Houdi and Gracie are always together. Always!
Houdi & Gracie
She’s still just a little, bitty chicken!
Every morning when I let the bantams out, Houdi and Gracie are the first ones to come bouncing out of the coop. Thelma and Smokie are next. The hens, Tiffany, Louise and Sallie, kinda hang out in the coop for a while because the men are waiting for them right outside the coop door . . waiting to do what roosters do. Those guys could benefit from a lesson in . . nevermind . . let’s not go there. I will say they are not very gentle or kind!
This morning I opened the coop door about 6:30. Houdi came bounding out . . but where was Gracie? Next came Thelma and Smokie . . just like always. After a few minutes, Tiffany, Louise and Sallie cautiously made their way out and yes, “the usual” happened. Still no Gracie. I went out and watered the garden, came back a couple of times to see if she was out. Nope. I was too scared to look inside the coop. I didn’t want to be the one to find her. I watered the fruit trees, came back, no Gracie. I hoped that maybe she had gone up on the second floor and was too scared to get down. I had to act like an adult and check on her. Nope, didn’t see her up there. She could have been back in the back of the egg boxes but I really didn’t want to be the one to find her so I didn’t look very closely. I called Vince and told him something had happened to Gracie. In his gentle and kind spirit, he said “That’s what happens when you have animals on a farm!” Huh? It’s Gracie! Can’t you come home? No, I didn’t really say that but I thought it.
A couple of times Houdi went in the coop like he was looking for Gracie, but he came out without her. I just knew she was gone!
I went back out to fill the cows’ tank and I looked over in the run . .
Houdi & Gracie
There was Gracie! Where on earth had that chicken been and does she know she almost had me in tears! I was thinking .. not the kitten and now Gracie in the same week!
I do know that’s how life is on the farm . . but I don’t have to like it. I’m glad she’s out there and hope she doesn’t do that again any time soon.
Helen P says
Judy,
I can just feel how scared you were.. my smallest poodle, Ms Nicnic, feels that she needs to go outside with me every time I go , but at this time of year I am so afraid of the hawks as they are looking for food constantly and if she is off “exploring” then I would not know it until it was too late. I have had to go look for her with such a heavy heart and then find her in the house ” where she belongs” you just want to scold her and hold her at the same time. She is a T-cup poodle but thinks she is a big kid.
love your blog.., your family and yes your Quilt a-longs. My Road to Roundrock is the most beautiful quilt that I have ever made. It is on the frame waiting for a great idea of how to quilt it.. Thank you!!!
sheila sanderson says
Know the feeling when my cat Saints is out for a long time, like last night, she did not appear back until 2.11am this morning…thought this is it and then she comes in has something to eat and them falls asleep
shirley bruner says
Our children do give us gray hairs on a regular basis…don’t they? hahahaha perhaps she just needed a bit more shut-eye this morning. glad she’s ok.
Erin says
Awe they are so adorable 🙂 I totally understand how you must have felt! It can be hard at times … Thank God Vince can go look 🙂
AngieG9 says
It seems like they all have to pull a disappearing act at one time or another just to see if you will miss them. Gracie was probably watching you the whole time and laughing (do chickens laugh?) under her wing at you. They really are beautiful little birds tough,and well worth the search.
AngieG9 says
Oops, I meant though, not tough. But sometimes they probably need to be tough to exist.
Sheri says
I was so afraid to read the end of this post. I’m glad it was GOOD news!!
Linda Steller says
Aw, I’m so glad she’s okay.
Kathy Upton says
oh…..I waited with bated breath to the end of the post…I didn’t want to read that something happened to her…What a relief!!! I think lil ole Gracie was playing a trick on Judy! You’re such a wonderful writer—-you keep my attention and I feel like I’m right there with you on your farm. Have a blessed day, Judy…
Susie Reardon says
so happy she showed up….I was really nervous reading your post……