#chickenblogger

[lifeasamotherhen]

#chickentherapythursday Today is ALL about the chicken's! Volunteer work down at the bird farm, along with looking after my own ❤ So many people I speak to are scared or afraid of birds/chickens but actually when you spend time with them they are beautiful funny little things! They are like mini raptors with a huge heart! They are very nosy and inquisitive, always want to see what your doing and will follow you everywhere in case you have a treat in your pocket! I am looking forward to having a few hours down at the bird farm today, fresh air and time to myself having a chat with the chickens 🤣 #chickenmum #chicksofinstagram #chickenblogger #chickensofinstagram #cutestchicken #chickenkeeper #chickenfarmer #chickenuk #chickensathome #chickensinthehouse #naughtychickens #cheekychickens #hungrychickens #lovemyladies #happyhens #poultrylife #newfeatherbaby #lifeasamotherhen #chickenlife #happychickens #freerangechicken #mychickensarefamily #backgardenchickens #ilovemychickens #motherhen #lifeasamotherhen (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFgoEy9HlWi/?igshid=1jnwopmh9n1th

#chickentherapythursday #chickenmum #chicksofinstagram #chickenblogger #chickensofinstagram #cutestchicken #chickenkeeper #chickenfarmer #chickenuk #chickensathome #chickensinthehouse #naughtychickens #cheekychickens #hungrychickens #lovemyladies #happyhens #poultrylife #newfeatherbaby #lifeasamotherhen #chickenlife #happychickens #freerangechicken #mychickensarefamily #backgardenchickens #ilovemychickens #motherhen

[fairyhillcrafts]

Two lovely chickens are just watching us putting up their #eglu the dogs had a look -- nearly scurried past them.. 😂 the girls are used to dogs so just stared him down!! #dogslife #chickens #chickenlife #newhome #healthyliving #newfamily #newfamilymembers #lovethislife #mommyblogger #craftblogger #chickenblogger

#lovethislife #craftblogger #chickens #mommyblogger #chickenblogger #healthyliving #newfamilymembers #eglu #chickenlife #newhome #dogslife #newfamily

[noordinarymoment]

I'm starting a new series here... Things My Friends Have Said! 🗣️❤️ I am so lucky to have such a wealth of dear friends who are kind, wise, funny, and who deserve to have the light shine on them more than it does. So, I'm gonna take it on myself to do a little light shining. 🔦 . It's proper that one of my first in this series is @chickenblogger, Natalie. She and I have been friends for nearly 18 years. She's a gift and if you aren't already well-acquainted with that fact... head over and follow her IG and check out www.chickenblog.com. An artist, writer, photographer, and an amazing, beautiful human... she deserves the light today. ✨ . #thingsmyfriendshavesaid #wednesdaywisdom #abstractartlovers #intuitiveartist #quotesonlife #friendwisdom #gratefulheart #wednesdayart #colortherapyart #artcollectors #originalartworkforsale #linkinbio👆 https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca5GYf2pjGq/?utm_medium=tumblr

#thingsmyfriendshavesaid #wednesdaywisdom #abstractartlovers #intuitiveartist #quotesonlife #friendwisdom #gratefulheart #wednesdayart #colortherapyart #artcollectors #originalartworkforsale #linkinbio👆

[bukbot]

Bon voyage, me old cream cracker

Looking At #awesome #lovebeinghome #chicken #chickens #chickenlife #newhome #healthyliving #newfamily #newfamilymembers #lovethislife #mommyblogger #craftblogger #chickenblogger.

#thebionis

[josephkitchen0]

Do you Have a Minute?

