Growing up in a small town like Madison often meant that a child had to create fun out of mundane experiences. There was nothing more mundane than the daily rigors of running chicken houses.
It just so happened that my Uncle Gaines had two very long specimens of these luxurious poultry hotels and they kept his entire family busy seven days a week.
Visiting family members were often included in the multiple trips through these egg factories, so it was important to come prepared for the adventure. There were several observations that I made right away after my first journey into the ammonia-drenched atmosphere of a chicken house. My bleeding knuckles informed me that hens do not appreciate the removal of their future offspring and they will demonstrate their frustration with laser-like accuracy when aiming their beaks at your intrusive fingertips.
Another keen insight gained from the formidable flocks was that roosters do not care for having their hens disturbed. More than a few roosters have assured me that they originated the phrase “if moma’s not happy, nobody’s happy.” Judging by the number of times that I’ve heard the thunderous thump of an aggressive assailant approaching from behind, I’m certain that most roosters live by that motto.
My solutions for these problems were simple and effective. Thermal socks with finger holes cut out were perfect for surviving a brood of mad hens and steel-toed boots were great for exacting revenge on spurring roosters.
As it turned out, my ignorance of basic scientific principles gave the chickens their own sweet revenge. My cousins and I were repairing boards and cleaning feeders one day and I decided to cross to the other side of the house to finish the job.
As I stepped over the low-hanging feeders that were protected with electrified wires to prevent perching, my pocketed hammer connected squarely with the wire as I crossed. It was as if time froze and the earth stood still. I couldn’t move or speak as the current coursed through my tingling body. Eventually, I freed myself from the current and exited the chicken house with renewed vigor.
Despite days like this one, we always managed to find a way to make the work enjoyable. My uncle’s personality often made it even easier. He had a jovial laugh that erupted with enough force to turn his face a nice shade of red.
Plus, there was never a shortage of friends who gathered to enjoy his latest tall tales. Any weekend would find the Vickers, Terrys, Peters, Coxs or Thurmans huddled around an evening fire to share an assortment of raucous stories. Royalty was always in attendance as well. Prince Edward supplied the cigars and Lord Calvert handled the whiskey.
If I was lucky, we would hang around for supper, which often included my uncle’s legendary collard greens. He never gave up his special recipe, but he often said it may have included peeing in the pot. The shock value never wore off for me, so he happily repeated that line as often as possible.
Whether we were cleaning chicken poop off of the eggs or chasing lightning bugs late into the thick summer nights, it was always enjoyable. My recollections from those days remind me to make everything as fun as possible and to treat every day as a prize to be opened. If the Lord made the day, then there must be something valuable to be mined from it.
We are the sole creators of all things dull and boring. But, we do have a choice. We can laugh at everything that rises to complicate our plans or we can take ourselves too seriously, pretending to be in control of our lives.
As I complete this reflection, I have spent four days battling the flu and eight days of frequent back spasms that excessive coughing blessed me with. It was no picnic and none of it was fun. However, I have learned the value of persistence in overcoming obstacles and the need to take one day at a time.
Practicing this gives you the time to celebrate the small, daily victories you might otherwise miss and take for granted. Who knows, you might even get to enjoy a savory bowl of collard greens, with no concerns about what the secret ingredients may be.