In the most recent “Week Ahead” edition of the newsletter, I promised you a little more lighthearted fare this week. So here goes: I know that not all of you are chicken fans, so if you aren’t (or think you aren’t), you may want to skip this one. But wait, before you go, I’ve got to tell you that there are few things in life as relaxing as watching chickens run around and peck in and among the plants and squabble with each other over the good bugs. They all have their own personalities, and some of them are genuinely affectionate. When you get up close, their feathers are really beautiful, like little works of art.
I have never wanted to keep chickens, but I've long wished that someone I know would keep chickens. I know we don't know each other, but your newsletter still feels like the perfect amount of chicken life for me, and I thank you very much for including the chickens with your astute and learned observations on law, justice, and politics.
I’m down to my last 3 chickens because my husband who does the cleaning of our chicken coop says these have to be the last. We’ve had these for probably 15 years. I notice how they like to watch me too. Some times I’ll catch them peeking around in different places. They like to watch my dogs and cats and the dogs and cats watch the chickens. Sometimes a cat will nestle down in the yard with the chickens. No one ever harms the others. These animals have helped me enormously through the Trump years. Now they’re with me again while the 10 year olds are acting out in Congress.
Chickens are the greatest composters I’ve ever seen. My neighbors also bring them food and then we’re all happy about not having any food waste.
Time to get out the knitting again. Thanks Joyce for sharing your life with us. You saved me from a nightmare of depression when I thought no one was watching what Trump was doing in the early days. Those were such dark times when I had to start taking antidepressants.
Sad to learn about Jamie Raskin. You’ve all become an integral part of my life . Thank you
I LOVE your chicken stories and am learning a lot about different types of chickens. The ones with the gorgeous blue earlobes are my favorites - so far! And thank you for the lighter fare. Lord knows we need it right now - desperately! :)
Jan 17, 2023·edited Jan 21, 2023Liked by Joyce Vance
Today I was doing my brisk walk in the neighborhood. My neighbor's friendly old dog ran to keep me company. She circled around and started back, and a few yards later I turned around. She had collapsed on the road with her legs jerking. My neighbor was running toward her and I joined them. She started to come to, looked at him playfully and extended her paw. We were worried about whether the old girl was going to die on the spot. He held his hand on her, and she eventually came around and got back to her feet. He tells me that she has changed lately, following him around everywhere he goes. She's also collapsed a few times lately. And yes, he has a relationship with a good veterinarian. I told him I would be there to support him when she goes because pets are family members.
Added: The next day I went out for my usual walk. My neighbor was at his front door with his old dog, who walked over to greet me and my wife. She followed us for a bit, and we urged her to walk back to our neighbor. He called her and she walked to him. Happily, she is still with us.
All I can say is I love you, Joyce Vance! Thank you for keeping it real. We all need you and your chickens at this particular moment in time. Keep us posted regarding the new chicken coop. Sending all the best from rain-drenched Northern California.
Our old girl dog, Hazel, at 15 never ceases to amaze me with her ability sense a bit of stress and just diffuse it all away with a strategic lean on my shin at just the right moment. Here’s to the animals!
My chicken story: first time was as residents at u of Arizona med center. The chickens loved to go into our dried up swimming pool that we had to drain Cz we didn’t have any money to fix it. Then sadly they disappeared one week. Layer, We lived in N Carolina and one of our roosters attacked my son. My wife said no more chickens til the kids are older. Then in Oregon when my wife had breast cancer our third set of chickens-many varieties. She started her chemo and she said -chickens have to go. (Chemo is tough ). My wife by the way is a cancer surgeon herself. Now 15 years later she looked at me and said ya know, the chickens were fun. They just weren’t around at the right time.
Dear Joyce, I love Miss Pickles offering these delicate blue eggs, but I have to say I have a weakness for Ruth Bader Chicken. My best wishes to her for a long, industrious life, as her mentor.
I just love hearing about your chickens! It's a nice break from all of the other shenanigans. We don't keep chickens, but our golden retriever had me laughing yesterday. She kept barking and growling, not really something she does much, and there was no one at the door and the cat was minding his own business. Turns out there was an empty wrapping paper roll in the recycling bin in the kitchen. When I pulled it out and gave it to her, she was ecstatic. She paraded it around the house for two days until she'd completely destroyed it. Sometimes it's the simple things that keep us happy and sane. Thanks for all of the great work you do on our behalf. And thanks for the chicken posts!
I love your chickens and the stories about them. I am a dedicated fan of #sisters in law. I often wondered if you gave them names. No surprise of course you do. I currently own 3 mini schnauzers. Stella, Lilly and Gracie. They are my constant companions. I help to manage my stress and political concerns by simply playing with and petting my girls. They seem to know when I need them even before I do. Dogs are a higher level of being because they love you unconditionally no matter what happens to them. Thanks for your Substack. I learn so much about the law.
Have you seen Chef Pepin’s artwork? He paints lots of wonderful chickens. Checkout his latest book: Art of the Chicken, a master chef’s paintings, stories, and recipes of the humble bird.
