Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

Why does a chicken do anything, really?  One can drive oneself mad asking those kind of questions.  Which has me thinking (oh no, not that again), why not stop asking some many damn questions?  So ultimately, that is what I gave up for Lent, the thought of "why?".  It's been rather liberating I must say.  In fact, I've been learning to let go, or at least I'm trying now more than ever, in 2013. Sadly, Mommy Chicken has been paying the price a bit, but she's patient.  She knows her time to shine will come again.

So what have I been up to?  Quite simply, I've been MOVING, not my house, but my body.  I've been enjoying the community of swimming in a group, the Boulder Aquatic Masters, and the fitness of body, not to mention mind, it has brought me.  It seems this physical outlet is taking over the creative outlet at the moment, but that's OK.  Good things come from a little time off.  There are ideas percolating, but rather than write about them, I'm going to sit on them some more and see what hatches.

In addition to getting more physical, we've have been making physical changes to our home.  The most important being the purchase and installation of a wood burning stove.

There may have been a better installation configuration, but Brad and I were not up to demolition of the hearth and masonry work.  Sometimes it's better to do something imperfectly, than nothing perfectly.  Here she is prettified with BEESwax candles.  I sure do love beeswax candles, the glow and scent is incomparable.  Wouldn't it be neat to keep bees, harvest honey, make candles and other products with their wax, and especially learn about how they live in their amazing community?

In addition to tending the fires at home, I get to tend the plants (indoors) and pups:

Pepper - the "prince" or "stinker" depending on the time of the day

Lucy - I need say no more but to know her is to love her

not to mention tending the family and work . . . all good things making for a very full and happy life.  I have managed to sneak in a little creativity.  Here's a peak at a little project for you gardeners who are eager to get outside, but find it a bit too cold yet:

You can buy, soak, and sow wheat grass seeds indoors in any pretty container or planter of your choosing.  Soon, you'll have a lovely grassy display for your spring pleasure :)

"I believe a leaf of grass is no less than a jouney-work of the stars" ~ Walt Whitman

Best Laid Plans

It being Friday (my day off) I was so looking forward to a swim and hunting for costume stuff. After spending half the night coughing I think I'd rather join the pups. They're moving at my speed this morning:

Pepper and Lucy do a take over on the bed

Rest assured there is still time to find the right get up to take up to the Pearl St. Mall.  It's quite a fun time up there this time of year: munchin' parade, decorations, everyone in costume.  Heck that's Boulder on most days.  I even hear that a dance studio is planning on doing a Flash Mob of Thriller tomorrow night.  Being a teen of the '80's I sure hope I catch it.

What are some of your Halloween plans??

This Day

I hope you all enjoyed celebrating the mothers in your lives this past weekend.  I enjoyed my day by sharing a Sacred Yoga class with a friend, to return to a lovely brunch of mushroom flautas with date/mint/chili chutney created by Brad, Rachel and Max with Bhakti Chai to top it all off!  Lucky girl I am :)  Wanting to capture the feelings of the day, I happily outfitted a rock with color and life this morning.

And I had company.

Blessings on your Monday!

There's No Business

Like snow business!  This week the Arctic Blast moved in and we've been getting intermittent snow for several days.  Although the temptation was great to stay tucked inside, sometimes a body just has to get out!

Surprisingly, the pups and I arrived at our usual trail to find we had it all to ourselves, First Tracks!  They were more than delighted to rip about in the fresh snow:

And snuffle, and burry their heads for hidden treasure:

I just love watching Lucy's ears flop about when she runs:

Our only company was the water fowl:

I guess ducks don't read:



 

Our favorite bramble patch:



A great place to play hide and seek:

 

And that's all the news from around here.  Living simply, and simply living. 

Hope you all are cozy!

Do-Si-Do Your Partner

Yesterday we had a wee break in the colder, cloudy, rainy weather here (Are we really in Boulder folks?  Feels more like the Pacific Northwest). So with shovel and wheelbarrow in tow I ventured into the garden for some much anticipated pottering about.  Certain flowers had been catching my eye and demanding I move them to a more appropriate place where they could be better show-cased.

Well, my gardening is a bit like dominoes, or sqare dancing.  Once started, its hard to stop, and one move affects another.  Move this hellebore, and oops, make room by moving that rose, and so on.  It was a glorious early morning until I could stand the stink eye from the pups no longer.

Off we ventured to the North Shore.  It was lovely.  The clouds were breaking up and the sun was peeking through just enough to highlight the water and provide some warmth. 

The pups enjoyed their run, perhaps a little too much.  After snake hunting in the grass, and rolling in a much decomposed carcass by the water's edge, it was a happy, albeit stinky, ride home.

Quick baths, and a quicker lunch and they were settled into their afternoon naps.  How I envy them, it is a dog's life afterall.

A good day with all its comings and goings.  Speaking of comings and goings.  Sad news from the farm.  The dear little egg with the hearbeat is no more.  Such sadness.  I was shocked when collecting the days' eggs to find that it was gone.  Gone without a trace!  How can that be?

After consulting an online chicken forum, I've surmised it could be one of a few things.  Rat (Darn you Templeton!), Snake (Let's NOT go there shall we?), or eek Cannibalism?  I've gleened some ideas and after more than a bit of grieving, moping, and basic wallowing, I'm determined to thwart the culprit!  No one said this chicken keeping was for the faint of heart.  So, its off to the hardware store for some hardware cloth.

Pins and Needles

I took our dear, sweet Lucy to the Vet today to have her teeth cleaned, and I'm nervous.  The procedure involves anesthesia, and you just never know.  She is such a sweety, notice I didn't say angel.  An angel she is not.  In fact, she is a rather "bad dog."  Those words are in quotes because they are often repeated around our house.  Whether she has stolen cookies from the kids' rooms, swiped a cake from the counter, or stolen lollypops from the family room, it's all the same.  The stealth, the swoop, the glee and the chase.  Then the inevitable words, "bad dog!"

But one look in those doe-brown eyes, and any anger melts away.  How can you be angry at a dog who is just doing what they love?  And who can't relate to a love of food, especially the sweet variety?  And she is one of the most peaceful, loving creatures I have ever met.  Just don't come between her and any food!

Bless you dear Lucy, we all love you and pray for your quick recovery.

+++++++++++++++++Added some time later+++++++++++++++
Pepper misses you as well.  Just having gotten home from work, I've discovered I have a new shadow.  He is looking forward to you coming home!