Preparing to Retire

I retire in about 14 months, and I have been remiss about updating my blog, but want to get cranked up again so that I'm writing often.  I can scarcely remember the mechanics of the blog's settings.

I have one real goal for retirement:  satisfying.   I will only work or make money if I must, or if something compelling comes along I'm really drawn to, and it happens to pay.  I've ordered my life in such a way that's possible.  Decades of doing just what I should equals decades of doing just what I want (within reason).

The chickens this blog started about are unfortunately long gone, but they were a turning point for me after something painful, and I have discovered them both as fascinating creatures and pets, and as some new quirky symbol for my life.

A lifelong friend who writes has a gig as a columnist in a regional publication, where she just spins stories from her life.  I'd love to one day find something like that.  I have entered an essay in a contest, which taught me much.  I have no expectation of winning, but it made me do more than the shoot from the hip blathering I'm known for.  Essays are a learned craft, and it will take practice before I'm good.  What I entered was a solid first effort, made better by some mentoring from my published old friends & cousin.

I need to get back in the swing of writing often, as my best turns of a phrase are always in the heat of the moment, just after I've seen something interesting.  I am counting the days til retirement. I'm burned out and the joy in my job is pretty long gone.  No regrets at all about my life choices, they have led me to this place, and my best days I feel are ahead of me.

Fart Blossoms

The kittens have tamed up nicely, and weve decided to keep them all (fixed & vaccinated, of course). I call them the fart blossoms. Here they are with their earliest kitten condo.  It's now been expanded to several kitty beds and hidey holes made from odds and ends we had,  and moved to create shelter from the weather.  Surprisingly, they like the expanded version so much, it's their place of choice to hang out.   Meet the fart blossoms:  Tooey, Zoey, Bebe and Fuzzy.  

Sweetie don' take no guff...

One day, I was at the back of the property with Sweetie when we looked up and saw a loose dog trotting down the driveway.  Suddenly, Sweetie's tail stood straight up, and she trotted off in the direction of the dog at great speed.  Dog took one look at her and decided his curiosity could be sated elsewhere.  Sweetie don't take no guff.  She was planning on kicking some canine behind !

Lots of visitors to the outdoor kitty buffet

Sweetie and her kittens decided they've found a good place to be for now.  There are 4 kittens, all just cute as can be.  One black one with 2 white back toes, and 3 gray striped tigers like their mama.  We've been trying to socialize them for a few weeks before we will likely need to take them to the SPCA.  Mom-cat has gotten used to us, but we're still working on the kittens.  I go just sit quietly when I've put food out for them, and they're getting better and better about not being afraid of me.  Sometimes I watch them out the window.  One evening, we had not one, but TWO other visitors.  A baby opposum, and a raccoon.  Mom-cat was not particularly amused.  She didn't get aggressive them with, but she stands up, and lets it be known they're horning in on the the KITTY buffet, not the awesome-possum or raccoon buffet.  It's like wild kingdom around here.

I want one of these !

Seen in Connecticut (altho not by me).  I want one !  Imaginary (and future) chicken farmers all need tractor signs !


Tractor Parking  All Others Will Be Plowed Under.

hahaha

Neighborhood Characters

I walk most days, and often in the neighborhood, so I've befriended the various neighborhood cats and dogs.  There's a golden lab that loves to bark at me as I pass by his house.  He's behind a fence, and plays 'ferocious watchdog' when there. Until.....I see his ball in the street and pick it up.  Suddenly, all thoughts of "watching" are gone, and the "dog" part emerges fully, saying "throw my ball !!!!".  He's so funny.  His owner and I have laughed lots of times watching him become a puddle of puppy play at just the sight of his errant ball in the street.

The current flock 'o metal chickens

Since I don't currently have any live chickens, and there are no neighborhood chickens around to play with, my flock of metal chickens is going to have to do for now.  Meet the gang.  From left to right is Randy, Chickadee, Pot Pie, and Dumpling, and barely visible on the floor is a cast iron door stop with two chickens....Penny and Rusty.  Spouse found me a couple of old chick feeders to dress up my "coop" area.  They're quite the gang, and spouse is afraid I've so scoured the town for metal chickens there'll be nothing left for him to find for my Christmas present, haha.