Monthly Archives: January 2016

The Trees Are Afire

Posted on January 31, 2016 by

The low winter sun sets the trees afire. It looks like the whole woods is aflame. The alders face off as if insane, waving their branches and twigs every which way, twisting themselves into untangable knots. The cool, drizzly weather … Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness | Leave a comment

Off With Its Head

Posted on January 30, 2016 by

Three queens, Shiun-hime, Sunshine, and Svenda, up on their roost. Of the three, Shim-hime, exudes a most royal air. She looks down at me as if I am one of her countless subjects. You can almost see her fiery eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in About My Chickens | Leave a comment

Evening Love

Posted on January 28, 2016 by

A rooster’s quest for love never ends. From dawn to dusk, a courting he will go. The only thing that slows a rooster down is nightfall. Once it is time to go to bed, they give up love’s conquest. They’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in About My Chickens | Leave a comment

As Soft as a Baby’s Butt

Posted on January 27, 2016 by

Making bread ranks up there along with making tofu and petting your cat as one of the most relaxing, heart warming things you can do. Sometimes I add nutmeg, or allspice, or coriander to the dough. Today it’s dillweed. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness | Leave a comment

Spring Creeps Ever Closer

Posted on January 26, 2016 by

Spring creeps ever closer. The daffodils are sending their flower buds up toward the sky. More green than yellow today, each day their buds turn ever more yellow. Fuller baskets of eggs are a sure sign of spring’s approach. Each … Continue reading →

Posted in About My Chickens | Leave a comment

Drab Be Gone

Posted on January 25, 2016 by

This gray time of year, with day after day of clouds, drizzle, and rain, I can feel like this leaf looks. A walk in the woods, among the green ferns helps. It’s King Richard who knows how to perk me … Continue reading →

Posted in About My Chickens | Leave a comment

煎り酒 – Irizake

Posted on January 24, 2016 by

Irizake, a dipping sauce made from sake, dried plums, fish flakes, and salt, is having a comeback in Japan. Historical references to this sauce go back to the end of the Muromachi period (1336~1573). During the Edo period (1603~1868), irizake … Continue reading →

Posted in Recipes | Leave a comment