Take This Broken Wing....

This photo is symbolic of two things.

My arm and the state of the Pink Chicken.

If you are a new reader, and have no idea what I mean by 'The Pink Chicken' - have a gander at

this

My arm has gone from good to bad to worse.

Physical therapy hasn't helped thus far -

I really don't know what I did to it - how it happened...but I was diagnosed with chronic tendonitis in my right forearm muscle.

It's swollen, and it's painful just hanging there.

Since starting therapy, the pain has progressed into my shoulder, down to my fingertips.

Blogging is painful.

I can't lift, push, or pull anything without shooting pains.

My arm never got the memo that it's gardening season.

Or outside house repair season.

Or - that I'm in a body transformation Bootcamp that requires weight lifting.

So I sit here now, wincing as I type - realizing that I might not make my goal of being debt free in July.

Physical therapy isn't free - neither are MRI's.

My doctor seems to enjoy being paid.

Imagine that.

I'm still as frugal as I can be - and honestly the only thing that has been purchased that wasn't essential were a couple of flats of annuals...and I will argue with you til the cows come home that they are indeed essential!

Without a miracle, or a lot of chicken sponsors

(so glad you liked that post!  I had a ball writing it) -

I see no way to reach that goal, and it bugs me big time.

Glenco even has the big boat up for sale.

It's time to pull out all the stops.

My other big goal for this summer was to lose an additional 20lbs by the 4th of July.

(I wanted to wait until I lost a good 50lbs to talk about my weight loss journey again - I wanted you to see how truly serious I am!)

Today whilst on the treadmill I got a fire in my belly that it was all still possible. 

There's something about being in a state of sweat, pushing myself physically - that makes me feel that anything is possible.

I believe that despite having a broken wing at the moment - I should finish strong - and do my best - and not throw in the towel.

So my friends - that's what I've decided to do.

Tighten things further that can be tightened, without being a tightwad.

Giving more where it needs to be given - believing I'll reap what I sow.

It's time to dig deeper inside myself and see what I'm capable of.

I need to get good at doing things with my left arm.

I need to see this present injury as an opportunity - not an obstacle.

I shall do my best to make my goals.

If I fall short - it won't be for lack of trying.

I feel a wave of gratitude washing over me now, for all of you out there reading this drivel.

Thank you.

I feel your support and friendship - I surely do.

You dear readers, mean the world to me - and despite my sporadic blogging of late -

I think of you all so very often.

Peter McWilliams - one of my all time favorite authors wrote this, and it's going to be my warcry for the next two months.

You are powerful. Sorry. Hate to be the bearer of bad news. You are. You can continue arm wrestling with yourself, or you can use both arms, your whole heart, and all your strength to wrestle with greatness. The choice is yours."

--Peter McWilliams

Chicken Sponsors Needed

Dear Readers

As you know - some chickens are horribly mistreated.

Deplorable conditions.

No love.

No human contact.

Sadness.

Many meet their demise in ways I shant describe in detail.

Enough said.

Here at the Coop - we nurture our birds, and shower them with treats and loving kindness.

You can be assured that we house some rather pampered fowl.

Due to recent additions of Mallard ducks, assorted Bantams and a half dozen or so new layers -

things are becoming a tad over crowded.

I find it difficult to give each bird the attention it deserves.

Ducks are forced to cohabitate with felines.

This taint natural.

Some birds are left in solitary confinement much too long.

The diaper costs alone have been breaking the Coop Keeper's budget.

Friends, it's in a true spirit of humility - I ask for your help.

For a generous donation of $39 a month -

you can assure that these fine fowl are given the best treatment.

The treatment they deserve.

Wouldn't you sleep a little better every night knowing that you helped?

Your sponsorship helps fund these chicken activities, and more...

Physical therapy...

Proper hygiene...

 Prompt medical care...

Weekly Sunday drives in the country...

Anger management courses...

Daily exercise classes led by certified chickens...

Interpretative dance classes...

Beauty pageants...

Art classes...

And of course -

Food and clothing...

Included in your sponsorship of only $39 a month:

Photos of your sponsored bird, as well as daily egg reports, delicious recipes (for eggs!) and correspondence from your chicken.

  Can you find it in your heart to help? 

I dream of a world where chickens roam free - and their motive to cross the road is not questioned.

Be a part of the solution my friends.

Sponsor a chicken today.

 The end. 

