Spring Hints

A beautiful day here at the Chicken Ranch. Clear blue sky with only a wisp of fair weather clouds sailing slowly across it. The sun is bright and warm. The feathery branches of the scotch pine tree bounce up and down with the gentle southern breeze, as if they are intent on capturing the warmth from each airy pass. Even a crocus on the south side of the house is fooled into spring time bloom. Its purple and yellow petals a wonderful contrast to the brown and golden grass and leaves surrounding it.

Georgie the cat and I sit on the back porch soaking up the this bit of winter respite as the sun pours warmth over us like a thermal blanket. I made a pitcher of southern sweet tea and I sip slowly to appreciate its compliment to this striking day. My Yankee friends ask sometimes how to make good sweet tea. I tell them that it has to be strong enough to put your heart into atrial fibrillation and sweet enough make you a borderline diabetic. Six to eight tea bags and a heap of sugar per gallon. If you make tea and you can see clearly through the glass ..well your tea is in the junior leagues.

The chickens are stretching their wings out like solar panels catching the rays, and clucking contentedly. Two red fox squirrels are laying on limbs high in the maple trees, their tails blowing like airport windsocks indicating the direction of the breeze.

Except for that little crocus flower, none of us are fooled into thinkin this weather will be around long. But every last one of us is glad that we’ve been given this day in all its glory. Now I’ll ask ya’ll to excuse me, my tea glass is empty and heart rate is slowing to normal. Hope its as beautiful where you are. If your ever around the Chicken Ranch ,drop in. There’s always extra chairs on the porch for polite company.