Crazy Chickens

The Girls

"I'm running around like a crazy chicken." This is a phrase that escapes my mouth at least a half a dozen times a week. I don't know why I say this. I often feel like I am squawking at my kids to "do this" or "stop doing that" throughout the day. I peck at something over here then I peck around at a little bit of this & that. Nothing gets the full attention it deserves.

In my quest to make things more simple, I've added on to my brood. My dearest Hubby has given me a chicken coop that I have asked for the past couple of years. By God's grace, some one was giving away their chickens. I convinced Hubby that some of them wanted to live with us.

 I'd like to introduce you to The Girls.

Ginger the Easter Egger

Camilla the Amerucana

Bunty the Silver-laced Wyandotte

Babs the Rhode Island Red

 Now I spend parts of my day watching the chickens antics. The Boyo & I search the garden & yard for unsuspecting grasshoppers & feed them to the Girls. The Girly does not want to touch the chickens but enjoys feeding them grass & looking for eggs.

Why would I add to my "Things to Do" list? I really can't answer that. I really just love chickens.

I am trying to teach Boyo how to take care of the chickens. The only problem is he forgets that they can exit an open door at their will. I am constantly telling him to "Close the door!!"

As I watch them scratch & peck in their yard, I realize that no human has taught then how to eat & what to eat. They just know what to do. Nobody teaches a chicken how to be a chicken.

In stark contrast, children must be taught how to become adults someday. They must be shown & told how to do laundry, wash dishes, clean their rooms, scrub the floors or mow the grass. This is where I am now.

I am trying to teach the kids how to do things in life that will let them be independent adults. The thing that gets in my way is time. I'm running out of it. I didn't teach the kids enough when they were little, & now it's hard to get over old habits.

I am a type B personality. I don't like schedules. I find them restricting. If I'm not "on schedule", it ruins my day. I also get really sidetracked.

I've been trying to get in a routine lately. At least in the morning.

The other day I tried to have a routine. Sometime during the day I took the kids & the dog outside. It was a nice day. Some point while we were fascinated with the chickens, I realized I hadn't seen the dog, JoJo. I called for her, & she came slinking up the hill. This is how she walks when she knows she's been misbehaving. Then I see why she thought she was in trouble. JoJo rubbed her neck, chest & shoulders in what I assumed to be either cat or wild animal poo. This is not a new event.

JoJo hates the tub.

Since it was too cold to hose her down in the yard, I took her to the tub. This was NOT part of my plan. I had absolutely no intention of scrubbing my dog or tub that day. I could have found so many more things that I wanted to do that day. The truth was my tub did need a scrubbing before the dog needed in.

God knew that I needed to clean the bathtub. I knew it needed to be done, I just didn't want to do it. God knows whats best for us. Just like a parent who knows that it is best to teach the children how to be independent someday.

I will try to live with more intent on loving my children & husband. I will still find time to watch my chickens & not be a crazy chicken.