Howdy Folks,
Tiny rings of
frozen fog formed around tips of ice covered branches creating a dancing lace
blanket cloaking trees and bushes outside the barn. Tiny droplets of
freezing rain continued painting trees and ground alike with a clear and
shimmering frosting. Branches began to bow under the added weight. Wind gusts
shook the branches sending crystals showering to the ground. Dark clouds formed
a heavy gray canvas behind the trees. Cold, dark and windy as it was, there was
a glittering beauty to yesterday morning ... Even if the chickens could not
appreciate it.
Inside the barn
Kessy, Saturday and I were snug and dry. Kessy munched hay, Saturday curled at
my feet, I poured my first cup of coffee . Juncos, Cardinals, Chickadees and
Doves huddled under low branches as they scratched and pecked at the cracked
corn intended for the chickens. The chickens were up and about alright, they
just were having nothing to do with the ice show outside. Their house is on the
end of the barn and they usually start out just about daybreak flying out the
window and to the cracked corn under the bushes, or just take off on what I
call their, "search and devour" missions.
The wind and ice
had them running late and the Coffee Clutch gang was all settled in before the
first rooster braved the freezing drizzle. Finally the first rooster flew out,
landed on the shinny, slick ground only to slide a foot or so before regaining its
footing. He promptly stood up, shook his wings, paused a second to scowl at the
sky, then ran slipping and sliding, squawking with wings flapping into Kessy's barn. Once inside he shook like
a soaked dog. I don't think he even noticed Kessy, Saturday and me.
One by one the
other roosters and chickens flew from widow to slippery ice, slid along doing their
chicken version "Disco Duck" and half skated, half ran to the safety
of the barn. As they gathered around our feet in Kessy's stall, Saturday
scampered about saying "Howdy" and doing his best to act as concierge
of "Hotel Kessy."
Not willing to
let the dark skies win they began to fly up on the half-wall that is the rear
of the barn. They often like to sit there a few at a time, but yesterday nearly
everyone took the lofty perch and began crowing and clucking at the dripping
sky.
Kessy, Saturday
the chickens and I enjoyed a noisy (there were 10 roosters crowing) but snug
and dry Coffee Clutch as the freezing rain continued to fall. The only thing
missing was the song the ice rain played on the tin roof. I'm sure the tune was
played, and well played, but the chorus of crows drowned it out. The chickens
not on the wall made much ado about searching Kessy's stall, and her hay, for
whatever edible morsels may be hidden there. Kessy, the good hostess she is,
was polite and even sharing. … It was an all around good Coffee Clutch and
start of a great day. We hope yours is perfect too!
Gitty Up
Dutch Henry
That is what is going on here Dutch, as the snow started falling around 6 am.
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