Maybe a few minutes, actually. I have a story to share, and it's a long one, with lots of pictures, and best of all... for one family, a happy ending. This story begins with hot, dry days, with a wind blowing off of the dessert, through mountain passes, to the Pacific Ocean. This is the kind of wind that plays with fire, making embers and sparks jump and leap, sending up new flames, with billowing smoke, and all of it moves as fast as the wind itself. We were all watching reports of such wind, and fires, blowing and burning in Ventura, then Los Angeles. And then, much closer to home, we saw a dark plume of wind-driven smoke traveling from the east, moving toward the ocean. Fire. When I confirmed that it was near a friend's home, I started texting them. I wanted to be sure they'd seen reports, knew what was going on. Even a fire that is "far away," if it's east of your location when the Santa Ana winds are blowing, then it is too close for comfort. The more I thought about their situation, the more anxious I became, and in my messages I offered, We could house your critters if you have to evacuate. The Lilac Fire started small, but it grew fast, and vicious. And our friends, their pets, their home were in its path. Having been in their situation, I knew the fear, and the logistical load of getting everyone safe, especially scared pets, or big livestock. This offer to help them, felt like an easy choice to make... and while they suffered the angst and worry of what was coming for their home, we spent some days lending a hand, and enjoying some sweet, funny, dear pets. It's real nice to tell this story from today, because in the beginning it was sad, and scary, but spoiler alert... now we know everything turned out well for our friends, their home, and their little farm. Thursday night Bobbie came to the Bird House with Mabel, and Sammy the bunny, and two hens, Oink and Dot. We kept Mabel and Oink in their respective crates, and moved Dot into my old portable chicken cage, and we even had a bunny cage for Sammy. The wind was blowing fiercely. With flashlights in hand, and determined resolve, we made sure all of the animals were safe and secure that first night. It was a relief to greet our guests the next day. Here she is! Mabel, the mini-pig. Sammy lived on our porch, and he stayed about as calm and cool as any bunny could. Oink the chicken... she discovered our spoon tomatoes, and I think that made all the difference. Pretty Dot... we hope she remembers this adventure as a few odd days at camp. Cairo. Now, Cairo was just stunned. There's no other way to describe his bewildered expressions, and skittish antics. He watched Sammy bunny warily, and kept a wide space between himself and the flopsy fur boop. Also in shock... all of our chickens and both goats. Evidently, none of our critters can tell the difference between a little pig and a big bad wolf, and so they huddled in corners, with raised hackles and mournful expressions. (Are hackles only a dog thing? Our goats express both glee, and terror, with a ridge of raised hairs along the tops of their necks.) Meanwhile, Mabel cruised the entire yard, merrily, with all of the confidence and self-possessed equanimity of an Instagram celebrity (mae-mae_minipig). Friend was unfazed, and came around to see the new campers. I was just getting my head around making salads for Mabel, and keeping an eye on the sky and horizon for signs of new fires, when Maria brought me the Advent book, day 8. She's 100% flexible and understanding, and looking around at all we were managing, said brightly, "I had no idea we'd be doing this, now. We can do pie any time." I smiled, gratefully, and asked her to bring a pie crust out of our freezer. We might not ever get to it, but we stood a better chance of baking a pie if the crust were ready. Nothing much else, besides the usual laundry and school studies, were on our calendar, so these guests of ours had our full attention. We wanted them to feel welcome and happy. And we wanted our friends to have at least one part of their lives to give them some peace of mind... and to that end, I enjoyed sending them new pictures, so they could see all was well for Oink, Dot, Sammy, and Mabel. Evacuating is terribly stressful... you leave your home behind, taking as much with you as necessary or even possible, and still you have to go to work, and manage your affairs, while your home, and memories, stand in peril. Bobbie and Jesse had Leo and Bosco, their dogs, with them, and jobs to go to, and their son had his finals to complete. Everything we were doing felt easy, in comparison with what our friends were coping with. Bobbie took a break and came to see her pets, and to finally meet those goats! And would you believe? We baked a pie! The next day our Advent book had another lovely suggestion, and the calming winds put everyone in easier moods. And... word was getting out, about a certain little, pink, celebrity pig in our midst. We were getting calls and texts... Can we meet Mabel?? Mabel is so well socialized and smart. She knows some commands, like turn and reverse and stop. She'll do just about anything for a Cheerio... almost anything. Like any smart animal, she also has a mind of her own. When she discovered this back section of the yard, she never wanted to leave. Can you see our scaredy goats and nervous hens? They're all cowering from the little, pink pig rooting through the leaf pile. It took a lot of Cheerios to coax her out of there! The terror twins, Pepper and Pippi, take the prize for being totally