Out On A Limb

Sometimes, it's a beautiful day...
with no real problems...
but, we find ourselves out on a limb.
Have no fear...
Life is a tree full of branches.
Not all of them will offer privacy.
So, reflect...look inward
while you can.

Thankful For Whatever Life Brings

Everyone knows I have lots of roosters and chickens. They are all free range birds. Everyday, they are free to go where they want. Sometimes, I lose a bird to predators. At other times, I have had to give a few away. They have all gone to good homes. A few roosters have even wandered away...and, now live at neighbor's houses. I can here them singing in the distance. I don't know how many have done this.
Yesterday, I was throwing some scratch for them to eat. There was a rooster walking right next to me like he was waiting for food. I realized he was sluggish and unconcerned by the bigger dominant males. It didn't seem right. He looked perfect...but, he was acting funny. So, I reached down and grabbed him. He never flinched. I instantly felt his lack of strength. He was cold. The strangest thing is...I did not recognize him. He was definitely one of my birds. But, he hasn't lived here any time recently. I put him in a cage and brought him in the house. He wouldn't eat at first. So, we gave him some tuna, cottage cheese and cheddar cheese. He began to eat with gusto. Then, we covered the cage...he sat down and went to sleep. This morning when I woke up, I looked at him. He looked sleepy. So, I started on the regular routine...making breakfast for 50+ chickens. Twenty minutes later, I went to give him some of the food I had made...and he was asleep. He was leaning to the side a little. I felt my heart sink. I opened the cage and he didn't move. He had died! It wasn't much fun after that.
Sorrow had found me once more! I wept like an old grandmother. While I was digging his grave, I was so sad...but, all I could think of was "Thank you, God...for getting him here". I don't know where he had been...but, something made him find me again. Life is great...even in sorrow. If there is nothing to be sad about...it means that there is nothing happy worth living for. So, appreciate the things that you do have. Things are changing all the time.
Happy Thanksgiving!
(These birds are sensitive and they know what is going on. I feel like they were saying goodbye to the fallen one with these beautiful poses)...

Blessings Are Everywhere

Good, bad, happy, sad, up, down, me, you, us, them, over, under, here, there, in, out, with, without...
What's it all about?
Moon, sun, day, night, his, hers, dark, light, this, that, dog, cat...
chicken, rooster, and that's that!!!
Only count your blessings...
never your misfortunes.
Love, Work, Suffer
and be thankful...
every day!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Sunrise For The Eyes

Another refreshing sunrise was upon us this morning.
It lasted about ten minutes.
Cameras were moody...
Chickens refused to hold their marks.
So, that's when I knew it was going to be a great day!
Everything is normal.
Extra shine is extra fine.

How old is she?

How old did you say your sister was?
(How old did you say your sister was?)
You know, you'd best get down here on the double...
before she gets her pretty little self into trouble...
She's so fine
(So fine)...
She 'hangs' out!

Slow Down

The months,
the weeks,
the days,
the hours,
the minutes,
the seconds
are all just flying past us.
Flap your wings while you can.
This won't last forever!

...And, over and over and over...

It's a circle...
It starts over...
and, over and
now it repeats, again.
Life has found four more beautiful babies.
That is my favorite thing about chickens
...I want them all.
So, they continue to find me!

Rain Has Fallen...finally!

We needed rain.
We finally got some.
The wildlife is long over due for a drink.
But, for the roosters and chickens, it means a much better diet. The rain makes the cycle start over again...new insects, sprouts, clean dirt for mite control...etcetera. We are a little bit muddy. But, that's a small inconvenience for the rich returns that are coming.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

A Rooster Named Gary

This rooster is the other son of the great Jet. Jet died earlier this year...but his legend will be ongoing. We have two of Jets offspring running around here. This one is Gary(the other is named Brownie). They are the only two black-winged roosters we have. Gary has been enjoying some mild celebrity recently. He is only about six months old and he's not even full grown. About a month ago, I saw him grab and mount a full grown hen. He introduced himself in a most amorous fashion. I couldn't believe it. I have full grown roosters that still haven't been able to perform any magic on the women. Gary is a smooth mover...damn!

Random shots for the weekend

I'm way behind with the non-chicken chores around here.
So, I might neglect this blog for the weekend...
But, here are some great random shots from this week!
These birds are so fine!