Just Dropping By....

Girls - (and boys?) -

I'm here.

I'm alive.

I've been incredibly busy - and my beloved cousin came up from Missouri rather spur of the moment on Easter for a short visit.

We've been having a gay ole time, dodging rain drops, exercising, and general tom foolery - although it feels like all we've done is cook and do dishes.

Did you know that cauliflower makes a fabulous rice substitute?

Did you know that I've lost nearly 30lbs?

There is mounting evidence that I do indeed possess a skeleton.

Me and my cousin Jim.

Did you know that the Dr. told me today that I shant be gardening or lifting weights?

My eyes welled up with tears.

And they weren't tears of joy.

It's Tennis Elbow.

I like to call it by it's proper name:

Lateral epicondylitis

Cause I ain't never played tennis.

Perhaps it's vacuuming elbow - or knitting elbow - or gardening elbow - or coop cleaning elbow -

take your pick.

Thank you for your sweet emails and Facebook messages -

it's so nice to be missed.

I'll be back in a day or two dispensing my usual dose of an attempt at humor, wisdom and seldom known chicken facts.

And maybe a video or two.

The Day the Chicken Died - A Repost

Picture of Helen - April 2009 - after raccoon attack

One of my favorite things about blogging is to be able to go back and see what was going on in my life a year ago - this is the post from a year ago today....
I'm happy to see that I've made changes in my life, and I'm taking care of myself now....

I was absolutely stunned by your outpouring of sympathy at the passing of dear Helen.

I'm here to tell you what happened.

I'm surprised at how saddened I was at Helen's death.

I really enjoyed nursing this little chicken.

She needed me.

I needed her.

Saturday morning started in the usual way.

Sleeping in til 7.

Tending birds.

Fabulous coffee.

Bacon.

As soon as I was coherent enough, I began doing yard work.

I've made this elaborate list, lining everything out that needs to be done, week by week, day by day, in order to keep my on schedule for the Lowell Garden Walk in July.

The next three weeks will be rough.

I noticed late morning that Helen was a little more to herself than usual.

Her tail was a bit drooped.

"I gotta keep an eye on her", I thought.

At noon, I went off to my Beekeeping Class.

Yes, folks, I'm getting bees.

Scary, isn't it? My cousin Jim tells me I might as well learn to juggle chain saws while I'm at it.

That really cracks me up.

Here is the president of the club, Mark, showing us how to use the hive tool.

Here we learned how to light the smoker.

Smoke - good.

Fire - no good!

(You have to say that like Frankenstein to find the humor)

The Vice President, Ed, taught us the proper terminology of the hive, so we didn't call him up and say....'Um, Ed....like that little thingy on my hive is glued with honey, what should I do?"

Please note the observation hive behind Ed.

Aaron's been at it again with the camera.

He was so encouraged by all of your comments!

The rest of the pics in this post were taken by:

The following text will have nothing to do with the next five photos.

I hope it doesn't confuse you!

Keep up people!

I got home from bee class about 5:30.

I promptly put my hive together.

Although my sister-in-law and niece were visiting, I found it impossible to sit after sitting in bee class for 4 hours.

I

had

to

move.

I decided there was enough time to finish cleaning the chicken coop before dark.

Helen was now in the nest box.

I thought she might lay an egg.

Her first egg ever.

You see, Helen has never layed an egg.

T'aint normal.

I really don't know why - but I'm assuming it had something to do with the raccoon attack.

She was barren.

Another thing we had in common.

We understood each other's pain.

She sat in the roost box, with her vent pulsing a little.

I picked her up, and even with my gardening gloves on, I could feel she was burning hot.

Fever.

I do believe animals have a sense.

All the chickens knew.

I didn't know yet.

Aunt Jemima watched as I removed Helen from the coop.

Scarlett seemed extra worried.

No name (He's since been named Buddy) was even concerned, and he's normally quite aloof.

Mrs. Puffington nearly worried herself sick about Helen.

Even the cat looked on, a bit grief stricken.

I didn't think too much of this. Helen has been so frail, and has had to come in the house before, and even wore a diaper for a bit.
If you never read that post - click here.

In a sick way, I looked forward to babying her, and nursing her.

I put antibiotics in her water, put her in a nice, clean, warm place.

She expired sometime in the night.

I just couldn't believe my eyes.

Glenco handled the arrangements.

