So many of you have asked for chicken updates that I thought I’d share a few pictures to contribute to your Sunday morning (if you don’t like chickens, read no further & my apologies).
Although I eagerly anticipate your scholarly breakdowns of the legal issues ahead each week, I must admit that your chicken dialogs have become the most welcome and uplifting gifts imaginable. I never could have imagined the welcome respite from the worry and torment we face from determined forces trying to destroy our democracy, that your sugar coated chick licks soothe and calm the soul. Thank you so much for all that you are and the gifts that you bestow upon us all Joyce. You should be wearing one of those Avenger super hero suits so everyone will recognize you. Thus, Spake.
Thank you Joyce. They are so sweet. I love chickens. I inherited some chickens when I rented a house in the country while going to college. Three hens that were older but still laying an egg or two a week. My daughter and I got really attached to them and ended up keeping them until they died from old age. My landlords wanted to butcher them when they stopped laying eggs. I told them they had become part of my family and that I would pay them for the girls. I guess they saw how much my daughter and I loved them and changed their mind and refused my money, and they lived happily ever after with my daughter and I.
When my kids & I moved to where I live now - we brought chickens, ducks, dogs & cats with us. My 3 "senior" white hens lived "happily ever after" too. Really werent very helpful with my flowers (BIG feet). My wonderful bantys? Met an untimely end from one of my dogs who wanted to "play"! The whole flock.
Thanks Karen - it was a long time ago. I would love to have some bantys now but too many little & large predators out there. My last duck, a little Call duck (Joe) was killed by what we believed to be a weasel or other small animal. And he was in a pen right outside my kitchen window. That was really tough - I had had him for 11 years!! Used to bring him in in the winter & let him swim in the bathtub - then he would sit on a towel on the couch & "noodle" my Lab, Cougar. I can imagine some non-animal people cringing at that!!!
This is a beautiful update. I enjoyed the information on Cleo. For some reason, I thought she might be feisty! They are all gorgeous, and the new coop is fantastic. I like the space ship looking feeder as well. Enjoy the remainder of the weekend.
I love your Chicken and egg stories. We once had chickens in a suburban yard and our Golden Retriever liked to help rescue the chickens if they escaped. The first time she chased them, I screamed at her to stop, but since that was her job, to retrieve, she captured the hen and returned her to the chicken yard, dropping her from her gentle, soft mouth. She knew her job and couldn’t be distracted. If only our elected leaders to the right would remember their responsibilities and get to work. Do their job.
To you Joyce and your beautiful chickens!
Woman Feeding Chickens
BY ROY SCHEELE
Her hand is at the feedbag at her waist,
sunk to the wrist in the rustling grain
that nuzzles her fingertips when laced
around a sifting handful. It’s like rain,
like cupping water in your hand, she thinks,
the cracks between the fingers like a sieve,
except that less escapes you through the chinks
when handling grain. She likes to feel it give
beneath her hand’s slow plummet, and the smell,
so rich a fragrance she has never quite
got used to it, under the seeming spell
of the charm of the commonplace. The white
hens bunch and strut, heads cocked, with tilted eyes,
till her hand sweeps out and the small grain flies.
***
Wow! What beautiful imagery! I've never heard of that poet before. Time to read more.
Yes, kdsherpa; my mind went to handling grains, being in the space around the hens and the sensations of smell. Carried away to 'the commonplace'.
Or, perhaps, feeling the magic that is within the "commonplace".
or the plain and pure truth in the commonplace lives of these creatures
Have you not repeated what I wrote with different words, a tautology. 'Carried away to the 'commonplace' as I wrote.
My bad!
Not so bad.
He is AMAZING!! I read one of his (very sensitive) translations, as well. Thank you so much for the introduction!
Although I eagerly anticipate your scholarly breakdowns of the legal issues ahead each week, I must admit that your chicken dialogs have become the most welcome and uplifting gifts imaginable. I never could have imagined the welcome respite from the worry and torment we face from determined forces trying to destroy our democracy, that your sugar coated chick licks soothe and calm the soul. Thank you so much for all that you are and the gifts that you bestow upon us all Joyce. You should be wearing one of those Avenger super hero suits so everyone will recognize you. Thus, Spake.
I Will recognize you any where Joyce.
I have a suspicion, Joyce, that your husband knows getting between you and the chickens would be a terrible position to try and defend. :-)
I love that "we're in this together" on the secret chickens too.
✅️
LOL
You just made my night. Now I can sleep in peace.
Joyce, love the chicken updates! All of it!
I would be delighted to be reincarnated as one of your chickens
Thank you Joyce. They are so sweet. I love chickens. I inherited some chickens when I rented a house in the country while going to college. Three hens that were older but still laying an egg or two a week. My daughter and I got really attached to them and ended up keeping them until they died from old age. My landlords wanted to butcher them when they stopped laying eggs. I told them they had become part of my family and that I would pay them for the girls. I guess they saw how much my daughter and I loved them and changed their mind and refused my money, and they lived happily ever after with my daughter and I.
When my kids & I moved to where I live now - we brought chickens, ducks, dogs & cats with us. My 3 "senior" white hens lived "happily ever after" too. Really werent very helpful with my flowers (BIG feet). My wonderful bantys? Met an untimely end from one of my dogs who wanted to "play"! The whole flock.
Oh, I’m sorry about your bantys Maggie😿.
Thanks Karen - it was a long time ago. I would love to have some bantys now but too many little & large predators out there. My last duck, a little Call duck (Joe) was killed by what we believed to be a weasel or other small animal. And he was in a pen right outside my kitchen window. That was really tough - I had had him for 11 years!! Used to bring him in in the winter & let him swim in the bathtub - then he would sit on a towel on the couch & "noodle" my Lab, Cougar. I can imagine some non-animal people cringing at that!!!
It doesn’t make me cringe Maggie. Dear Joe swimming in the bathtub❤️I love it and I bet he did too
He was like a little stuffed toy - you can google call ducks - probably pictures there. White with this bright yellow beak & feet.
I just googled them. They are precious!
Love happy news at the end of the day. Best post I’ve seen today. Thank you
Just love Pickles! As a boy, it was my job to feed the chickens on my grandmother’s farm. I’ ve only grown more attached to the species with age.
This is a beautiful update. I enjoyed the information on Cleo. For some reason, I thought she might be feisty! They are all gorgeous, and the new coop is fantastic. I like the space ship looking feeder as well. Enjoy the remainder of the weekend.
Love the chick pics with a special nod to the spaceship feeder. Thank you🙏🏼😎💜
Thanks so much for your update. Chickens are wonderful!
I love your Chicken and egg stories. We once had chickens in a suburban yard and our Golden Retriever liked to help rescue the chickens if they escaped. The first time she chased them, I screamed at her to stop, but since that was her job, to retrieve, she captured the hen and returned her to the chicken yard, dropping her from her gentle, soft mouth. She knew her job and couldn’t be distracted. If only our elected leaders to the right would remember their responsibilities and get to work. Do their job.
Hilarious! - "Please don't tell my husband" - "We are in this together"
Does your husband subscribe to your newsletter?
Love the chicken updates!!!