Category Archives: Farm

October 21, 2012 · 18:47

Happiness Is A Warm Gun

Er….I mean dog.

Happiness is a warm dog.

We rescued a new dog this past week.  Stress.  We actually got her from a breeder but I say “rescue” because I did not like the way the dogs had to live there.  They lived in kennels.  Pretty large kennels.  Probably 8′ x 8′.  But this little girl has lived in one for almost 4 years.   They were very clean and pride themselves on breeding great tempered German Shepherds.  I just can’t get my head wrapped around the kennel thing.

Introducing Lubeck

She is  a super dog but she has many things to learn.  We have begun the transformation.  Over the years, I have learned that to train a dog properly you have to give up your life for about a month and just be there for all the rights and wrongs and poops and pees.  I installed a toilet squatting stool in her bathroom so she should be good to go.   And I moved my bedroll out side so I wouldn’t miss a thing.

Just kidding.

So, I go Monday to meet her and the farm is a riot. They had lamas, horses, donkeys, mules, pigs, chickens, donkeys and German Shepherds.  Just a few of each.  He asked me if I wanted to buy their baby lama.  “Eek”, I said.  I have never been up close to a lama. I know they spit and just hope that they weren’t going to spit on me.  He said, “Come on, let’s go take a look” .  We went in the fence and the mama lama wanted to smell my hair.  REALLY liked the smell of my shampoo.  Every time I moved she moved with me.  Lamas are large creatures.  Horse like.  She then got a little fanatic about my hair.  Excited.  AND THEN SHE TRIED TO MOUNT ME.  She was trying to climb on top of me.  Ok, let me ask you…Have you ever had an animal the size of a horse physically try to mount you?  Just wonderin’.    Scared the livin’ day lights out of me.  The guy had never seen such a thing.  I said, “Uh, I think I’ll go wait outside the fence, thank you”.   I coulda died.  There at the hobby farm.

After the visit to the big animal pasture, we turned our attention back to Lubeck.  They named her after a town in Germany.  After we square away all that she needs right now, we may consider renaming her.  I have been calling her Lubecka.  A little more feminine.

I have never adopted an adult dog before.  I knew this was going to come with some challenges.  Old habits.  Bad training.  Etc.  But I could not have been prepared for the next line….” Oh, and she just went into heat.  Just this morning.”  Never had a dog in heat.  What in the heck do you do with a dog in heat for goodness sakes?  Freaks me out.  I don’t want to attract strangers to our property.  3 weeks, she is in heat.  My vet wont spay her for a month.  That has added a whole new dimension to farm management this month.  I have twice called breeder man and said I am bringing her back. At least while she is in heat.  I have cancelled twice too.   He must think I am nuts.  He was nuts to send me away with her.  I was nuts to not listen to my feelings about how I felt about this whole thing.  Afraid he would yell at me or something if I chose not to take her.  I have a sick brain.

We will survive.  All in the name of ……what?…….who knows?  Who cares?

I took a photography lesson from a generous gentleman who offered a few free hours to help a hopeless situation.   Sometimes I take a good picture.  Most times I take horrible pictures.

Aside from the composition (which is a whole other story),  the colors in the left photo are amazing.  The light is too.  There is nothing good about the photo on right.  I have not a clue how I accomplished either one.  Probably a good idea for a lesson or two, eh?

Have a super Monday.  Thanks for checking in.  God is good to let all of us live in this beautiful place.

God bless,

Karen

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October 15, 2012 · 17:47

Does it get better…?

Than this?

Yep.  It sure does….

There you go.. and you know what?  It even gets better…

and..

and

and college football…..

and 80 or so visitors….

and you got yerself one perfect fall weekend.

Thank you,  God,  for everything.

This is my 50th post which is mind boggling.

The blog people sent me this quote today:

The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.  

I believe that wholeheartedly.

Have a super week!