I'm still not really sure what exactly happened, but I'm tending to think that perhaps her body finally formed an egg, and she couldn't lay it.

Eggbound?

I was so worried about the other chickens.

I watched them carefully all day Sunday for signs of illness.

They are all fine.

It was Helen's time.

Even in her death, she taught me a great lesson.

In the midst of the busyness I'm experiencing right now with the garden - which seems to be of paramount importance - in the grand scheme of things - it's meaningless.

I've been experiencing above average fatigue and joint pain.

I know I'm overdoing it.

I'll be doing a full post on this subject very soon (like - when it rains and I can actually be inside!)

Our days are numbered, and I really want to spend my days to the fullest, and that doesn't necessarily mean work. It's all in our attitude, our mindset. I'm so work oriented.

This must stop.

(I'm happy to report that is HAS stopped!  I am much better at managing my time - even though I stay incredibly busy - the stress is gone - my health has greatly improved over the last year - )

So teach us to number our days, so we may receive a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Crazy Chicken Lady

Up in this house - this is completely normal behavior.

You see - it's a sad tale actually -
 a tale of heartache and woe - much too much for a Monday morning.
I was a bit of a neglected baby - I slept in a dresser drawer when I was first brought home -
the neglect wasn't intentional - just circumstances.

Ergo - I have an oral fixation.
I blame the lack of breastfeeding -
I want to put everything in my mouth.



And you thought I kept chickens cause I liked eggs.
Can I let you in on a secret?
If I eat another egg I swear I'll gag to death.

What's that?
Yes...I do live in that apron.
Wouldn't you?

Finding My Jayme Legs

I really need to have a stern talk with the person responsible for making my schedule.

I've had nary a moment to celebrate the moments of my life.

Nary.

I don't cotton to being this busy.

Not one bit.

I was told today that the tendonitis in my right arm might be from me waving it saying 'I'll do it!' -

Now that's funny - I don't care who ya are.

I thought I'd finally tell you about the spectacular day that I had with Aaron a few weeks ago.

It was a splendid day in many ways.

I felt free, and calm and mentally organized.

My clean eating is paying off.

It was Aaron's day - I told him I'd take him anywhere he wanted to go -

It started with Starbucks, the AT & T store (he's obsessed with cellphones) and then the

Blue Room Cafe.

It's a little place we drove by one time, about a year ago - and Aaron wanted to go there.

It's in downtown Hammond, Indiana.

This is Bobby. 

He's the elevator man.

Read that again.

The elevator man.

Well, that just makes me swoon.  We had to take the elevator up to the bathroom.

I fell in love with this old building.

It had so much character and charm.

Y'all know what a hard time I had adjusting to Aaron going back to public school this past fall -

I honestly feel like I'm finally getting over it.

I'm finally finding my legs again.

I was so completely lost feeling.

photo by Aaron

I felt vacant.

Paralyzed.

Purposeless.

Free.

Scared.

Alone.

Pregnant with possibility.

This 15 year old punk was my heartbeat.

Well - he still is.

At the moment that Aaron took this picture of us in a dirty old bathroom mirror - it dawned on me -

I'm ok.  He's ok.  We're ok.

Things are different now - but they aren't bad.

In fact, they are pretty good-and if I wasn't careful, I was going to miss it.  I was going to grieve away all the joy that we have now.

We have great days together now.

We have great talks, and we still laugh until we cry - or pee - which ever comes first.

This is John, and he's the proprietor of this wonderful cafe.

There was a wonderful vibe in this place - a pulse of peace that was palpable.

I could have stayed all afternoon.

While John prepared our food - I struck up a conversation with Robinson.

He was quite the chatter, but got shy when I asked if I could take his photo.

We chit chatted about music and life.

He told me that he chooses happiness everyday.

He told me he leaves his problems at home.

I love Robinson.

And I love chicken salads -

and Aaron loves panini sandwiches...

and I love how my hair looks here - so I put this pic in...

I can do that...I'm the blogger.

John does latte art.

Law.

I didn't have a latte cause I've been dairy free - but I tell you what....

next time I see something like this, I'm drinking it - I think it would be worth the bloat.

Life is too short not to drink lattes in awesome coffee shops.

Life is too short to look back so much that you miss what's ahead of you.

This is the snapshot I took away from the day.

Taking the time out to enjoy.

Taking time.

Taking.

Enjoying.

Being.

Peace.