April 13, 2013: Hidey Ho Chicken Lovers

Just back from a fantastic 3 day respite from chicken wrangling.  Spent time with my Italian Cousins over in Bodega Bay.  Did not see chicken one!  We left the girls home with our pet sitter, Sally, who took care of our dog Annie, Karen's dog Lucy and of course Mabel and Barbara.  Sally is not afraid of chickens and joyfully collected the eggs daily. 

Cal and I prepared the girls for our absence by cleaning their run and coop.  We refilled their watering device, and their feeder and made sure they had plenty of shade as it was supposed to get warm.

And how did they thank us, you ask?  By making a  holy hell mess in there.  They emptied the feeder all over the floor,  they walked and pooped on it.  They kicked most of their portable dust bath filler all over the place, I mean it was a mess!  Here we rushed out to let them free as soon as we got home, and they walked out leisurely into the yard never even glancing at us.  Ungrateful little farts.
Then I remembered that this was the longest time we had ever left them since they were little girls.  They were pouting! 

So Cal picked up Mabel and brought her in the house for R and R, walked around with her and gave her extra pets, then spent some extra time with Barbara.  I joined them for some Mama talk and cuddle.

Today we are back to normal, that is, as normal as you get when you have backyard chickens.  I decided to take a nice bath in my garden tub which is on the east side of the house.  You know, bubble bath, diet coke over ice, and my Droid to play Words with Friends with.  I have a lovely view of the star jasmine covering the fence.  Very relaxing.  Then I hear a squawk and looked out and down to see two little girls looking up at me.  I'm like, WTH are you guys doing over here and how did you find me.  They did not reply, but clearly had scouted me out. 

They always find Mama.  They love Daddy, and love to play with  him, but they come find Mama to feel secure.  Just like little kids. 

April 2, 2013: Chicken Love!

It's a beautiful day and having finished updating my financial records, I sauntered into the living room.  I could hear Cal chatting out back, and found him on the chaise lounge with one chicken on each knee feeding them.  They were just a chatting away with him.  Mabel is the sweetest little girl.  She just climbed up his chest and sat down, talking all the time.  Barbara was her usual demanding self, but does seem to love her daddy, and his raisins.

 It was a wonderful, peaceful moment, just watching from inside as Cal carried on his conversation with the girls.  They did not even notice or comment on his black eye.  

And before you jump to conclusions, No I did not deck him.  ( not that every wife hasn't wanted to smack the hubby on occasion).   How he managed to fall out of bed, turn over in mid air and land on the corner of the night stand with his right eyebrow I will never know.  I made for an exciting moment, hearing him hit the floor, and jumping up to find him clutching his head in a bloody hand.  Happy Easter to us.  Two stitches, ice and a bandage later, he was fine.

There is something so calming about watching chickens. I think they feel calmer watching us too, as they seem to want to congregate outside the bedroom sliding glass door and peer in, cooing happily.  Cocococo......brrrrrrr.  The chicken version of a mantra I think