God bless,

Karen

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October 10, 2012 · 09:48

Is Change Good?

I am reading a novel, Time and Again by Jack Finney, where a guy goes back into time to 1882.  I have always thought that would be the time I would like to live.  It is discussed in the book how from day-to-day things change so minutely that most often we  notice no change at all.    We are able to slide through our days without feeling the “ping” or “pang” of change.   But then when we look back over a year or two or ten, we can see that a building was erected or illness set in somewhere,  or a baby that wasn’t born a year ago is now 1.

The bigger the change the bigger the ping.  9/11 was the biggest change we have seen in our life thus far.  In one day, all of our lives changed and we could feel the pang throughout our bodies and souls.  Really physically.

Change is  SO painful for we folks.

Since we moved here to this paradise, change happens often and fast.  One day here.  Tomorrow gone.

Last week we had a dog named Simon and a goat named Ruthie.   Today,  we do not. (Yes, we had to put down our beloved Simon and Ruthie went to live with some wonderful people who needed a companion for their goat baby.)  Last week we had 6 guineas running around town.  Today,  we have one of them sitting on 7 eggs in the brush thinking they will hatch.  Not sure, but I think most birds lay on their eggs out in nature in the Spring.   Its only been 32 degrees in the morning this week.  I will be VERY surprised if these things hatch.

Can you see little miss guinea in there? Look closely.

In two weeks we anticipate Black Friday which the resident turkey and buck will take leave.  The two thorns in everyone’s side.  Ping. Pang.

Buster Brown going to auction soon.  Ping.

Turkey lady going to oven soon.  Pang.

Everyday we see a different landscape around here in terms of what is moving about on the farm and, of course, the “real” landscape in nature.  Way more noticeable than when we lived in the suburbs.  I am outside bearing witness  80 percent of the time as opposed to 20 percent of the time.

Today I feel it.  And I do feel it.  Every time something changes around here I feel this ping like sound or feeling, like  a  flip of a finger onto a metal disc inside my heart.

Pops said a couple of months ago, “Man, things move and change around here fast.  Nothing is ever the same.”  Moving baby chicks to new homes.  Moving goats to new stalls.  Letting certain animals go.   Farm management.

Every time I say we live on a “farm”,  I have to giggle.  That word should be reserved for those people who work harder than anyone I know.  Those people who suffered greatly this year because of the drought and whose livelihood will be greatly affected.  We are just pretending here.  I wonder what farm means in the dictionary.

farm |färm|
noun
an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops and rearing animals, typically under the control of one owner or manager.
• the main dwelling place on such a site; a farmhouse : a half-timbered farm.
• [with adj. ] a place for breeding a particular type of animal or producing a specified crop : a fish farm.
• [with adj. ] an establishment at which something is produced or processed : an energy farm.
verb

Ok, maybe I CAN  call it a farm.  We have a main dwelling on a such site.

Back to my thought…IS CHANGE GOOD?

Many people don’t want to be the victims of change.  They want the stability and quiet and status quo.    I like stability and quiet.  But can stability and quiet sometimes translate into being stagnant?   Are we challenging ourselves when we desire no change?  Are we growing?  CAN we grow without change?

I have grown a lot in the past couple of years with this  change that we have made.  But it has been hard and painful.  And I have learned a ton through the trial and error of this whole thing.  Walking into the unknown.  Willing to take a risk.   Somethings have worked and somethings haven’t.

I don’t want to walk out my door asking for my world to change in a dramatic way,  but I want to open my self up daily to new experiences that  somehow result in change/growth.  That change being  Karen growing in someway.    Learning.  Understanding.  Feeling emotions.  Pinging.  Panging.

The cause of change is not always good or pleasant.  LIke 9/11.  Or the death of a loved one.  But in all cases of change, we can learn and try to understand new things and it can ALWAYS bring us into a closer relationship with God.

