Thursday, August 6, 2020

What's Up?


This morning when I went out to open up the hen house and chicken coop, after I'd thrown some scratch around and watched the birds peck and scratch for a bit, I noticed that Maurice was laying on the chair by the clothesline where I set the clothes basket when I am hanging the laundry. She often comes outside to watch my morning ritual of freeing the chooks. Neither cat has ever shown a great deal of interest in the chickens nor have the chickens ever shown a great deal of interest in the cats. But Jack and Maurice do seem to be entertained by the birds in a very leisurely sort of way and let's face it- there's not a whole lot else around here to be entertained by. 
But this morning, it seemed to me that Alice, in the picture above, suddenly noticed Maurice and had to examine her. I held my breath, getting my phone out and quickly got the best shot I could get which was not very good but still- you get the drift. And then, before I could put the phone back into my apron pocket, this happened. 

Angela joined her sister in the inspection. At this point, Maurice looks a bit disturbed, does she not? And then she backed up in the chair as if she was suddenly aware that chickens are actual creatures with thoughts and intents of their own and she was not sure what the thoughts and intents of these two particular hens might be.

Anyone who thinks that chickens are dumb and without thoughts is simply wrong. Chickens use logic as well as intuition and observing the way they go about their days is absolutely one of the most entertaining things for me. 
As we all know. 
They definitely have their own friend groups and spend all of their time in those groups, even as they are part of the entire flock. I imagine that the politics of the flock is far more complex than even I can imagine and the rooster has to keep track of it all. It's pretty cool. 

My pain this morning had decreased noticeably and I felt almost like my old self, energy-wise. A subtle shift, but certainly real. It occurred to me that the reason might perhaps be because I did almost nothing yesterday. And so I thought I'd repeat that experiment today and this evening my pain seems even less. 
Hmmm...
I hung some clothes but a very small load and carrying them to the line in the basket did not hurt me. It's funny how some things trigger pain and others just don't. I was absolutely going to clean the hen house but pulling the garden cart which rolls like a dream just hurt. 
So I didn't do it. 
I actually left the yard to go and check on some things at the neighbors' yard as they are out of town and by golly! Tomorrow I may walk to the post office. There's not a damn thing wrong with my legs aside from the still-frightening hematoma on the right one, but I think I am being a bit overly cautious. I keep thinking, "What if I fall again?" and I've just got to get over that. In all of my years of walking I doubt I've fallen twice. If that. 

And so the day has gone easily and I found myself sleepy after reading in the chair for awhile and set my book down and took a nap for the first time in almost two weeks. 
I may regret that tonight but it was raining and Mr. Moon was reading through a contract on the couch and Maurice was settled beside me and it was so nice. 

And speaking of Mr. Moon. 



That's a awful, terrible picture but I shot it from far away and he was moving. He's gotten that old tractor running, the hydraulics working, and is ready to go disc the food plot for his winter hunting. He's watched a hundred YouTubes on the repairs he needed to make, he's studied manuals, he's worked and thought and figured and worked some more. He amazes me. 
And tonight we're going to eat some of the field peas he grew and shelled. 

Because I can, I'm going to give you this picture of August and Levon that Jessie sent me well over a week ago. 

The boys were thrilled because their almost-feral cat allowed them to pet him. 

And this picture I took today. 

Blue sky vine. Isn't it pretty? It grows on the fence in the front yard and if I hadn't gone across the street I would have missed its short life. 

I think I am going to make some cornbread tonight. Sounds good, doesn't it? 

And oh. I'm trying an experiment and using a larger font. I am getting old and it's just easier and probably a reaction to those weeks of typing on my phone. Let me know what you think about that. 

As always, thank you. 

Love...Ms. Moon

49 comments:

  1. LOVE the bigger font...aka OLD GUY

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  2. your new font size will take some getting used to LOL! but most definitely easier on these aging eyes too! Your hens make me laugh! they are SO intuitive....and obviously Maurice is as well..... that blue sky vine is a thing of beauty- like the most perfect periwinkle and it looks very similar to what a single clematis might look like? Lovely.....and SO glad you are healing...you seem to have found the balance in what to/not to do......and yes- let those strong legs carry you to the post office! I'm so happy you are on the mend! I can tell by your writing that your spirits are lifting!
    Susan M

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    1. Yes. That periwinkle color is one of my favorites. And spirits are rising.
      Mostly.

