hen house following a few gagging sessions upon cleaning out her Victorian home kept in their kitchen. The birdcage was cleaned at least 20 times per day but chickens simply were not meant to be house pets. Honest!
After several weeks in the nursery, she is allowed to roam around with the other chickens following much pecking and chasing by the bullies (guineas) of Autumn's House of Hens.
However, she remains very much a pet chicken. She rushes for the door every time it is opened.
She likes to be carried around and loves to ride in the golf cart like any other child.
Will she ever figure out that she is a chicken?

2009-07-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

You can't make this stuff up.
On a quiet day out here at the ranch, they can sometimes find comic relief in the local newspaper:
*Police responded to a residence where the husband was threatening to burn the house down. He had a match and lighter fluid in his possession. He was charged with terroristic threat and is now living in the local jail.
*Police responded to a 911 call from a woman who said she had stabbed her husband.
When the police arrived, the woman came out to meet them and apologized.
The police went into the house and sure enough, there was her husband, lying on the floor in a pool of blood. And, yes, there was a knife stuck in his back.
*Firework's Stand employee left his post for a nap. Upon returning, he found a guy grabbing fireworks. The employee demanded the return of the stolen property. The suspect went to his vehicle, where he had already placed a large quantity of fireworks. He gave all the stolen property back and, then, he drove away.

2009-07-02T05:25:00.000-07:00

Alvin, the house chicken

2009-07-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

The snake is back.
This was sadly learned after purchasing three Americana chicks. The Americana chickens are also called Easter eggers because they lay blue and green eggs. The three chicks disappeared from the nursery the first night in their new home. The snake was able to get through the tiny holes in the wiring, eat and digest the chicks before slipping out of the nursery and the hen house.
After a week, two more Americana chicks were placed into the nursery. These chicks were a week older and bigger. But not big enough. The snake found them and only one survived.
That was enough! She brought the surviving chick back to the house and placed her into a dog crate in the den, much to his chagrin.
Five days later, the chick has found residence in a brand new blue Victorian model bird cage and lives in the air conditioned comfort of the ranch house. Because of her chubby chipmunk cheeks, she has been named "Alvin".
How can you spoil a chicken? It can be done. Whenever, she leaves the room, Alvin is very vocal. Whenever she comes near her cage, Alvin jumps up and down at the door begging to be picked up. Once the door is opened, he hops into her loving hands. She takes him out onto the porch, puts him in her lap where he grooms himself and then falls asleep.
Another new pet for Burnt Biscuit Ranch.

2009-05-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

Readers of this blog first met the 'displaced guinea' back in May, 2007. It was a bittersweet story but the story has changed dramatically, now, 2 years later.
A few weeks ago, a mangy coyote caught and killed one of their 3 guineas. Shortly thereafter the displaced guinea renewed her love affair with the family Suburban. However, this time she has developed a jealous streak.
Initially, whenever anyone walked near 'her' SUV, she flapped her wings and ran up to them.
Her jealousy escalated and she now attacks whenever anyone tries to gets near the car. Ever had a hole in your leg that was put there by a guinea fowl? It hurts. Or scratch marks on your back from the bird's talons? Ouch.
A solution is being sought but help is needed soon. They have 30 people coming over on Memorial Day. Who knows which car she may 'take up with'?

2008-12-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming to Burnt Biscuit Ranch

2008-11-23T13:16:00.000-08:00

Oro Noble'

This is one fine horse.

On a busy day with delivery people and repairmen coming and going, the perimeter fence was left open.

While giving instructions to the carpet cleaners, she noticed Bullet was wondering around the back of the property, not in his pasture. UhOh. Where is the colt? She ran out back. Not in his pasture and that gate is wide open too.

Her worst fears were realized when she saw him out on the main road which is a good 1/8th. mile from the gate.

She ran across the front of the property, calling his name. He looked up and ran straight down their narrow lane, right to her.

Horses get nervous and excited when loose and out of their element. They certainly do not run to whoever is calling them. Typically, they are approached slowly and 'herded' back to where they have escaped from. Oro Noble' truly is one fine horse.

