Show Offs

It's like being at a high school freshman dance (the way I remember them from the old days)...boys on one side of the room, girls on the other.  The turkey hens are gathering together to parade in front of the toms...not too close, just giving a preview, as it were, and gabbling amongst themselves as if there weren't a boy in sight.  It won't be too long now before the toms will start fighting, showing off for the girls and proving their prowess, and I have a ringside seat for the show. 

I returned some of Joel's vegetables yesterday in the form of a scaccia, like a big calzone filled with onions, sweet and bell peppers, and rosemary.  It was the least I could do.  The chickens are in seventh heaven when I cook with veggies...they get all the trimmings.  If my garbage disposal had to depend on me to feed it, it would starve to death...almost everything goes to the hens. 

The Beastie Boys (coyotes) made a kill about one this morning...close enough that it woke Bess and me.  The sounds paint a picture as clear as if we were watching the drama, ending with silence as they feed.  Forgive me, as all I could think was, "Eat your fill, boys, and leave my chickens alone!"  I was glad I'd put a quilt back on the bed, and Bess and I snuggled down and went back to sleep.  It's six o'clock now, and just barely light.  This year will be coming to a close sooner than we think.