Chicken Dilemma or Chicken Dinner?

 Chicken Dilemma or Chicken Dinner?

 

The problem—well, one of the problems—with buying chicks that are “supposed” to be pullets is the fact that they are not all going to be pullets. Some of the little fuzzy critters turn into roosters at some point. Pullets, to buy the breeds one really wants, are much more expensive than what are called “straight run” chicks. The straight run may include more roosters than pullets. That is great for anyone who wants to keep the chicks long enough to make a good-sized fryer for eating. Some of us have become a wee bit lazier in our old age. Years ago, my sister-in-law came with her little girl Karen, and we spent most of the day killing and cleaning young chickens. Niece Karen walked into the house and said to her mother, “Mom, Aunt Nancy is MEAN!” She must have been judging me by the look on my face as the hatchet came down on a chicken neck. Poor little girl had no way of knowing how badly it bothered me to kill those chickens. Anyway, we split the chickens and both families had chickens in the freezer for a while. So far, the price of the chicks plus over two months’ worth of chicken feed have been invested in my chicks. And tonight, some of those chicks that have developed big, bright red combs and tail feathers are going to find themselves rudely apprehended during their sleep to be thrust into a big blue storage container. Early in the morning, Stephen and his mom will come get them and deliver them to someone who wants them—for whatever reason. The old woman does not want to know if they will be pets or pot licker.

 

The weather this morning felt so VERY good—sprinkling rain and a slight breeze. Right this “red-hot” minute, the perspiration is much more plentiful than the rain drops were this morning. Whew!

 

The dogs have been outside a few times today, but a bit ago, Thompson told me that he was hot and wanted inside. The fact that the old woman was outside did not matter to him. HE was hot! Poor critters that have to be outside in this heat!

 

The high wind alert that we got the other morning before anyone could reasonably be ready to get out of bed is simply a reminder that we are in for more bad weather. Feel so sorry for the folks in the extreme northeast who are being washed off the map! Think their governors have asked for federal aid to help mitigate some of the losses for the cities at least. Not sure if any of the aid will make a difference for individuals. So often the cities get financial aid that does not necessarily filter down to those who have lost homes, vehicles, businesses, and other things like livestock. And who knows what kind of insurance a person could expect to have when the streets suddenly flood?

 

Noticed that our government is attempting to get about 80,000 Americans out of Taiwan. Hmm. Can we say revolution and war zone? Chinese takeover maybe? This has been on the horizon for a while now, so it makes sense to get out and stay out. Individuals or companies, the results may be the same. Political messages don’t mean much when the results start coming down to fires, bombs, and bullets.

 

A certain dog just brought her treat toy to me. “Fill ‘er up, Ma.” These dogs are not the least bit spoiled rotten. They have always smelled like that. Sylvia has a different treat toy that takes a bit longer to empty, so that is what she has now. Thompson just gets a few from my hands. Yes, he is special.

 

We wake up each morning to a land of wonders: we wonder how the politicians and some others can be so downright useless; we wonder if this nation has forgotten the meaning of freedom of expression; we wonder if our children will remember us as having been too “offended” by stupidities. It is difficult to just sit back and keep our mouths shut. We can pray about what we see and hear, yet it is our job to continue to love others no matter what. We don’t have to call evil good, and definitely don’t have to call good evil, but we should have the common sense to see for ourselves what has happened and is happening to our world. Anger and violence are the tools of Satan. Let us resist quietly and ask our Father God for His help.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.