I have never wanted to keep chickens, but I've long wished that someone I know would keep chickens. I know we don't know each other, but your newsletter still feels like the perfect amount of chicken life for me, and I thank you very much for including the chickens with your astute and learned observations on law, justice, and politics.
Bay Area California
I’m down to my last 3 chickens because my husband who does the cleaning of our chicken coop says these have to be the last. We’ve had these for probably 15 years. I notice how they like to watch me too. Some times I’ll catch them peeking around in different places. They like to watch my dogs and cats and the dogs and cats watch the chickens. Sometimes a cat will nestle down in the yard with the chickens. No one ever harms the others. These animals have helped me enormously through the Trump years. Now they’re with me again while the 10 year olds are acting out in Congress.
Chickens are the greatest composters I’ve ever seen. My neighbors also bring them food and then we’re all happy about not having any food waste.
Time to get out the knitting again. Thanks Joyce for sharing your life with us. You saved me from a nightmare of depression when I thought no one was watching what Trump was doing in the early days. Those were such dark times when I had to start taking antidepressants.
Sad to learn about Jamie Raskin. You’ve all become an integral part of my life . Thank you
I LOVE your chicken stories and am learning a lot about different types of chickens. The ones with the gorgeous blue earlobes are my favorites - so far! And thank you for the lighter fare. Lord knows we need it right now - desperately! :)
Today I was doing my brisk walk in the neighborhood. My neighbor's friendly old dog ran to keep me company. She circled around and started back, and a few yards later I turned around. She had collapsed on the road with her legs jerking. My neighbor was running toward her and I joined them. She started to come to, looked at him playfully and extended her paw. We were worried about whether the old girl was going to die on the spot. He held his hand on her, and she eventually came around and got back to her feet. He tells me that she has changed lately, following him around everywhere he goes. She's also collapsed a few times lately. And yes, he has a relationship with a good veterinarian. I told him I would be there to support him when she goes because pets are family members.
Added: The next day I went out for my usual walk. My neighbor was at his front door with his old dog, who walked over to greet me and my wife. She followed us for a bit, and we urged her to walk back to our neighbor. He called her and she walked to him. Happily, she is still with us.
All I can say is I love you, Joyce Vance! Thank you for keeping it real. We all need you and your chickens at this particular moment in time. Keep us posted regarding the new chicken coop. Sending all the best from rain-drenched Northern California.
Our old girl dog, Hazel, at 15 never ceases to amaze me with her ability sense a bit of stress and just diffuse it all away with a strategic lean on my shin at just the right moment. Here’s to the animals!
JV- whether you know it or not, you have a great sense of humor. 👍
We are in this together.
My chicken story: first time was as residents at u of Arizona med center. The chickens loved to go into our dried up swimming pool that we had to drain Cz we didn’t have any money to fix it. Then sadly they disappeared one week. Layer, We lived in N Carolina and one of our roosters attacked my son. My wife said no more chickens til the kids are older. Then in Oregon when my wife had breast cancer our third set of chickens-many varieties. She started her chemo and she said -chickens have to go. (Chemo is tough ). My wife by the way is a cancer surgeon herself. Now 15 years later she looked at me and said ya know, the chickens were fun. They just weren’t around at the right time.
Moral : timing is very important.
Dear Joyce, I love Miss Pickles offering these delicate blue eggs, but I have to say I have a weakness for Ruth Bader Chicken. My best wishes to her for a long, industrious life, as her mentor.
Thank you for the chicken report. It is a nice reprieve from what feels like an onslaught of legal issues.
I just love hearing about your chickens! It's a nice break from all of the other shenanigans. We don't keep chickens, but our golden retriever had me laughing yesterday. She kept barking and growling, not really something she does much, and there was no one at the door and the cat was minding his own business. Turns out there was an empty wrapping paper roll in the recycling bin in the kitchen. When I pulled it out and gave it to her, she was ecstatic. She paraded it around the house for two days until she'd completely destroyed it. Sometimes it's the simple things that keep us happy and sane. Thanks for all of the great work you do on our behalf. And thanks for the chicken posts!
I love your chickens and the stories about them. I am a dedicated fan of #sisters in law. I often wondered if you gave them names. No surprise of course you do. I currently own 3 mini schnauzers. Stella, Lilly and Gracie. They are my constant companions. I help to manage my stress and political concerns by simply playing with and petting my girls. They seem to know when I need them even before I do. Dogs are a higher level of being because they love you unconditionally no matter what happens to them. Thanks for your Substack. I learn so much about the law.
Donna
Have you seen Chef Pepin’s artwork? He paints lots of wonderful chickens. Checkout his latest book: Art of the Chicken, a master chef’s paintings, stories, and recipes of the humble bird.
Thank you for sharing! They’re all so beautiful!
Ooooh, so relaxing! Thank you for the beauty!
Never too much chicken talk for me. Chickens by Proxy. Like being a Nana.