Three Rs.

 Have been thoroughly enjoying a book called "The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen" about an old age pensioner--is that a double description or explanation?--in Amsterdam. He is very Dutch in every respect. And he was forced to live in a retirement home when his wife burned the house down--yes, she was insane, but he still lived with her. Anyway, his attitude reflects a lot of how some of us feel occasionally. We all need the three Rs--rest, recreation, and routine. Not sure if dogs and chickens are part of the routine for many, but it works for me at the moment. Giving the dogs and hens clean water and filling up the feed bins means getting up and out there every day, usually two or three times a day. That is good exercise if nothing else. Plus, the girls leave behind eggs in the nests. Definitely a bonus!

Have two police cars out front checking on the bunch that just came up to Jerry's place. These guys and a gal may just have a good reason to be there, but Jerry said someone had been stealing stuff from his place, so he has asked me to lock up some of his stuff including his tools. It just makes more sense to call the police than to have them cause more trouble. The officers asked them to leave unless Jerry is here. Sensible! Jerry should have told me if he was going to have a bunch of folks over there. But am almost ready to bet he does not know they are there. Oh well. They are gone now. Donny Anderson came up and talked to them, too. It always worries me when he leaves to go hunting during deer season and leaves Patty at the house alone. Her dogs [and her cameras] will tell her if anyone is there, but still. And she assures me that she only has to walk six feet to the nearest gun!

In this book, the man is keeping a diary of what his days are like. It reminds me just a bit of this silly blog. Desserts, dreary days, and hijinks! Anything to keep from going barmy. If BillyeRuth lived closer, we could get into all kinds of stuff! Maybe she could have an old folks' home out in the barn? Plenty of room out there! And kinfolks would be just about as likely to visit there as they would in a standard nursing home. sigh

Almost time to close up the hen house. Had two full dozen and one carton of eleven eggs today to give to my doctor. Think she was happy to get them. Anyone who has had fresh eggs like the ones my girls lay knows how much better those eggs will be. The yolk stands up and salutes! AND they have flavor. But right now the girls are off their cycles. The older hens are the ones slowing down or not laying. In fact, Athena has not laid an egg in a couple of weeks now. She is the only one who lays a white egg, so it is easy to tell. The humongous ones are either from the Rhode Island Red or the Buff Orpingtons--sometimes the Barred Rocks. One of the Easter eggers is laying, but instead of a green egg, it is pink. Go figure. Have not been able to find out why that would happen. The rest of the eggs are from the Black Laced Wyandottes. We will celebrate when the Black Marans begin to lay--chocolate colored eggs. Wouldn't it be something if they were REAL chocolate! Can you imagine how many people would be raising those girls in their back yards!!

Had to stand on the deck and insist that Thompson come inside. It is simply too cold to be out barking at other dogs. The newer neighbors have at least two and maybe three puppies. And they get out of the yard constantly. At least one has a blanket sweater on. These two dogs of mine have a sweater on right now that comes up across their backs because the back legs are too tight to fit them right. The little zorro cape types don't cover as much of their chest and front legs as the sweaters, but it makes it easier to get them off and on. Any way a person goes at it, dogs can't be fitted to doggy clothes as easily as people fit into things. Sylvia just resents it when her front legs are messed with. Each time she has to change clothes, she has to growl about it. Oh well. May get out my sewing machine and take up one of the bigger suits to better fit Thompson. He is the one who has no hair on his body compared to Sylvia.

Last night one of the Barred Rocks from the older hens slept with the Black Laced Wyandottes. She was pecking one of the Wyandottes when the door was opened. So tonight she did not get to stay in there with them. Had to open the other door and make her go inside with the older hens. "No one knows the trouble . . ." Louis Armstrong could sing about it. Giggling.

Absolutely know nothing and care almost less tonight. Dr. Blackwell says it is just getting worse all the time. Don't think staying at home is going to be any harder for me after hearing that. Let's remember to pray for those who are already ill and for those who have been exposed. May God bless them with recovery and good health.

May you all rest well and awake to a better day tomorrow. You are loved.