Aren’t they pretty? These beautiful oblong orbs came from a couple who lives about 15 minutes away in Washington County. They contacted us in response to a Craigslist ad Richard posted for some 2′ blue spruce trees he’d dug up out from our yard so he could plant peach trees in their places. The couple offered to trade eggs for trees. I asked Richard to inquire as to how the chickens were raised, were they pastured, free-range, etc. It turns out their 16 chickens are friendly, hand-raised pets with benefits, and allowed to wander wherever their hearts desire as well as live out their natural lives. The husband and wife, Dennis and Ann, were enthusiastic about inviting our family to come visit and meet their chickens and Shetland sheep. They delivered our first dozen today, and we all chatted non-stop for almost three hours about all things sustainable and frugal. We’re also taking the girls out to their house on Monday afternoon. I can’t wait to see all of their chicken contraptions they were telling us about!
So of course now I want nothing more than a small, mobile chicken coop to house 4-8 lovely laying ladies. The unfortunate fact is that all of Ozaukee County forbids backyard chickens on properties zoned as residential. I’ve combed the last two year’s worth of my town’s meeting minutes for any mention of motions to amend the zoning restrictions on chickens, but I can’t find a single one. Is it possible nobody has ever even ASKED for chickens in this town? How can that be?
And is it coincidence that just a few weeks ago I was suddenly (and VERY inexplicably, especially to myself) inspired to become the secretary of the PTO board at Jessica’s school, when I’ve never attended a single PTO meeting? A position that allows me to observe polished, assertive, diplomatic women deftly navigating the choppy waters of such a politically-charged group as a PTO? Somebody has plans for our new sustainability endeavors, I’m telling you, and it’s certainly not me driving the bus here. There are bigger forces at work. With absolute gut certainty, I know I’m heading true north, where the air is sweet and sharp and impossibly, achingly, clear.
I’m so glad you’re here with me.