I learned this AWESOME prayer a while ago……

Set Aside Prayer

Lord, help me to set aside what I think I know,

so that I may  open myself  to a new experience.

I  like that.  I have SO much to learn.  And really, those of us who think we know it all, will never experience change, right?

I like change.  Change is good.

A very joyful time of change.

God bless,

Karen

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October 4, 2012 · 05:25

Diagnosis: Nuts

Picasso,  Science and Charity, 1897.

One note… this was Picasso’s painting when he was 16 years old. And before I go on with the subject at hand (which is why I chose the above painting in the first place),  this next painting was when he was 15 years old.  He had nowhere else to go but …well…Picasso.

Picasso, First Communion, 1895

I was diagnosed with an ailment last week that has me a bit concerned.  It actually is a disorder, that if not treated it will continue to get worse and ultimately attack my total health, both mentally and physically,  they said.  The doctors  prescribed several different medicines that will make me healthy again.  The thing is, I don’t like, or I haven’t heard wonderful things about these particular meds.   But I did find a medicine that I think I like better.  It doesn’t do the things the ones prescribed do but I think if I take the ones I like, I will get along.    I called the dr. and told him that I found ones that I liked better.   He said ,  under any circumstances, they would not work.   I don’t buy it.   So, I think I’ll stick with my own treatment.

You are probably thinking at this point – “has she totally fallen off her tractor!”

I really wasn’t diagnosed with anything last week.   But wouldn’t you think I was bonkerly crazy if I had said that and meant it?

Ok….Let me reword the above statement.

I was diagnosed with an ailment last week that has me a bit concerned (anything chronic).  It actually is a disorder, that if not treated it will continue to get worse and ultimately attack my total health, both mentally and physically,  they said.  The doctors  prescribed the  foods that will make me healthy again.  The thing is, I don’t like, or I haven’t heard wonderful things about these foods (fresh veggies, protein, fruit and whole grains) that are good for me.  They are boring and don’t taste yummy.   But I DID find foods  that I think I like better (sugar, processed foods, colas).  My food wont  heal me like the ones prescribed will,  but I think if I take the ones I like, I will get along.    I called the dr. and told him that I found foods that I like better.  He said those,  under any circumstances,  they would not work.   I don’t buy it.    So, I think I’ll stick with my own treatment.  Which is called (for lack of a more effective word)  poison.

The cycle of chronic illness continues to go ’round and ’round.

Really?  Do we really sound and act that nuts?   It is our health for goodness sake.  It is our mind.  It is our body.  Let me take this one step further….It is our ONE mind.  It is our ONE body.

NUTS

I think we all have these nutty marbles rollin’ around in our heads.  Don’t you?

Can we, maybe,  try to think of our food as the medicine needed to stay far, far away from chemical manufactured medicine?   SOOOOOOOOOOOO many illnesses can be relieved and avoided if we would only take the best “medicine”.    Try thinking about it from another perspective and see if it has an impact.   It is hard,  HARD.  But with practice,  it can have huge benefits.

I seriously pray  that God will give me the wisdom to know better and give me the strength to resist temptation and give me the patience to do what it takes to eat properly.  For my health and those that are dear to me.

I hope that you don’t think this preachy….I am as guilty as the next guy.   It just is really serious business.  And I am really  concerned about my own health, my children’s and their children’s.  Our food, and therefore,  our health,  is in dire jeopardy.

God bless,

Karen

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September 28, 2012 · 07:19

Reaching The End of Wonderful, Furry, Lovely, Hard Road

Our beloved Simon.

Dogs are a loving gift from God that is immeasurable.

Ol’ Simon ( Newfoundland)  isn’t doin’ too well these days.  We went to the vet yesterday for whiny, labored breathing, distended tummy,  and spitting up regularly.   The prognosis is not good.  Without testing the Dr. believes it is either  A) congestive heart failure or B) cancerous mass.  He is holding about 3 to 5 gallons of fluid in his abdomen,  but he is so big and hairy that,  yeah, we noticed change but not tons since we are with him all the time.  It is definitely time.  He is almost 10.  My oldest son visits about once a month,  and the last two times he has come he really noticed something wrong.

