What's on your Wednesday Menu?

I almost always worked in plants that had labor unions and transitioning non-union work to union employees could be a nightmare. At the GM plant where I worked there was a in-between class of workers that were sort of hybrid of union and management. They did clerical type work but still paid union dues and had union benefits.

A really big deal back then was whether or not you were allowed to wear a tie. Those in-between workers were not allowed to wear a tie, because a tie symbolized authority and union workers did not like taking orders from someone who wore a tie. Direct foreman were not allowed to wear a tie and only a person who did not wear a tie could give orders to a union employee. Management had to work through the direct foremen with their orders. Violating that could cause a labor dispute, a shutdown or a strike.

Good morning gang. The sun is actually out. We haven't seen it in a while. I'm not sure if I care for it.

I'm going to try to get back on routine today. I haven't exercised in a couple of days. I'm looking down the river and PP is leaving me in the dust. (Can you leave someone in the dust on a river?)

QOTD: I've never cared for livestock, just household pets. JB would have a herd of goats and sheep if she could. A friend was on the local board of health for several years, and would talk about a years-long process to create regulations for keeping chickens in your backyard. It's gotten pretty popular. He was just frustrated, saying there was no way they could ever monitor or enforce any of the things they discussed. Just endless debate.

Since having your own chickens to lay eggs became popular a lot of people I know are raising chickens. I am amazed at all the work involved. Most of them do it for a year or so and then go back to getting eggs from the store. I remember wanting to get goats to use instead of mowing grass. I never actually did it and realize now that I would have added a lot of extra work to my day back then.

People don't realize the work it takes to raise chickens which is easier than most animals.

They have to have proper shelter and runs that do need to be cleaned monthly if not more. They have to be fed twice a day and their water checked daily some drink more than others. People buy chicks thinking they will have eggs in no time, but in reality most chickens do not start laying until they are at least 6 months old.

I see so many people buying chicks in the Spring, but the best time to buy them is the Fall. Since most breeds of chicken do not lay eggs in the Winter when getting them in the Spring as chicks you actually end up waiting almost a year until they start to lay. Think about it. You have to raise them for 6 months which is pretty much all of Spring and Summer then by the time they should start laying you are going into Fall/Winter when they don't lay so their cycle holds off until the following Spring. Unless you are eating several dozen eggs a week it really isn't practical to raise your own. A person could just spend the money on free range organic eggs even two dozen of those a week wouldn't cost what it does to feed and house the chickens. I get over 14 dz a week and sell at least half of them which pays for their food.

In my area there is a lot of poison oak. So the county hires/rents the goats to clean the side of the streets and freeway. It's a sight to be seen. The day before they fence the area and you know right away the goats are coming. Then the next day there is whole herd of goats on the sides of the street munching on shrubbery. The next day all is clean. Very very cute. I love it when I see them.

We have tons of poison ivy around here. I had it once, and can't recommend it. I've never seen poison oak, or know anyone that got bit by it.

We have the goats in our town now cleaning the side of the creek. We take Rudy down to hang out sometimes. They are kind of cool and do a bunch of destruction to those hill sides.

I like the ones you can get to come stand on your back during yoga class. Sign me up for goat yoga.

Good morning ~ This week is sailing which makes me happy, but work is rough. Trying to slay the things that haunt me in the middle of the night and look on the bright side - I have a lot of support from my boss who has graciously taken on some things for me so I can focus on training. You just don't realize how much you know and do until you have to teach it to someone else. Today I have a training all morning, meeting DS for lunch (actually a quick grocery shop trip) and training new person all afternoon.

In other news, the vet shaved our dog (it was needed) and terribly at that - it's so randomly uneven. Our little puffball now looks skinny and naked. I need to get a pic and do a side by side.

QOTD - No! I can't even imagine how much work that would be and have zero desire to be a farmer.

B- coffee, protein bar

l - FLP, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes

d - TBD, probably eggs at this point

e- it's just not happening...

Have a great day!

Poor Puppy. When I was in Beauty school, I thought I could groom a dog. My Aunt had something fluffy that needed a shave. I took to him with a shaver. Poor thing looked like he had the mange. Poor baby. I'm way better cutting humans.