In the (kinda) warm California sun

A chicken post. Because I can't ponder the current state of my nation. (Heads-up: I do ponder it, so if you don't want to read that, stop after the third photo.)

We've had some AMAZINGLY beautiful late autumn days recently; sun and slight heat and sun and.... Did I mention it was sunny? The chicken's run is wholly in the shade now due to the towering treeline. But the garden, only a few feet away, gets sun for much of the day! And the chickens seem smart enough to know that sunshine is healing. And yesterday, I sat in the run with them.

All eight hens (it's still weird to acknowledge they are finally HENS) having the time of their chicken lives!

My husband was there too, lopping dead blackberry branches off the vines that cling to the aged fence. The chickens poked around, scratched in the dirt, managed some dustbathing, as well as sunbathing. They chased each other around when one found a tasty treat, but mostly they pecked at the grass, truly happy in this home away from home.

I think all eight are in this shot too.

We realized they know where their ACTUAL home is when we shooed them out and nearly all headed right for the run, then into the COOP! Only one lollygagged, but quickly she followed her sisters into the coop, where they stayed just long enough to nom on the feeder, lol! Then back into the run, where they hung out for quite a while. Voluntarily they go into the coop nightly, as night emerges sooner every evening. We leave a low light on for them until a little after six p.m., as they are already on the wall sometimes as early as five thirty. Funny how instinctual they are; it's getting darkish out, they must think. Time for bed!

Seven here; Nadia spent much of her time solo, but not attempting to fly out of the garden, whew!

(I SO BADLY want to write something about the eight democratic senators, as I include Chuck Schumer in that list, but what is there to be said? Their betrayal of ALL AMERICANS won't be forgotten soon.)

I'm grateful for these chickens, even if no eggs have been laid. They are entertaining, keep me active, and they photograph well. We didn't plan on raising chickens, but God thought we needed them, or these particular hens required us. It's hard sometimes, wondering why things happen as they do. Like a government shutdown that seems to have provided very little in the way of assuring many Americans that they are deserving of affordable health care.

Ahem.

It's hard straddling the fence of faith, that something GOOD will come of this debacle. Yet I maintain my belief that all things work for the good of those who love God (Romans 8.28), of which I am one. All the Republican senators claim a Christian faith; I haven't yet explored the beliefs of those Democrats who voted alongside nearly all of them, save Rand Paul. My daily devotions have been steeped in John 17, where Christ prays for his followers and those who will believe later on, that we all will be safe in his love. How do I reconcile myself with those Christians who seem not to care about others, who seem to actively wish to harm others? How does someone who calls themself a follower of Christ justify that cruelty?

Camilla. Bless her....

My query is ages old, but I had to pose it, although I've already prayed about it. None of this makes sense to me, and faith in Christ Jesus has been a part of my life for over fifty-four years. But all my caterwauling won't change their hearts, those men and women, Republicans, Democrats, and one Independent, who seem to think that denying affordable health care is compassionate. Is taking care of one's neighbor. Is thoughtful, helpful, decent. Sigh....

Readings from yesterday. Need to open my Bible to see what today brings.

If you've read this far, thanks for letting me get this off my chest. The mystery of this life isn't for me to analyze. Just keep doing good, stay the course, and don't forget to feed the chickens. Yup, that's where I'm at today.