Went out to the barn to check on the chickens and make sure they were locked up snugly, as adult and baby boxes use the farm as a highway to get through the woods. Scary place for a chicken, but our system is holding up Freaky the rooster keeps an eye on the hens, keeping them near the house and the barn. The donkeys watch the pasture. Not foolproof, but so far, good enough. I sort of missed the impending holiday until it dawned on me this morning that it was Memorial Day.

The message from the roost was clear enough. Stop pecking and hunting for bugs when the sun lowers, go to a quiet and simple place and be with yourself, honor the transition between work and rest, cluck softly and in a spiritual way. The blog will be up and running all weekend and you are more than welcome to spend some of your holiday with me, Maria, Simon, Lulu, Fanny, Rocky, Frieda and Lenore, and the barn cats and chickens. We will be talking walks, taking photos, drawing sketches, taking hikes, brushing donkeys, napping with dogs. If I can find a parade, I’ll go there with my camera. Looking forward to a few days alone with the former girlfriend. See you in the morning.