~ Retired and Starting My Future In The Foothills ~

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
OMG! I have just realized I have a set of eggs from you, a set from Hot2pot, two sets from bargain, and two smaller sets from the NYD Hatch Designer Egg Swap on their way to me! Plus, I was gonna try another dozen from Trader Joe's.

It's a good thing I have so many Brinsea incubators, huh? Lordy. It will be chick bliss for me on January 1st, if just one chick from each set hatches. Take THAT, El Dorado County!
Mwaahaaahaaahaaahaaaaa.

 

[dsqard]

Linda just catching up on all that has been going on. I am in agreement with the others, John is definitely sweet on you.

Saying lots of prayers for your upcoming hearing. Keep us updated

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Well, I don't know about that.... Today is his birthday (yah, Pearl Harbor Day), so when he came by last night with the bill for his completed work, I gave him a small present: a rooster netsuke.

It was both dark and cold at 7:15 p.m. so I invited him inside. Both Dooley and Zorro were perched on the back of the sofa, which puts them at the perfect "You can't ignore me" height. (It's rough being a mini dachshund sometimes. Barking for attention whilst at ankle level annoys Momma, so they've learned to clamber up onto the back of the sofa and look cute.)

"Is this his spot?" John asked, as he scratched behind Dooley's ears.

"Yes, except when the cat is there. Then he has to jump over Smudge to walk the length up there. Almost a high-wire act," i bragged, as I reviewed the invoice, the attached receipts for materials, and opened my checkbook.

"Oh - I got you a little something for your birthday since I won't see you tomorrow."

We did the "you shouldn't have, Well I did" verbal volley for a minute, as I tried to make the gesture seem just nice, but not all that significant. I recall saying, "Well, you might not even like it," to which he replied, "So why would you give me something i wouldn't like?"

Exasperated with myself, I simply handed him the netsuke. "Here. It's just a little something to make you think about me, sometimes. At least its something manly..... Masculine...."

He turned it over in his hands, looking at the intricate carving. "Oh, it's a rooster!"

"It's a netsuke, do you know what those are?". He shook his head. So I explained what the original purpose for netsukes had been, why there were two holes carved in it, showing them to him.

"There are even feet carved on the bottom!" he exclaimed. "What is it carved out of?"

"It's supposed to be ironwood."

"Thank you. I even have the perfect place for it, on a cabinet I built, where I keep things .... Like this."

"You're welcome. I have a few other netsukes, because I think they're neat. I saw that dark rooster and thought it was something I'd like to give you."

He asked if I had taken it from my collection; no, I got it specifically for him. Well, I got it because I collect them, but that one made me think it might be a good gift for him.

Then I turned on the light in the hutch where I keep my hens-on-nest dishes and the various dragon figurines vie collected over the years. He immediately admired a large, intricate jade carving, then studied the rest of the items.

And then he said, "Well, I'd better get going. I'll see you on Saturday to take care of that switch and the nest boxes. Around eleven okay?"

Yup. On his way out, he noticed - for the first time - the four chickens roosting on the porch railing. Actually, he saw one, then when I said the four of them always roost there, he "found" the other three. He wanted to know who they were. Hitchcock, Wilbur, Clara and Elizabeth. He chuckled and asked them, "You don't like that nice coop I fixed up for you?"

Only Clara stirred, giving him the stink-eye. The others didn't take their heads out from under their feathers.

And off John went into the dark, down the driveway.

I will call him later today to remind him of the hearing on Friday; he had promised to attend, but that "see you Saturday" gives me an opportunity to remind him of the ... Obligation?

So, how'd I do, folks?

 

[coloradochick]

A little something that's not too personal but does have a bit of you and a masculine piece for him. By the way what is a netsuke. Something like a fetish. eta my question mark isn't working

 

[gryeyes]

Wikipedia does a good job describing the origin and purpose of netsukes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netsuke

But yes, I would consider some of them to be great fetishes - the ones carved to fit nicely in the hand, intricately carved but with no pokey bits, just perfect to roll in your palm, or touch in a pocket.

I wish I'd taken a photograph of it..... Doh! it was a gorgeous, long-tailed rooster, with the tail feathers curved down and around to make the piece very oval.

 

[coloradochick]

http://www.ecrater.com/p/8568684/boxwood-wood-netsuke-rooster-figurine#


Is this the one. Very beautiful! (hope this works)

 

[ChicknThief]

Whoa! How did I miss this!? That is a LOVELY property! I used to live in the foothills before I uprooted and moved "down the hill" to be with DF. We are coming back soon though!

I don't have time to read all 72 pages, but would someone be so kind as to sum up and post the events?

And who is this John fellow? Seems nice

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Oh, that is nice!

But, no,this carving ....imagine a sort of elongated... Walnut. Or a really big pecan, with the walnut ripples, as the carved bits. The rooster is in repose, not upright.

But I just may buy that one for my collection!

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Thank you! I love the place! Here's a quick recap:
My sitter died a couple of years ago, leaving me some money. I have been doing some "good works" with a small amount of it.

Some friends of mine moved to the foothills. I visited, fell in love with the area, and that day was shown a real estate listing that looked very promising. In the interim between making an appointment with the agent, I found some other listings, one of which was this foreclosed, vacant bit of property. Easter Sunday, I made an offer on it, contingent upon no restrictions against keeping chickens there.

Everything checked out clear - We THOUGHT - and I bought it for cash, really cheaply. The house, property and well needed work, which I contracted out before I moved into the house. Had the property fenced. Transmorgrified the dilapidated garage into a super coop.

John is my contractor. He is a local resident, does impeccable work, and is a really nice fellow. Highly recommended by my real estate agent and broker.

I moved my flock o' chickens to the property in late July, once there was running water available from the well, the property was fenced, and the coop was ready.

In August, I was notified by the county Code enforcement Officer that it was illegal to keep chickens on less than an acre. I am appealing the citation.

All the pages of this thread are filled with photos, stories, comments and nattering as this process has unfolded.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Hey Linda I just wanted you to know that I'm rooting for you and keep checking the thread for updates.

I hope it all works out for you!!!!!