Houserspawn(tm) Farms

For the past few summers, Linda has planted a small garden in the yard with the kids. Now that Fall is here, we're ready to report on the what was a record yield for Houserspanwn(tm) Farms.

The 2008 season produced:

- 1 (one) pumpkin
- Several strawberries, all of which got eaten by squirrels before ripening
- Approximately 8,000 (eight thousand) cherry tomatoes.

Not a whole lot of variety, but it should be enough to get us through the winter if/when the U.S. economy completely dissolves, and we have to live off the land for a while.

Halloween Night 2007

Zach, Phoebe, and Ben on the night of the traditional neighborhood candy redistribution ritual.

We now have more candy in the house than we can reasonably expect to finish before Easter.

An Open Letter to the Houser Children

Dear Houser children,

We are writing to express our displeasure regarding the inequitable distribution of animal feed during your visit to Linvilla Orchards last weekend.

We understand that the rabbits, deer, sheep and even the goats may be considered cuter than us by your incomprehensible human standards, but we chickens, pheasants, and emu get hungry too. We would have very much enjoyed more of the feed that you were offering. Bawk! Bawk!

To be fair, you did offer us some feed. Perhaps our attempts to peck you through our cage did not adequately convey our thanks for what you did give us. And maybe you were put off by our loud clucking and surly attitudes. Bawk! Bawk!

We only ask that on your next visit, you think of us chickens, and offer us at least as much feed as our four-footed bretheren.

Now if you'll excuse us, we have to go scratch in the dirt, peck at visitors through the fence, and squawk loudly at each other.

Please come back soon! Bawk! Bawk!

Sincerely,
The Linvilla Orchards Union of Concerned Chickens and Other Assorted Avian Creatures