February 28, 2016
His chicken coops
He taught me how to love the yard bird. His lived several years past their lifespans. I remember a rooster that was 18 years old. He made chicken coops all the time. I didn't think he would ever end. I thought he'd go on forever. He fell one day and that started the whole thing. Bed ridden, then he got weak, then weaker then he stopped going outside and the yard worked stopped. Never another flock of chickens, or dog or chicken coops or new tree around after that. I'm glad I took pictures. Long abandoned now, this area was once so green and alive and beautiful. The cages were like little folk art pieces settled into pumpkin vines, loquat trees and potted plants.
October 05, 2015
Back to chickens
On a walk two weeks ago we stopped at a pretty, fenced in yard with lush green grass, two small coops and four portly hens. Either the leader of the group or just the sweetest one came up to us and seemed to take a liking to my three year old. She cooed as she gave us the look over. She walked along with us, the length of the fence, as we left that little oasis. I walked away wondering when we'd have a garden and could keep chickens again. We are renting an apartment at the moment. Not sure where to put down roots or when. Where is really the question. I trust that it will happen at the best possible time for us.
I walked away wanting chickens again. Since my own Little Chickie was born, I haven't really felt I had the space or energy for a pet. It's coming back, not just for chickens but maybe a bunny. So, when the opportunity presents itself, I'll be looking for Silkies. In the meantime, there is daydreaming to do and I had forgotten how satisfying that can be. It feels good to find myself with the room for the feathered or the fluffy again.
I walked away wanting chickens again. Since my own Little Chickie was born, I haven't really felt I had the space or energy for a pet. It's coming back, not just for chickens but maybe a bunny. So, when the opportunity presents itself, I'll be looking for Silkies. In the meantime, there is daydreaming to do and I had forgotten how satisfying that can be. It feels good to find myself with the room for the feathered or the fluffy again.
March 27, 2013
Chicken Scratch
I could really use some chickens right now. August and I found these scenes at two different feed stores. Couldn't resist getting her a toy chicken. She loves it! One day we'll have chickens again and all will have fallen into place.
Chickens unearth things. Watching them do this is so cathartic. I remember mine would uncover 50 and 60 year old plastic toys and clothespins. They showed me where someone had once put up a clothesline. I pictured kids playing at their mother's feet while she hung up clothes.
Chickens unearth everything. It is about time I make the chicken my official, Official Mascot. I need to keep this lil bird on my totem list. No secrets, c'mon chickens....unearth everything.
Chickens unearth things. Watching them do this is so cathartic. I remember mine would uncover 50 and 60 year old plastic toys and clothespins. They showed me where someone had once put up a clothesline. I pictured kids playing at their mother's feet while she hung up clothes.
Chickens unearth everything. It is about time I make the chicken my official, Official Mascot. I need to keep this lil bird on my totem list. No secrets, c'mon chickens....unearth everything.
February 02, 2013
Sitting in the Sun
My little girl and I have been sitting in the sun, soaking up much needed vitamin D and catching glimpses of the lives carrying on around us. Children playing, bits of conversations here and there, cars stopping at a stop sign and driving off. It is interesting, it remind's me of a children's board book, one that wants to familiarize a child to the world around them. It isn't very relaxing though. Not for me.
To get the most out of sitting in the sun, when land locked without access to the glorious sound of waves, is sitting in the sun with chickens. Try it. It is a truly relaxing experience. They will come and tame the space around you. Any pressing worries or predicaments are removed. I don't know how they do this. Then you are gently hypnotized, your eyes close, all you hear is the gentle clucking and cooing of the hens around you. Whatever they are saying or singing must have been positive because I would always emerge from the spell feeling relaxed and revitalized and fixed.
Today, in the sun, we watched children at play and it was a pleasant break. However, I fell under no spell. I imagined being among several gentle hens as they scratched the ground, grazed and carried on, working away all my earthbound concerns. I fell under no spell, but I realized that these magical, little birds, that many find comical and awkward are in fact tiny healers if you allow them to be. Let them in.
To get the most out of sitting in the sun, when land locked without access to the glorious sound of waves, is sitting in the sun with chickens. Try it. It is a truly relaxing experience. They will come and tame the space around you. Any pressing worries or predicaments are removed. I don't know how they do this. Then you are gently hypnotized, your eyes close, all you hear is the gentle clucking and cooing of the hens around you. Whatever they are saying or singing must have been positive because I would always emerge from the spell feeling relaxed and revitalized and fixed.
Today, in the sun, we watched children at play and it was a pleasant break. However, I fell under no spell. I imagined being among several gentle hens as they scratched the ground, grazed and carried on, working away all my earthbound concerns. I fell under no spell, but I realized that these magical, little birds, that many find comical and awkward are in fact tiny healers if you allow them to be. Let them in.