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  3. I too vote "yes" to the bigger font! I really love the blue sky vine-a thing of beauty. And that picture of the boys is a keeper. Glad you are on the mend.

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    1. People seem to like the bigger font. Helps me out too. I need new glasses...

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  4. My old eyes like the bigger font for sure!

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  5. First, thank you for the larger font! Second, I’m so glad that you’re feeling less pain, but please don’t overdo. Also, the act of vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping can be VERY painful, even after you think you’re healed.

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    1. I have discovered this to be true. I never vacuum and rarely mop but I sweep a lot. Until lately. Keeping that at a minimum.

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  6. I turned 66 in January...and I love the new font. I am also thrilled that you are feeling somewhat better. Please continue to watch the activity level and its after effects. I remember bed making and vacuuming being particularly difficult for a while.

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    1. I make up my chair. Haha! No really, I do. Mr. Moon is making "his" bed.
      Sigh.

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  7. come on everybody, let's go stare at the cat! I LOVE that picture!! I love big font because I am blind. AND I love the sky flowers, WOW! How welcomed it is to see the little boys again, Time to do some toe kissing!!

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    1. It is SO time to do some toe-kissing. You are right.

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  8. i love the big font! glad you are feeling better, now let me go see if my aarp membership card came yet.

    xxalainaxx

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    1. Hey! You just wait- they start sending that AARP stuff out way before you think it's appropriate. It's like a joke. And then it isn't you think, "Well, the discounts could be good."

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  9. It makes me think I’m going to make cornbread for breakfast is what it makes me think. Those hens are so pretty. Just gorgeous. XO

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    1. ps. Yes here I am replying to my own post because I’m so new. I wanted to say that I’ve only seen flowers as vibrant as yours in Florida and in the desert in Nevada. Never here or even in California. Part of that rare Florida magic which you know I adore.

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    2. We have some crazy flowers. That is one of the best things about Florida. And palm trees. And, oh- rivers and stuff. Beaches.
      Yeah. Except for the hurricanes, heat, snakes and bugs it's a great place.
      Did you make cornbread? Mine was dry.

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  10. My new egg chickens (barred rocks) are almost three months old now. They are so playful and curious, and love running and jumping and climbing everything! They are so light and perfect with their stripes and perfectly poufed butt fluff! Many years ago I had surprise surgury to remove a very unhappy gall bladder. At the time I lived and worked at a Camphill community for handicapped adults. It was like a very inclusive village. Workshops, dairy farm, gardens, a cafe and bakery, lovely place. Anyway the nurse knew the urge to get back to work would have strained my freaking eight inch incision so she moved me to another house..! She was a smart lady... Your careful aditions of activities reminded me of that time.

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    1. We've never had barred rocks before but they are delightful, aren't they? Smart girls. Pretty.
      Yes. It is so hard not to overdo but I'm learning that it's really not helpful.

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  11. Thank you for the new font! My quickly aging eyes appreciate it. I've always wondered how cats and chickens get along. Have you ever had any problems between them? I love hearing about the lifestyles and activities of the chickens. Thank you for sharing your beauties! Love that picture of the boys too!

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    1. I haven't ever had any problems with the cats and chickens. I have worried about small chicks and the feral cats who come around but so far, no problems there. The worst predators have been neighbor dogs that got out of their fences. They just slaughter the chickens and leave the bodies. It's horrifying and terrible.

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  12. I love the new font, blue skyline and the fact that you are feeling better/ I also love old tractors and Mr. Moon reminds me a bit of my granddad who always seemed to be able to fix things. Have a good night.

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    1. Yep. Mr. Moon is one of those men. I respect him more every year I know him. This tractor was Billy's granddad's tractor so it is extra special.

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  13. I hadn't even noticed the larger font until I read the comments..what does that say about me?
    Glad that you are feeling much better. Just don't undo all the good work by doing too much.
    Re your remark about chickens having friends.....some years ago a then girlfriend of one of my sons was doing a 2 year research into exactly that. Sadly I can't tell you the result as he left her before it was finished!!

