I grew up in Queens. Elmhurst to be exact, and that qualifies me as a born and raised city girl for all of my formative years. The only green I ever saw outside was on our two week vacation to the Island, and two weeks of girl scout camp up in the country. My Mom was allergic to animals so my only pet was a turtle, and we all know what happened when they failed to thrive. I wasn't unhappy but I lacked the fresh air and sunshine of country life.
I suppose that's why the first chance I got I returned to the beach I loved and the shores of the Island that made me ache unless I was standing on her soil. To this day if I am sad, I get on my hands and knees and work the earth until my exhaustion gets a hold of me or until the light is gone and I can see no more. I have surrounded myself with not only pets but farm animals that I take great pride in caring for.I especially like chores that no one else will do. For me it is a privilege and I would be hard pressed to give it up. What makes me laugh is the surprise I find in each of the little things this city girl discovers. This very morning my baby chicks were suffering from a common dilemma. Seems they have trouble during this first week of life with their new food and digestion. Things don't always roll smoothly so what needs to be done for 4 day old chick is one must bath and clean their bottoms and then because they can't be in a draft all wet...you guessed it-blow them dry. I laughed out loud seeing myself in the mirror this morning . Here I was still half in Elmhurst holding a wet 4 day old designer chicken and blow drying his bottom after his little bath. Yikes. After I was done my husband returned home and noticed. "Gee the chicks look awfully fluffy I guess they really are self sufficient pets"Hummmmm I replied, I guess. Now I wonder...should i clue him in or keep this little privilege to myself? Small steps towards a country life.
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