I'm back from the farm, sans chickens. I'll give more of a report later, but for now I'll mention that Scratch and Scout have a nice little setup in a horse stall, and LOTS of company of all types of creatures.
They were very well behaved in the car, and let me carry them around for awhile at the farm without ever getting restless. They're so good. It was sad to leave them, but by far the hardest part was coming home to an empty house. I opened the door and expected to hear clucking and crowing and say, "Hello! What are you doing?" and see my happy chickens. But instead, all I found was the sad silence of an empty home.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
The Long Goodbye
We had a lovely last night, and a fun day outside today.
And now, here we go, off to the farm.
Not a trip I'm happy about taking.
But at least the farmer says he's got a nice little apartment set up for them, and that he told his son, "don't be surprised if they wind up in the basement." So I know they'll be well taken care of.
I'm just going to miss them, and I'm worried that they'll miss me; they're so used to sitting around with me.
But I want them to be happy. Hopefully they'll be excited to see other chickens and animals and just have a great time in the country.
Okay, off we go...
And now, here we go, off to the farm.
Not a trip I'm happy about taking.
But at least the farmer says he's got a nice little apartment set up for them, and that he told his son, "don't be surprised if they wind up in the basement." So I know they'll be well taken care of.
I'm just going to miss them, and I'm worried that they'll miss me; they're so used to sitting around with me.
But I want them to be happy. Hopefully they'll be excited to see other chickens and animals and just have a great time in the country.
Okay, off we go...
A Shocking Lack of Interest in Ribs
This is something I meant to mention last week.
I got a slab of ribs from Archibald's, polished most of them off, and gave the chickens a couple of bones to peck at. They took a sniff, and a peck, and shockingly, WALKED AWAY! What?! My chickens don't like RIBS?!?! I don't know what the problem is, but it's certainly strange. I wish I had time to teach them the ways of the rib.
But they do like raisins. In fact I'm giving them a raisin snack right at this moment. Wait a sec.... Scratch now has a fuzzy string stuck on her beak, from pecking the carpet, and she can't get it off. She's not happy about it. Hold on...
Come here, girl.
Okay...I got it off for her.
Speaking of eating, it's odd; whenever I'm feeding them snacks, Sratch is always the more voracious chicken. She takes the biggest bites, and goes for every one, whereas Scout is more hesitant, not as aggressive. You would think the boy be more voracious, but no...it's the pullet. Maybe she knows she'll be laying soon and is compelled to eat for two. Or three. Or several hundred over her lifetime.
I got a slab of ribs from Archibald's, polished most of them off, and gave the chickens a couple of bones to peck at. They took a sniff, and a peck, and shockingly, WALKED AWAY! What?! My chickens don't like RIBS?!?! I don't know what the problem is, but it's certainly strange. I wish I had time to teach them the ways of the rib.
But they do like raisins. In fact I'm giving them a raisin snack right at this moment. Wait a sec.... Scratch now has a fuzzy string stuck on her beak, from pecking the carpet, and she can't get it off. She's not happy about it. Hold on...
Come here, girl.
Okay...I got it off for her.
Speaking of eating, it's odd; whenever I'm feeding them snacks, Sratch is always the more voracious chicken. She takes the biggest bites, and goes for every one, whereas Scout is more hesitant, not as aggressive. You would think the boy be more voracious, but no...it's the pullet. Maybe she knows she'll be laying soon and is compelled to eat for two. Or three. Or several hundred over her lifetime.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
One Last Night
So this is my last night with the chickens. Sad. They are currently helping me with my research project. Scratch is sitting on my left arm and I'm petting her. She's so soft.
The farmer called today after looking at this blog for the first time. He said that I should mention that in going to the farm for the summer, the chickens are going to learn how to be chickens (after living an apparently non-regular chicken life with me).
The farmer called today after looking at this blog for the first time. He said that I should mention that in going to the farm for the summer, the chickens are going to learn how to be chickens (after living an apparently non-regular chicken life with me).
