All Cooped Up In The City

Once upon a time there lived a Chick who grew up in the country. After falling in love, she married herself a handsome Prince who carried her off to the big city...and then to another city... not quite as big. The Chick was indeed a city girl who loved red shoes and all was good!

One fine day, The Chick and her Prince met a Fabulous Family who had a charming chicken coop filled with dazzling fowl. This mesmerized the Chick and her Prince so much that they decided to raise chickens themselves. In exchange, they convinced the Fabulous Family to keep bees.

Plans were soon hatched and The Prince contracted with The Teenager to be an apprentice coop builder. Because power tools were involved, The Teenager happily accepted!

Attention to detail was exhibited throughout the project. A bell was installed so Olivia and Henry may announce the discovery of freshly hatched eggs with a ringing throughout the land.

 Dangling water and food pails were filled and ready for use.

Hanging in a big city hardware store, The Fabulous Mom of The Fabulous Family discovered this giant perfect snowflake.

 A shopkeepers bill jingles softy as the red door is opened and closed.

A painted heart for the original "red one" because she is always on the minds of The Chick and The Prince. And because she would absolutely love this crazy, and whacked out idea of raising chicks in the city.

The Prince designed 4 nesting boxes where the hens will lay their eggs. The door swings open from the outside, so fresh eggs can be collected quickly and efficiently!

Approximately 100 trips to the local Home Depot were traveled during the construction process. The Prince refused to keep track of the cost of the coop...let's just say it put a dent in the royal coffers.

The Chick and The Prince have determined that raising hens requires lots of food and supplies. A secure cupboard was constructed to store it all!

The Prince made a proclamation that the only rooster allowed will be the one perched high on the roof of the coop.

Finally... after many rain delays...the Prince called for the moving in of the chickens.

General Tsao took command of the move and became the first hen to try out a nesting box.

The girls were giddy as they cackled about...discussing "cheep" decorating plans and exploring all the space their new coop contains.

Penguin was the first brave one to navigate the royal chicken ramp using those chicken feet and razor sharp toenails.

 A birds eye view of the chickens settling into their new palace.

The Chick got such a kick out of this photo...look at all those chicken footprints in the sand!

During the move, a spy was discovered on the grounds of the royal coop... lurking on the perimeter.

And another spy...this one was not so much lurking but staring.

As the sun sinks low in the sky that evening a giant sigh of relief came from The Prince. The chickens were nestled safe and happy in the new coop, The Chick was happy for another day and there was peace throughout the kingdom.

THE END

The morale of this story is...You can take The Chick out of the country but you can't take the country out of The Chick!

Adorable May

A game of "Mother May I" to share some moments I found Adorable during the month of May?

Mother May I...Remember every day how serendipitous life is, to be Nana and Papa to this one?

Mother May I...Giggle as I watch my daughter and my grand daughter play dance-dance-party together!

 Mother May I...Pray I'm not seeing double...Izzy and I love dog-sitting Stella.

Mother May I...Please have more of the Almond Florentine with white chocolate mousse.

Mother May I...Ever finish this chicken coop?

Mother May I...Have a quilt just like this one...do you think Sue Spargo would gift me hers?

Photo taken by Michelle

Mother May I...Pinch myself when I see all the joy in the faces of this little family.

Mother May I...Ever finish the chicken coop? Oh wait...I already said that one didn't I.

Mother May I...Always be surrounded with fervent, nurturing friends...who text, call, check on me, and send exquisite flowers during arduous days.

Mother May I...Appreciate cavorting, dancing 8th grade boys at the Middle School Talent Show. They were marvelous!

Mother May I...Ever be able to express how incredulous all the flowers are at the cemetery on Memorial Day...as far as your eyes can see!

Mother May I...Figure out just where Henry got those long, curly eyelashes from.

Mother May I...Reach inside The Teenager's soul and comprehend what he's meditating about.

 Mother May I...Say how much I LOVE summer flowers blooming on my back patio.

Mother May I...Wait patiently for fresh herbs to mature and find a place in Summertime meals.

