Piglets, Chicks, and Hot Weather

We've had 100+ degree days here. Phil got our new window A/C unit installed just in time. I understand why homesteaders would make outdoor kitchens in the summer. I stand in the motor home and wash dishes and, even using tepid water, the sweat rolls off my chin. It's a unique experience!

So we head into the trailer and bask in the 80 degree cool. The boys and I have spent more time doing school work, and we've laughed a lot.

After I was so happy the pigs returned, they got out again Tuesday morning. We haven't bothered to corral them. Thankfully, they recognize that we are the source of all things feed and slop, and they are hanging around. Phil built them a lovely pen in the woods yesterday evening, and right before we headed up to lure the pigs down, we looked at each other and realized that we don't want the pigs in the woods. We want them eating down the growth between the trees!

So Phil worked this evening on a portable pen. He didn't quite finish before nightfall. It does make us nervous to have the little piglets wandering around; it's certainly less stressful when they are all contained.

We watched our Fern carefully all day; tomorrow is her expected heat, and we can do nothing but wait and watch. And pray.

Our chicks were ten days old today, and the book said that they could join the old hens and should be okay. Good thing, too, because the chicks escaped their strawbale pen today.

The hen herded them around, wings outstretched for protection. The chicks enjoyed the larger area, I think. No signs of aggression from the older hens, so it was a good integration all around.

And totally off topic, but worth mentioning: most mornings after breakfast, we read a chapter in the Bible. The boys need to either ask us a question or make a comment.
This has been an excellent method to make them listen, to find out what confuses them, and to talk with them about our view of the Scriptures.