We are giving him meds to hopefully relieve him of the fluid build up.  Aside from that there is nothing else to do.  Who knows, maybe he will drain the fluid and bounce back, but….guessing not….

Simon has been a great dog in many regards except for the little fact he likes to beat up our other animals.  I have had a real problem with that.  Messes with my serenity.  I’m sure the other dogs have had a few words for him too.  He loves us to pieces.  He is an awesome guard dog.  He obeys very well (except when he is attacking).  He doesn’t wander.  He is as insecure as you can imagine.   He has a hard time having fun because he is too busy monitoring the who that is getting more attention than him. But, hey, who’s perfect?

I have spent A LOT of time with Simon and while I complain about him  refusing to “get a life”, this past year I did come to a point that I would accept him for who he was and choose just to love all the positives about him.  Which are many.  But it has been really hard to reconcile the fact that I have had to manage him so greatly around other animals.  It takes the pleasure out of having him around sometimes.

But today,  I look back only at the fond times and the goofy Simon days.  Which are many.  I share with you:

SIMON

Samdog showing baby Simon the world.

Hard to believe he was ever this tiny.

Squirrel hunting (yeah, right) with the others.

Swimming with the boys

First encounter with the chickens

Big ol’ Simon dog

Hangin’ with the guineas.

Simon is not threatened by our fowl.  Maybe he shoulda been our chicken watch dog.  He does not mess with them.  He does not mess with our cats either. He knows he will get a nice healthy scratch down his pretty little nose.  Only four-legged creatures that are dogs or creatures that “could be”  dogs. Like goats.   I don’t want you to think that this was an everyday occurrence.   His little outbursts would occur 2-3 times a year.  But enough to not make it right.  Simon, ya hear that?

Simon always, always, always, with me. Protecting, loving, wanting, guarding and excited to be invited to go along.

We love you,  Simon.

Have a super weekend.

God bless,

Karen

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September 25, 2012 · 09:46

New Acquaintances

Persimmons and Coyotes.

Persimmons. When our excavator showed up on site about 4 years ago, he was amazed at the number of persimmon trees we have.   He said in his travels around the county he just doesn’t see them much anymore.  A dying breed?  The trees are tall so hand picking is not really an option.  They are not big trees like oaks or maples but they are tall.  They are ripe when they fall to the ground on their own.  What people do is lay blankets at the base of the tree and shake the tree and let all the persimmons fall to the blanket.  Or of course,  you can just pick them off the ground as they fall themselves.   This year is the first year in 5 years that we are getting a noticeable harvest.

persimmon

They are not as pretty as this typically.  They are the size of  a really large grape and they usually look like a rotten really large grape.  This one was special.  They have too many seeds to just eat with effort.  Every bite holds at least one seed.  I would describe the flavor as being warm and cozy.  Like that of an avocado.  Velvety.   The problem is with all the seeds, I’m not sure what to do with them.  You can buy persimmon pulp in the freezer section but how do they get all those seeds out?  I have had persimmon pie, cookies , etc.  and all very good.  But it seems it may take me 24 hours (or more) to make a batch of cookies.  They kind a scare me.  I pick them up, bring them in and watch them as they sit on  my table.  I watch them and think about them.  Shady (the wonderful man who works for us) would die if he knew this.   They are gold to him.  I should either have him take them home or teach me not to be scared of them. Please, let me know what you do with them.

Coyotes.   We have had lots of visitors lately.   And while I have seen a couple here and there since we have owned our property, I have never seen THE  pack.  But, oh my goodness, they are here.  They usually are heard beginning right past dark and off and on until dawn.  It is rainy this morning so it is still darkish. They think it is still dark.  So they were still out making lots of noise as late as 8:15 this morning.