2008-11-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

One gopher and 4 predators.

Johnny Cat came to show off his latest catch, a nice-sized gopher. The little guy was still alive but each time he tried to run away, Johnny Cat simply placed his paw on his back, holding the gopher down.

Whoney and Biscuit, the chihuahuas, were watching and waiting for their opportunity to dive in for the kill. Whoney can kill a rat, mouse or gopher in a flash just by breaking it's neck. Biscuit is her back-up, just in case the varmint gets away. Never happens.

Then Cherokee, the great dane, comes along and sees a potential breakfast snack. Johnny Cat swoops up the gopher just as Cherokee gives chase. Up the tree he goes with a squirming gopher in tow. He goes out onto a branch as if to taunt the 3 dogs with his prize.

Oops. The gopher wriggles free from Johnny Cat, only to fall 10 feet to the ground, right into the mouth of Cherokee.

2008-11-03T12:06:00.001-08:00

A tiny bit of fall foliage

2008-11-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

Fading November blooms

2008-11-03T10:27:00.000-08:00

The first signs of fall at Burnt Biscuit ranch.
Her grandson in Maine sent her a package of fall leaves to remind her of the fall foliage typically missing down here in SE Texas.
However, she found a spot of color along the old wooden fence this morning.
The colorful lantana bush up by the barn is fading, not to bloom again until March.
She looks skyward as the sounds of geese and ducks pass over on their journey south.
The hummingbirds have followed, leaving behind the mourning dove and blue birds. The resident red-tailed hawk will remain as well.
The cooler temperatures give the horses reason to buck and kick and jump for joy as they are turned out each morning.
The Farmer's Almanac says it will be a long, cold winter.
In the meantime, Autumn is her favorite time of the year.

2008-09-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Where have all the birds gone?

They either perished or got caught up in the storm. Those that survived are now residing in Arkansas.

Their bird feeders are untouched except for the hummingbird feeders which have daily visitors. How did those little guys survive?

2008-09-19T10:06:00.004-07:00

During Hurricane Ike

2008-09-19T10:06:00.003-07:00

Video during Hurricane Ike

2008-09-19T10:06:00.002-07:00

Video during Hurricane Ike

2008-09-19T10:06:00.001-07:00

Video during Hurricane Ike

2008-09-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 13, 2008: HURRICANE IKE
At 4:29AM, they awoke to a loud BOOM. Transformer blew. No power.
Winds have picked up but not much rain. They went back to bed to awaken at 5:30 to find their world has changed dramatically. How to describe a hurricane 90 miles inland? No waves, of course, and no palm trees – unlike the movies. Unfortunately, their trees do not bend like those along the coast.
Their oaks, hickorys, pines, cherry laurels, olives, sweet gums, elms and her beloved Rain Tree are whipping and bending and blowing in every direction. The orchard is full of young trees and doing OK, so far. Lots of debris flying through the air. There is a huge branch on their front porch. Where did that come from?
Daylight is coming, bringing with it more visuals of this storm. The cameras are out and she is video-taping from the front porch and the back porch. Hearing loud snaps & cracks, trees are falling and splitting. Then, she remembers! What about the dead tree standing next to the hen house? Would her chickens and guenias survive? It is not safe to check on them. The storm is blowing too hard. The rains have begun……blowing sideways.
And the storm goes on and on and on.
She screams! There goes the barn roof. The metal looks like a piece of cotton as it is lifted and torn in the wind. What about the horses? She made the decision to make a run for the barn. Poor Sierra is standing in a stall filled with water and her roof gone. She is terrified. Nothing can be done about it. It is too risky to move her. After a quick pat of reassurance, she runs back to the house keeping an eye on the 110 foot Sweet Gum tree that was shifting with each 90 mph wind gust. Then he decides that the horses would all be less stressed if they had some hay to munch upon. So, off he goes, while she keeps one eye on him and one eye on that dancing Sweet Gum.
And the storm goes on and on.
Angie and Autumn are sending text messages from Maine and Virginia. That is their only communication of Ike’s progress.
The house is groaning from the stress of the wind but it is a good, strong house and they have no fears for their safety. The pond is almost full, more trees fall and the storm goes on.
After hours of wind and rain and stress, the storm seems to lesson. They go upstairs with their wind-up weather alert radio. Angie texted to tell them the last strong band was about to hit. It did. She video taped it at the same time some incredibly stupid woman, who indentifies herself as a school teacher, is calling into the radio station demanding that she be given power because she needs a shower.
The storms finally passes and they go out to survey the damage.
The barn roof has left 1/3rd of their newly delivered hay wet and possibly ruined. Sierra is led from her flooded, roofless barn stall to a nice, dry stall upon the hill. All the stall windows are opened and the horses get to look out upon their changed and wet world.
Trees are down, power lines are on the ground, fences are broken and bowed, debris everywhere and just such a mess.
However, they are lucky out here at Burnt Biscuit Ranch. All the critters are fine and their people are fine too. And the chickens? That dead tree did fall. It fell away from Autumn’s House of Hens.
And, now, the clean-up begins.

