Clarence and the chickens

Six months ago, my neighbor started a hobby of raising chickens. My cat Clarence is less than thrilled with them. In my opinion, chicken -watching is great entertainment!

After a longer than expected hiatus, I'm determined to get back to daily art posts. Unfortunately, life sometimes gets in the way of art. Not enough art makes me nervous. Making art is like a nice brain massage.

free-range chickens

Six weeks ago, after returning from a trip to Florida, my next door neighbor volunteered to pick me up at Austin Bergstrom Airport. Since my plane was delayed for a couple of hours, she went to a nearby garden center and bought some Rhode Island Red baby chicks (a wild moment of impulse shopping). I had a box full of them at my feet for the drive home.

Who knew chickens are so entertaining? They are about 2 months old now, with most of their adult feathers. I'm so glad I was able to talk my neighbor into building the coop on the opposite side of her house, away from mine. Cluck luck.

boiling eggs

Just a quick interpretation of a pot of eggs on the stove.

livestock show

The Future Farmers of America livestock show, San Marcos, Texas. These kids do a great job of raising animals. I was especially intrigued with the goats with coats.

free napkin with every order!

Blanco, Texas cafe. While filling my truck gas tank for $2.20 a gallon, I noticed this cafe. The shoe polish graphics on the windows have such a great sense of humor, I just had to sketch this place.

Something to crow about!

Last week I went to a Missouri and Kansas with a friend to visit his family and the places of his childhood. These are Charlie's chickens in Odessa, Missouri. They were way too interesting to not make a moleskine entry!

Something to crow about!

Charlie's chickens. These birds are beautiful! Especially Barny the rooster, who is wonderful with watching over his brood of chickens.

Odessa, Missouri.

Something to crow about!

This is the "famous" Chicken Mary's we have all heard about in Pittsburg, Kansas. It was well worth the trip! It's the best fried chicken I've ever eaten...and it comes with spaghetti! Here's a link with driving directions. http://ktwu.washburn.edu/journeys/scripts/2002/1507c.html

Something to crow about!

And, if you've had your fill of fried chicken from Mary, just walk a few yards down the road to her sister Annie's for another round of fabulous fried fowl! If you're hankerin' to have a look, here's the link to Annie's place. http://ktwu.washburn.edu/journeys/scripts/2002/1507c.html

The chicken....?

...or the egg?

Small painted gourd.