Chesno Coop

Last night I began building my chicken coop so it would be ready in the spring for new baby chicks.

I tend to "over-engineer" things I build, and follow the advice that you shouldn't build something to fit your current needs, but those you may not even forsee for the future. I didn't realize until I staked out on the ground just how big I planned it though.

It is 24'x16'. 16'x16' for the chickens and 8'x16' for ducks and/or geese. Following these numbers, my new coop should be able to hold:

16'x16': 128 large chickens, or 170 laying hens.

and

8'x16': 43 ducks or 21 geese.

Yup, it's kind of big for what I expect a small flock of 12 hens and a pair or two of geese. Guess I'll have lots of room for storage and my beekeeping equipment which is in the same fenced in area.

Chesno Pole

When we lived in New Mexico in a gated community I petitioned the home owner's association to let me put a flag pole in my yard. They questioned:


~ Why?
~ Where?
~ How tall?
~ What colour?
~ What will it be made of?
~ What will you fly from it?
~ Why are we Commies?
etc . . .

After answering all their questions and going through the whole thing, my petition was turned down. At that point it was my mission to never let anyone (but my wife) dictate to me what I could or could not put in my yard or home. It was also when it was firmed up in my mind that I would like to be spaced a bit further from my neighbors than a 10 foot set back.

For Father's Day last Sunday I got my flag pole. I woke up early this morning and cemented in the base and tonight assembled it. Doesn't it look great? Just try telling me I can't have it there.

Chesno Home

I love where I live. I really do. There are no public buildings where I live other than the church. We have no post office, stores, or anything but neighbors and land. It's wonderful

Do you remember the old farmer from Napoleon Dynamite that shot his cow in the face with a shotgun? This morning before work I met a old man like him.

I was out setting my new flagpole in concrete and he pulled up in a truck. He was removing dams from the ditch and we just started talking.

"So, you're the one who bought Earl's place huh," he asked.

"Yup," I responded. "I guess he had to sell out sometime last year," I added, being kind to the memory of Earl.

"Naw, that guy couldn't keep it in his pants. Having an affair here, another with her, another there. I thought I was going to have to come and straighten him out."

That's why I love the place. The people speak their mind. They wave to you as they drive by. They'll drive to the barn at 10pm to get you the tool you stopped by to borrow. I hope it stays just like it is forever.

If you won't help Screech, who will you help?

OK, so I didn't follow protocol and keep "Chesno" in the title of this entry, and that is just how darn strongly I feel about this.

Our favorite Samuel "Screech" Powers is having his house foreclosed on in Wisconsin and he needs our help and I'm here to give it. He needs $250,000 to save his home so he is selling Save the D-Man's Home T-shirts for $15 a pop (plus $6.50 shipping).

Assuming he makes nothing on the shipping cost. He will need to sell 16,667 of these shirts in 40 days to save his home. Won't you help him? He could use it. Chesno.

231? Chesno.

Before the United States, there was the Army.

On June 14th, 1775 the Army was born. It has served the USA since 13 months and 3 days before the Delaration of Indepenance was signed and continues to do so. I am proud to be a member of this 231 year-old, fine organization and serve the people of our country.

Visit the Official Army Birthday Website.
Photo courtesy of the US Army by Staff Sgt. Carmen Burgess.

Chesno D

Today is June 6th, and the 62nd anniversary (1944) of D-Day. That great and terrible day that began the end of the Nazi occupation in Europe.

Today is a day to remember those who fought so we can be here, so in my family, Thank you to:

Great-grandpa Ashton: Died in WWI in the battle of Paschendaele.

Grandpa Eriksson: WWII disabled veteran of amazing feats.

My Father-in-law: Retired Airforce MI officer.

My Brother Jon: Airforce medical officer.

642nd Maintenance Company: My brothers (and sisters)-in-arms in Iraq.

Thank you.