Saturday, June 27, 2015

Backyard Chickens & So Much More!


Please, please, please vote for ChickenBlog!!
The polls are closed. Thank you for playing along.

I have yet to figure out what my career goals are, what ultimate vision I have for this blog, but I do know this... I love my family, I love to write, I love to take pictures, I adore chickens, and goats, and bunnies, and our Ratty Rat Hazel, and I am passionate about supporting young people and STEAM. ChickenBlog gives me a chance to play with all of my interests, sharing deep thoughts and other musings, while making a family keepsake. As for being an "award worthy" Backyard Chicken Blog... I can think of a few good reasons to crow!

#1. It is ChickenBlog: Since 2002, because I love chickens, and I love to share what I've learned.

#2. I have learned a lot! Like how to nurse a hen through a bobcat attack! She's four years old, now, and still laying!

#3. We have humble backyard chicken beginnings, and we have built on our experiences, so we can shelter and protect our backyard flock.

#4. ChickenBlog has practical advice to share.

#5. ChickenBlog has had a Chicken Muse, who inspired a Foundation, and art.

#6. We love to share the the fun of backyard chickens.

#7. When we can, we lend a hand for more backyard schoolyard chickens!

#8. ChickenBlog keeps it fresh... covering topics from robots to art, from fresh eggs to hencakes!


Selfie with chickens, because I am silly.

So, this morning my aunt posted on FB her lament that Disneyland will be banning selfie sticks. No more extended poles risking life and limb on rides, no bumping people, but I understand her disappointment, and I love her posts, her group shots, and all the happy pics she shares.

I was thinking about her predicament when... my career destiny dawned on me {in case this blogging gig implodes} I am a selfie stick. William said, "Don't you mean photographer?" But I think "photographer" builds up too many expectations. My skills are simpler, convenient, immediate. My aunt can take me to Disneyland, where I will be her personal snapshot, moment recording, selfie stick! I can achieve the extreme close-ups, and funny angles, I can squeeze everyone in, go on rides. I am water-proof, and have long lasting batteries. No one will have to carry me!

Seriously, if you ever go out in public with me, sooner or later, I will disappear for a moment, and when you look around for me, you will find me offering to take couple and group pictures for complete strangers. I do this all the time. At the beach, in theme parks, at statues and memorials... we live in a destination area, and the opportunities to take picture for people come up regularly. I love doing this. I overcome all of my shyness, and crowd anxiety. Maybe I have a trustworthy face, too, because no one has turned down my aggressively friendly gesture. I've even daydreamed about purposely going to the zoo, or meet a cruise ship, with the sole intention of offering to take pictures for people. My favorite part is when they are genuinely happy with how it came out... it makes me beam with happiness.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Vote For ChickenBlog!

No shame! I am strutting and crowing, and asking you to vote for ChickenBlog at The Happy Chicken Coop in
The Annual Backyard Chicken Blog Awards 2015!

The polls are closed. Thank you for your consideration.

Voting is open now, and you only have to vote once.
ChickenBlog was shortlisted and is #3 on the list of 25 Back Yard Chicken Blogs.

You guys! This is a silly, happenstance, commercial thing that may never have any bearing on world affairs!
So, please, please, please vote for ChickenBlog!!

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Beach Season

It's beach season... the best time of any break is when you play outside, especially with friends.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Sharing Season

It's sharing season... the best time in any garden is when there is enough to share.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Five Good Things





June is whirr, a blur, a dizzying month of activities, celebrations, finishing a school year, beginning a summer. And we have been filling up our days with some good things.

Good Things...

1. After a performance, Geoff is the first one Maria looks for and sinks into for a hug. This says everything to me about the kind of father he is, and I love it. He is dependable, generous, caring, supportive, strong and gentle... he is a daddy.

2. Cousin Emma joined Ballet Folklorico, and made her first performance, yesterday at the Fair. Now Maria and Emma can share this special pastime, and see each other whenever the two programs meet for shows. Her mom posted a video on FB, and I love watching Emma doing her first dance... she was precious! No bias. Seriously, a fun, fun dance to watch!

3. Alex is 21 years old.
What??
Alex is 21 years old??
It's hard for me to believe, but it's true, and we could not be more happy for him, for his accomplishments, and his plans. And he throws a really fun Middle Earth party, too.

4. Frankenrouter is inching its way to completion. Geoff squeezes in progress, troubleshooting, experimenting, trial by error, and steady success whenever he can, and even I managed to contribute {in a very small way} to the first project. Here you see me holding the wood William prepared for a Prancing Pony tavern sign. Is there any doubt that I will host some kind of grand fete when it's cutting into that wood??

5. Max did everything asked of him, diligently, steadfastly, without complaint, never late, never grousing, and consistently with high marks, and now, at last he has his summer. You should see the smile he is wearing now school is through! And the trebuchet? Max and his AP Physics team hit the barrel on the spot, and earned an A+. Well done, Max. All very well done.

Summer. Summer! We hardly have a thing planned, but the general mood is bright and eager, and we feel good about this. Are you enjoying good things? We'd love to hear all about it... leave a comment, send an email. Share your summer goodness.