Solandana

Whenever I need to recharge - the mountain helps me to, in no time at all.   

 She was found along the road, a 4th of July weekend, broken legs and all. She was brought home to heal. In no time at all, she ran the family. A tiny package of mighty chihuahua. When Duane showed up last year - she let him know in short order who ran the pack. It was the funniest thing to see that giant dog cower to little Phife.  I will always remember the Christmas Eve dinner at our old home. The elder bunch of siblings and spouses gathered around the table after the meal. Phife dressed in her red velvet, white fluffy trim and rhinestone finest. She rested on my lap. My sisters other half wanted to get up and stretch his legs. Phife eyed him with disapproval. She scanned the room to note no one else was getting up from the table. She gave him a commanding bark to sit down and Mike did. I was sarcastically mimicking her voice - "sit down, I don't see anyone else getting up".  We all had a good chuckle as Mike sat down and acquiesced. I told him, "get up, don't

  She kept an eye on me for quite some time, perhaps even months. Spying my actions as I worked my daily barn chores. Then, one day,  she boldly proclaimed Solandana her own. A rogue red hen, now named Irene Henrietta Reed. So bold she commands the pack the feral cats around the place. Even rousts them from their food.  Pooping on my porch, roosting in the trees at night. Dodging the hawk during the day. She is one tough chicken! Gene worries about where she will sleep come the winter snows. I tell him, "don't worry, she is one strong-willed bird, she'll tell us when the time comes." You'd think he know about strong willed women by now! There is so much to be entertained here by. The antics of the crazy red bird, the cats, dogs, horses and the wildlife - who needs TV? I'd much rather spend time outside with creatures that find us. It's time well spent that fills the soul, eases the mind and reminds one of the real value of life and freewill.