chicken! As long as Mabel was in sight, they would not come down from their roost... not for breakfast, not for oats, not for nuthin'! Frankly, I am glad these two were humbled... they're mean and bossy, and deserve a good scare. Alex's friend, Max, and his mom, came in the morning to meet Mabel. Then Max and Alex went to check on horses, and to lend a hand there with other volunteers, and the many hundreds of evacuated horses and livestock. Alex and Max returned with two more visitors. Paul, Janece and Amira were over. Paul knew just the spot to get Mabel's hair happily raised. Amira and Mabel saw eye-to-eye, too. And just in time for dinner, Bex, Spencer and Simon came to meet Mabel, Oink, Dot, and Sammy. I really wish I had started a guest book for Mabel... a happy keepsake of all the new friends she's made. Maria has had uncanny timing. By day ten, I was ready for this... for lights, especially. Geoff was taking the day off, and with William, Alex, Max, and Maria, outdoor lights were hung all around our home, even Totoro got festive. Bobbie would send me texts, thanking me, and making helpful suggestions. The best one was about adding canned pumpkin to Mabel's meals. There may not be much that is as hilarious as Mabel eating her chow, with a bowl of water, and when I added the pumpkin it got ridiculous! There are videos on Instagram (chickenblogger). I recorded every meal for my own amusement, forever. And this is where we are getting to the happy ending, which is also a little sad, strangely. The only thing we could ask for was for the fire to be put down, for lives and homes to be spared. The losses were real and horrific, and we despaired over every report. But we were feeling connected and delighted with our guests, and it wasn't going to be easy to part with them. We rejoiced for our friends, when we learned the evacuation orders were lifted, that the Lilac Fire was contained, and we took longer, even more dear visits with our furry and feathered and hoofed visitors. Maria confided, "Mabel is fun, but, Mama, I love Sammy. I don't want Sammy to go." Can you guess what she's been asking for? Dear Santa... She's in love. Friend returned, again. Our blue bird of happiness seemed to appreciate we needed a little support. Thank you, Friend. I use the hashtag #littlefarm. Now that we've had an actual pig in our barn, I feel totes legit. Chickenblogger, and farmer. In the last decade we have come to know fire season... late summer into October, then November, now December. Any wildfire is bad, but California with its Santa Ana winds, and history of droughts, with it's canyons, and mixed topography is susceptible to fast moving fires with loads of fuel to keep it going, difficult terrain to manage, and for firefighters to cover. We all learn that when there is a Red Flag Warning any spark could become an inferno, and any wild fire will move, jumping across highways, traveling like a raging river up canyons, over ridges, pushed by wind gusts that can be as fast as 50 miles an hour. It means a small fire, in the far distance, can be forcing evacuations with only minutes to prepare. Red Flag Warnings mean the humidity is low, and the Santa Ana winds are blowing dry air from east to west, and any fire that is east of where you are could easily be dangerously close in no time at all. A Red Flag warning is serious, a Purple Flag warning... well, I'd never heard of such a thing, until last Thursday. It is the highest danger level, it meant single digit humidity and wind blowing at 80-100 miles per hour, with sustained winds of 20-45 miles per hour along the coast, and ninety mph wind gusts. During "fire season," which has practically become year-round, we take safety steps, and during Red Flag Warnings, we take extra precautions, like not mowing, or grilling. There are things we can do, and there is more we will learn to do, but it's not always in our power to control. Individually, we cannot manage every acre of dry brush, accidents, or any irresponsible acts. We can consider the bigger picture... our environment, changes in climate, how we want to care for our planet and resources with long term conservation and management in mind. There were some terrible losses in the Lilac Fire, as well as the Ventura and Los Angeles fires. We happened to get lucky, this time, and we will try to do more, to be better prepared for next time. I want to add some thoughts in reaction to negative comments I read regarding the deaths of horses in Bonsal, California. The deaths of those horses was awful, and will hopefully lead to improvements in how livestock and farms are set up, going forward, but if anyone thinks that people were 'indifferent' or in some way 'slacking'... well, those critics are ignorant, and cruel in their remarks. Ranch hands and jockeys had to remove over 500 horses from a wild fire that began and spread in less than an hour's span... that is an impossible thing to accomplish. With wind driven smoke, soot, embers, and flames coming at them, and very limited resources, the people on hand did all they could. Period. We all have a lot to do to keep tragedies like this from playing over, again, and again. Our planet is changing. I hope anyone that is criticizing or pointing fingers, will stop and consider that we are all capable of helping, of taking less, and giving more. I am deeply touched by the kindnesses offered, the bravery displayed, and the generosity shared by Californians during these tragic events. Do you Have a Minute? was originally posted by All About Chickens

