10.11.2011 ~ top 10 things about walking in the rain

After living in Oregon for all but 10 years of my life, I'm still learning things about living here!

1. Murphy's Law of the Pacific Northwest states that from October to June, it really does not matter when you time your walk or run, it WILL pour on you. And then promptly clear up as soon as you return home.

2. Snorkeling masks: not just for swimming!

3. If your dogs get thirsty on your walk or run, they can simply lick the water streaming off your other dog.

4. OtterBox waterproof cases: inspired by the Pacific Northwest!

5. Want to experience feeling like a duck? Wear your Vibrams on your walk or run!

6. If you cry because your IT band or knee is hurting, no one can tell!

7. If a migrating Canadian goose should poop on you, you won't even notice. AND, it'll be washed off by the time you get home!

8. Don't need to give any pesky baths to your dogs! Upon returning from your walk or run, simply put them in the spin cycle and presto! Clean dogs!

9. In the colder months, no need to bother with pesky ice packs on your sore IT band after your run-- the freezing rain will do it for you while you run!

10. When you walk into the house with your dripping wet dogs, simply let them run around the kitchen for a few minutes, then slide around on your socks after them! Presto, clean floors!

10.6.2011 ~ "I knew this day would come..."

I knew this day would come.

They started out so tiny and fluffy, with the sweetest little "peep-peeps". 

And then they grew up. And started hitting on their moms and aunties. I know the crowing will follow soon. Which means...

IT'S TIME.

When we embarked on this little science project, our whole family agreed that any *boys* would be destined for the dinner table. 

I thought being overrun by naughty, ornery little teenage roosters would make that an easy choice. 

Guess what-- it's not.

They're sweet. They eat out of our hands. They follow us around. They don't attack us. Some of them will still let us pick them up. They make the most endearing little adolescent clucks that are beginning to sound like the gentleman their father is. 

{insert whine: "This is haaaarddd!"}

I know it's real life. 

But it's also made me even more grateful for every life that is sacrificed so that we may thrive. I thought I already was. We eat meat sparingly, and with gratitude. But... do we really NEED to eat meat as often as we do? I know we've given these guys a great life, and they are healthy and happy. 

And those mass chicken farms are gross. 

But either way, it's a sobering thought that a creature is going to die so that we can eat it. I'm not a vegetarian, and I know eating meat sparingly is a good thing. But there's a different level of respect now, and a feeling of responsibility. It's easy to not think about it when it's a shrink-wrapped package at the grocery store. It's different when I'm looking it in the eyes as it strolls around my orchard.  

 

Here is Kiziah's pet, Annie.

We think the floppy tails are boys. There are at least six, and there are a few others who definitely have different tails than our original six girls, but I think it's just a different tail inherited from their dad 

(the gentlemanly "Joe Dirt II" who our friend Lisa let us borrow).

So sweet... such a bright, pretty color, richer than our pale girls.

Anyone want a free rooster? 

{sigh...}