February 16th, 2004

It's really only 11:27 the 15th here in central MO but I know this will be posted as early a.m. the 16th.

It was so nice today that I put the young banties outside while I cleaned their cage. I put the 2 bunnies in their outside cages for a few hours too. After church tonight I put the bunnies in the big cages in the breezeway. No wind, etc. and much larger than the storage containers they were in in the dining room. As soon as possible I want to start moving the chickens and bunnies outside permanently. Then the 2 cavies will move back into the big cage in the utility room that the chickens have taken over. I put some of the cats outside today too and made the dogs stay out most of the day.

Our oldest son and his girlfriend were here Saturday until about 10 this morning. They live in Springfield. We do wish he would marry her or stop sharing a bed with her. If they don't know by now if they are compatible they never will. I've begun to think of her as his perpetual fiance'.

The snow is still melting here during the daytime. Then it freezes again at night making a solid sheet of ice in some places. That can be treacherous to walk on. Especially for Jack. The ducks and geese are having a ball in the melted snow. Probing for worms and insects that might possibly have come to the top already. I don't think there are many if any at all but it gives them something to do all day.

I spent 2 days last week cleaning the plant room. It sure looks a lot better. I also sprayed for insects for the second time in about 10 days. Not finding aphids or mealy bugs on the plants or fungus knats flying around the pots is so nice. I may start some seeds next week. Mostly shrubs. I did put some cleosia seeds and garlic bulbs in a tray of dirt the other day. I have to make sure it stays moist but not too wet. I use the styrofoam trays the local grocery store gets grapes in, slip the tray into a large plastic bag and fill it with dirt. I also like under the bed storage boxes for starting seeds and holding pots. It lets the pots drain well but lets me water from the bottom if I want too. The trays hold excess water from the pots' built in saucers too. If it happens to run over it is still contained.

I'm so eager for spring to get here so I can start planting outside. Even Jack has started asking about what kinds of and how many potatoes I'll be planting this spring.

GOD bless and keep each and all of you.