Chicken

So I dug a hole today, not to plant and bring new life to abandoned soil. The soil will be welcoming back one of her own soon. I thought about it as my girls prepared ( ha) for bed....Not to wide but deep, so other animals would not disturb, and  away to keep contamination at bay. Plastic? seems artifical, well it is. I had to tell my daughters today that I was unsure that one of our chickens was going to make it through the night. My eldest caught the horror..no despair...helplessness as I examined the bird to confirm that things had worsen and there was nothing more to do.  She knelt to pray ..but she told me she didn't know what to say. I helped her by explaining that we need to pray to ease Rosie's suffering. My eldest begged me not to tell her sister..its her sister's chicken. My husband  as created a entire anthology of stories from these chickens some nights he would regale the kids about the various adventures that the chickens would have....I never thought it cruel..but its feels like it to hear Ro recount the stories about her chicken through sobs....as she looks through the window at Rosie  moving her wrist so gently as she waves goodbye. Yeah, I know its a chicken...at most it was a pet ...but I can't help feel heart ache for the creature...Dying ...slowly emerging from her coop as the others have already slipped passed her. pecking listlessly and without focus...isolation..... the others have nothing to do with her. I put the others away and allowed Rosie to roam free..... then I start digging I am hoping that she is off in some corner breathing her last breath but she is not. I find her waiting to enter the coop as night falls. I wish I had a gun..a knife, a lethal dose of something .. O not sensitive, to desire that?Or in sensitive to deny it. I have heard so much about death and loss lately it makes the heart weary heavy.. This has just help me feel it observe it more keenly..not so much as a true loss but the taste or a tiny inkling of one....knowing how some right now are feeling more so  in a monumental earth shattering way...How can I say anything of comfort...without sounding trite or chicken.    Rest well Rosie.

The Yellowstone Trip

Ah.. Yellowstone, every year we return and we always find something new and lovely to treasure about the trip. There is a lot of giggling, awe inspiring, and a few moments a worry as we explore the great outdoors. Seriously, if you have never been there before it must be a bucket list kicker. It is a park truly for everyone. Magestic waterfalls, secret hikes and pools, water features that dazzle eyes and imagination. Just simply being in the not always cool mountain air. Yes, we had another blast this year. Over the years, we have shared 'The Trip' with friends, my parents and this year Jeff's parents, Jeff's Grandparents( for which we owe gratitude for building and sharing the cabin with us) and Jeff's aunt. Here is just a smattering of the things we did:

Aly's Pirate Eye as we floated down Henry's Ford. Something we haven't done since B.C.

Eating A lot of S'mores.

Going on 'The Hike' to get the 'Picture'.

One Bearded Lady

And plenty of laps to sit on!

Someone is laying eggs!!!

This morning I ran out to the coop to open the door and give our ladies some yummy table scraps and I just had this random impression to look in the nesting box..surely there would be no eggs in there it isn't time yet ...and behold there were two!!I ran in and showed Rowan and asked her who laid the eggs? She replied, "Oh that's easy Rosie Rowan( of course Rowan's) laid the first one to show chipmunk(Aly's) how." Its funny but I am a little apprehensive about consuming them. They seem well a little precious. I was kind of thinking that these hens give birth to an egg soon to be everyday wow.. what an achievement! I feel just a teensy weensy bit guilty about taking something they're bodies worked really hard to create. Ohhh, I know, I know.. what do we have chickens for if not for the added benefit of eggs? However, I am a little surprised that I feel this way. Anyways...very exciting!!

The Coop is Done!!

After a great deal of hard work...mama slacking on the painting.. kids using it as a house, a store and a jail...the Girls have a permanent home. Unlike our own offspring the Ladies have quickly adapted to routine and are amazingly consistent. Like clock work the sun goes down and I find them roosted up for the night and as first light hits they are chirping for me to let them out. I love these not so little ones..they are lovely pets with hopefully benefits. Our children love them ...tolerant, gentle, friendly and sometimes silly, chickens are great. I NEVER I mean never thought I would ever care for chickens ..but here I am.. and it is so fun.

(This Moment)

A single photograph that embodies the spirit of the week....inspired by Soule Mama

Pumpkin Patch Time!!!

Cowboy Max

Rowan's first preschool field trip!! Although Ro has been tagging along with Aly since she was a wee bairn. Kai now gets to tag along. We love this pumpkin patch..we will be visiting it again... all the proceeds go to The Galloping Grace Youth Ranch A family here in Albuquerque/Rio Rancho runs the ranch in which children can come a learn, care for and ride horses at no cost. It is merely for the pure joy of all children. Wow. there are people who quit their successful careers to do that? Yes, they do and we have met them! They are awesome and the pumpkin patch that helps with that mission embodies that same spirit...Mazes, games, animals, rubber duckies, corn boxes..etc. oh yeah Pumpkins! Its free admission too. Its my favorite field trip and Aly has been bugging me for her opportunity to go.

Rowan and her pumpkin:

Kai on his John Deere...darn I knew I should have put his John Deere shirt!

This Moment

Inspired By SouleMama