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    1. Not noticing the font says that you are as unobservant as I am. I can't believe someone did research into chicken friends! That is so awesome! I need to see if I can find any information about that. Thanks for telling me.

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    2. I think she was doing it at " Royal Veterinary College" near Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

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  14. Naps on rainy afternoons... truly a gift from Above! Love your blog entry today. ~Andrea xoxo

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    1. You are completely right about naps on rainy afternoons.

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  15. The bigger font is nice and easy to read:)

    I'm glad you're feeling better, the bones are healing and the spirit is strong. I love the photo of Maurice with the two chickens checking her out.

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    1. Maurice- I think she was a little intimidated when both hens started inspecting her.

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  16. Larger font works for me, too. Love the photos of Maurice and the Alice/Angela interaction. Can almost imagine Maurice saying, Whoa!

    Mr Moon has amazing skills and fortitude as evidenced by the tractor now working. Could have used his skills to get our generator going the other day...but, thankfully, we now have power back after Isaias. Not that we aren't likely to need it again in the near future with the increased number of hurricanes/tropical storms predicted. Guess I better figure out how to get it running myself. DH has the patience of a boiling tea kettle. :)

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    1. "...the patience of a boiling tea kettle." I love that! I really don't know anything that Glen can't do. He's a man of many, many talents.
      Generators are very important. I know.

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  17. Ah! I'm glad the font change was deliberate. I thought maybe it was your new computer and New Blogger conspiring to make unauthorized changes to your blog. LOL

    I love the Blue Sky vine. I've always wondered what that was called.

    Those chickens are brave, and Mr. Moon is very enterprising. I admire anyone who can work out how to repair mechanical things.

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    1. Nope. It was me. I did it on purpose. Everyone complains about new blogger but it doesn't seem that different to me. But then again, I haven't tried to do anything very exciting with it.
      I, too, admire those who can make things work. What would we do without them?

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  18. I am a city girl through and through and am deathly afraid of chickens but I must admit yours are lovely and that interaction with Maurice feels very human.

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    1. Were you chased by a mean rooster once? I was when I was a child and it took me forever to get over that. I have since learned that most roosters aren't nearly that mean. I'm glad you like my chickens.

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  19. Chickens aren't the only animals that don't get nearly enough credit. Most of them fit into that category, I think, if you take the time to get to know them. I love your chickens and I love their names! :)

    Oh, and you're super lucky to be married to a guy who can repair things. I love my man dearly, but unless it's aquarium related he can't fix much of anything around the house (more than me, but that's not saying much). Glen is a keeper!

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    1. You are completely right about animals. Did I write something about this recently or did I delete it all? Can't remember. Anyway, yeah, I think I'll keep Glen. He's pretty handy. Plus, cute.

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  20. so I see about the bigger font size. and I didn't even notice until you mentioned it. I love the blue sky vine and wish I had a place to grow one. no fences and most of my yard is in shade during the summer with all the trees.

    anybody who still thinks animals don't think or have memories or likes and dislikes obviously has never observed animals. though my sister used to refer to her chickens as the Borg.

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    1. That vine grows in the shade and it doesn't bloom a whole lot. But it's nice.
      I can't believe your sister called her chickens the Borg. I don't see mine like that at all. They are flock animals but they're all very different in their personalities.

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  21. Ah those wee lads are just adorable - and that blue vine!!! I know we all have the pluses and minuses of where we live but whenever I have been in a hot climate I have always loved the wonderful vegetation and birdlife!

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    1. I glory in the flora and fauna when I go even further south. Something very primal about it all, isn't there?

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  22. Oh the font threw me off! I though maybe I had done something. I love your chickens and your cats.

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    1. Nope. You didn't do a thing. It was me!
      Glad you like the chickens and cats. I like them too.

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  23. Maurice! I love the larger font and seeing your flock. Liberace is a fine looking rooster.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  24. I love the big font! It's the one I use. But then, I'm a bunch older, and so, Thank You for using big font for me. I love Maurice and two chickens.

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  25. Sorry to be late to this. Now that you say it, the older font is very comfy to read! I saw someone leaving twitter sadly the other day because they couldn't see it anymore, and hadn't been able to work out any other supports to use it with. It was sad :(

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.