Halfway to Chicks

Well, we're about halfway to new chickies. I haven't mentioned the eggs for a while because, as either Connor or Kenzie mentioned in their blog, I was a little disappointed at the first candling. It appeared we didn't have too many viable eggs and I was expecting a few more chickens on October 2. I re-candled a few random eggs, including some from the "questionable" group. It looks like we might have more good eggs than I first expected. Of course, I still don't really know what I'm looking for, so it's still wait-and-see. That's one reason we separated the eggs: so we can learn what to look for in future incubations. I think it might just be easier to let the hens do the work next time, but sometimes even the hens get it wrong. Some friends of ours tried letting their hens set on their eggs, and they only got three to hatch. Hopefully my numbers will be higher than that.

I can now announce that I know of at least one of my own friends that have visited this blog, not just one of my wife's friends. Don't get me wrong! I love having visitors, but if I have to rely on Vicki for all my web traffic, that doesn't say much of my ability to make my own friends :o) Laura is a good friend of mine from when Connor was still going to public school. About the only good thing that came out of public school was some of the people my kids met, and the ones I met through them. Laura's son and Connor are still pretty good friends, even after all these years of not going to school together. They can go months without seeing each other, then pick right up where they left off the next time one calls the other.

That lighthouse is still for sale. I'm still waiting for a partner with a lot of money to join in the venture. They lowered the starting bid to $5,000 instead of the original $30,000. The current high bid is only $10,000, so it's still a steal, if you just happen to have 15 or 20 thousand dollars laying around the house. They've scheduled a trip to inspect the lighthouse, in person, on October 17. I'd love to go look at it, but I think you have to be serious bidder to be considered for the trip. Besides, October 17 is my predicted delivery date for Kearsyn. It'd be my luck to be stuck on a lighthouse when Vicki's ready to go to the hospital.

Speaking of which, I think we've been through this birthing thing enough times to just go ahead and do it ourselves, right here at the house. Vicki doesn't quite agree, but I've gotten her to change her mind on things before. I have a big basket and a sharp Swiss Army knife. I don't really understand her concerns about having to go all the way to the hospital just to do something we're experienced at, and will happen naturally anyway, whether we go to the hospital, or not. And, we're only a '911' away from help if anything really weird happens.

Bekah's been entertaining us in the classroom recently. She's just so cute I couldn't help posting a few pictures of her here.










And, finally, Alex and I went for long bike ride a few days ago. We came to spot with a wonderful view of our Bay Bridge. We've been there before, but I never took a picture. This time I did.

Going Once, Going Twice...

This is on auction right off the island we live on, in Chesapeake Bay. Cool, huh? We could own our very own lighthouse. I don't know where I'd keep the chickens, though. Even less for the goats. There's not much back yard. Hey, if your interested in a partnership, send money, and if we win the auction, I'll share it with you. Here's more information about this lighthouse, if your interested (not in buying it, but in general) that kind of thing.

BLOODY POINT BAR LIGHT
Location: Off the southern tip of Kent Island, MD, Chesapeake BayDate Built: Commissioned 1882Type of Structure: Caisson with iron dwelling / tower (spark plug caisson)Height: 54 feet above mean high waterCharacteristics: Flashing white, with 2 red sectorsFoghorn: Yes – horn backed up by a bellAppropriation: $25,000Range: white – 9 miles, red – 7 milesStatus: Standing and Active

Historical Information:

A light was requested for this location as early as 1868 to mark both the bar and the northern entrance to the Eastern Bay. It was also felt that it could also serve as a backup should the Thomas Point screw-pile light ever succumb to ice. However, Congress did not approve the funds until 1881. At that time $25,000 was appropriated for a caisson light similar to the one then under construction at Sharps Island. Construction began in June 1882 and was relatively uneventful. The light was commissioned October 1 of the same year. A fourth order Fresnel lens was exhibited.

In February 1883 a room was added to house a fog bell and striker.
The winter of 1882 – 3 included several severe storms and the resulting scour caused the light to tilt noticeably just one year after its construction. Riprap stone was immediately set around the base to halt further scour. In 1884 more permanent fixes were made – Sand was dredged from one side to bring the tower to a more upright position, then an apron of over 750 tons of stone was laid at the caisson base. The repair was successful, though a slight list still exists.

In 1960 a fire, which began in the equipment room, rapidly engulfed the light. The two Coast Guard attendants initially fought the blaze, then barely escaped with their lives before the large fuel tanks exploded. The structure was completely gutted and is now just an iron shell with a steel ladder inside for access to the lantern.

Researched and written by Matthew B. Jenkins, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Light House Society.

Click here to access the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Bloody Point Bar Light Station.

Photographs (click on light name below to access image):
BLOODY POINT BAR LIGHT; no photo number; "Bloody Point Bar Lighthouse, Maryland"; 3 July 1885; photo by Major Jared A. Smith.
BLOODY POINT BAR LIGHT; no photo number/caption; date/photographer unknown.

And if you're really really interested, here's the auction info: http://www.auctionrp.com/auctions2/default.cfm?action=itemInfo&id=606