Barbershop
I just got my second haircut at the Northport Barber Shop. Topics of conversation included chickens, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Richard Scrushy trial.
Memorable line: "Somebody said 'You can't outrun a bear.' I said, 'I don't gotta outrun a bear. I just gotta outrun somebody.'"
Memorable line: "Somebody said 'You can't outrun a bear.' I said, 'I don't gotta outrun a bear. I just gotta outrun somebody.'"
Summer Days
Warm summer afternoons bring happy chickens playing outside!
Keeping me company while I read about ribs.
Scratch looking pretty in the afternoon sun.
Who doesn't love a good dirt bath?
Keeping me company while I read about ribs.
Scratch looking pretty in the afternoon sun.
Who doesn't love a good dirt bath?
Menagerie
Had a good talk with the farmer last night, after he got home from being out dancing. Sounds like Scratch and Scout will be well looked after out there. He also told me that, in addition to the chickens, peacocks, goats, and dogs he had in March, he now has two buffalo! He said they're really sweet.
It's going to be sad to give up Scratch and Scout tomorrow, but I can't wait to see all these crazy animals.
It's going to be sad to give up Scratch and Scout tomorrow, but I can't wait to see all these crazy animals.
Monday, June 27, 2005
The Coming Sadness
Only a few more days left of summer school, before I go on a little trip and then head to Montgomery for the second half of the summer. Which means...
Only a few days left with my chickens.
I'm getting sad just writing this.
Here's to making the best of the time. More fun blogging to come.
Only a few days left with my chickens.
I'm getting sad just writing this.
Here's to making the best of the time. More fun blogging to come.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Joyriding
The chickens recently stole the Explorer and went out driving. I snapped these pictures when they got back.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
One of the Great Mysteries
Whenever I'm away from the house and the chickens are inside, when I get home and get out of the car, I usually hear crowing right away. So the question is, is Scout just randomly, coincidentally crowing, or does he know it when I drive up and that's why he's crowing?
Monday, June 20, 2005
The Championships
I have to say, until today it has yet to feel like summer to me. I've been stuck here in depressing, landlocked Tuscaloosa, and haven't been home in almost 3 months, so I haven't enjoyed the things that traditionally define summer for me...being out on the wharf, the river, the beach; having dogs around; warm evening sunsets; etc. (even if just for a weekend - I know I don't live at home anymore).
In law school in Tuscaloosa, time stands still and every day is the same, and I haven't had the spirit or wherewithal to shake things up much. It's the classic school catch-22: I don't get enough work done becuase I get into a lethargic rut with little stimulation and motivation, but it's hard to take positive, energetic steps to get out of the rut and feel alive because I have too much work to do. So I get kind of stuck slowly spinning my wheels.
I guess I just have to try to chip away at it bit by bit...do work, then go running, do work, then go for a walk, do work, then have a nice dinner. Just fight this place every day. And at least I have the chickens to keep me smiling.
But I digress. The point of this post is that today, a big part of feeling like summer to me has arrived - Wimbledon! My whole life I've watched Wimbledon every summer, usually while near the water. In fact, 5 years ago today I was actually at Wimbledon, for Day 1 of the annual fortnight. Beautiful tennis on these lawns of south London is one of the hallmarks of summer.
So Wimbledon has begun and I'm excited. And summer school classes will end in 10 days and I'll be off for a week in South Florida. My first tropical trip in a long time; much needed. Of course, when I get back I have to cram final exams and moving to Montgomery into a long weekend (couldn't be helped; trip was planned before summer school was decided). But after that, I'll be happily free of school for 6 months. Sadly, though, not being here means not being with chickens.
Anyway, summer is finally appearing. Now I need a mojito.
In law school in Tuscaloosa, time stands still and every day is the same, and I haven't had the spirit or wherewithal to shake things up much. It's the classic school catch-22: I don't get enough work done becuase I get into a lethargic rut with little stimulation and motivation, but it's hard to take positive, energetic steps to get out of the rut and feel alive because I have too much work to do. So I get kind of stuck slowly spinning my wheels.