[celeryfanblog]

your theme is hip.

Coolio thanks brosif you're a real pal

#swaggy-mcswagger #chickenblogger

[bucketlister]

happy birthday girl!

thank you!! :D

#i love you #chickenblogger #BIRTHDAY #WOOHOO #thank you

[baconnnnnnn]

blograte?

thank you!!!

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vote for me here or here and message me your vote number for a blog rate or promo!!! 

#chickenblogger #Answered #baconnnnnnn botm

[lifeasamotherhen]

Love....... ❤❤❤❤ #chickenmum #chicksofinstagram #chickenblogger #chickensofinstagram #cutestchicken #chickenkeeper #chickenfarmer #chickenuk #chickensathome #chickenlife #happychickens #poultrylife #poultryfun #poultryofinstagram #nationalchickenmonth #lifeasamotherhen (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFcf2uMFIoO/?igshid=o11hpm1cvj17

#chickenmum #chicksofinstagram #chickenblogger #chickensofinstagram #cutestchicken #chickenkeeper #chickenfarmer #chickenuk #chickensathome #chickenlife #happychickens #poultrylife #poultryfun #poultryofinstagram #nationalchickenmonth #lifeasamotherhen

[lifeasamotherhen]

My Mildred...... Mildred is one of my favourites (I say that about every chicken 😂) but she is truly adorable! She loves to spend time in the house with the kids and watching what we get up to! Today definitely didn't turn out as planned, but thats just life! I have managed to get my priority list done but that was about all! Oh well I'm not going to beat myself up about it, tomorrow is another day and i can try again tomorrow! Do you ever stress when your day doesn't go to plan? Do you feel like a failure? WELL DON'T! Even if you don't get the priorities done, it doesnt matter! We are all just trying to get through each day the best we can!! #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthblogger #mentalhealthisimportant #anxietyuk #anxietyrecovery #anxietyattacks #anxietysufferer #anxietyfighter #anxietywarrior #anxietystoppedmetoday #anxietywon #mybackyardpoultry #motherhen #ilovemychickens #backgardenchickens #lifeasamotherhen #chickenmum #chickenowner #chickenblogger #chickenlife #chickenuk #happyhens #mildredthechicken (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFKVFTwlDWw/?igshid=sd0wleknryc3

#mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthblogger #mentalhealthisimportant #anxietyuk #anxietyrecovery #anxietyattacks #anxietysufferer #anxietyfighter #anxietywarrior #anxietystoppedmetoday #anxietywon #mybackyardpoultry #motherhen #ilovemychickens #backgardenchickens #lifeasamotherhen #chickenmum #chickenowner #chickenblogger #chickenlife #chickenuk #happyhens #mildredthechicken

[lifeasamotherhen]

