Saturday, May 7, 2022

All Is Well

The biggest news today is that one of Violet's eggs has hatched. At least one. I finally had to force myself to stop bothering the little hen. She is stressed out enough as it is. But on one of my checks, I heard a peeping and sure enough, one of the babies was just about through a tiny hole in the membrane of the egg. Did you know that you can hear them peep before they hatch? Oh! What joy! And I do know that it has entirely hatched now but I have got to leave them alone. I am not sure why I'm so fascinated by Violet's eggs hatching. I mean- they're not even really her babies. Well, of course they are because she will be their mama but not biologically. I'm glad that one of Darla's chicks is Violet's bio-babe. But honestly, I think I'm attached to Violet in a different way because she's been with us so long and because she's definitely an older mother. There's just something so impressive and inspiring about such a big and strong spirit living in such a tiny bird. 
Hopefully, tomorrow I will be able to take pictures of some new fluffy peeps. 

It's been a most beautiful day here in Lloyd. The high was only around 85 degrees which is a sight better than 95. That rain really cooled things off. I walked down to the post office this morning and then to FDG site and unfortunately, the rain did not wash everything away. 


There is more standing water, however. 
I have noticed that there is no building permit posted as of yet which I am pretty sure is some sort of violation. I will be calling Jefferson County Land Planning on Monday about that. Not that it will do a thing. 

Again, I waited until today, a Saturday, to wash the sheets. When I have boy-duty, there just isn't enough time. I mean, there would be if I got up earlier on Friday but let's not get crazy here, okay? And today was a perfect day to hang bed linens and all the rest of the laundry on the line. I also did some garden weeding. Despite the lower temperatures, I sweated through my clothes. Ah! If only that "sweating out the toxins" thing was true. I would be so pure. 

It's been good to have the man back. He's jumped right in and is working on dismantling the deck between the house and the old kitchen. I told him he needs his Levon to help him and he does. Levon is such a good helper. I've never met a four-year old so willing and able to do actual work. Like we all keep saying, if he had a job, he would be the happiest boy in the world. 

From where I'm sitting I can see Darla scratching and throwing up dirt in the back yard and her three little puffballs following behind to eat what she digs up. She is certainly a diligent mother! She has been scratching so persistently that there are long spaces in the yard that look like they've actually been raked. When you think about it, a chicken foot is an excellent rake in shape, form, and function. I wonder if I will ever tire of watching my chickens as they go about their lives. Today one of the hens, Pecky, I think, was standing alone in the back yard under the magnolia tree just calling and calling and calling and calling- one of those situations that always makes me think of the time Lily was here and one of the hens was doing that and Lily said, "Mom, I think your chicken is broken."
Anyway, today while this girl was making all the noise, I suddenly heard Liberace sing out to her. Just a few notes. And I swear it sounded like he was saying, "Would you please be quiet? I'm right here." 
And sure enough, she quit with the bawking. 
The chickens add another layer of life (whoa! what a great unintended pun!) to this small piece of land where there's already so much going on. Their actions amuse and sometimes amaze me, entertain me and pique my curiosity. I admire them, I really do and I am so grateful that Kathleen brought me those first chicks and that bag of starter feed, knowing that I would probably never make the jump unless she pushed me. 
I thought of Kathleen today as I knelt in the garden between rows of tomatoes, pulling weeds. My Lord, but she had a growing spirit! I'm not sure I ever met anyone in my life who was as intensely nurturing as she was despite the fact that she never had children. She nurtured her beloved dogs and cats and chickens and plants and all of her friends. And every single creature and creative endeavor and bit of flora that she put her hand to, was sure to grow in the light of her loving care. 

Well. That's a good place to end on Mother's Day Eve. 

Love...Ms. Moon

25 comments:

  1. Great tribute to a friend. Also a good reminder that you can be an important nurturer without having children. More than one way to tend the Earth.

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    1. Absolutely. And some of the most loving influences in my life have not been mothers.

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  2. Kathleen sounds like such a good, pure soul. I first heard the Jewish mourning phrase "may (their) memory be a blessing" when RBG died, and I think of it often when people describe their departed dear ones. Kathleen's memory really IS a blessing, isn't it? :)

    I wish I could have chickens! I'm rapidly running out of extra room on my tiny property with all the gardening stuff I'm doing. Then there's the dogs. Sigh. So please keep the baby peep and mama chicken stories coming! I love reading about them. As you know, all birds fascinate me. Small dinosaurs, the lot of them!

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    1. Oh, yes, Jennifer! Kathleen's memory is a blessing. For sure.
      More pictures of the baby dinosaurs coming your way!

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  3. 37paddington: Kathleen left you a sacred piece of herself when she gave you those first chickens. She left you joy.

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  4. I love that comment: she left you joy!

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  5. Kathleen's legacy lives on.......lucky you. bless her. And bless your new Violet chick. May she hatch one or two more....but even one is wonderful.
    Susan M

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    1. Kathleen's legacy will live on in so many ways. I think there are probably hundreds of people whom she touched in her lifetime and made a difference in their lives.

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  6. I like 85 degrees, it's a nice comfortable temperature, as long as it doesn't come too quickly after a cold spell. I need time to acclimatise. I'm happy that one of Violet's eggs has hatched and laughed at hearing Liberace telling the other hen to stop her squawking. Levon sounds a lot like my grandson Sam used to be, always willing to help and even now at 27 he is the most willing worker, at work and at home, always helping out.

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    1. If it's not humid, 85 isn't bad.
      I swear- Liberace sounded just like a man. Or a mother. I'm right HERE!
      I love the name Sam. I can see Levon at 27, still being a helper.

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  7. I wish we would get some rain. It is so dry I ran the sprinkler all day yesterday and only got half the yard. And we're in the 90s. Just too fucking hot too fucking soon. Can't wait to see Violet's little chick.

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  8. Why does Levon have to go to school? Maybe all he needs is a hard hat and some steel toe-capped boots and he could walk into a job at the new construction site. Soon he could be the foreman and head of mechanical diggers.

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    1. Ah- if only! I told Vegil that they need to let Levon sweep the hallways at school or something. The boy needs to be needed!

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  9. I'm so glad Violet is going to experience motherhood. (Of a sort!) I'm guessing when Levon becomes a teenager that enthusiasm for work will wane. LOL

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    1. Oh, it is definitely motherhood! Mama chickens are unflagging in their attentions! We shall see about Levon's proclivity for work as he gets older. I think that he, like his dad and his granddad, will always love a good project.

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  10. I was without internet for a couple of days and I sure missed checking your blog! You are part of my daily socializing!
    Happy Mother's Day, Ms. Moon!

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    1. I understand- my children and the blog world are my social life too!

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  11. Happy Mother's Day to you, Inspirational Mother and MerMer! Love the boy and chick pix. And you, too. x0x0 N2

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    1. Thank you so much N2. And Happy Mother's Day to you!

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  12. Happy mother's day to Violet, too. Do you know which of the first three chicks was her?

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    1. No, I do not but I imagine we'll be able to tell through size and appearance.

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