Glory and Grief

The circle of life keeps on turning here at Netherfield. It has been a busy couple of weeks, with dog obedience and agility taking up two nights a week; Mowing our property, keeping Grandma and Grandpa's yard mowed (when it gets fertilized with enough chemicals to keep the lunar surface lush), trying to ride horses and do laundry and weed the garden, there aren't enough hours...


Thank heavens for daylilies. I love flowers that thrive on neglect. They are so reliable and cheerful. I love the colors and the variety and they don't call out to me, like so many other things here, saying, "You're not getting this taken care of." They instead bulge with buds and cheerfully open, day after day after day. No muss, no fuss. Thank heavens for daylilies. Here are some of the colors blooming at my front door right now...








On a sad note, old John, my crippled, almost blind rooster passed on last night. I knew it was coming and was thankful that he could go peaceably. #3 reminded me that now he can be in heaven with our precious little bantam hen, Sara. That was a comforting thought for all of us. We still miss Sara.

I loved it when I would carry John out of his winter "stall" in the kitchen in the mornings, to head out to the horse barn for the day and he would crow while I was carrying him. He was so excited to get out and strut his stuff. Lately, he has not been up to that level of activity, but he did enjoy sitting on the warm driveway and would perk up whenever we came out with crusts or popcorn or something.



My season of life housing chickens in my kitchen has come to an end. For that, I am glad. But he was a kind soul and almost everyone was thrilled to pet or hold a big rooster. It was almost like holding an eagle in your arms, really. He had a regal look about him. I am so glad I went the extra mile for him. And I am thankful for having known him.

Never forgotten...