My lavender pekins... PINKY & PERKY! Please take a second to admire how bloody gorgeous they are!!! They are are my 2 favourite little chicks! My husband bought me them as a present for my birthday in June as just little chicks and now they are entering their teenage years.... very cheeky and naughty! Although they look very cute and adorable in this picture! We had them in a run on their own but they seemed to have a taken a liking to our rabbit Fudge and now they are inseparable! They even sleep in the hutch together!! #pekins #pekinsofinstagram #mylavenderpekins #mypekinchicks #chickensofinstagram #chickenmum #chickenowner #chickenblogger #mumblogger #mumlife #bloglife #love #happy #nature #instapicture (at Bristol, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEpda-sF-zu/?igshid=1mm06iplidv6e

#pekins #pekinsofinstagram #mylavenderpekins #mypekinchicks #chickensofinstagram #chickenmum #chickenowner #chickenblogger #mumblogger #mumlife #bloglife #love #happy #nature #instapicture

[fairyhillcrafts]

Chicken house!! It's so sweet - in one of the pics you can see one of the girls. Better pictures tomorrow , they are so happy and calm, they took themselves to bed.. wish lily would take a leaf out of their book 😂😂 The dog virtually wet himself over the chickens - dancing around the box they were in - and once he got his nose too close they gave him a peck 😂😂 It's calming to watch them chomping through the grass!! More pictures of the girls tomorrow 😍😍 It's bed time for me!! Hurrah !! #chickens #chickenlife #chickenblogger #happychickens #calm #bedtime #goodday #happyfamily #lovethislife #livealifelessordinary #fairyhillcrafts

#lovethislife #happychickens #calm #livealifelessordinary #chickenlife #happyfamily #chickenblogger #goodday #chickens #fairyhillcrafts #bedtime

[bukbot]

Handmade Arpons, Womens Aprons, Multicolor Kitchen Aprons Women, Teresita Apron.

Altona Lagoon Christiansted. One billion and one way street to. Yo, What're You Doin' Here, Yo, Yo, It's Darker Than Darkrai Up In Here, Yo I'm Gettin' Scared Like I Met With A Burning Passion They Should Not Exist They Are A Cruel Joke When One Expects Chocolate Chip I Would Trust You With My Life. GCRDesigns.com #roosters #puzzles #naturaltoys #ecofriendlytoys #chickens #homedecor #rusticdecor #chickensofinstagram #chicken #chickens #chickenlife #newhome #healthyliving #newfamily #newfamilymembers #lovethislife #mommyblogger #craftblogger #chickenblogger.

[josephkitchen0]

