Signs of Spring on The Island
Greetings from the island everyone. I hope that all of you are doing well and getting used to this time change. I enjoy having the extra daylight in the evenings, but still feel like the morning sunlight takes forever to rise. The rising of the morning sun is my natural alarm signal to get out of bed, so that seems to be just a tad later now. But that dang rooster just keeps on crowing at the same time, regardless of what any clock says.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I need rain! Other than a few occasions of receiving trace amounts, the island has not had any true measurable rain in several months. I’m within a week or so of putting my tomato plants started from seed into their raised beds and 25-gallon tubs, and a good soaking of rain would certainly help. Not to mention my rain tanks, water that provides all of my fresh water inside the cabin, are starting to get pretty dang low, around 500 gallons total. In a pinch, I can run a hose and add well water into the rain tanks, so that is always an option if absolutely needed.
The warmer weather lately has motivated the chickens to start laying. I’m getting 8-12 eggs a day now, and 1-2 guinea eggs. But the real star of the egg laying bunch is my lone female Indian Runner duck. As of this morning, that pretty girl has laid an egg for 35 consecutive days! 35 days straight!! These are my first ducks to ever own, so I simply did not know they were such good layers. In researching this breed, the Indian Runner is by far the best laying breed of ducks, and I certainly believe it now. And even though they are higher in cholesterol, they really are a great tasting egg, having a rich and creamy taste, and I’m sure they would be wonderful when used in baking.
It would appear that the cold winter days are behind us now. Other than a rogue norther blowing in occasionally, I think that Spring is pretty much here. I’m beginning to see the greenery of the wild pea bushes around the island, and newly born baby calves following their mothers around. My apple trees are starting to put on new growth and I’ve spotted my first hummingbirds around the house. These are all signs that Spring is making an appearance, and I welcome it very much. It’s time for everyone to get your hands dirty and start digging in that soil and plant things. Of course it’s also time to dust off those mowers and start cutting that grass.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Preston and Terry, a couple of old Seadrifter friends, for coming out to the island for a great visit a few weeks ago. It’s nice seeing small town friends and being able to catch up and share memories. And thank you, Terry, for the package of San Antonio Bay shrimp!
Well that’s it from the island for now, everyone please take care and have a wonderful day.
