Chickens and weather

They have some interesting quirks, but they are great therapists. I have always enjoyed my hens, but for several years their coop has been quite a ways from the house and I haven’t been able to see them much. Since moving them back to where they used to be, they are closer and I can observe them and their social interactions. 

Last weekend I got the coop set up for the young girls and watching them has been a highlight. This morning I was looking out the living room window, just watching them when all of a sudden one of them just took off in a zigzag run across the pen. Then she stopped and fluffed her feathers and went back to pecking and scratching. 

When I let them out in the mornings, they act like it is such a joy to be able to get out and experience the outside world. They just enjoy the simple things. I have to be careful or I will spend too much time just standing at the window and watching them. They make me think that we as humans lose the joy of the little things. They absolutely enjoy every little happening in their coop, a bug, a seed they find, a green weed, another chicken, all are cause for joyful scratching, peeping and running. Oh that we could enjoy the little things like that. And they don’t get jaded; every time they see a bug, they are excited. We humans tend to let things get commonplace to us. We should keep seeing the wonder of life. 

And what about this weather. Yesterday I was considering which window to put the air conditioner in and this morning I am thinking a fire might actually feel good. It is crazy. I heard this morning that they are expecting 2-4 inches of snow on Beartooth pass. 

I am glad for the cooler weather though; it is going to make transplanting my tomatoes better. A few cooler days will make them take off faster and not set back so hard. The ground is very warm, so the cooler weather shouldn’t slow down the melons and squash too much. I know I am late, but the amount of rain we had earlier just set me back. 

So it is onward toward summer and more time to watch chickens, work in the garden and enjoy life. 

Honeyed fruit compote

1 cantalope

1 honeydew

2 large peaches

2 Bartlett pears

1 cup honey

2 cups canned apricots, drained, reserving juice

1 cup juice from the apricots

Cut the melons into serving size pieces, peel peaches and cut into chunks, cut pears into chunks. Add honey to canned apricots stir in liquid drained from apricots. Mix all ingredients together with a light hand. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour.