Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Counting Chickens, The Vietnamese Woman and Stubbs



I hope I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch here...
but...
Guess what gals?
I feel good today.
I mean - like, really good.
This morning was iffy - I felt a bit dizzy.
I still have a bitty headache.
Once I had breakfast and got moving, I felt good.

And guess what else?
I didn't take the Prozac.
Mmmmhmmm....I decided..'what if I don't need it?  What if the withdrawal side effects are over, why 
bother keeping taking the Prozac?'
So I threw caution right into the wind, and didn't take it today.
Seven days without Effexor now - and today the first fully chemically free day.
I feel hopeful.
The staple gun to the brain feeling has stopped.

I made myself an appointment at the Naturopath doctor that I found.
She comes highly recommended, and I'm looking forward to meeting her.
It's August 22nd.
A two hour consultation.
Hurray!

I truly know that sometimes prescription drugs are, or maybe seem the only way to go.
But this is what I think - and take it with a grain of salt - because it's just what I think - and thank God for antibiotics..but weren't they derived from a moldy piece of bread?
My thought?
Everything that we need to heal is in us or around us in nature.
I think that most of our sickness is from what we think, eat, and how we treat our bodies so carelessly.

I'll say no more.

Onward.


Here is the story of the Vietnamese woman and Stubbs.
Y'all know I've been buying fingernails.
I'm rather in love with them.
My hands look so lovely, and these suckers hold up well to the abuse I put them through.

Well...the neatest older Vietnamese woman did my nails last time, and we chatted up a storm.
I did my best to understand her, but I do declare I'm sure I missed over half of what she said.
Anyhow - we talked about bees, chickens, Vietnam, gardening, retirement, men- etc.

She stopped by to get honey.
She loved the yard and wanted to see everything.
She was here a good hour.
I loved listening to her talk - and give me garden tips.
I wanted to do a little video - imitating her - not in a make fun of way - but just to give you an idea of how precious it was, but Aaron didn't think it was a good idea.  He thought it could be misinterpreted.

Anyhow - she is walking around, loving everything and saying 'You hard worker! You do this by yourself?  You hard worker!'

Then - we get to the chicken coop, and Stubbs was seeming a bit under the weather.  She'd seemed that way the day before too and I was just keeping an eye on her.  I didn't think that she would be contagious or anything, so I left her with the flock - but decided that morning that I would take her and bring her in - a little special loving.

Stubbs - proudly wearing her 'Most Beautiful Chicken' ribbon.

My Vietnamese friend, whom I'm ashamed to say - I don't know her name (and she stopped her again today!) - says 'you get her out!  you get her out now!'  So, I go get her - and we examine her - and she tells me that she thinks an egg has broken inside of her.
"You feed her garlic - you make her hot inside".
I have no idea why - but I have been saying that - at least ten times a day.
It will go down in the files with "mmmmhmmm, and I don't even feel good'.

So, I did what any chicken lovin' human would do - I made her up a big ole pot of oatmeal...filled with garlic.
I flat out burnt up the first batch because my neighbor stopped by and we were jabber jawing in the yard - we both smelled something burning at the same time.
Made another pot.

The blessed little Stubbs hungrily ate her allium porridge amongst the daylilies and moss roses.
I came in, but just for a moment (ok a half an hour) to get her a bowl of water - and when I returned to the garden patch where she was hunkered - alas, she was gone.
I'm trying to make this sound dramatic.

I never saw her again.
I've looked and looked - and couldn't find her.
It was a mystery - I mean - I knew she had to have passed, but not to find her?

Today - Glenco smelled something off in the garage..and well...there her carcass was - tucked far under the workbench.  I haven't the heart to look.  My last memory of her was her beak in a bowl of garlic oatmeal.

Now, the question is - did my new Vietnamese friend suggest the garlic for healing, or seasoning??

