For the many farmers who live in my county, a proud agricultural county, County Power Chicken Day this Saturday, April 2, 8 a.m.,  is the most important day of the year.

My new and already beloved friend John Rieger owns country power, whose rambling store sells just about everything a farm could want or need.

His daughter Heidi Clary has opened up a beautiful florist shop inside the story, and she is making beautiful bouquets for the Mansion and its Memory Care Unit. I hope to make sure the dining room tables always have fresh flowers.

County Power Chicken Day is big and legendary in these parts. More than 46 baskets, each with a different breed of chicks, are being set up under heat lamps – the chicks have already arrived, and kids from farm families are already pouring into the story for a look.

Many of the chickens are pre-orders. John says the store is madness for four or five hours on Saturday morning, then calms down a bit, but not all that much.

Huge bags of chicken feed are stacked up in the front of the store. Farm kids are very excited. John and the staff are working day and night to get everything ready.

Chicken Day is one of those old and important farm rituals that has survived significant change and challenges. Usually, the outside world has no awareness of these critical events, but every farmer for 100 miles knows about it. Stores like Country Power order chickens from all over the country and even worldwide.

The farmers come to see the different breeds and find the chickens they need or want.

Choosing from so many different breeds gives farmers all options for eggs, meat, or pets for their kids. And many people up here love their chickens as much as their children.

I was blown away by what I saw this morning, and I told Maria she had to come to see this before the hordes descended. We are going in the morning. We are not looking for any new chickens, but I did get a bit of an itch looking at these – so many, so cute, so different. This will be a challenge for Maria especially.

I know it will be difficult not to bring some home, but we agree that we have enough animals to care for. The worst thing we could do is get too many animals to properly cafe for.

That would wreck the beautiful balance of the place. Still, it will be a sight to come and see the chicks tomorrow and possibly on Saturday if we can get near the area. The great fun for me is seeing who chooses which chick and why. And yes, a lot of these chicks are irresistible.

John and I are h having lunch again next week – we also get our hay from him – and we are both looking forward to continuing our friendship. We are both fascinated with one another. It’s lovely to know him and his family. And Heidi is already a great boon to the Mansion and my work there. She also offers a lot of great plants and flowers I can buy for Maria.