This pack wasn’t taken by my camera, but when our pack yell it sounds like there is every bit the number found here or more.  They howl when calling the pack together or when they all are  assembled.  And it is LOUD and monstrous.  A few weeks ago,  the pack had to be within fifty yards of our house.  Shrieking , and terrifying to imagine coming upon a pack.

People rarely see the pack assembled and I hear the pack can attack humans but it is very rare.  And it is rare for one to attack a human too.  I walk with my dogs so I don’t fear at all that one would attack, but every now and again, I think about what would happen if I rounded a corner and a pack was there staring at me.

I read they travel on established trails.  Pops spends all his time making trails. At this point them coyote could travel around our established trails and never cross over the same one. Why leave our property and explore ever again?   Keep on making them there trails, Pops.  Coyotes love you.

We enjoyed the wonderful Italian Sausage Ragout this weekend .

Sausage Ragout

It was SCRUMPTUOUS.  Perfect for a fall rainy night.  Served with Sourdough bread.   Please, look at the “Recipe” page for the recipe.

May God bless you and keep yours safe,

Karen

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September 17, 2012 · 19:17

This and That… And Other Tails.

Meet This and That, and Obie.

At the beginning of the month I followed my son  6 hours to college.  He couldn’t fit everything in his car.  Bless his little soul.   I love going to his school.  Small liberal arts college that has a wonderful, small, quiet atmosphere.  With artistic creativity oozing from its fiber.  My cup of tea.    Anytime, son.

We visited an art gallery where the owner keeps abandoned kitty’s in the back room.  I could think of worse things hangin’ in the back room.  I brought 3 home.  For the barn.  We need them as cold weather looms.  Mice.    Obie (Short for the school’s name,  Oberlin) came to live with us.  She is a scaredy cat.  Hides every time she sees you. Scared of her own shadow.  We have never had an animal like that.  You’re goin’ to have to get a life, little Obie.  You’ll get run out on a rail around here with that complex.

Little scaredy cat, Obie

And we have This and That.  They are identical black twins.  Can not tell them apart. They are as affectionate as Obie is not.   They are settling in and we love having them join the team.

This and That

Other great,  great news.  Our oldest son is getting married.  No, I am not old enough to have a son that old.  Pulease.  We are just trusting that he can handle the responsibility.   Just kidding.  He is old enough.  I am just not old enough.   His love is wonderful and I could not have picked one better for him.  We love her and look forward to a life with little Eric and Emily’s running around.   They have chosen to have the reception here at our farm.  When we bought this property I thought a wedding would be yummy here but having three boys never thought I would have the opportunity.   But yeah.  We get to do it.   We need to get busy……..

This couldn’t be our little Emily and Eric.  They haven’t matrimonied yet.   I borrowed from internet. Shhh.

Lastly, I read in a magazine for locals near Indianapolis…..I could not believe my eyes.. They were advertizing best restaurants for their burger toppers and one of them was Fermenti Artisan’s at the City Market.  IT IS A DELI THAT SPECIALIZES IN FERMENTED FOODS.    First ever I have seen this.  People are catching on, folks,  and if you want health in a jar, fermented foods is a must.   I cannot urge you enough.  If you aren’t from this area, please look in your health stores.  And just give it a try.  Please?

God bless,

Karen

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September 10, 2012 · 21:24

Rebellious Or Boring? Or Both?

Or maybe I am a hermit.  Or anti-social.  No, I like people.   Or counter cultural.

I think (no, I know) that I was born in the wrong century.  1880’ish is when I would have liked to have been born.  People say, oh,  no you wouldn’t, it is too hard.  Lots of work.  I know.  We’re talking to someone who just built a house and chose not to get a dish washer.  I don’t think, however, I would like to wash clothes by hand.  Can you imagine washing by hand a pair of overalls of all things?  Holy cow, how would you wring them out?   I went to visit the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.  They invited me.   My favorite part was the basement where the servants lived and worked.  Where does that come from,  I wonder?

