Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Happy Valentine's Day
The lack of love in hens creates some odd behaviors. In flocks without a rooster, hens sometimes climb on top of each other as a way to express domination. When a human enters the yard, some hens will squat down in front of their person as if to offer submission. I usually pick the hen up and pet her gently on the back telling her she's a good girl then set her down. Invariably she will shake herself as if she'd been serviced by a rooster, then go on about her business of scratching out a living.
In humans that lack of love comes out in odd ways. We're at the end of our show's production cycle and one of the women I work with didn't get a valentine from the man she's been 'dating.' She was in a foul mood all day, striking out verbally at anyone who got too near.
It's not like she plans to have a family with this guy but that desire for companionship both physical and emotional is strong. We are a funny bunch of apes, seeking out others to form family bonds even when reproduction may not be the goal. Whether marriage or just cohabitation, it seems to me the calmest state is a family group living together sharing the work and rewards of life.
Having a flock of a few hens is a big part of the calm center of my life. There's something about caring for a few animals, a small garden and some trees that provides a sense of purpose and place in the universe that a more urban existence doesn't. Planting fruit trees, sprouting seedling tomatoes in the bay window in my kitchen and growing what food I can to eat gives me a direct connection to the passage of time and seasons in life.
If everyone raised at least some of their own food, our worldwide dependence on petroleum products might decrease. And besides, it tastes so much better when you grow it yourself.

 

This year's tomatoes started from seed in my kitchen window. Is 48 plants too many? I think not!