Baffled

I have been meaning to write this blog for a while, not that it is a burning issue or anything, but the subject matter of homophobia has I think crept into everyday Trelawnyd life, albeit in a fairly benign way.
Being gay is certainly the least interesting part of me as a person (well I could argue that it may compare with my passion for fat hens or my obsession with The Poseidon Adventure! in interest level) and in general I would never think that someone would not accept me or give me the time of day because of an accident of my sexuality.(if they react to my opinionated big mouth-well, that's another story)
To be honest I have seldom had a negative reaction (to my face anyhow) in all my "out" years but also to be fair I have never "looked" for any reactions also, so I think it has taken me a while to realise that there is a occasional one or two people in the village that perhaps have taken umbrage with me ---- and may whisper this " he's Living with a man!".
One woman in particular is conspicuous by consistently being cold and rude to me. I have never held a detailed conversation with her, so I know I have never knowingly upset her, but when I saw her again today, she again reacted to my greeting with the usual curt stare.
Another villager saw the interaction and picked up on its potential homophobic roots which was interesting, and although I was touched by her need to apologise for the other woman's behaviour, I didn't really need it.

I am always slightly baffled by homophobia, I truly am. This woman's reaction to me, didn't annoy me so much as surprised me.....I just don't get it!
Anyhow, I am proud that we have chiseled our way into the village community by being rounded,active and genuine people,if a few saddos don't like the fact that we happen to be two old poofs as well, well it's San fairy Ann !(http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/310500.html)

Cocks return

One of the buyers of a bunch of hens, brought back two of her cockerels this morning, which was a bit of a shame. I couldn't argue , but I was a bit pissed off as now I have 9 males which is far too many for comfort!
so, I have now had to toy with the idea of euthanasia, which is a depressing thought, but a necessary one!....... for ages this afternoon I have weighed up the pros and cons of each bird in turn. Of course the old boys Clover and Poppy, Stanley and Rogo are safe, so I am left with the choice of the two buff cockerels, a multi coloured bantam (rear left) and the aggressive but cute wynandottes Roger and Pirrie! As it turned out I had to thank god for Helen (my friend that owns the animal feed shop) who sent one of her customers down to me this afternoon. After a bit of schmoozing, the customer was happy to take the two returned cockerels off my hands.......result!!
Susan the sick hen, is just about holding her own today. I have injected her with the remaining antibiotic, and have hand fed her some of Albert's cat food....the next 24 hours may well tell...
I am knackered, had another cough laden night on the couch

Typhoid Mary,Typhoid Chicken

After coughing like typhoid Mary throughout the night, I finally managed to snatch 2 hours sleep under the eiderdown on the couch (with William acting as an organic hotwater bottle).
This morning I have made a doctor's appointment to chase up a possible answer to why I have suffered so many chest problems over the past 6 months and I have promised Nuala (who rang today) that I will request a chest xray! I won't think about any possible ramifications about all this....working on intensive care can be a little scary

I have felt rough as a bear's bum all day, but the nice weather has helped somewhat. I drove to Meliden to deliver some eggs to our former neighbours (who regaled me with a long, and very detailed and convoluted story about an attack of rectal. Bleeding!!).-yeap just what I needed today! I took the dogs for a walk on Craig Fawr ( which literally means big rock in Welsh) and the views over Prestatyn and Liverpool Bay (pics) were lovely

I put the ducklings out onto the field for the day, cleaned out several of the coops and then set up Susan (one of last year's hybrids) into the rabbit "hospital" hutch. Susan has been looking quiet for a day or so, and today has the hunched look of a very poorly hen. When hens look this unwell, there is very little you can do for them and invariably they die,but I will try to pull the young girl through!. I have already treated her for worms and parasites, so today I took the dogs up to the vets to collect some antibiotics for her (which the vet allows me to inject).

As I was driving up to Caerwys, I noticed an extra head popping up in the rear view mirror and I was amused to see Albert, his eyes wide as dinner plates, sat amongst the dogs.He was obviously anxious at being trapped in the car but soon settled down with his housemates that surrounded him

Off to have a long steam bath now..thanks to all that left me supportive messages including Nige (you tw*t) I loved the therapist comment.......

3 hours

I managed three hours at work before the heat of Intensive Care started a real coughing fit!....my chest still feels terribly tight and wheezy and I am resolved to get another check up from the GP, as this is my third bout of bronchitic type symptoms I have had in 6 months! The senior nurse on duty said I looked awful and told me to go home...
perhaps I am just getting old

LuPone

Lazy blog today. We went to some friends last night and had far too much white wine. Today I have a teenager of a hangover, and have wasted the day away.
Posted this as I remember seeing miss LuPone in Les Mis way back in the 80's!
I think she did a brief duet recently on a US news programme! with Susan Boyle !!!
Bet she hated that!

The ducklings get "outed" and Boys with toys

The Hysterical ducklings had their first day out today, and went out in a cage onto the field. Wellington (second from left) still looks a little moth eaten, but all seem to have enjoyed a long break out in the sun. 5 of the hens have gone broody

My friend Geoff called around with his monster new bike this afternoon and Chris had the chance to ride pillion which obviously excited him greatly......I am not a lover of bikes, having seen what damage can be done to riders during my 17 years working in Spinal Injuries, but I kept quiet when Chris voiced interest in buying himself something similar!

(although the statement "over my dead body" comes to mind)

Friday no news and Flower Show Shenanigans

Chris has had a hard day's work. It is now 8pm and as usual he and William are asleep on one couch. I am sat on the other with Meg,Maddie, George and now Albert. At least I am feeling a little better, I have felt dire for most of the day.
No real news to report, in between typing this, I have been surfing the net to organise a trip to Alcatraz for when we are in San Francisco, I have visited the prison years ago....as I recall it was a fascinating place.

Time for another Lemsip me thinks

Oh yes, there was a little news today! I am now Chairman of the Flower Show! albeit by default as our Chair person has resigned after a slightly "complicated" time.Whether I continue as Chair remains to be seen,.....oh the power!!!

Pace

This evening Sam and his father called round. (Sam was the eleven year old that came to learn how to care for chickens last week) They very kindly brought me two bottles of wine as a thank you and were filled with exciting stories of their newly bought hens!
After they had gone, I had the chance to watch the field population settle in for the night. The pace of dusk is gentle and plodding, especially when it is compared to the complex excitement of dawn.
Boris and Gloria, already comfortable in their hut can be heard chattering gently to themselves, at the same time, the runner ducks slowly gel into a tight flock by the fence border, waiting almost patiently to be directed into their duck house.
The senior hens have already found their way to the choice perches inside the 7 hen houses, and the lower ranking girls and cockerels potter quietly around the coops, scratching for the missed pieces of corn, As the light fades ever so slightly, they too in groups of two and threes disappear slowly into the small doorways. Pirrie and Roger, the tiny and vital bantams, dart around and spar with each other like schoolboys, and remain in constant motion until the light all but dies.
In the farthest run the Buff cockerels Poppy and Clover stay out the longest, they march up and down , eager eyes focused on the field borders looking out for threats and rabbits, their golden colours still clearly visible in the fading light, they only retire when strongly "encouraged" to do so.
Occasionally the pigs can be heard snorting and bickering as they make their straw beds and it is funny that they both sleep with their heads propped up inside the old nesting boxes on the side of their hut.
From the cottage bedroon window I can just make out the ghostly face of Meg and the shadow that is Albert, both watching what I am doing with interest and I smile to myself
Funny what you notice when you have the time