Pretty cool - had to share... ...we don't get the cable channels - no idea where this airs normally.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
I'm a chicken... ...fan
You might recall our getting into the chicken thing... ...there were some motivations to do it, but it wasn't the money. You know, if you buy a stock in a company you watch the reports for earning or losses? If you buy chickens soley (sp?) for the $$, then you have only losses to add up. At the market, for $1.69/dozen eggs, you won't be getting Return On Investment (ROI) in the lifetime of a home grown chicken, I don't think.
Your results may vary - I didn't have time to work any cheaper - didn't have (still don't have) the money to do it more nicely. ...The good news is that the chickens are still happy, or at least they don't care. Here is an excerpt of last years earnings... [proposed report, I should add...]
As previously shown in the earnings report details, the cost per egg is currently around $75.37. However, we expect the next quarter results to improve a bit as we cut all initial startup expenses and work to improve productivity. We are cautiously optimistic that egg production will increase dramatically as new productions lines mature. Due to the current climate, we will maintain some higher than average expenditures until spring and summer conditions allow natural food supplies and lighting to improve allowing utilities and supplies costs to be reduced.
Additionally, initial fears of production decreases due to losses along the production chain have subsided. In fact, we have more production potential than was originally anticipated. We now expect higher earnings potential with higher production and expected lower costs as the year progresses.
Yeah - you thought I couldn't talk turkey... ...OK chicken. I can at least talk chicken.
Basically, we are excited to be getting eggs on a regular basis now. The amount of daylight exposure turns out to be a key part of their egg laying happiness. The first egg was the day we left for Christmas in Boise - they (she, whichever one it was) didn't know enough to get down from the roost first and it arrived on the floor below - ummm, scrambled. ;) nice. All eggs are consistently arriving in the nesting box now though.
I have gotten a little bird-brained about this - my wife will attest to that with rolling eyes. But it is really cool to watch 'em run around the yard. They have impressive eyesight - bugs don't stand a chance, let alone the cool weather making them veeerrryyy slow on the escape thing right now.
One bird disappeared two or three Sundays ago. (We (I) often let them out while I am home.) Daughter and I looked until sometime after dark that night and found no sign, no feathers, no tracks. I began to suspect predator right away - they just don't wander off too far normally. No coon or coyote tracks - there was fresh snow, so it should have shown something. Anyway, put them away and tried to console Daughter, who did her best and did well praying for her safe return. I got up at 11 pm to make another check - nope. But while I tromped around the coop looking for any sign of that rogue little hen I heard the unmistakable howl of a coyote. My thoughts now went sadly to the certainty of our little hen's demise. I would have to take more precautions now that the coyotes knew of this potential food source...
Monday morning I rousted Daughter out of bed for another search party, but no success. But Monday afternoon I got a call at work and she was back outside the coop on her own - a little spooked and jumpy, but otherwise fine.
I don't know what to think - they aren't really pets. Yet, you get sort of attached to critters. Today I told Daughter that I thought that every animal, regardless of species, has a unique personality. The Bible talks about the breath of life.
(I don't know if you can comfortably assign all of that strictly to genetics. All dogs can bite, for instance, but there are exceptionally good and bad dogs of every breed. )
I recall the examples that Jesus told to show us the care of God - the birds of the air, the lillies of the field... I trust that He is concerned for His kids even more than I could be for "my" kids - and chickens too.
People have more than animalistic life - they have the likeness, the image of God and they are that much more important than the birds of the air... ...and our Father sees fit to teach us by example. I find that touching and reassuring. I hope that you do too...
Your results may vary - I didn't have time to work any cheaper - didn't have (still don't have) the money to do it more nicely. ...The good news is that the chickens are still happy, or at least they don't care. Here is an excerpt of last years earnings... [proposed report, I should add...]
As previously shown in the earnings report details, the cost per egg is currently around $75.37. However, we expect the next quarter results to improve a bit as we cut all initial startup expenses and work to improve productivity. We are cautiously optimistic that egg production will increase dramatically as new productions lines mature. Due to the current climate, we will maintain some higher than average expenditures until spring and summer conditions allow natural food supplies and lighting to improve allowing utilities and supplies costs to be reduced.
Additionally, initial fears of production decreases due to losses along the production chain have subsided. In fact, we have more production potential than was originally anticipated. We now expect higher earnings potential with higher production and expected lower costs as the year progresses.
Yeah - you thought I couldn't talk turkey... ...OK chicken. I can at least talk chicken.
Basically, we are excited to be getting eggs on a regular basis now. The amount of daylight exposure turns out to be a key part of their egg laying happiness. The first egg was the day we left for Christmas in Boise - they (she, whichever one it was) didn't know enough to get down from the roost first and it arrived on the floor below - ummm, scrambled. ;) nice. All eggs are consistently arriving in the nesting box now though.
