MY JEALOUS HEART

For years I've had envy.
And jealousy.

I've wanted something I couldn't have.
I KNOW! Breaking one of the Ten Commandments!

Who have I been jealous of?
MacDonald. (as in Old)
I wanted to live the life of Old MacDonald.

I was raised in the country.
My happiest childhood memories were being at my grandmother's home.
Nestled in the Sawtooth Mountains.

After I was married we spent some time out in that same beautiful country. We farmed and had dairy cows.
The stars were big and the air was fresh.

I have always tried to be a bit of a farmer even though we live in town.

I would go out and check the crops.

I canned what I could.

Like my grandmother.

And mother.

But my life seemed incomplete.
My heart was still jealous.

I wanted chickens.
I wanted to be able to go and gather eggs.
From my very own chickens.

I nagged begged Howie for years.
Then I started emailing him all these cute pictures of chicken coops.

The nagging begging continued.
For years.
I told him if I could get me a few hens he would never have to buy me another birthday gift.

Or anniversary gift.

Or St. Patricks Day gift.

Or Christmas gift.

EVER!

Then out of the blue...

A month ago...

Howie announced he would commence building a Chicken Sitter!!!

My grandson acting like a chicken.
It was a painful month waiting for it to be done!
He has traveled extensively and would get home and work each Saturday.

Thank you Steve for goading encouraging him! You were the best Project Manager!

My kids are pretty sure I'm crazy.
I've had some raised eyebrows from the neighbors.
There are two other families in the neighborhood with chickens, so I'm not the first crazy person on the block.

Monday night we FINALLY got 4 chickens.
I love them!
They love being scratched.
And talked to.

I absolutely love hearing them cluck and cackle.
It's a comforting sound.
It's a sound of contentment.
They have hilarious personalities.
(They remind me of people.)

Meet Steve. In honor of Steve, the Project Manager.

Steve is the black one. A Barred Rock.
She lays brown eggs.
She also has an attitude.
She's the first one to lay an egg every day.
Very competitive.

I'm unsure what to name the other ones.
But I think they are beautiful.

I know, I live in town.
Near a university.
With lots of traffic and noise.

Maybe this is just my way of slowing my world down.

And best of all...

From my very own chickens!!!!!

Dinner tonight?
Quiche.

AND Howie already has his Christmas shopping done!