We live in troubled times. Sickening creatures roam the halls of the White House, led by an ignorant man-child who has access to the launch codes. Congress is a confederacy of dunces. Gloomy pundits prognosticate about the fate of our republic. In The Washington Post today, columnist Kathleen Parker asks: “Who can save us from ourselves?”
But at 5:40 this morning, routine mollified me. Heading out to the garage, I filled the chickens’ feed and water bowls, donned a disposable glove, grabbed the poop bucket, and headed out to the back of our lot. As I have done every day at dawn since April 2012.
“The girls” were still “in bed” on their roost in the coop when I got there, but they heard my arrival. One by one, they hopped down to the floor and gathered at the door, clucking quietly as they waited for me to release them into the pen. After I cleaned out the coop, I watched Snow, Nellie and Hope peck away at their food. Despite the language barrier, we exchanged pleasantries before I returned to the house.
Routine is a blessing. Caring for the hens is therapeutic, clearing the mind of dark thoughts, at least for a few minutes. Three animated bundles of feathers provide a daily dose of tranquility in this, our frightening era.
But at 5:40 this morning, routine mollified me. Heading out to the garage, I filled the chickens’ feed and water bowls, donned a disposable glove, grabbed the poop bucket, and headed out to the back of our lot. As I have done every day at dawn since April 2012.
“The girls” were still “in bed” on their roost in the coop when I got there, but they heard my arrival. One by one, they hopped down to the floor and gathered at the door, clucking quietly as they waited for me to release them into the pen. After I cleaned out the coop, I watched Snow, Nellie and Hope peck away at their food. Despite the language barrier, we exchanged pleasantries before I returned to the house.
Routine is a blessing. Caring for the hens is therapeutic, clearing the mind of dark thoughts, at least for a few minutes. Three animated bundles of feathers provide a daily dose of tranquility in this, our frightening era.
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