The reason I talk about this is we went to a professional golf tournament this weekend.  All the big guys were there. Tiger.  Phil.  Rory.  That 23 year old is no. 1 in the world.  Bubba.

My illegal photo of Bubba Watson

It surprises me that I went because I am not a sports fan in the least.  Sometimes I wish I was just so I could feel normal or a part.  But I do enjoy watching golf.  It is peaceful.  There isn’t a roaring rumble goin’ on all the time in the back ground.  It is a nice thing to watch when taking a nap.  Ah.  I texted my college son while I was there to tell him that I, his mother, was at a sporting event.  He is my artsy son who feels the same way about sports as I do.  He wanted to know where I was going to nap there. I laughed out loud.  Funny.

EVERYONE wanted to follow Tiger.  Thousands upon thousand wanted to trip over each other to get a glimpse.  That is where the question comes in.  Am I boring because I really don’t want to.  Am I rebellious because everyone wants to SO I don’t.  Am I a hermit because I would rather be in the country far far from anyone.  Where solitude is abundant.    Really,  I don’t know the answer.   Again I don’t think I am anti-social.  I very much enjoy being with others.

As everyone oohed and ahhed over their shots I kept saying to Pops,  “look at the clouds”.  What am I, a  toddler?  Can I not realize a very important event is taking place?

But LOOK AT THE CLOUDS.

I fully expected Pops to  finally say, ” If you have said clouds once you have said it a hundred times.  Enough about the clouds, will ya?  There is serious golf being played here.”     Of course, he would never say that.    The clouds Sunday and Saturday were nothing short of stunning.  And that is as simple as it goes.   Let me set on my tuffet and watch the heavens roll by.   I saw colors in the sky yesterday and last night that I have never seen.  At dusk  there was an aqua color on the horizon that was almost flourescent.   I know that these eyes have never seen that color up there before.  What God presents to me outside my door is about as exciting of a thing that I can imagine.

We witnessed a  spectacular show yesterday.  Pops was so gracious to take me.  I love him for doing so.  Oh, and the golf tournament was pretty cool too.

I may never know why I am the way I am.   Most of the time,  I feel I am on the outside looking in this world.   But in the spiritual realm,   I am right at home.  God makes it wonderful for each one of us, huh?  If we choose.

Have a super day.  Look up.   It’s beautiful up there.

God bless,

Karen

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August 29, 2012 · 22:25

Seasons are-a changin’

Raise your hand if you are weary of this here present season.  I.  Usually I don’t think too much about what the weather is doing.  Living in the midwest doesn’t stick us with too much of anything really to get all shaken up about.  But goodness gracious, this has been a doozy.   For one, this has been the first year of real farm life and it has taken me outside more than any time in my life in the summer months.   I really am not a fan of  hot weather.  For two, I am at an age that sends me into smokin’ hot mode.   Almost on an hourly basis.  Actually Pops and I are realizing that stress and anxiety are triggers for those old hot flashes.  So every time I engage in a conversation with anyone that has any substance at all,  it sends me flashing.  I have decided it is not worth talking any more.  Oh yeah, this blog entry is about the weather.  I could write a whole chapter on that other subject.  Can I just ask, DOES IT GO AWAY?  ANYONE??  DOES IT?

What is your favorite season?  Why?  How does it nourish you?  What does it bring to your life?

Spring?

Summer?

Fall?

Winter?

As I said, seasons don’t last too long around here.   I never really get a chance to tire of it before a new one comes along.  And with the arrival of a new season there is a feeling of romance.  New sensations.  Breezes.  Sun.  Clouds.  Snow.  Rainstorms.  New growth.  Hibernation.  Rest.  They all bring a coziness in their own way.