I have gotten a little bird-brained about this - my wife will attest to that with rolling eyes. But it is really cool to watch 'em run around the yard. They have impressive eyesight - bugs don't stand a chance, let alone the cool weather making them veeerrryyy slow on the escape thing right now.
One bird disappeared two or three Sundays ago. (We (I) often let them out while I am home.) Daughter and I looked until sometime after dark that night and found no sign, no feathers, no tracks. I began to suspect predator right away - they just don't wander off too far normally. No coon or coyote tracks - there was fresh snow, so it should have shown something. Anyway, put them away and tried to console Daughter, who did her best and did well praying for her safe return. I got up at 11 pm to make another check - nope. But while I tromped around the coop looking for any sign of that rogue little hen I heard the unmistakable howl of a coyote. My thoughts now went sadly to the certainty of our little hen's demise. I would have to take more precautions now that the coyotes knew of this potential food source...
Monday morning I rousted Daughter out of bed for another search party, but no success. But Monday afternoon I got a call at work and she was back outside the coop on her own - a little spooked and jumpy, but otherwise fine.
I don't know what to think - they aren't really pets. Yet, you get sort of attached to critters. Today I told Daughter that I thought that every animal, regardless of species, has a unique personality. The Bible talks about the breath of life.
(I don't know if you can comfortably assign all of that strictly to genetics. All dogs can bite, for instance, but there are exceptionally good and bad dogs of every breed. )
I recall the examples that Jesus told to show us the care of God - the birds of the air, the lillies of the field... I trust that He is concerned for His kids even more than I could be for "my" kids - and chickens too.
People have more than animalistic life - they have the likeness, the image of God and they are that much more important than the birds of the air... ...and our Father sees fit to teach us by example. I find that touching and reassuring. I hope that you do too...
Unrelated Observations...
I am told that my interests in documetaries, occassional autobiographies and other somewhat detailed leave the rest of us a little... ...what's the word, "bored?" I guess that makes me a nerd. Or, maybe its just a phase.
Last week I found a PBS documentary about Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and today another Ken Burns documentary about Thomas Jefferson. In many ways these men were great and we study them in history because of the effect they had on us, our country and even more.
Mark Twain was a successful humorist and author, but plagued with continual failure and grief. He loved to play with his kids, but was also a terrible grump. Later in life, He walked the streets on Sunday mornings in his gaudy white suit with red socks to make sure that all saw him not attending services. Such was his anger that God would allow such suffering upon him. He died a disappointed and bitter man.
Thomas Jefferson, an icon of liberty and American ideals was also afflicted in such similar ways. My regard for him is as conflicted as he must have been to himself. He cherished the privacy of his private home, yet felt it necessary to serve public office before during and after the Revolutionary War. He penned the words of the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men were created equal..." and yet he owned among the largest numbers of slave in the state of Virginia. He labored to have slavery eradicated, but set the issue aside for political practicality in the founding.
He was at once a soft-spoken recluse and a decisive and powerful political thinker. An intellectual of many pursuits, he was a farmer, architect, scientist as well as the famous politician and statesman.
These men, among others I have considered, are a bit lost in the highlights of history. It is unfortunate in many ways, as we lose the personalities to memorize the dates and accomplishments from our lessons. There are more lessons to learn from such men - not necessarily from their greatnesses.
I have at different times envied them for their strengths and opportunities, but not now. Now, I pity them; but I admire them too. Clemens for his wit throughout his life (even he was confused with that); and Jefferson for his will and ambition for this country and for liberty. Conflicted? Yes.
Earlier this week, or last, (I hardly remember the days any more) I listened as a mother of a tragically disabled 12 year old shared how God was continually caring for them and using her to minister not in spite of her circumstances, but through them. Not conflicted - but convicted of God's love, care and values on His Children. "Heroes," the song says, "come in every shape and size, making daily sacrifices for others in their lives..." (Paul Overstreet, Heroes)
It's part of what makes the Frank Capra movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" so, well, wonderful. (Sniff...) Your pastor, your boss, your parent, your teacher, maybe your Senator (though I presently have my doubts on that last one)... ...maybe you - to someone else, your kids?
The irony is that were I you, reading this post, I would blaze through it with little more than a thought.
Have a movie night sometime, to watch something meaningful... ...history is best served with a side of personality, and not all entertainment is completely empty of moral value. But you will find more value in some hostorical characters than most of the present day ones...
I would invite you over, but it would be unbearable to abolish the appearances of my masculinity with my sniffles...
Last week I found a PBS documentary about Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and today another Ken Burns documentary about Thomas Jefferson. In many ways these men were great and we study them in history because of the effect they had on us, our country and even more.
Mark Twain was a successful humorist and author, but plagued with continual failure and grief. He loved to play with his kids, but was also a terrible grump. Later in life, He walked the streets on Sunday mornings in his gaudy white suit with red socks to make sure that all saw him not attending services. Such was his anger that God would allow such suffering upon him. He died a disappointed and bitter man.