I guess I just have to try to chip away at it bit by bit...do work, then go running, do work, then go for a walk, do work, then have a nice dinner. Just fight this place every day. And at least I have the chickens to keep me smiling.
But I digress. The point of this post is that today, a big part of feeling like summer to me has arrived - Wimbledon! My whole life I've watched Wimbledon every summer, usually while near the water. In fact, 5 years ago today I was actually at Wimbledon, for Day 1 of the annual fortnight. Beautiful tennis on these lawns of south London is one of the hallmarks of summer.
So Wimbledon has begun and I'm excited. And summer school classes will end in 10 days and I'll be off for a week in South Florida. My first tropical trip in a long time; much needed. Of course, when I get back I have to cram final exams and moving to Montgomery into a long weekend (couldn't be helped; trip was planned before summer school was decided). But after that, I'll be happily free of school for 6 months. Sadly, though, not being here means not being with chickens.
Anyway, summer is finally appearing. Now I need a mojito.
Bath Buddies
This has been a regular sequence of events of late:
I get up in the morning, walk in to see the chickens, open the side door to let them outside, they trot out. Then I go get in the shower. There is a window in the shower facing outside. Within a couple of minutes, they realize I'm in there and fly up to the windowsill, where they peck around and watch me shower. I talk to them through the window; sometimes they talk back.
Fun for all!
I get up in the morning, walk in to see the chickens, open the side door to let them outside, they trot out. Then I go get in the shower. There is a window in the shower facing outside. Within a couple of minutes, they realize I'm in there and fly up to the windowsill, where they peck around and watch me shower. I talk to them through the window; sometimes they talk back.
Fun for all!
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Alabama goes to Le Bourget
Look who’s at the airshow!
NYT: "Think Locally, Flirt Globally"
"The whole idea is to build business relationships so that when a foreign company thinks of a project, they think ofAlabama.
btw... Can you believe Jeff Sessions has never been toParis Paris
In other news, here is something scary:
NYT: "Congress Assaults the Courts, Again"
(This post was written slowly with one hand, as I currently have two chickens asleep on the other.)
NYT: "Think Locally, Flirt Globally"
"The whole idea is to build business relationships so that when a foreign company thinks of a project, they think of
btw... Can you believe Jeff Sessions has never been to
In other news, here is something scary:
NYT: "Congress Assaults the Courts, Again"
(This post was written slowly with one hand, as I currently have two chickens asleep on the other.)
Friday, June 17, 2005
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Recent Chicken Activity
Scout's album cover shot.
Scratch roosting on a book. Funny little chicken.
Josh and his brother Jacob experiencing the fan-chickens.
Scratch & Me.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Three Month Photo
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Fun Stuff
Hopefully you already know about the satellite photo function at maps.google.com, the best maps in the biz.
In my Advanced Legal Research class just now I learned of another good one: TerraServer!
All is good with the chickens. The usual joys - lots of crowing and pooping and following me around.
In my Advanced Legal Research class just now I learned of another good one: TerraServer!
All is good with the chickens. The usual joys - lots of crowing and pooping and following me around.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Sucks...No More Basketball
Well the Heat just lost, so as far as I'm concerned the NBA season is over. A Spurs-Pistons final is so boring. I hope the Spurs kill them. A sad, premature end to exciting basketball this year.
Correction - there is one last thing worth watching. As Charles says, "Ginobili!!!"
Ugh...they're showing Detroit getting the Eastern Conference trophy right now. This is disgusting. Shaq and D-Wade better get healthy and just DESTROY people next year.
Correction - there is one last thing worth watching. As Charles says, "Ginobili!!!"
Ugh...they're showing Detroit getting the Eastern Conference trophy right now. This is disgusting. Shaq and D-Wade better get healthy and just DESTROY people next year.
In Class Report
I'm sitting here in my Remedies class. Thought I'd write some tidbits whilst note-taking.
- Unjust Enrichment is your friend.
