Alan Skeoch

Month: December 2020

  • EPISODE 181 JOY! WE WON PRIZES AT THE ROYAL WINTER FAIR FOR OUR CHICKENS

    EPISODE 181    WE WON PRIZES AT THE ROYAL WINTER FAIR FOR OUR CHICKENS

                               (I was too dismissive in the earlier story about them.  Joy trumped disgust.)
    alan skeoch
    Dec. 2020

    Thanks for the responses to the chicken story.  I worried that the story was a little too
    dismissive of  our chicken raising days.  Also thought some of you would find it silly.
    Well the  reverse has  happened.   Lots of comments.  Russ Vanstone even sent a note
    in praise of  keeping a pet pig…big sow with piglets.  I think he is going to try to raise
    one at his home in Toronto.  

    When I wrote the chicken story I think some of the joy we experienced  raising chickens
    was  neglected.   To get up in the early morning knowing that Big Red and  his harem
    were waiting for us to lift the trap door was a joy.    Once lifted Big Red came out first
    and moved to the side.  He ‘serviced’ each hen at it popped  out the door.  He paid 
    attention to the whole harem.  None were left out.  And he could crow with joy day
    after day.   He made us all feel good about life.

    Each year we sent some of our hens to the Poultry exhibit at the Royal Winter Fair
    and we won prize ribbons which  Marjorie has  framed.   








    Tinware chickens are nice to look at but they do not lay eggs.



    MARJORIE believed  the children that could love animals would emerge as fine adults.  All kinds of animals…including puppies


    Our back yard  in the chicken keeping days had no room for grass…kids  and  chickens…dogs and cats.



    Remember I said backyard chickens attract kids.  Here is proof of the pudding.


    The day the fire truck was completed it was filled with kids.  That was why it was built.

    Another shot of Big Red. He is letting me know that he is  boss.

    Our ducks, ping and pong are amused to find Andrew in he cage while they peer in.



    Cats,dogs, chickens, ducks, turtles, frogs, …wonderful world.


    Andrew and  the duck called Ping are very alert.  Do they hear a coyote?

    Kevin and  our cat Tarnga are colour co ordinated.   Love the big smile.


    Not every chicken was a pet.

    alan skeoch
    Dec  2020

  • EPISODE 180 WINTER WONDERLAND IN MIDDLE OF COVIDD 19 PANDEMIC

    EPISODE 180    WINTER WONDERLAND IN MIDDLE  OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC


    alan skeoch
    Dec. 1, 2020

    When we awoke this morning our small world had been transformed.   The dark days
    of November were gone and everything was clothed  in snow.

    Even better we had  a visit by a joyful mailman who Woody greeted.  A few  days earlier
    another grouchy mailman refused to deliver the mail because of Woody and  his wagging 
    tail.

    Some years we do not get snow  until Christmas  or later so…at present…this is a joyful
    day.  Shovelling will come later.  Shovelling can be avoided by driving the truck  up and down
    the laneway but that packs  it into ice.  A year or so  ago I went ass over teakettle on the 
    ice and  knocked myself out.  So now I take short steps.

    Our living room seems more welcoming on  days like this.  Sad  to say there will be no visitors
    for we are in isolation.  Scrabble today….we are even at 2 games each.

    No doubt all of you are out taking pictures as well.  Use short steps so there will be no
    need of a 911 call.

    alan skeoch
    DEc. 1, 2020

    P.S.  MARIAN KUTARNA…thanks  for the nice note.  I will send details of the wood quilt now hanging in your library.  So nice
    to know  someone loves these folk art pieces.  

    p.p.w.  To John Ricker…Woody does not normally sit on  cold  snow but when  I said the picture was for you John he sat down.