Dear October, Please Slow Down

October 10... A place where Geoff makes things. As far as I can tell, there is nothing wrong with the month of October, except that it never lasts long enough. I wish it were October beginning in September, right up until we start bringing home cream and potatoes for Thanksgiving, then it can be November, which should also be a longer month, but I am getting ahead of myself, which is just the concern I am addressing... everything is going too fast! As dedicated as I have been to savoring every bit of this month, I am aghast to realize that we are well past the half-way mark. And, as usual, it's hotter than July. I will not complain about the weather though, because we are at least being spared wildfires. It has been too long a hot, dry, tragic fire season. The anxiety and dread of these wildfires is always just within touch, too close at hand, and the news from Montana, Oregon, Orange County, and especially Napa, Santa Rosa, Sonoma... is heartbreaking. "Fire Season," and "Fire Weather..." these are common terms, now, because the climate is changed. Oh, lost my train of thought, or really it's that my "train" rides a wild, twisting rail, and though I intend to stick to happy news, and reflections, the real world is calling for attention, compassion, so I think, again, of Puerto Rico, of Standing Rock, of people struggling to hold on to hope, justice, respect, to life. I think of family, of my own doubts and insecurities, of the gnawing foreboding that drops my heart, burns my eyes, and crushes the hope and understanding that I'd been tending, guarding. Everything is not fine. To keep myself moving forward, to try and sustain some hope, to be resolute, persistent, and resilient, I seek beauty, laughter, the sound of hummingbirds in the garden... I gaze admiringly, appreciatively, at the bliss of a cat's nap, pumpkins, a yellow bicycle, a favorite corner of our home, hands at play, minds at work. Alex sanding the bat shield. When we lose the eighty-degree days, I will be roasting more pumpkin seeds. October 11... The chickens, too, will be happy for any pumpkin carving that we do. Maria's cat's meow. There have been some cool days, which explains how I've managed to work on two new shawls, and finish four crochet hats, and bake pumpkin bread. Maria took charge of the Haunted Cookie House I brought home from Trader Joe's. Besides following textbooks and being immersed in online courses, homeschooling has its share of spirited projects and activities. Cairo looks as though he is inspecting Alex's work, scrutinizing the details, the quality of the design. "He bites the wood," Alex pronounced, half amused. October 12... Cairo, looking innocent, not biting wood. Another part of homeschooling... outings, walks, hikes, explores, fresh air, nature. Diced pickles, and only a smattering of mayo. I had to capture this moment, when Maria is building one of her ideal sandwiches. It makes me happy to think of those tomatoes she collected from the volunteer plants that are still producing outside the kitchen door, to recall that Max and Alex were building their ideal sandwiches, too, that the kitchen was cool, and safe, and we had what we needed. Another day, another lunch... I love when normal is a pleasure. Boston, New England was a year ago, and I still feel smitten, and romantic about it. I still see the influence of that trip, like this wall... I came home from our trip with a fresh notion about settling into our home, putting up art, being here. Alex advocated for hanging art, moving in, for a long time, and I know he thinks this was long over-due, and is barely half done. And I admit... it's a source of contentment, a smile inside my heart, to see things that make me happy, reminders of things I love, that amuse me. This year began with a resolve to learn to paint, and I was at it, intently for about three months, and then the muse left me. It was like that, too... like I was being lead to paint and paint, and paint, but then it stopped. And I'd look at all the paintings I'd produced, and feel a bit removed, almost astonished... happy that I had that moment, sorry that it was gone, and unsure how it came to be in the first place. Then Gina called me. She's a friend from way back, from mutual friends, and the Squaremont neighborhood. We shared cars, dogs, holidays, and laughs. She got me on the phone and lavished praise on those rats in dresses I'd painted. Seriously, like a true friend, you know the kind... you aren't hanging out anymore, but it only takes one phone call, one visit, to put you back in the same kindred groove, familiar, comfortable, loving, just like always. Gina knows. I laugh, self-consciously, thinking of my crazy process, what it takes to inspire my thoroughly escapist, whimsical, therapeutic depictions of life in a sweet, hopeful dream world. Thank you, Gina. With any luck, I can keep this up, and the world can be just and kind, too. Fiona. Wholly gobs, this is a long post. Undaunted, the Chickenblogger persists. October 13... Pippi and Pepper, the only two hens not in a frightening molting state! We aren't seeing too many of these while the hens work on growing new feathers. Cairo is not molting. October 14... Maria and I were in Pacific Beach, then Hillcrest, and down to India-West Washington. It was one of those outings that sees a lot done, and a lot gets noticed, appreciated. I like those kinds of outings. How easily amused am I? Well, I am delighted right now for deciding that these are bumpkins. Bumps on pumpkins... bumpkins. I realize I don't need to explain it, and maybe someone's thought of it before, but this moment of linguistic play is a happy thrill. Don't let me keep you. Every neighborhood, in every city, should have at least one nursery, especially one like this favorite. We came across this sweet message, and took the bowl of chalk, left out, as an invitation. Maria, Max, Corey, and Alex... Saturday night and spider solitaire. Happy Day. October 15... Old sketches, and more painting. I still have not seen or met another polka-spotted cat, like our Foo. I love how every cat has its own weirdness, quirks, endearments. Foo sleeps with his eyes open. Also... fangs. What a dear. Hehehe... this post is still really long... I wish October were really long. I wish everyone were safe, respected, inspired. I may as well add... healthy, strong, supported, loved. I am sending out prayers, best thoughts, kindnesses, love, and courage, wherever it's needed. Dear October, Please Slow Down was originally posted by All About Chickens

[josephkitchen0]

