May Shenanigans

Lord have mercy as my old granny would say look who has his real license!  He is now the proud driver of a 13 year old mini van-we did the same with his older brother, safe ride LOL  But I have to say he is so helpful to pick up things for us at the store and it's great not to have to chauffer him around between his job, friends, and other things!  I'm totally spoiled! 

More exploring Florida...

This time me and my friend went to Ulele Restaurant and Armature Works in Tampa.  Armature Works is this big Industrial building that has been turned into a food/wine place with several restaurants and bars.  My older boys took me there one afternoon over Christmas break and to be honest I didn't really care for it (they thought it was the bomb)  To be fair I was probably already sick with Covid and didn't realize it so I was so tired and didn't enjoy the long walk from where we parked .  Plus I had on boots so my feet were killing me. It was loud and had so many small restaurants that required standing in line for your over priced meal. (don't worry there were no outbreaks of covid from me being there!)  So my friend and I thought we'd try it together.  I still didn't like it nor did she.  Maybe we are just not hip enough LOL  It still was loud, over priced and too annoying to have to stand in line like you would at a mall food court for very expensive not that great food   You can watch their video  Armature Works you might be cooler than we are and enjoy it!

 So we went next door to   Ulele Restaurant on the banks of Ulele Springs.  It was much more our style.  We sat outside  and enjoyed our lunch in the beautiful surroundings.  The lunch was great and the prices more appropriate. 

Right beside the restaurant is Ulele  Springs Water Works, there's another park just sough of there all along the Riverwalk.  

We  took a stroll on Tampa's River walk.  There are swings that you can sit in and watch the river traffic and solve all the world's problems.  But you can walk for several miles in each direction if you'd like to!  We didn't that day

This year I am purposely trying new things and going new places.  I don't know about you but I can get stuck in a rut and if I do go out I go to the same places I've gone to for 30 years or more.  Luckily both my husband and one of my closest friends like to do explore new places.  It's funny my husband would rather explore new nature/outdoor things and my friend likes outdoor stuff but also is up for little shops and restaurants.  I like to do both so I can go with the flow and be happy with both LOL

Living in Florida it's amazing the things that are in our own backyard!

We had a little scare with our Ginger.  She's the big girl on the top left.  I noticed one day that she was not acting like herself.  See how her tail was drooping?  That's a hug sign a chicken is not well.  

(Dumplings is on the top right looking away.  Shorty is on the bottom left and Frenchy is on the right she is my little girl)

It seemed like I could feel something on her backside plus she had a bald spot.  Previously I'd thought she had lice or mites but couldn't find any one her or the other girls but I treated for it anyhow.  I tried giving her a bath in Epsom salts just in case she was egg bound.  Even though she did not feel good she did not appreciate my care LOL  Nor did I appreciate having to clean the bathroom after she got away from my and flapped all over the place  

So my husband took her to the vet for me.  Again I can only think what my family would have thought about me taking a 7 year old non laying hen to a vet!!!  And I admit while I love animals, the dark places I've seen in this world reminds me that humans are so much more important.  There's a balance somewhere and I probably was a bit off balance with Ginger.  But let me tell you about Ginger, last year I went through a deep valley - our whole family did-  Ginger greeted me every day, every time I walked outside and made me feel a little better.  I felt I at least owed it to her to have her put to sleep humanely.  BUT!  After a day at the vet some tests, two shots she is totally back to normal!  I am having to deworm ALL four chickens (there's alot of squawking pecking and fussing going on....and the hens are doing it too hahah!)  What a JOB!  Have you ever had to give medicine to a chicken?  Yeah me neither!  I've given medicine to dogs cats and terrible children but giving liquid meds to chickens is a whole 'nother ballgame!  

But Ginger is happy and healthy!  They all love watermelon so they've been getting a half one a day.  

Hope you are having a good summer thus far!  Our temps are in the 90's but that's ok I know how to live with heat.  I don't know how to live in cold weather....what do you wear?  It's so complicated for me!  For example when we were in NY in January in a "blizzard" it was awful outside but hot inside.  So if you wore a sweater under your coat, it was too hot when you came inside.... In Florida just wear shorts and flip flops so much easier!!!