Blustery Day

As I type this, I am looking out the sliding back door at the chickens blowing across the yard. It's kind of funny watching a bird roll ass over beak. Every once in awhile a feather goes flying and poop shoots out.

Just kidding, I had you going! They are all huddled by their coop. God only knows why they want to be outside but as soon as I put them into their cozy homes, they come back out. Dumb as clams.

The world of Costa Ventosa is like the birds, ass over beak. Just kidding again. We're winding down another wonderful year. Can you believe we've been open almost 4.5 YEARS? Thankfully my off-the-farm income helps us during the ups and downs. This year we took a huge hit in the vineyard with many many dead vines--caused by the temperatures below zero (we got to -6 degrees) in January 2014. 

But our loyal winos, Amici (Wine Club Members) and volunteers continue to support us both financially and through hours of bottling, working in the vineyard, helping at events....we appreciate you all. 

We're open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 12-6 PM from now until December 14. That is, unless the wind blows us away first. 

I'm Baaaaaack!

My dear friend Susan asked me this week when I was going to update my website and I said WHAT? because it had totally fallen off my radar.

Ain't the first time and probably ain't going to be the last! Now that I am in my 50's, it seems some days I don't even remember what radar is. Or I get distracted.

Speaking of which, I own a mug that says: "Before you count your chickens, ask yourself--Do I even own chickens?"

Thankfully I own 44 chickens, among them girls named Sophie, Henrietta, Peanut, Sunshine and Canfield...and boys named Chatterbox, Rudy (he's pictured below), and Pretty Boy. What was I writing about? Oh, distractions...

Back to the Costa website and the reason I'm blogging. Life at Costa has been blissfully predictable and stable. Spring came and went. Summer and tourists came and went. Autumn is in the process of coming...and going. 

I lost my bid for Worcester County Commissioner. I tied with my opponent 216-216 in the primary, (first time in the state of Maryland, goodness grapes) and in the state of MD the law states the local Central Committee gets to choose. in their infinite wisdom the Republican Central Committee in my county chose the other guy. Suffice to say I believe the best candidate was (and continues to be) a fiesty red-hed who operates her own boutique winery and owns chickens named Henrietta and Rudy...But I also believe everything happens for a reason. The reason might be I need to run for a different office? Hmmmm...maybe I'll make a bid for President of the Turnip Society of America. Or maybe the Chairperson of the Crazy Chicken Lady Consortium. Or maybe...

Nah, my political aspirations are over. I'm spending more time in my chicken coops. Chickens have more sense than most politicans except maybe for my brother. He's on a Republican Central Committee near Cincinnati and has lotsa common sense. I wonder if he'd let me hold my first meeting of the Crazy Chicken Lady Consortium in his district?

Queen Kathryn

I'm President of the Worcester County Farm Bureau. I love my Board. They are terrific guys and girls: Kirby, Kristin, Alan, Johnny, John, Donnie, Earl, Harold (I accidentally call him "Howard"), Danny...I'm sure I forgot someone. Oops.

I prefer the title of "Queen" however, instead of "President." Truth be told, what they call me is neither. I'm not sure I WANT to know what they call me.

Speaking of titles, which is why I wrote this blog, I'm running for Worcester County Commissioner, District 4. I'm super excited, and a bit nervous, about the whole thing. I think it's true that if  you don't do things that scare you, stretch you, take you out of your comfort zone...then you don't grow. Man, I fee 10 feet tall right now! Politics! Who would have thought it. 

Anyway, send luck and prayers and good wishes. And if you see me kissing a few babies, you'll know why.

Another Poop Story

So we've been closed for a few weeks (REOPEN FEBRUARY 15!!) and, up until yesterday, I had horsekeeping duties. Many of you know I have a horse named Twinkie, who is a Hafflinger. I call her a "baby draft" because she is pretty wide, like a Clydesdale, but not as tall. However, she has a big butt and it makes mine look smaller.

I keep Twinkie (Twink, Twinky-Dink, The-Equine-Love-of-my-Life) at my BFF's house. Wanda has her own horse, Jazie, and boards two others, Cass and Bailey. Collectively, they are The Girls.

Man can 4 horses create a lot of poop. I thought 50 chickens were bad but nah, nothing compared to the waste a 1200 pound creature puts out. Collectively The Girls could probably fertilize all of the corn in Whaleyville. 

Looking back over the last 2+ weeks, I've realized a few things:

1. My least favorite pile of dung: That which has been sitting outside, getting rained on all day. Good lord the stink! And the weight! Somehow it puffs up like a sponge.

2. My most favorite poop: Frozen. You get the tines of the plastic poop-picker-upper (pitch fork) and it comes up in one clump. YAY!

3. Taking care of The Girls and all that goes along with it probably has prepared me for political office. I'll leave it up to you to figure out how. But I have decided to throw my poop I mean hat in the ring for Worcester County Commissioner, District 4. My website is www.kathryndankolord.com. I promise you won't be reading about poop there. 

Last Call for Alcohol!!!

Just a friendly reminder...this upcoming weekend (December 13, 14 and 15) is our last for the year! 

FRIDAY: Shop/visit from 12-8 PM and enjoy our last Wine Down with Drake Burd from 6-8 PM. Come and hear this amazing young musician play oldies and sing along with his Christmas songs.

SATURDAY: Holiday Open House. Our third annual shopping day at Costa Ventosa is a blast. And busy. Shop with a glass of wine...complimentary Tuckahoe Merlot chili and soup while it lasts. Also while it lasts: first 100 folks through the door get a sparkly gold wine bag free with purchase.

SUNDAY: Yep, last day to get your favorite wine. Stock up cuz we won't see you again until early February. And come early because later in the day I'm going to put up my feet and get half dwunktified.