Chickens, Bees and Bicycles

So we live in a community of under 4000 citizens. There are many amenities lacking, such as great theatre, ethnic restaurants and chamber orchestras. But what we lack, we more than make up for in pure air, low traffic and congestion, corny community theatre, local music groups and safe travel for our veterans in wheelchairs, bicyclists and walkers. Why, most cars even stop on the street to allow for safe passage for a walker to get across the street.

One of our most special perks of living in the serene river town of Hot Springs, SD, is the city allowing  its residents to have bees and chickens within the city limits. We tried the bees for two seasons, but maybe because of all the spraying of neighborhood lawns or whatever, we lost our bees, but not before they left us with gallons of sweet, healthy honey.

Now we are going to try chickens. (Roosters not allowed because of their noise. I, personally prefer the early morning crowing to that of barking dogs, but, oh, well, we are grateful for chickens that will furnish us with fresh, free-range eggs.)

Today our Chamber of Commerce sponsored our annual "Spring Fling", which is a home show featuring businesses from the area, as well as some non-profits, also vital to the community. I had attended the "Poultry Presentation" and was wandering around, checking out the booths, while waiting for the "Tomato Presentation".  I had signed up to picket at our VA after our rally and demonstration for Save Our VA, purchased some discounted punch cards for our city-run municipal pool, and was chatting with friends at another booth when I heard a familiar sound. Cock-a-Doodle-Doo! The crowing drew me to the other end of the gymnasium. And there they were....cages of chickens and roosters, entertaining all who passed by. Of course they were! We Hot Springs residents can now own up to six back-yard hens.

Our back yard is ready. Bob made sure of that. The hen house, the smaller enclosure and the entire garden is waiting for our two hens, as well as the food, dishes and straw for the laying boxes. We are ready for our grasshopper devourers, healthy, tasty egg-laying hens to settle into our back yard. Did I mention that they also leave great fertilizer?

But, for me, by far, the greatest thing is the meditative experience I always had while living in the country, enjoying the sight of the scratching, clucking and fussing of these wonderful animals. No matter how stressful the day, the sight of these bundles of feathers, calmed me and put me back in touch with the world around me, the world of what really matters in the long run. Chickens renewed my perspective, much as yoga, massage or other meditative practices.

Cluck, cluck, scratch, scratch, fuss, fuss. Stress will swiftly disappear. All I have to do is spend some time in our own back yard.