Mother May I...Drink in the aroma of Springtime in this little valley that is bright with green this year.. 

Words at Candlelight

Scanning the sea of crimson robes, it was the sight that took my breath away in the chill of last Wednesday evening. I stood elevated on the bed of a vehicle with microphone in hand. Quivering, the only words that would form were "Wow"!

How would I ever be able to say the things I had prepared?

And then...a calming warmth enveloped me and I began...

The scene before me all started with a delightful surprise visit from the 2011 senior class officers of LHS a few weeks ago.

 They presented their plan and sought our approval.

In Jocie's honor, they wanted their senior class gift to be a bright yellow bench with a plaque dedicating the gift to their classmate and friend. They miss her too!

Quickly and efficiently, the student officers placed an order for the bench, found a source for the bronze plaque, and lined up a contractor.

We were touched beyond words at the gesture. But you see, this Class of 2011 is filled with not only thoughtful and sincere teenagers, but extraordinary ones!

The officers had something else to ask...a simple request really. Would we speak at Candlelight? Having already gone through two LHS graduates, we knew exactly what this meant. The tears fell as we humbly accepted the request. Dean elected me to speak on behalf of all of us.

The bench is located at the back of the high school overlooking the football field. The place where Jocie famously became a member of the Touchdown Club. With golden sunsets on one side, and her snowy mountains on the other, it's perfect.  

Doesn't Cass look like a J Crew model here?

We gathered together, sans Dione and Bob (missed you) to see the bench for the first time just before the ceremony began.
 

As darkness settles around the bench just before I would speak, Jocie's spirit settles there too.

Here is some of what I said...

"On behalf of the Garlick family, it is a sincere pleasure to be with you tonight. The time-honored graduation ceremony of “Candlelight” at Logan High School is deeply embedded with tradition. Knowing that we would be speaking in place of one of you graduating seniors, humbles our family completely.

 

 So, I tried to think of what Jocie might want to tell you if she were here speaking to you right now.

• First, I’m sure she would be thrilled that the newest make-out spot at Logan High School was a yellow bench with her name on it.
• Second, she would tell you all how much she loves you but not in a totally serious way, much louder and more like “Dude, you’re all awesome!”
• And also, I know she’d want you to hear her best advice for your future...as you so often heard her say “Go Big or Go Home”

Four years ago I watched you all enter Logan High School with excitement, fear, dread, inhibition and hopes. You were shorter, smaller, and had interesting choices in hair style and fashion. Today you are older, taller, smarter, wiser and excellent drivers. You have achieved a wonderful high school education and tomorrow you graduate. As you each start out on a new path, I ask you, what will your legacy be?

As you can imagine, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on life and legacy. With legacy being the result of living an authentic life; no matter how long that life might be.

If you think about it, there are literally thousands of people who lived their lives in such a way that deeply affects each one of us today.

• The founding fathers of our nation who believed in gaining freedom and a better way of life.
• Abraham Lincoln, who knew this country should not be divided.
• Those of you with pioneer heritage, whose family members left everything they owned to move to this beautiful valley we now call home.
• Family members…a grandparent, aunt, or uncle whose legacy might not have been famous, but a true representation of what it is to be a truly great person.
• Perhaps a coach, or treasured friend left you their legacy, whose example reminds you daily to achieve greatness and fully embrace everything and everyone around you.

Just like those who came before us left us their legacy. Those who will come after us will come to know the legacy that we leave them. What will your legacy be?

You most certainly will have challenges, struggles, unexpected or life-altering difficulties that threaten to inhibit or even destroy your legacy. What will you do? I stand before you tonight to tell you that you can make it through these moments. If you pursue through the unimaginable, stay strong and believe in your own personal legacy I know you will succeed.

Some parting words I know Jocie would want to share with you…have fun in your life, be crazy, maybe even a tiny bit weird. Go big or go home...but mostly go big!

To the Class of 2011…We will always love you and consider you part of our family. We expect many amazing accomplishments from you, with a legacy that lives on for generations."

And scene...and what a scene it was!