Law.
I will miss you Stubbs. 
I will miss bringing you grubs, worms and dandelions.
I will miss you following me around the yard and pecking at my pants, sitting on my spade waiting for treats.
I will miss your ridiculous cackling, announcing you laid an egg.
I will not miss you pecking the new chickens, or eating your own eggs.
But now that you are gone, I can't even be mad at you for that.
Til soon sweet Stubs - may you have the best spot on the pole at the big roost in the sky.


20 comments:

  1. Oh Jayme, I'm so sorry to hear about Stubbs :( xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. How sad :(
    And I don't care much for chickens. Actually, I am afraid of them. All birds for that matter.
    I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better AND that you are feeling better without any chemicals. Yippee!!! I was afraid that you would have to go through the whole mess again to get off the Prozac. Drugs, even prescription ones are scary.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm sorry about Stubs she truly was a pretty bird.That is a sweet picture of Stubs with her sash. Animals do have their own personality's which is why I would really stink at raising animals for food. You really can't have a funeral and then have dinner and feel good about it :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm sorry about Stubbs. Dang those chickens, why can't they live longer?

    I'm glad you're doing much better with the withdrawal symptoms. That had to be awful. I get a little concerned about people thinking they should have no Western medications because there are good reasons to take it when needed. I believe if my mom had taken it, she would be alive today. Of course that was her choice. I also know that chemical imbalances can be debilitating and medications make those people's lives much better. The good thing is, we all have that choice. You have honey for sale? You know I'm just waiting....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Eat well, exercise daily, and only take medications when absolutely necessary.

    Sorry about Stubbs, and as for me, well... I would have totally LOVED the video had you done it. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. I believe I see a bit of the old Jayme coming back!! Sorry about Stubbs, but your story gave me a chuckle!! OK...the video, maybe not a good idea, but I would love to see it anyways!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol!! (oh. my. nerves...You totally crack me up.)

      I ditto-ly agree here with Beverly's comment.

      Enjoy your day!!

      Delete
  8. I'm sorry, but I laughed when you wrote you didn't know if she meant the garlic for seasoning or healing! I give my chicks a little garlic powder in their feed occasionally, so I don't think it was the garlic. I am dreading that day when I lose my first chicken. I am so attached to them. Sorry about Stubbs.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Awww.....im so sorry! it's never easy to lose a favorite pet! Loved reading the story though.....so glad you are feeling better!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am sorry, Jayme. Maybe that was God's way of making sure she had one last enjoyable pleasure on Earth before she left it. God bless you- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Jayme, never a dull moment at your house! I was feeling all sorry for you and Stubbs and then you had me cracking up cause you didn't know if the garlic was for Stubbs to eat or for seasoning when you ate her. You can always make me laugh, thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Reading this I was getting excited thinking the garlic was a miracle cure for chicken issues. Shoot. So sorry about Stubbs:(. She is so cute with her ribbon. I am also so with you on health issues. So glad you are off that stuff. Will be interested in hearing how your appt. turns out:)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh... That just made me sad. I was kind of in love with Stubbs... Pam (Colorado)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh.....just the saddest thing ever. :( Poor Stubs. Her paintings will make you a million now she's gone to the great Coop in the Sky. Her gift to you....

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, I am sader than sad. What a cutie with her sash and all her prettiness. That had to be heartbreaking. Jayme, you are such a good caaregiver to not only your family, but chicks too, I think?? Persoanlly I am not big on garlic. Healthy for humans, but not for Stubbs. Poor girl. May your Stubbs memories be many and heal your heart Jaymes.

    Debra

    ReplyDelete
  16. .......whenever I finish reading one of your posts, I say to myself, "that girl needs to write a book" ~ you 'so' know how to paint a worded picture Jayme!

    Here's to new, healthier days Jayme and here's to Stubs who's care and provision equalled a good life....

    Blessings,
    Barbra :o)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Darn it. Now I am crying about the chicken.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Have you heard about Wheatbelly ? Might interest you ;)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving a comment!