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<\/a><\/p>\nWhile some kids were in the barn, some kids were copying recipes out of my latest cooking magazine for the monthly meal plan.<\/p>\n
Then there were roosters to be butchered.<\/p>\n Which normally isn’t very exciting.\u00a0 But for the first time ever, we ended up with chicken with the skin on.\u00a0 Not because we planned it that way.\u00a0 I expected to skin the roos, just like we always do.\u00a0 However, as soon as we started to skin we found the feathers pulling out in our hands.\u00a0 So we dry plucked.\u00a0 It was easy.\u00a0 Quick.\u00a0 And the birds came out sooo pretty.\u00a0 Mmmmm.\u00a0 Nice crispy chicken skin!<\/p>\n Maybe it was because most of our birds have started to molt.\u00a0 Perhaps we managed to pith the birds without meaning to.\u00a0 It could be that we just deserved a break and the universe gave us one.\u00a0 In any case, we got so excited with the dry plucking that we might have underestimated the job of cleaning up the feathers.\u00a0 Note to self:\u00a0 throw them in a trash bag, not on the ground.<\/p>\n While we raked up feathers and cleaned butcher knives and soaking bowls, the little ones shredded newspaper for the nest boxes.<\/p>\n And then the older ones pulled out the nest box bedding that got soaked during the passage of the last hurricane and replaced it with fresh.<\/p>\n While The Other Half started up the tractor to spread compost, we released the mother guinea and her keets from the garden.\u00a0 The keets are so big now that they are running out of bugs and starting to eat watermelons and tomatoes.\u00a0 Of course, letting them out should have been as easy as opening the gate.\u00a0 But, as you may have realized by now,\u00a0 nothing is ever easy with guineas.\u00a0 As soon as we got them out (which took 5 people), they lined up outside the fence, squawking to get back in.\u00a0 Oh, guineas…..<\/p>\n Next it was time to rescue the yucca plants from the wild daisies that grew up around them this summer.<\/p>\n Although we did have to leave a clump of weeds around the yucca in the middle….<\/p>\n …because someone was living there.<\/p>\n Finally, it was time to head up to the house.\u00a0 Although heading up to the house with the tractor is a lot more fun than it sounds.<\/p>\n Before everyone was totally exhausted, the kids filled the bird feeders.<\/p>\n Then, just as I had promised, we headed into a neighboring town for a 9\/11 remembrance event.\u00a0 Washington, D.C. residents can say what they want, but no one does patriotism better than small town America.<\/p>\n Not only were first responders and their families invited (unlike some cities<\/a> we know), they were given a free Hursey’s Bar-B-Q\u00a0 sandwich and a drink as a thank you.<\/p>\n Yum, yum, you’re welcome.<\/p>\n The kids had a chance to explore lots of public safety and rescue equipment.<\/p>\n Including some I hope they never have to actually use.<\/p>\n And despite the fact that I love the sight of a man in uniform,\u00a0 I love this enchanting vision even more.<\/p>\n The order!\u00a0 The organization! Are those labels??!!!\u00a0 Be still, my Type A heart!<\/p>\n When the kids had finished collecting souvenirs like these frisbees (Yes, frisbees, not hats.)…<\/p>\n …and jelly bracelets from the Forest Service (Who knew they were still using Smokey the Bear as a mascot?)…<\/p>\n …we stopped by the local art council exhibit and enjoyed the life size sculptures reenacting famous works of art.\u00a0 But this art wasn’t just for looking at.\u00a0 Here the kids join in J. Seward Johnson’s creation Were You Invited?<\/em> It’s based upon Renoir’s painting, The Luncheon of the Boating Party<\/em>.\u00a0 Really, is there anything cooler than standing inside a painting??<\/p>\n After a quick stop for ice cream, it was back to home and back to work.\u00a0 Don’t think there wasn’t some complaining over that.\u00a0 But rocks needed to be moved out of the new wildflower bed, which will cut down on the erosion of the ditch and decrease the amount of mowing to be done on a slope next year.<\/p>\n Plus the herbs were ready to be harvested and popped into the freezer.\u00a0 Fresh home grown herbs make all the difference in winter soups and stews.<\/p>\n Just before bed, there were eggs that needed to go into cartons.\u00a0 There are always eggs that need to go into cartons.<\/p>\n Now you might be thinking that farm kids have it awfully hard.\u00a0 I suppose they do.\u00a0 But I try to remind myself when they start whining, that I’m not just raising kids.\u00a0 I am raising adults.\u00a0 Adults who, hopefully, recognize that there’s a time for getting chores finished and a time for relaxing and having fun.\u00a0 Adults who know that when work needs to be done, it just needs to be done.\u00a0 Adults that don’t just worry about what they want to do today, but what they need to do to be prepared for tomorrow.\u00a0 Adults who are the backbone of their families.\u00a0 Their communities.\u00a0 Their country.\u00a0 After all, I ask myself:\u00a0 If my kids aren’t\u00a0 making America strong, whose kids will?<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n