I haven’t been able to write very much lately because we have been very busy with our son and his cello life. I’ll write more about that in a bit, but my cello mom duties have been extra of late. It’s a wonderful life in so many ways because my son is highly creative, and you just always hope that a creative can find an outlet early on. It keeps me hopping, though–as do chickens, ducks, dogs, and kitties.

But I have big stories to tell…

First, Petty’s babies have started laying! We have just two laying so far–the first one early in the week was definitely Wednesday. She sings a big egg song and lets you know she laid an egg. She was proud, and I thought it was beautiful. There is a story there because Wednesday is, in fact, a high-maintenance chicken like her mama–Juliet. So I think I am maybe extra thankful for her beautiful egg. She makes me earn her egg.

Then, on Saturday, I got a first egg from either Lenore or Tuesday, but I think it might be Tuesday based on the color of it. Tuesday is Ruby’s baby, and the egg color is similar, though Ruby’s is darker. I hope to write about the egg colors tomorrow because the genetics involved are always interesting to me.

But I had to write tonight to talk about Mary Jane. I wrote a while ago about Mary Jane being hurt and having to go to the crate in the garage. I am so happy to report that chicken is better! That meat chicken will be 7 years old if she makes it to June, and I am starting to think she might. I have to try to find out if anyone keeps track of such things, but I think she has to be one of the oldest meat chickens in America. I have heard of them living to maybe 5, but Mary Jane is exceptional–in many ways really.

It was great to get to connect with her a little bit extra while she was in the garage. I brought her treats a couple of times a day since she was just in there alone and bored. She didn’t seem to mind it at first, but after a few days, I could see she was ready to get back to the flock. I made her stay a total of six days, just to give her leg time to heal, but heal it did. She is back out with the flock doing great. I try to remember to pet her every morning when I am getting their food and water ready and every evening when I collect eggs. I tell her how awesome she is, and I am pretty sure she gets that she’s awesome.

Finally, I wanted to share about the cello concerto my son has been working on. He made the finals of the Maine High School Concerto Competition, which is a big deal. He has been preparing so diligently and working so hard, and in the week before the contest, which was held this Saturday, he got pretty nervous. He was extra nervous the day of the contest but handled those nerves fairly well and still played so well. He got second place and was sad about that, but I just keep trying to emphasize how beautifully he played in such a tough situation. I am pretty sure he was the youngest finalist. And, of course, we try to emphasize the learning. It’s all learning, isn’t it? But, my goodness, isn’t it hard to see that when you are a teenager? Still, I think we’re making progress.

Anyway, here is the video. I think it will surely bring you some joy.