Mama and baby bird

This is the nest that Ripley found. I shot a picture of Mom, but today the baby was hatched.And I thought my chickens were UGLY!
There is only one though

Swap a paperback, or a CD, or a DVD

In efforts to figure out the best way to "pass on" this pile of old books we have, I stumbled upon these swapping sites.

I've just signed up, so can't vouch for them yet, but I'm excited.

For paperbacks it's http://www.paperbackswap.com
For CD's it's http://www.swapacd.com
For DVD's it's http://www.swapadvd.com

The idea is that you list books that you have, send them those that request them, and then you get 1 credit to request someone's book.
Seems like a great idea, saves money, and recycle's the books!

A bird dog's nose knows

Ripley was going nuts around this tree. Turns out there was a nest in the tree, with two little eggs.

My Dirty Chickens

The chickens went into the coop last week. They immediately started bathing in the dirt. At first we were concerned that we had over stressed them, and they were digging their own graves. Turns out - they just felt dirty in my clean environment.


They were never afraid of the goats like they were of everything at my house.



No longer skittish and freaking out at every sound




They lay in the dirt and ruffle it up into all their feathers. They no longer look greasy after the dirt bathing.



They are learning to jump on the perch and how to scavenge for their food. Growing bigger by the day, quiet and happy.


We have at least two males, as their feathers are taking a little longer to come in.

Its not Stonehenge, its Foamhenge.

Frankie spotted Foamhenge right before we got to Natural Bridge of Virginia.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/8670

The Natural Bridge of Virginia

215 feet tall, 90 feet wide Natural Bridge and Niagara Falls were the two wonders of the new world that Europeans visited during the 18th & 19th centuries.

My sister and me

Thomas Jefferson's house - Monticello

Monticello was Jefferson's refuge. It was his work in progress for more than 40 years. Jefferson served his country as a Governor of VA, minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice President and two terms as President.

He was more than one of our founding fathers, he is the initial author of the Declaration of Independence, doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana purchase), and initiated the Louis and Clark expedition.

Monticello is 500 acres, and at one time had more than 200 people (many slaves) working/living on the plantation.
The Garden Pavilion overlooks acres of fruit trees.

Dependency quartersAll weather passageway between the east and west dependency quarters.The kitchen in the slave quarters
We did tour the house, but were not allowed to take photos. If you'd like to see more you can visit take a virtual tour of Monticello.

http://www.monticello.org/index.html