A Timely Nap & Brail Chicken Stickin'

Today I fed my critters , paid bills and having emptied my tiny checking account decided a nap would be a nice idea. Dealing out money always taxes my energy. I slept lightly, listening to my cockateel and canary bird chirping and twittering and the contented breathing of my three dogs. Outside the gentle tinkling of the bell on my goat, Bossy, told me they were well and content. I could hear the occassional crows of the roosters and fussing of the hens and guinea birds. All was well on Boycenberry Farm.

Hannah, my little black dog, slept quietly in my lap and I began to dream. I know not of what I dreamed, but it must have been a pleasant travel, because I did not awaken for some time. When finally I did wake, I stayed very still, coming back to the world slowly and easily.

It was then a thought hit me. Drain the swelling. That was the thought in my head. I pondered this for a short while, considering the meaning. Earlier in the day, when I was watching my chickens, I noticed my Speckled Sussex rooster, GMC (Giant Mutant Chicken), was shaking his head strangely. Instead of the typical quick shake, he was swaying his head slowly from side to side. People who know my chickens know I have a history of odd occurrences with my roosters. I managed to catch him as he was intent on drinking at the water dish. I discovered his wattles were very swollen. Instead of the typically thin floppy flesh his wattles were thick and fluid filled. I thought that was a good reason for his strange head movement because such swelling must be very painful. This is what I was thinking about when I drifted into Dreamland, and this is the subject of the thought with which I awoke.

I remembered I had seen dogs with large floppy ears get swelling in their ears which could be drained with a needle. It was nearly dark and time to give the chicken their evening scratch. They feed with purpose, so feeding time is a good time to catch someone who needs catching. I caught GMC and put him in a cat carrier until I could get the needle and surenge ready. I removed the bird from the carrier and did a cat wrap on him with a couple old towels. It was almost dark by this time and he was very calm. Chickens are quiet in the dark. I inserted the needle and drew some fluid from his wattles. They seemed to deflate enough to be more comfortable. I released GMC to go in the house with the other birds and thought about this interesting day.

Just before sleep and just as we awaken are good times for us to listen to the quiet thoughts that so often have deep meanings in our lives. I don't know how this old memory found its way into my head but I'm glad it did. I don't know if I hepled GMC - tomorrow will tell, but I am glad I took my pleasant nap because something good may have come from it. I will check GMC in the morning and, hopefully, all will still be well at Boycenberry Farm.

I Am Blessed

My heat went out today. My canary bird could have been a peep sickle if I had stayed out longer. He's a tough guy because it was only 50 degrees when I came in the house.

My friends came home to a flooded basement, and it's a dandy basement, too.

I had two strong guys carry my space heaters up from the basement so I could keep the pipes from freezing in the back bathrooms and I built a hot dog of a fire in my den. It is not a "white man's" fire with flames licking up the chimney, but a really good fire that puts out heat without waste and takes minimal poking. It has kept me warm all afternoon and evening.

I am comfortable, fed, my critters are happy and tomorrow is another day.

I am blessed.