adventurous spirits

I'm wondering if we should finally name the four Bresse hens that we added to the brood of cheepers. Typically I hand over that task to the kids and we have had some very inspired animal names as a result. The first stray matriarch cat was called Stop Sign. (The name grows on you, really it does!) Her daughter has the name of Dance. All good. And it's not as if Ed and I have been stellar name givers: Out of the six cats living here, Dance and Tuxie were named by others, but the rest were our choices. Two nearly identical dark Tabbys we've called Friendly One and Friendly Two, even though only one of them is super friendly (to the point of being obsequious -- a name I have added to him). The other two lighter Tabbys? Unfriendly One and Unfriendly Two, because they were the more skittish of the lot. But Unfriendly One (a girl) is actually very friendly these days, so the name is completely wrong. Still, be careful what you call your pets and kids and significant others, because names and nicknames stick!

With respect to the Bresse hens -- well, a couple of people pointed out that naming an animal you're going to eat seems wrong. You're confusing pets and food. Okay, fine. We did not name them.

But as time passes, the idea that we will butcher these hens is getting to be more remote. They are indeed easy to care for and they may supplement our egg collection. Peach, our oldest hen has pretty much aged out of egg laying and we expect that Henny will also stop soon. Shouldn't we just keep these four for their eggs?

Before we brought them home, I tossed around these names -- Lazy Daisy, Dizzy Lizzy, Grumpy Greta and Creamy Mimi. But that was before I recognized personalities. Now I'm thinking I should stick with Lazy Daisy, but switch the others to Bold Beatrice (which Ed will never remember), Little Lotta (which is very hard to say!), and Middle Maddie (because there is one that just does not stand out!). Only Bold Beatrice and Little Lotta are distinguishable from the pack. Lazy Daisy and Middle Maddie? What can I say... Twins.

I was thinking about chickens today because for the first time, one of the Bresse hens came out on the path and explored it all the way to the courtyard, where the big kids were hanging. Bold Beatrice is rather fearless.

She'll leave her sisters if she hears me coming and she hovers near me to see if I come with an offering of food. It was nice to see her adventurous spirit really start to kick in.

(The older cheepers still assert their chicken superiority on the Bresse girls, but not as often and not as forcefully. Thank goodness. Here's Uni, taking a lily stroll!)

The day is splendid weather wise and the plan was for me to meet up with the young family at our community pool. After I do my lily rounds of course. 

(It's always exciting to step out in the morning!)

[I can't say that I have a favorite day lily, but I will admit to liking some of the colors especially much. Take the South Seas variety: I love the way a peachy tone flows into a raspberry blush. You don't often think of orange as pairing well with pink, yet in this flower, it's a stunning blend. All this around a yellow throat. Simply sublime!]

Okay, walk with me to see what's blooming out there!

(the tree frog has found her home for the day; tomorrow she'll have to pick a different lily.)

(peek-a-boo!)

A breakfast pause.

But at the pool, I get a surprise: somehow I had failed to notice on the website that the community pool is closed today. We met up alright, all dressed for the pool only to have the gates shut in our face. A quick recalculation had us pick the closest open and wet alternative -- Fitchburg's Splash Pad. 

Of the three kids, Snowdrop has the best time getting soaked by all the fountains and sprinklers.

Sparrow is less thrilled by surprise bursts of water.

Sandpiper? His instincts say "go for it," but he does have slight reservations.

For all his bravado, when you take him to a place full of strangers, the little guy will actually reign in his desire to run far and grab anything in sight. Mommy's lap is a safe retreat.

(Snowdrop, on the other hand is off and running. Total water kid. Though of course, she is a whole lot older than Sandpiper. He may get there too! )

There is a playground next to the Splash area and the bigger two found some amusement there as well.

So no, we did not swim, but yes, we got wet anyway. And the sun was out and a puffy cloud would drift by and the world felt like such a calm and comforting place and yes, perceptions are everything!

In the evening I make a pot of veggie soup. I have to use up last year's tomatoes and corn and this year's onion, beans, carrots, scapes, cabbage, kale, and spinach.

We eat outside on this most perfect evening and we notice the quiet. And the stillness. 

The swallows have gone. They came, they nested, they grew little ones. And then, in one fell swoop, they all left. Where to? Believe it or not, they've likely started their migration south to South America. And yes, it feels empty without them. Like kids going off to college. One day here, next day picking up their lives elsewhere. But, like college kids, these swallows will be back. Next spring. We're counting the days!

Have a safe journey little guys. Thank you for bringing us so much joy.

With love...