She pushed me right over the edge
Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 4:52PM I went to a farm this week. I love animals... and farms, and farmers... Being a city girl my entire life, you'd probably be surprised by my love for the farm. There is a reason for this love of course, and it's clearly a romanticised one, but it's real, dear and close to my heart. My grandparents lived on a farm. Well, my grandma still lives in the same house on the same acreage, but it's not so much a farm any more. There is still pasture, but the animals have long since left (aside from the fire ants and catfish that live in the tank) and the land is no longer worked. Once upon a time Kyle and I worked on farms for four months. It was the most exhausting and rewarding thing either of us has ever done, but it marked us. Something about farming is so intrinsically human. Cultivating the land, raising animals... it's what separates us from the rest of the primates.
But we live in the city, and I love the city too. I love my friends, and the skyline, and barbecues, the bike rides, the restaurants and coffee shops... So what, really, is a girl to do? Can a person really just leave the city? Their house? Their job? Will all the time I spend at my computer being "connected" eventually burn me out? Will I burn my bra*, my iPhone and my designer jeans and head towards the hills? When I see beauties like these, courtesy of my friend Khaiti, I think I just might.
EDIT: These eggs are NOT dyed. They come from hens known as easter egg varieties. This is the real deal people!
Not quite being prepared to up and change our entire lives, we instead had this delivered to our house today.
I think having cute little chicks in our possession might just help convince me to blog more too... though we'll have to see how much sleep I'm getting :)
*I am aware that farmers can and do wear bras, and that they are sold at both Fleet Farm and Wal-Mart. But if I'm a farmer, I'm saving my bra only for special occasions.
Reader Comments (9)
That is one sweet addition to the backyard ... Congrats! Nothing like turning grass to eggs, bra-less or otherwise.
That is a super exciting delivery indeed. It will be one of the first purchases we make once we purchase a house here in MN.
Kate,
I too have had the chicken itch recently and I have been researching, since Aaron and I are moving into our own place at the end of the month. There is a tool shed in the back yard that I hope to convert into a chicken coop this summer. There's a new urban farm supply store in St. Paul that you'd LOVE-- also, the msp chicken listserv... are you a member? If not, just shoot me a facebook blurp and I'll let you know about both. Good Luck!!!
How exciting! I can't wait to read (and see) how your chicken-raising adventures go.
those eggs are lovely. i've always wanted chickens. someday... sigh.
btw, did you ever get my email with my address? just wanted to make sure it didn't get sent to your spam folder.
Beautiful eggs, great story, can't wait to hear about how it goes - and see pics of chicks! Very exciting...
Hi and congrats on the chicken tractor. If you haven't hooked up with Peet Willicut (sp) and feel you need to learn about chicken-raising, I recommend his starter class "Chickens in the City". We took it before getting our chicks and it helped a lot. Plus, he doesn't laugh out loud when you ask dumb questions. Or just pop over to the island and talk to him. We've loved our chicken experience, and wish you the best of luck. Oh, and the city WILL inspect, so be prepared!
Naturally coloured eggs? Those Easter hens must be pretty rare. How are your chicks doing? I'm surprised you haven't shared any photos of them yet.
My friend Ellen and her husband gave up city life to move to a farm out in Winsted. If you're seriously thinking about that, I'd be happy to introduce you to her sometime. She serves on the board of Do It Green! Minnesota with me and is hosting a tour of her farm in September. Details are at http://www.doitgreen.org/content/backyard-homesteading-farm-tour-potluck-produce-exchange