Monday, May 02, 2011

Stormy Blues

This is a Monday I believe, that calls for Billie Holiday. I haven't felt too enthused about posting pictures of my stuff lately, what with all the destruction in so much of the state. It's kinda like, "yeah, your house got blown away but look at my cool chicken house!" Meh. But I know most of ya'll don't live anywhere near here so I thought I put up a few anyway. I can't do much but just continue to work on my stuff anyway. Things are pretty tight with me right now, financially. Trying to get this pottery stuff going and having expenses in that department along with the rest of life leaves me with virtually nothing to donate to the clean-up efforts. Heck, I can't even afford gas to go anywhere to help manually. I have called or emailed about everybody I know that might have been affected and offered assistance anyway. You know, even washing clothes for somebody that doesn't have power would help them some.

And now, I find out a few minutes ago that a lady who worked for my former company many, many years was killed in the storm along with her husband. She was a very sweet person and even though I wasn't around her a lot due to working in the field, she was always kind to me and willing to take some time to chat on the occasion that I came into the office.

So, not to be morose, but I'm a little sad. I am pleased with the progress of the chicken house though. We have bought a good bit of new but I have been trying to use every scrap of reclaimed lumber I can. The tool shed connects to the chicken house also, so letting them share a wall helps save lumber too, rather than have 2 free standing buildings. I'll come back and show ya'll some details on the actual framing.

The garden continues to do well and the strawberry harvest is gradually improving. I pick more and more every day. Some of the berries are small but the taste is about a thousand times better than store bought. I just enjoyed a small bowl of them with fresh vanilla yogurt. So, I'll be back with some better posts soon, hopefully.

11 comments:

R.Powers said...

Hey Annie,
Sorry about your coworkers.
I feel so sorry for those devastated communities.
On the brighter side, those berries look wonderful.

Shannon said...

I know how you feel. It's like we have survivor's guilt, I guess. Destruction all around us and we didn't so much as lose power. But, nobody would begrudge you your accomplishments! I, for one, LOVE your whole chicken setup! And I am totally covetous of your strawberries!

Jenn said...

Love the look of the shed/coop. That wood adds a great design touch. (faded grey palette wood is all the rage this season - for reals!)

Peace.

HermitJim said...

I really like the look of the used boards on the hen house!

Have to admit that the strawberries make me hungry as well!

Sounds like you are doing all the good!

Very sorry to hear about your co-worker and her husband!

MamaHen said...

Hey FC! thanks sweetie.

Hey Shannon! thanks for your comment. yeah, we didn't lose power either; kinda uneventful really. we were really blessed.

Hey Jenn! thanks! I thought the wood planks were interesting too.

Hey Jim! thanks man! I appreciate it.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Sorry to read about your co-worker and her husband, Annie. Getting that kind of news would get anyone down so no apology needed. Your self-sufficiency progress is great. We should have lots of strawberries within the next couple of weeks and Grenville is already thinking about making a strawberry pie.

wolfek said...

Your wonderful strawberries made me hungry!1

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your coworker and her husband.
I remember washing clothes for friends after our last batch of hurricanes. Its funny how such as small thing can make people happy.
And iff there is a bright side to all of the destruction, there will be cleanup jobs and construction jobs to be had for quite a while.

ezrablu said...

I do love the look with the recycled wood VERY much. It's extremely sad and yes, I've been feeling the same...uncomfortable to go about my day without constantly thinking about the hardships, death and damage so many people are suffering with. I'm sorry for your coworker and her husband. These things make us see how fragile an gifted life really is.
Build on...it gives others hope and possibly even comfort to know that life will get back to normal again.
p.s. Your strawberries look delish!

MamaHen said...

Hey Beatrice! mmmm, pieeeee. :)
hopefully I will eventually have enough strawberries to make a pie or jam or something.

Hey Wolfe! yeah, they made me hungry too!

Hey Anon! thank you. yeah, there will at least be a lot of jobs from the rebuilding. hopefully, anyway.

Hey Ezra! thanks. yeah, you just have to go on with things and help where you can. I just wish there was something I could do.

Aunty Belle said...

Annie! SO relieved all is well wif' ya'--oh Mercy, them poor folks in the path of that fury. Grieving times, Sugar Pie.

Yore strawberries is a treat I know--and that new banner? Wow--lovely photo, lovely place.

Yore pottery bidness is worth buildin' up--I adores mah two Annie-Rex pieces!