Thomas Jefferson, an icon of liberty and American ideals was also afflicted in such similar ways. My regard for him is as conflicted as he must have been to himself. He cherished the privacy of his private home, yet felt it necessary to serve public office before during and after the Revolutionary War. He penned the words of the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men were created equal..." and yet he owned among the largest numbers of slave in the state of Virginia. He labored to have slavery eradicated, but set the issue aside for political practicality in the founding.
He was at once a soft-spoken recluse and a decisive and powerful political thinker. An intellectual of many pursuits, he was a farmer, architect, scientist as well as the famous politician and statesman.
These men, among others I have considered, are a bit lost in the highlights of history. It is unfortunate in many ways, as we lose the personalities to memorize the dates and accomplishments from our lessons. There are more lessons to learn from such men - not necessarily from their greatnesses.
I have at different times envied them for their strengths and opportunities, but not now. Now, I pity them; but I admire them too. Clemens for his wit throughout his life (even he was confused with that); and Jefferson for his will and ambition for this country and for liberty. Conflicted? Yes.
Earlier this week, or last, (I hardly remember the days any more) I listened as a mother of a tragically disabled 12 year old shared how God was continually caring for them and using her to minister not in spite of her circumstances, but through them. Not conflicted - but convicted of God's love, care and values on His Children. "Heroes," the song says, "come in every shape and size, making daily sacrifices for others in their lives..." (Paul Overstreet, Heroes)
It's part of what makes the Frank Capra movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" so, well, wonderful. (Sniff...) Your pastor, your boss, your parent, your teacher, maybe your Senator (though I presently have my doubts on that last one)... ...maybe you - to someone else, your kids?
The irony is that were I you, reading this post, I would blaze through it with little more than a thought.
Have a movie night sometime, to watch something meaningful... ...history is best served with a side of personality, and not all entertainment is completely empty of moral value. But you will find more value in some hostorical characters than most of the present day ones...
I would invite you over, but it would be unbearable to abolish the appearances of my masculinity with my sniffles...
Thursday, February 4, 2010
God's Grace and Provision...
Hardship, risk, problems... ...all a part of life. So, sometimes, it is hard to get around the emotional side - Fear, worry, anziety, depression, hopelessness - and function "normally"... You feel weak, tired, drained and injured - because you are. But take heart, God is watching and has His best in mind for you.
He is not slack in His promises... ...I read this this morning:
I Timothy 1: 12-20
12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
I take comfort often in the thought that my surrender is His opportunity to work freely on my behalf... REST, Assurance and Peace in the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is not only aware of me, but also active in spite of my shortcomings. It is this very reason that God used Paul... ...to prove Himself faithful and able.
So one more, day, one more step. One more fight, one more wound sometimes, but peace inside that I am in Good Hands.
He is not slack in His promises... ...I read this this morning:
I Timothy 1: 12-20
12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
I take comfort often in the thought that my surrender is His opportunity to work freely on my behalf... REST, Assurance and Peace in the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is not only aware of me, but also active in spite of my shortcomings. It is this very reason that God used Paul... ...to prove Himself faithful and able.
So one more, day, one more step. One more fight, one more wound sometimes, but peace inside that I am in Good Hands.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Moody Founder's Week
KMBI - http://www.mbn.org/GenMoody/default.asp?SectionID=511D4F0765C143EC970702C59C11DB5E
Otherwise, you'll need to search it out via Moody Broadcasting Network (MBN)
I thought I'd post - had forgotten that it was scheduled for this week. I caught it on an extremely rare trip to the store for some bit of breakfast.
Otherwise, you'll need to search it out via Moody Broadcasting Network (MBN)
I thought I'd post - had forgotten that it was scheduled for this week. I caught it on an extremely rare trip to the store for some bit of breakfast.
Fresh Tissues from Solid Rock
I don't recommend eating these "fresh tissues" as they are fresh in the primitive sense, but the fact that they are finding tissues in these fossils at all is facinating. In the meantime, the "scientific" community is in denial of the implications, and certain that they can explain it away.
I think they have lost the "millions of years" explanation as a way to make the major evolutionary more plausible. If this ever gets real attention, then that pre-owned car is starting to take on the more apt description of "Used and abused" - a much more accurate, but harder to sell phrase.
"MMMM! Tastes like jerky!"
Here's a fresh "Link":
Fresh Tissues from Solid Rock
Posted using ShareThis
I think they have lost the "millions of years" explanation as a way to make the major evolutionary more plausible. If this ever gets real attention, then that pre-owned car is starting to take on the more apt description of "Used and abused" - a much more accurate, but harder to sell phrase.
"MMMM! Tastes like jerky!"
Here's a fresh "Link":
Fresh Tissues from Solid Rock
Posted using ShareThis
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