A Little Hen with a Big Heart

In the scope of things, with the horrible tragedy in Boston and all the other sorrows in our world, the death of a chicken really doesn't fit in.  

But Pigeon will be missed, like any of Mother Nature's creatures, by the ones who loved her.

She was a survivor, a trooper, and one of the happiest characters I have ever met.  

Pigeon endured some hard times, just as we all do.

Those hard times ended the day we met.   
She healed, she blossomed,

She thrived. She was a treasure. A comical, half-blind, enthusiastic hen. She became the flock leader and she ruled with a warm and compassionate heart.

You can find out more about Pigeon's happy life HERE....and HERE.... and her rescue story is in my book.

Today, the day after Pigeon's passing, we have no sorrow in the coop.  While Pigeon was ill, Lucy and the gals paid their respects, treated her with kindness, and prepared for change. 

Today Lucy and Lil'White and Daisy carry a bit of Pigeon's warmth with them as they joyfully trample my young garden in search of slimy and crunchy treats.  

The sun is shining and the breeze is soft. 

And it's okay to pause and cry, because pain and loss happen.  

But still, today is a beautiful day.

Pigeon

Everything's Bigger -- even the Grackles!

The 2013 Austin Funky Chicken Coop Tour has come and gone, but the thrill of Austin is fresh in my memory. 

Ah, the sunshine! The flowers! The Austinites!

....The grackles! 

We have grackles in New England, and they're a gregarious bunch.  But the Austin grackles are twice their size, 

and far more... um... outgoing.

This here grackle, for example, helped himself to an entire slice of my tomato and basil pizza without even a "Thank you, Ma'am."

But Austin's grackle guys are the exception. All the the other Austin fellas are polite and good lookin'.

Here’s a truly charming Texan:

Pretty Boy, a cream Barbanter, and the official mascot of the Austin Funky Chicken Coop Tour. Pretty Boy stole my heart. He’s a friendly rooster...the kind of guy you'd like to take home to meet the flock. 

 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

Other Texas observations:

The sky... definitely bigger in Texas.

The boots are fancier.

Flowers are explosive.

Thorns and prickers? Enormous. 

 Rain Barrels are big enough to swim laps in.

Even my head seemed bigger in Texas.

The coop tour was so fun and inspirational that I forgot to take pictures of chickens.  

But I did snap some shots in and around Austin for funky inspiration:

A mushroom greenhouse.

Old baby crib as Garden Gates.

Tidy graffiti,

sweet graffiti.

plates and bowl as chicken feeder,

my dream-home.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

Speaking of dream-home….

The coop I built for the gals is almost three years old now. And while I still love its design, I’m getting itchy to build something new.

With four fresh chicks arriving in May, this might be the perfect time for a major construction project....

I'll keep you posted!

Lauren