2008-09-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

Ike has left the Ranch without power, downed a few trees, stripped part of the roof of the big barn and littered the property with debris. There is a lot of cleanup going on, but a generator is providing small comforts. The cold front has come just in time! More to come - but power may be out for another week, so keep checking back for an update. ~posted by daughter in VA~

2008-09-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

Storm clouds approaching Burnt Biscuit Ranch

Boarded up and ready for Ike.

Their boys are checking out the visiting mares and geldings.

Hurricane Ike is just now arriving at Burnt Biscuit Ranch.

This day was spent boarding up the windows. Son Bryan came and helped with this onerous chore.

He is proud of their handy work. She is dismayed because she cannot see out the windows. How can one of the worst hurricanes to hit Texas be appreciated if it cannot be seen?

They did leave a few little peep holes for her. Thanks, guys!

She spent the day cooking for when they will have no power. Their friends in Magnolia lost theirs at 7:30pm. They spent a great deal of time this morning making the neighbor's horses comfortable in their home away from home. At day's end, all stall doors and windows are shut down, cats are locked away in the tack room and the chickens & guenias are in their coop. Cuddles and his ladies will have to fend for themselves in their pasture.

Tractors, cars and the golf cart are placed far from any trees that may fall.....no easy task as Burnt Biscuit Ranch has hundreds of trees. She backed her Suburban up to the internet satellite dish with the idea it would protect it from being blown away and far from any trees that might fall. She was so proud as she pointed this out to him. He pointed out to her that her Suburban may only be damaged when hit by the satellite dish.

The wind has picked up considerably but no rain as of 9:30pm on Friday night.

They will sleep with flashlights nearby. Candles are set up throughout the house in hopes they will not be needed.

2008-09-11T21:24:00.000-07:00

The calm (?) before the storm.
They began tracking Ike a week earlier while in Virginia to meet their beautiful new grandson.
Little did they know then that Ike would be such a driving force in their lives today.
Up at dawn, they began their preparations to secure the livestock and their home for the impending storm. Ike would come ashore in Galveston but Burnt Biscuit Ranch is in line for a direct hit, meaning the eye of storm would pass right over their little world of livestock, domestic and otherwise.
The furniture & plants from the porches were removed to the barn. All the barn equipment and horse halters, lead ropes, etc. were stored in empty stalls, tack room, hay barn and other storage areas. Sheet rock is piled nearby to cover the windows and the chainsaw is readied to cut up downed trees.
A call from a neighbor at midday was a call for help. She has 5 horses that needed to be stalled so five stalls were readied for more horses.
25 gallons of gas is ready to power the generator for when power is lost. Potable water and drinking water is stored for when water is lost - the pump needs electricity to power the well.
Food is prepared in advance and a bottle of wine is put on ice to get them through the hours or days when they will be cut off from the world of TV, phone & Internet service.
Her biggest worry - her rain tree.