- Nashville Memorial Day weekend highlights: Fall Creek Falls State Park; buying a new suit at Hecht's; the Flying Chicken Platter at Houston's; country ham at Loveless Cafe; hanging out with Stephanie.
- The nice UPS lady is impressed with the chickens.
- 2nd Nashville weekend highlights (this past wknd): going to the grand opening of the Apple Store at Green Hills Mall!; running in a nice city; going to Wal-Mart with Stephanie (always good fun); hamburger and wienerburger at Rotier's; going to Nashville's PrideFest and drinking Gay Fuel; coming home to the chickens!
- Replevin is a funny word.
- As you can see, I'm throwing in more links to try to get this page to rise on Google.
- Tonight, Game 7: Go Heat, baby!
- Unjust Enrichment is your friend.
- Nashville Memorial Day weekend highlights: Fall Creek Falls State Park; buying a new suit at Hecht's; the Flying Chicken Platter at Houston's; country ham at Loveless Cafe; hanging out with Stephanie.
- The nice UPS lady is impressed with the chickens.
- 2nd Nashville weekend highlights (this past wknd): going to the grand opening of the Apple Store at Green Hills Mall!; running in a nice city; going to Wal-Mart with Stephanie (always good fun); hamburger and wienerburger at Rotier's; going to Nashville's PrideFest and drinking Gay Fuel; coming home to the chickens!
- Replevin is a funny word.
- As you can see, I'm throwing in more links to try to get this page to rise on Google.
- Tonight, Game 7: Go Heat, baby!
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Three Months!
Today marks three months since I got Scratch and Scout! It's been a wonderful time, all of us growing and learning together. In a little while I'm going to shoot a few photos of them with the iPod shuffle, for comparison with the photos with the shuffle on their first night, March 5. They will be posted in a few days.
In the meantime...we're going to party.
In the meantime...we're going to party.
More Showing Off
I was away again this weekend, for two nights this time. Once again, Scratch and Scout were sequesterd in the spare room while I was gone. They seem to have handled it well, although Scout did seem a bit pissed at me when I got home late last night. He kept skidding up to my feet, bowed up, wings out, trying to peck me. There was also more messy poo than usual in the house when I got up today. Their bowels must have been as restless as they were. Happily, they are now outside frolicking in the sun and leaves.
Here are some photos I've been trying to post for a few days, but the photo-uploading program was not working. Is anyone else with a blog having trouble with Hello?
Anyway... more pictures of Scout showing us how cool he thinks he is:
Leaping from couch to John hand, with Scratch looking on.
Crowing on the fan.
But let's not forget this little round person!
Here are some photos I've been trying to post for a few days, but the photo-uploading program was not working. Is anyone else with a blog having trouble with Hello?
Anyway... more pictures of Scout showing us how cool he thinks he is:
Leaping from couch to John hand, with Scratch looking on.
Crowing on the fan.
But let's not forget this little round person!
Friday, June 03, 2005
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Long Weekend
This past weekend the chickens set a new record time spent home alone. Three nights!
I was out of town for the weekend, and after thinking about taking them to the farm from whence they came, I decided I'd rather leave them at home. So I chicken-proofed the spare room, gave them food and water, closed the door, and left. I worried about them while I was gone, but when I got back Monday night, the first thing I did, before I even entered the house, was go look at them through the window. Sure enough, there they were, poo everywhere, looking back at me. So I went in and let them out, and boy were they glad to see daddy. They have since been following me around and clucking a lot, and don't seem a bit the worse for their long weekend in confinement.
These chickens are badass.
I was out of town for the weekend, and after thinking about taking them to the farm from whence they came, I decided I'd rather leave them at home. So I chicken-proofed the spare room, gave them food and water, closed the door, and left. I worried about them while I was gone, but when I got back Monday night, the first thing I did, before I even entered the house, was go look at them through the window. Sure enough, there they were, poo everywhere, looking back at me. So I went in and let them out, and boy were they glad to see daddy. They have since been following me around and clucking a lot, and don't seem a bit the worse for their long weekend in confinement.
These chickens are badass.
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