Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Startled.

On Sunday afternoon, I settled happily onto our couch for a much-anticipated nap. Naomi was napping, my husband was at the store, and Caleb was spending the afternoon with his grandparents, so I stretched out on the cool leather, let my eyes flicker shut, and bam. I was out.

I'm not sure how long I was asleep, but at some point I began to hear a screeching and squawking in my dream. I drifted in that weird in-between stage of sleep and wakefulness before realizing that I was actually hearing screeching and squawking. My eyes popped open as I heard what I'm sure was every one of our chickens, crying and crowing in the backyard. I leapt off the couch, flung the back door open, and beheld a frenzied sight. The chickens were running in circles in a panic. In my just-woke-up stupor I looked back and forth to see what could have startled them. A hawk? A dog? I couldn't see anything, but boy, the girls were freaked out.

As they ran in circles before me, one of the especially ambitious hens took off in a dead sprint, flapped her wings, and shot straight in the air. I followed her with my eyes and saw her determined self flap forward for about three feet, stop, and drop.

Right into our above-ground pool.

My jaw dropped open and I charged towards the pool. Remember, our stairs are not attached for the safety of the kiddos, so I had to hoist my (pregnant) self (in a dress) onto the deck to save the chicken. I frantically looked over the edge to see the poor panicked poultry hysterically flapping, yet floating.

Who knew chickens could float? Hmm.

Anyway. I knew she wouldn't last long in there, so I reached in, swiped her out of the water, tucked her under my arm, and scooted off of the deck. She flew out of my arms and made a beeline for the coop.

Now. Let's just remember that at this point I've been awake for maybe a total of 45 seconds. There was still a small part of me that wondered if perhaps I was dreaming all of this...I mean, they've never acted this way before! But, I shook my head, shrugged my shoulders, walked back inside, and shut the door behind me.

And saw this:



Oh geez.

I did a double-take before realizing I had left the back door open when I ran outside. This smart chicky must have felt a waft of cool air from the house and decided to check it out, and, once inside, decided the cool granite was the perfect place to perch.

Oy.

After much chasing and clucking, the hen ended up back outside, and my exhausted self ended up back on the couch. And then I laughed. Really hard.

Oh, the joys of country living, friends. Oh the joys.

Have a lovely day!

8 comments:

  1. That's one of the funniest pictures I've ever seen.

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  2. I'm sure it was a bit stressful at the time, but it sure made for a funny story! Love the photos!

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  3. best story & pictures ever!! :)

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  4. So funny! Your heart must have been racing!!!

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  5. LOL!!! Oh, my gosh! I want to come live at your house! This is hilarious!!!

    Kelly

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  6. this is my worst nightmare! you are officially my hero!

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