"Mama Hen's Chicks, Come Home to Nest"
By Cheryl Harwell Bailey

Not only has the "nest" been full this July, 

but my heart has been full as well.

 All the chicks were home at the same time, 

which is a rare occurrence!

The neon mountain bluebirds wake us up singing.

 Fresh eggs from our hens, pancakes,
 sausage & bacon on the griddle.

 The brood gathers for 
"Grandfathers" breakfast in our "sleepers."

 We dress, after we eat, in soft summer cottons. 
No shoes (flip flops maybe), no makeup, carefree ponytails.

 We talk, play, watch the hummingbirds.

 No calendars, no cellphones, no eating-out.

It is home-cooked summer food with no calorie counting.
 Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Angeled Eggs,
 Grilled Burgers, Hot Dogs, Ribs,
 Garden Fresh Salad, Garlic Bread, Cornbread etc.

Then as dusk arrives it is time to make 
home-made-hand-cranked ice cream on the back deck,
 as we watch the Fireflies & Fireworks.

 Our children are grown, 
our grandchildren are growing up too fast,
 but these are the memories they will cherish.

 Sometimes I think I'm dreaming. 
How could we be so very loved
 by our family, our friends? 
How could we be so blessed to live
 in the country, with our garden and our hens? 
How could we have been so honored 
to be born in the U.S.A; the land of liberty?
 God only knows!