14~ Just Chickens

Still dear, still silly, still smelly and messy and noisy. Still my muses and amusement. I am a lucky lucky chickenblogger. With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day. 14~ Just Chickens was originally posted by All About Chickens

[josephkitchen0]

11 Los Gatos

Saturday morning, and Mister Foo's expression is exactly mirroring my state of being... exhausted, unresponsive, very sick to my stomach, and overall just meh. I surrender. Seriously though, that stomach thing was wicked. Cats. Pets. I love it when we have a pet that can channel the things we want to express, can't describe, would like to be or do or state. We assign them quirks, and narratives, we tell their stories, or pretend that they tell our stories. We relate to their personalities, and share with each other a common recognition of each pets' unique behaviors, attitudes, habits, foibles, limitations, endearments, charms... and it gives us a means of projecting our own faults and gifts on these dear beings, so we can better face them in ourselves, with humor and humility. Somehow, blaming the cat for messes and weirdness makes my own messes and weirdness feel more human, more forgivable. Chango has a soft belly, like me. Mister Foo is moody, like me. Cairo loves his naps, like me, too. They are the members of the family that we can, with impunity, point a finger at, blame for anything, dote on, adore, laugh at, tease, deride, and love. Am I making sense? Do you see it, too... that there is something in our pets that can bring everyone together to participate in a communal contract of admiring, mocking, caring for, and blaming, protecting and loving, and that it affords a shared language for feelings and ideas that we might otherwise withhold, or direct at a person who would take it too much to heart? Chango is indifferent to the fact that we call him Old Man, and Grandpa, that these namesakes are derived from his doddering age, his advancing senility, the long stories he meows aloud at 4 o'clock in the morning, his gentle affections. So long as he has his water bowl on the night-stand, and wet food for breakfast, he only knows that we love him. And thanks to him, we can express pent-up frustration, which might otherwise be suppressed, or directed at any innocent by-stander, when Chango hangs his claw in a pant leg, or waits to go out, and wants right back in. Cairo may not understand that he is my surrogate baby, or that he helps Max transition from the stresses of the week, when he can hold him and transition back into home. Max doesn't have to say, "Holding you helps me express my anxiety and missing home after a long week away at school, and now I feel calmer, reconnected to the comfort and familiarity of being back here, at home." But it's there, somehow, the opportunity to, without words, acknowledge those ideas, feel those emotions, and relief. Mister Foo's story is one we each know, and tell. We build our own family story, our connectedness with each other, through recalling that trip, when Foo climbed the walls. The time Foo fell from the second floor. Maybe it's the removal of ego that makes these narratives and connections between us feel easier to share, and retell, that makes them comfortably relatable. By being a proxy, our pets can represent humor, grief, worry, embarrassment, struggle, flaws, bad smells, affection, and thus we can safely express our own qualities and sentiments, without liability, unencumbered by accountability or justification. It's a release. It's satisfying, however it might be explained, that we all agree... Cairo is adorable, trusting, and silly when he naps so blithely unaware of anything. I don't want to discuss missing babies, or wishing I could snuggle with a warm, affectionate bundle of mammal cuteness. I have these kitties, though, and I can find relief, quiet contentment in their presence, in believing that here is a fur baby, without saying anything, or even by saying too much, as I dote and nuzzle and shower them with endearments, smother them with motherly fondness. Being alive, a human, is complicated. It can call for a lot of thinking, acting, understanding, patience. Being part of a family is even more complicated, demanding. It helps strengthen our connectedness, our bond, and our individual sense of well being, to have different ways of relating with each other, and with the outside world. When we can have multiples means of directing our thoughts and emotions, building our history, values, our common story, it eases burdens, reinforces what binds us together, or to common goals, it gives us outlets for our assertions, and facilitates communication. Maybe. Something like that. It's hard to explain. Here... look at my cats. The youngster and the grandpa cat don't always get along. Chango and Cairo renegotiate their truce several times a day. But one thing they consistently agree on... when the Chickenblogger leaves the bed, we can take her place, because she thinks we are adorable. With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day. 11 Los Gatos was originally posted by All About Chickens