Living Wide Open

So, the original idea of this blog was to start posting on my 27th birthday (which isn't for another 2 days).  However, I like to cheat and ruin surprises and jump the gun, so why not start this a little early.  So here's to another happy and healthy trip around the sun.  Huzzah!

On the advent of turning a wonderful 27 years of age, I have decided to adopt a new principle: to live wide open.  For me, this means to say "yes" to new experiences, to give love freely and accept love freely, to break some of the chains of my fear, and to welcome new adventures with open arms.  So often, I find myself closed off to those around me.  This could be me thinking about my own self-preservation... but it does tend to lead me to a closed-off life.

My first lesson in living wide open came today when a new friend approached me tonight and asked me if I wanted to go "put her chickens to bed" with her.  I gave a resounding, "Sure," and off we struck across the barren hay fields of Hadley in the pitch dark.  After awhile, we happened upon a farm.  In the back was a chicken coup that she had fashioned, complete with string laced across the top to prevent the wayward hawk from reeking havoc on the flock (is that the proper term for a gaggle of chickens?).  I cautiously entered the pen, unsure of what to expect.  There she introduced me to her 16 hens and 2 roosters, with names ranging from Persimmon to Black Steel to Violet.  At that point, we entered into a long discussion about the social nature of chickens, which tends to be a bit anarchistic in nature.  Generally, the male chickens are charged with protecting the flock and keeping the hens from bickering with one another.  And, in this little society, there is a pecking order (pun kind-of intended) among the women, which constantly changes- the "alpha" female being the hen who has most recently figured out how to escape and thereby has earned the respect of the other females (no joke).  Though, when free, the hens tend to stay within 5 feet of the coup.  I think just the idea of freedom is appealing.

Apparently, coyotes are the spirit animal of this particular group of chickens, as viles of their pee strung around the cage stop other predators, such as raccoons, from lurking around.  In addition, these chickens tend to mimic a coyote call when coyotes are near by.  Self preservation or identity crisis?  When there is a hawk near by, 50% of the time (as is reported), the hens will line up and run into their house while the roosters will walk bravely around the coup, puffing their chests and posturing to the hawk (when I asked about the other 50% of the time, I was told that pure chaos ensues).  Also, pretty much anyone can buy a day-old baby chick online and have it delivered to him or her through US Mail (baby chicks don't need to eat for 3 days- therein lies your golden window of opportunity).  Most of these chickens cost between $3-$10 a piece, consume $50 worth of food per month, and lay about 1 egg every other day (and 1 egg each day in the warm months between the solstices).

As I walked back across the fields, I thought about how so many beautiful people (and chickens) live in this world and how I am blessed to know a small handful of them (including my Chicken Goddess Rooster Mother Friend).  Each of us brings our own stories, our own experiences, and our own humanity to the table.  And I hope to better experience and appreciate all of those funky and charming characters in my life.