2008-08-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

The Raintree / Photo by Sevenapples Photography

2008-08-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to her!
Her wishes were few but powerful.
First she wanted a healthy grandson delivered this month.
Second she wanted rain.
She has been very good this year.
Grandson was born pink and healthy and, oh, so adorable.
She will begin the spoiling when she takes a trip to Virginia to see him soon.
But first, that rain she asked for needs to stop. Over 7" has fallen on Burnt Biscuit Ranch and the clouds are building as she writes.

2008-06-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

Bullet Wants Breakfast

2008-06-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

Their daughter-in-law once asked, “What do you do out there all day?”

A typical day at Burnt Biscuit Ranch:
He is up at o’dark thirty. Soon thereafter, he is in the barn measuring out grain for the horses that are keenly aware of his every footstep. The gelding and stallion are brought in from the pasture for their b’fast and day’s rest in their stalls under cooling fans.
The barn cats make walking difficult as they twist and turn around his ankles as their reminder that they are also hungry.
Little Big Red takes him out to the end of the lane for the morning papers.

Back at the ranch house, she is feeding Maggie Sniffles and the dogs their breakfast.
Sheets are stripped and loaded in the machine before being hung out on the line.

By now, the mares are nickering for their turn to graze. Horse flies are bad this time of the year so each horse, in turn, gets a healthy dose of fly spray before being led out to the day pasture. His last chore is mucking the girl’s stalls. She does this on the days he works; however, trying to push a 50# bale of hay onto a wagon, she wrenched her knee. It has been an exasperating and slow recovery.

Back inside, he hurriedly takes a shower, jumps into his business clothes, and grabs a b’fast sandwich and juice while flying out the door for his 58 mile drive to the city. He spends the rest of his day searching for oil on his computer.

Chickens are fed and the coop cleaned in eager anticipation she can beat Sneaky Snake to fresh laid eggs. (Yes, another snake has arrived and, yet, to take the ceramic egg that will end his daily thievery). From the chicken coop to the cow pasture, she finds them awaiting her arrival. She goes in to find the little bull calf willing to let her pat his neck and head. The first of many smiles the animals give her on this day. On her way back to the house, she picks some day lilies for their home.

She runs her errands and returns to the ranch to take a critical look around. When did the grass get this high? On with shorts and a tank top and off to find the gas can to fill up the little John Deere. The thermostat says 83 so she has some time to get some mowing done before it gets too hot. Three hours later, she is pleased with the yards but she is feeling a little yukky. Inside, she takes a cold shower and checks the thermostat. The temperature had risen 12 degrees while she was mowing. There are days when she doesn’t do well in the Texas summer heat. This is one of those days.
She settles in with a cold glass of tea and finishes reading “Change of Heart” before planning the evening meal and returning phone calls.

He begins the 58 mile trek from the city to the ranch while she measures out grain for the horses and calls the guineas into the hen house for the night.
Horses are led back to their stalls. Some get bathed, some get worked but all get a healthy dose of attention.
As the sun sets over the hill, the gelding and stallion are put out for night pasture, their stalls are mucked and the barn cats are fed and put up for the night.

It is dusk. While dinner is simmering, they take a glass of wine to the porch and share the day’s events while watching the night birds diving for unsuspecting insects.

Tomorrow is a new day: windows to wash, weeds to kill, equipment to maintain, horses to work and a life to love.

2008-05-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

If you follow this blog, you know that all creatures are treated with respect at Burnt Biscuit Ranch. From the tiniest insect to the largest horse, all are nurtured.
When the screens are removed from the windows in the springtime, the nest of spiders is not smushed. It is relocated. When wily coyote drops by, he is not shot, only encourage to move on.
When the raccoons or opossums make a mess, they are trapped and taken down to the river.
When her favorite banty hen was murdered by the chicken snake, he was captured and removed.
However, enough is enough. Another chicken snake was having his daily breakfast in the hen house, leaving them with no eggs on a daily basis. She thought he would eventually show himself and he, too, would be captured and moved to a new location. But all she found was yet another dead chicken that he had killed. No more!
He brought home two porcelain eggs from the feed store, putting them in the brooding boxes in the hen house. Two days passed before a trip to the hen house found the porcelain eggs missing.
Since that day, there have been plentiful eggs to gather and happy chickens.