Jersey weather

Hazy hot and humid—the triple H threat in New Jersey. They told us when we built the house up here that we did not need air conditioning. It's probably just as well that we didn't ask for it then since technology has improved. Radiant floor heat is a beautiful thing, but it means no ducts.

One little Mitsubishi mini-split on the first floor is enough to tackle the hot and humid days we have had recently. The hazy part most likely comes from Canadian wildfires, but there is not much we can do about that.

Cyrus and Martin have discovered the beauty of sleeping in the sun indoors with the AC on. Jessie has yet to understand that inside is a better place to be.

At least she appears to be happy out there. She only has 3 dog beds to choose from. Poor girl!

 

Broody Mama and another sunset

I am not sure if this is the same hen that went broody a month or so ago. We have 4 black (and 2 red) hens in the little coop, and it is hard to tell the black ladies apart. One of them started sitting on all the eggs that the others were laying, but since we don't have a rooster, none of the eggs were fertile. When I bought some eggs from a neighbor and went to grab her—she had already given up and left the nest box.

This second time I was able to catch her and put her in the dog crate in the garage with a dozen new eggs. Just yesterday, on day 21, she hatched all 12. Considering there were some very hot and humid days that were even hotter in the garage, she did an amazing job. One of the hatchlings died the same day, maybe because it was too crowded under her, but the 11 survivors all seem very healthy.

Mama with 11 new babies is the main pic of the day, but this sunset with blooming elderberries is stunning as well. This will be our first year with such a huge crop of berries. Cousin Chris is interested in picking some to make elderberry wine. Not sure if I get to participate in the making, or just supply the fruit and enjoy the wine.

The little cherry tree in front had a great crop of cherries this year, but the birds ate all but one before they got ripe. I think even if the birds get to the elderberries, we should still have enough left for the humans.

Beggars and posers

I scream, you scream, we all beg for ice cream. Except for Martin, he was busy sleeping.

Jessie is getting better about coming in the house, but not so good at staying in, even when it is hot and sticky outside with the AC on inside. It feels like Jersey weather—I'm thinking we can blame it on this week's visitors from Florida and New Jersey!

Here is the perfect little lady posing with her cookie bones. She allows Cyrus to eat the cookies sticking out, and then she steals both of bones and won't let him touch them. He doesn't care.

The 2 cat boys are good posers as well. Here they are trying to catch a breeze in the un-air-conditioned bedroom. Most of the time it gets cooler at night. This week—not so much.