THROW-AWAY DOG -"A CHICKEN IN EVERY POT..."

 (TAD) Throw away dog. An abandoned dog. 

Dropped off by his/her owner well over a year ago and the short story is that TAD sits patiently, seven days a week, waiting for his owner to return.

To everyday commuters and locals moving about, TAD has become a fixture. A conversation. Impossible to pass the dog without comment and personally sharing in this dog's story.

Folks have tried to stop, befriend and take TAD home, but the dog will have none of that. "Do Gooders" have the dog's best interests in mind, ya know. 

The dog stays away from anyone and everyone who tries to get close. And as hard is it is to see TAD resting on the roadside, we have come to appreciate his devotion to that one person who dropped him off in our backyards so many months ago. It is his owner for whom he waits.

And as this story unfolds, in an out of the way back road, our TAD is a free dog in east Texas. Living his life on his terms from 115 degree days through the freezing days ahead of us. All of this may preferable to being caged or locked up for his "own good".

But know that he is not forgotten. Food is always set out. Fresh water is always set out and just this past week prior to single digit temperatures arriving, a small plywood lean-to has been placed along barbed wire fences for shelter. My bet is that there is straw and hay under those makeshift shelters. There are several folks who go to his corner of the road and set out necessities and check on him daily.

TAD may more folks who care for him now than ever before. 

Loyalty, love, trust and hope, apparently wasted on a heartless owner. Still, "TAD is a good boy."

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"A CHICKEN IN EVERY POT..."

Political Ad 1928

I heard this many times growing up. When grandma had a fresh chicken in the pot, when mom was making a batch of chicken soup and when I did same in past years. The saying was born in politics. But to folks who were cooking chickens in pots in those years, it meant a degree of prosperity, hope and affordable eats. To this day, there are still chickens in our pots. And for the same reasons, affordable, good eats, healthy eats and the smell of home cooking in the kitchen. 

Grandma would send me to grab a chicken from the hen house, bring it down the hill carrying it by its feet and then give it to her. A few moments later, a plucked/clean chicken found its way to the early morning stove for simmering till lunch time.  The whole chicken shown below was on sale for $3.00 last year and put in the freezer. This past week, the bird found it's way to the pot.

Rinsed in cold water, cavity salted, vegetables and spices added and covered in water. Simmered on low for just under 2 hours. 

If you are one of the thousands of folks coughing and under the weather this winter, this chicken soup is what has been part of the remedy for eons. A cup of warm chicken soup has no equal in my opinion. And, never drain off the fat when straining the broth. Never. 

Chicken soup is also a way to feed more folks. A CHICKEN STORY. 

Warm homemade bread along with a fresh bowl of soup. Another upside of this chicken pot is how easy it is to do. Hundreds of ideas on the net. 

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SNOW IN NEW HAMPSHIRE / COOL DAYS AND SUNSHINE IN EAST TEXAS

 Game camera - deer feeding after snow fall in NH.

 Papa deer and family moving through our front yard in east Texas last week.

Turkeys feeding after snowfall in NH.

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Good friends left behind in NH are arriving for a few days' visit. We are meal planning and prepping for their arrival. A shopping list of last minute items to pick up is finalized. 

Seventeen degrees this morning. Freezing rain and some snow predicted. Single digit chill factors. Water dripping, cathouses plugged in with heated water dish near by. Cats are fat and ready for winter. Seems like they have been eating constantly for the past months. 

Fireplace lit, some morning chores and then a good book and blanket to help waste a Sunday afternoon. Soup on the simmer.

No Jibber Jabber this week. I do not want to get close to those rabbits holes.  WTFs can wait for awhile.

Appreciate the visit. Stay warm, away from crowds and give a hug or two this week.