We
are not farmers.
True,
we live in the country.
But
everyone who lives in the country doesn’t own a farm.
I even looked up the word
‘farm’ to make sure—I was correct.
Well,
sort of.
To
me it all officially began when we
purchased our first home.
What
would you consider to be a typical house warming gift?
We
received a couple free dinners. Those were awesome, especially as we were busy
swimming in all the new paint we were adding to the walls. We were given a used
grill and some tools. Double score! Those gifts would be considered normal,
correct?
Then
my mother-in-law told me what she was giving…
Chickens.
Yes,
real-live-egg-laying chickens. Ten to be exact.
She
claimed they had too many, and we had
just the spot.
A gift that keeps on giving…
Even though I grew up in town—if you call 400 people a town—it’s not my first rodeo with chickens. Animals are good for kids. They help provide responsibility…but my kids are four and seven. Yes, they are quite able to take care of some hens. But in my head I preferred to wait at least a year before we started filling our acreage with pets. I mean I didn’t even have all our boxes unpacked yet…
 |
| The ''Coop' |
But
my husband was thrilled.
Happy as a lark—and no,
we’re not getting one of
those.
 |
| Laid egg found here |
 |
| Roost: Chickens' bed |
He spent hours fixing up the back half of one of our sheds into a coop. Built a roost and hung up some chicken gear we got from family. (Where the hens lay their eggs, ect.)
And
now we truly did have a perfect spot
for some silly ol’ chickens.
 |
| Water |
My
husband, our kids, and myself hopped into our truck. You know the kind, that old-trusty-beat-up thing you can hear coming from a mile away. The one that says
the county folks are heading into town. (Also a gift from my in-laws…) In the
darkness like thieves, we loaded up hens into a portable dog cage. (It’s easier
to catch chickens at night when they're roosting. Otherwise you’ll break into a
sweat chasing them. And if they run around too long…well, there may not be ten
left to take home.)
We
got them settled into their new house, and in the morning we had…eggs.
A farm: “a tract of
land, usually with a house, barn, silo, ect. on which crops and often livestock
are raised for livelihood.” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/farm)
Livelihood, That one
little word proves we don’t own a
farm.
But…
Apparently,
goats and sheep will also be arriving on our ‘not farm’ in the near future.
Sigh.
My
husband’s other plans include planting an orchard, grinding his own corn meal…and
did I ever tell you about the time he ordered earth worms in the mail for his
garden?
Am
I grateful for the gift that keeps on giving…
So far so good.
So far so good.
Stick
around.
I
have a feeling this ‘non-farmer’ is going to have lots of tales on her hands.
What
do you consider to be a normal house warming gift?
Do
everything without complaining and
arguing.
Philippians 2:14 NLT
Even
if you didn't want any stinkin' chickens in the first place.
Eggs…
Eggs
for sale!
Now, does anyone want to come and help me unpack some more boxes?
with love and prayers,
Megan Besing
www.meganbesing.com
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Now, does anyone want to come and help me unpack some more boxes?
with love and prayers,
Megan Besing
www.meganbesing.com
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV
