C: "Not My Chicken" - Blogging and Chickens and Technology and Kids
First, the disclaimer: I am not the photographer for these pix…they are Word clipart. Sadly, I have no poultry to photograph.
I am fairly new to blogging, but what I am finding is that it is a valuable resource for me in several ways: it gives me a “rant” outlet (you readers have been so kind and tolerant of those), it is informational—I am learning so much as I read what you other bloggers write, and, last but certainly not least, you inspire me to think (maybe overthink) and to share my musings. I have become so very interested in the lives of those I read about in the blogs, and you are kind enough to indicate you care about what I write! The connection is wonderful!
Now, at the risk of revealing how very random my mind can be, I thought I’d share my thought processes from reading blogs this morning (when I should be getting ready for work)! One of my favorite places to visit is 3 Acre Homestead. You can visit, too, by clicking the link in our list of blogs we follow, to the right. One of you guys is going to have to teach this boomer how to put links in text soon…
Anyway, I read it this morning—a post done at 3:46 am! (Gotta love those early-risin’ farmgirls!). The author was speaking of her poultry, ”Khaki Campbells.” A Google search tells me that these are ducks, not chickens, as I had supposed upon reading. I don’t think this is a “Khaki Campbell” (who knows!) but here’s a duck for you:
Any way, speaking of a mama and her ducklings, Barbara said, “It is amazing how much smarter they are than the ones raised by a human.” And off went my mind. Of course, this is the case! The ducks raised in a natural way, apparently, do better than those raised by the artifice of humans.
This touched a nerve with me. As a family law attorney, I am seeing effects daily of raising our young ‘uns by artifice. No longer do kids run out the door for a day filled with fun in the sun. I am seeing young folk dying of boredom, sitting at the television or Wii or other game device (and getting into trouble) during a season which as kids V and I anticipated eagerly as a time of freedom-romping outside. Check out the very first two posts V and I did about stickhorses and outside play—click on the label “stickhorses” to see them. Sitting inside on a day off from school would have been unthinkable to us, television or no…
Am I sounding like an old codger yet? Probably. I’m just thinking that the artifices of technology are just not the best way to raise kids. And, having said that, I realize, too, the challenges of modernity, which include single-parenting and the need for two incomes.
Sigh, what’s the world coming to? Now that’s a codger statement if I ever heard one!
Anyway, let’s take this random-thought thing full-circle back to chickens!!!
The illsutration below is not my chicken, but I wish it was…
Poulty-keeping is one of the projects my mother-in-law and I want to undertake.
This is not my chicken, but I wish it was…
It will be a challenge (yet another!), and I’m sure I’ll be calling on bloggers like 3-acre-farmgirl for advice. What about coops and pens? Do chickens get sick? The questions are endless...
This is not my chicken, but I wish it was…
Anyway, thanks to you bogger/followers who read this. You are a source of inspiration for me (and of chicken information!). And if you’ve made it this far in this winding, twisting post, bless you and thank you so very much for being my ear and my outlet!! - C
PS - There was more random thinking...on "safe nesting"...inspired by that single 3-acre statement but I have restrained myself and will save it for yet another rant...
Comments
QMM
I always find that reading or watching a video the second time is so helpful in getting the full message. I got it this time. Not really a post about chickens or ducks. I agree with you. Parents need to tell their children to 'Go outside and Play!'.
I made my kids go outside and play. We were lucky in that we lived in downtown Saint Augustine. Playing in that little town was fun for a kid growing up. They had the beach and downtown Saint Augustine that can only be appreciated if you have ever visited the old town. I used to have parents ask me, "How can you let children play outside"? My response was that children are supposed to play outside. I cannot imagine my childhood not being spent outside playing and discovering and I WILL NOT allow predators of children dictate my childs childhood spent inside out of fear. While I raised caring passionate children I also raised them to fight and stand up and make a scene when needed so they could go outside and play. I told them of the dangers and taught them to respond. Of course I was a stay at home Mom who cooked every meal and made homemade snacks and spent time paying attention and raising my children to be smart and happy. Many parents today are working and exhausted and don't know what to do about anything. TV's and other people are raising their children and they wonder who their children are. If you raise the child and pay attention to all it's needs then you know who the child is and when something is wrong even if they are not talking you know when to respond to them. Oh My I have ranted. Okay I will get off the soapbox and let someone else have a turn.....smile...
Have a great day everyone!