Gill on the hill

The chase

This chicken was on holiday in the orchard, feeding on the abundance of grass and weeds. She and her friends had to be captured and taken back to their house before darkness set in lest they be a night-time snack for coyotes. I thought it was great exercise for Sander. He suggested we pull the weeds and take them to the chicken yard.

Early blooms

We have had some warm weeks of weather this winter tricking these trees into thinking it is spring. These blossoms have snow on them today and very well may not produce this summer as a result.

We shall see.

The wedding

I came across two pictures from the wedding we had here in August of 2008. Somewhere I have exquisite pictures of the event taken by Holly Carlyle (who you must check out if you're in southern California). It was an incredible time that we will not forget and are still recovering from. We reflect on the madness as we discuss throwing a centennial bash in September. I can guarantee that there will be no sit-down dinner for 200 people.

Testing the hygiene hypothesis

With discussions on the Ethicurean about a child's reduced risk of asthma when exposed to farm bacteria and other unmentionables, behold Frederick below putting the hypothesis to the test.

Old stage road

It is hard to believe, but stage coaches used to carry very rich people on this road to visit the house. Today the road is our only hope for a fire break. Haig takes out bay trees which act as a fire ladder leading right to the old servant's quarters. The "lost road" is about twenty feet behind Frederick in this picture. This part of the old road is located at the very top of the driveway in this historic picture.