I'm molting.... I'm molting.....

My lovely little hens are molting. They sure look pitiful right now, with so many feathers missing. In a couple of months they'll have all their new feathers and will be beautiful once again. For now, they must go through this shedding process-  in a sense they are losing all that they had that made them who they were or who we perceived them to be.

Honestly, it is as though I have 8 entirely different birds. Formerly, they were beautiful. Their feathers were shiny, full, and fluffy. They were good egg producers, averaging 5 or 6 a day from the 8 of them. They were always busy scratching and pecking at the ground and running here and there looking for something to eat.

Contrast that to their present day appearance and behavior. They have lost a lot of their feathers and have several sticking out at odd angles. Two of my hens have lost most of the feathers off their heads and just have these funny little white, spiky, pinfeathers on their heads. My, my, my, they sure are homely! I would post pictures of what my girls look like now but I will spare them the embarrassment. (Wink!)

Whereas they used to be so busy, now, it would appear they have gotten to be downright lazy. They can be found lounging around most anytime. They still scratch and peck and look for food, but not nearly as much. You see, their bodies are using their energies for growing those new beautiful feathers and it takes a lot of energy. So, if you drive by and see my girls laying around out there, don't think the worst of them - they are still working hard on the inside!

In many ways I feel a bit like my hens. Oh I'm not losing feathers and I'm certainly not laying around lounging all day, but I'm changing a bit too. My new feathers are growing in everyday as I learn new things. I've written before that this is an exciting time for me, one of change, of growth. I am learning who I am, what I am, what I need, what I must do. I am excited to learn what God has planned for me. 

And...... if you do happen to pass by and see my hens..... I would ask you to remember the famous quote by Aesop.  "It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds." 

~Penni

The Purpose and Practicality of Pets

This is a picture of our sweet little Belle.
She passed away a couple of days ago.


I have been thinking a bit about pets.
I have heard it said many times that pets are not needed. They serve no real purpose and are not practical.

Well...
certainly having a little guinea pig for a pet (or a dog for that matter) can not compare to having a child, they are not the same as a human, BUT ...

in the case of little Belle here....

she was always sweet and cheerful in her little way. She loved to be patted, cuddled, and held. When looking at her, you couldn't help smiling --she was just plain old cute. She made me smile every time I walked by her.

So...

yes, she did serve a purpose...

She made others happy, each and every day, she never lost her temper or sulked, she never complained......

....If only that could be said about each of us.........

More of my lovely hens

Egg-actly, what are you looking at?? (Sorry just had to do the pun!)

Lovely...

For whatever reason, I can't get the pictures to open on another page and enlarge when I click on them. Can't figure out what I did in my previous post.

Just call me Henny Penny

My hens are a treasure to me each and every day. I enjoy spending time with them, I honestly do. They follow me around and when I talk they appear to really be listening. Oh, I know, they are probably thinking, "If we do this she loves it and will bring us some food." or more likely they are thinking: "Food. Food. You got Food?" Yet, they are fun to watch and I love how their silky red feathers stand out against the green of my lawn. They are truly a "simple" pleasure, but I enjoy them. --AND they lay eggs!

:)
~Penni

Is she not beautiful??

Beatrice

Last Saturday at 4:15pm we welcomed a lovely little treasure into our home.
Let me introduce to you Miss Beatrice Hill, Bea for short (because that is exactly what she is.)




We didn't realize she was to arrive until approximately 2 weeks ago and we are so very happy that she is here.



It is so amazing to think that just a couple of days ago she was still inside her momma. Guinea pigs are born fully dressed (hair) and with their eyes open. Within a couple of hours she was happily nibbling away on some lettuce.

I hope you enjoy looking at today's treasure as much as I do!