I have been basically a "country girl" most of my life. I live on the same property I grew up on where my parents played a good bit at farm life. We had horses, cows, goats, free-range chickens, rabbits, pigs (gross!!!!) guineas, turkeys, and assorted cats and dogs. They also gardened and cut firewood for the wood-burning fireplace.
I remember all that but I never had total responsibility for any of those things. I do remember loving that lifestyle.
My husband was exposed some to that lifestyle as a young child but in his older years was pretty "citified". He knew my dreams when we married and has tried to mesh our lifestyles.
It took a lot of pleading to convince him chickens were worth the trouble to raise. Finally he said yes 4 years ago and built me the cutest little chicken coop. Okay - I researched breeds and care. I bought 5 adorable young chicks and 4 survived. They all got named- Priscilla, Ms.Red, Buttercup, and Queenie. They laid like clock work that first year- beautiful brown eggs. They laid pretty regularly the next. We added to our flock over time. Now the 4 older girls are not very productive anymore. That is the way of things. Now my dilemma:The country girl in me says it is time to get rid of the old girls. They cost more to feed than they contribute. My brother-in-law says "Eat them!" I can't - I would choke! They have names and they were my first. The sad thing is chicken is my favorite meat. I am like most people; I just try not to think about it. I truly don't know what I will do but killing them is not an option for me.
Another part of country life I hate- snakes! Uugg!! In the last week, my sister next door has found 2 King snakes in her yard. My brother-in-law knows they will eat mice/rats and other poisonous snakes so he just moves them out of the yard. Again, my country girl brain says that is wisdom but my heart screams "Kill It!!!!"
Being a true country girl is difficult.