Winter is my favorite season.  All the other seasons are nothing short of spectacular but, for me,  none like the solitude of winter.  If you have spent any time with me here,  you may have guessed by now that I love and cherish solitude.  The silence of winter.  All the critters sleeping.  The trees standing quiet and humble in their bare nakedness.  I could stand to learn a thing or two from the trees.  Many people don’t like winter.  Too long.  Too cold.  Dark.

Our seasons can be compared to a day in our life and we can see how important “winter” is.

Morning…we are coming alive after a long nap greatly needed for rejuvenation.  Spring.

Day… life is busy and a buzz.  All engines are ignited and we are in full motion.  Summer.

Evening… life is winding down.  We prepare ourselves for quiet time.  Autumn.

Night… quiet and packed away.  Silent and dark.  Hibernating.  Winter.

We spend as much time (or we should) in the night hours as we do the day hours.

Winter is a time for renewal.  For rest.  Our bodies desperately need this time for slowing and regeneration. And to do this, we need quiet.  God gives us quiet.  Sometimes when I go outside in the winter it is deafening,  beautiful,   silent and still.  It is a time for listening.

Take time to rest every night.  Take time to rest every winter.  Take time to listen to what silence says to us.

God bless,

Karen

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August 19, 2012 · 22:01

Day is Done, Gone the Sun.. Part II

When we entered the barn early, early in the morning I felt like I was a character in  Charlotte’s Web.   They (the goats, chickens, guineas and turkey) were quiet and tucked in.  Their eyebrows  raised with curiosity.  “What are the people doing here this early?  Is something the matter?  Are they coming to take us away?  Who are they going to take?  Where would they take us?  It is still dark outside.”

When we grabbed our first chicken, then they knew.  “It is the chickens they are after.”  Then all heck broke loose.  All the animals were running about, back and forth, this way and that.   I just had to remind myself, this is farming.  This is what it is.

Loadin’ up the truck

Off to the Amish farm we go.  It took about two hours to get there.  Pops and I drove separately because we cant figure out how not to.  It would be too complicated. What if,  heaven forbid, one of us wanted to go somewhere different than the other while we wait for the birds to get their haircut and other stuff.   So, we followed each other there.

Amish farm bright and early

The farm was lovely.  I don’t know what it is about farms, nature, animals. But when you  put all that together I feel like I am going to burst with joy.   I was so taken with this farm.

They were unloading chickens from two other vehicles.  One guy brought 275 chickens and the other brought about 20.  All I could think about was what if they gave me their chickens back instead of mine.  Their chickens we dirty and skinny.  Ours were the “suburban” looking chickens.  Clean, plump, shiny and new.  Beautiful color.  “I don’t want their chickens,”  I said to the kind Amish man.  He said, “You’re not getting their chickens.”  I said “ok”.

We got our chickens back.  26 of them.  Weighing in at 4-5 lbs to 7 lbs.  Some of them are monsters.  We got them home and I am starting to feel a little queasy about eating these things.  The day was extremely emotional for me.  By the time I got home late in the afternoon I was physically ill.  It was like the day the goat died at my hand.  This farming thing is really emotional.  I know I will get use to it as time goes by but this was the first time I have ever eaten an animal that I have raised.

Pops kept making me take photos of the chicken.  I have decided I don’t like taking pictures of food.  Seems really odd to me.   I will take them, but it makes me feel the same as when someone makes me pose for a photo.  It is unnatural.    I am weird.  But aren’t we all?

We grilled the birds and ate them.  OKAY.   So what did they taste like?  The white meat was perfect.  The dark meat was a little chewy.  Not tough.  Just chewy a little bit.   We attribute that to free ranging.  Running around here gaining muscle on their little bones as opposed to force-fed birds in confinement.  The flavor is outstanding.  And we are happy about it.  It was and has been an adventure.  It would be really cool to find someone closer to process them and I think we probably could do it ourselves but that discussion is for another day.  We will enjoy for now.

God bless,

Karen

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