Lilac Window

So, I have a funny story to tell.

A couple years ago I borrowed a permaculture book from a friend. I read about how chickens in the back yard can create a happy balance. They fertilize and till garden soil, provide eggs and eat some food scraps. They are fairly low maintenance and seemed like a reasonable idea.

The next day I was at a friend’s house. They have a big back yard and are avid gardeners. They are interested in sustainable living ideas. I suggested they get a couple hens. They said they would love to but didn’t think it was allowed. I thought that was crazy. “Of course they are allowed,” I said…but then swallowed my words thinking “I’d better check first.” So I called City of Calgary and asked around. Most people didn’t know. The planning department, the bylaw guys, they all talked to me like I was the first person to ask. A few said they couldn’t think of any reason why they would not be allowed. And neither could I. Finally I did speak to someone who did know. She showed me the bylaw that stated it.

I was pretty surprised. So I looked into legalizing hens in other cities and decided to write a letter to local Aldermen. I did this, and then published it on my blog at that time Mammacomic. And that’s where I left it. After that, there seemed to be a sort of critical mass on the topic. Fast Forward Magazine did an article, and the facebook CLUCK was formed.

Though I felt backyard hens are a good idea, I wanted to hear all sides of the issue, and let the city choose for itself what is best. After a year of many people working hard for a cause they believe in, the city has made it possible for Calgarians to have hens. I visited the hen booth at the Calgary ECO trade fair. This little sweetheart in the pic was making many new friends. Sign up to CLUCK on facebook if you need more info.The irony is that now that I am allowed to have hens, I don’t even have a backyard to keep them. But I like that fact that if I did, I could. See this pretty blog post about funny hen behavior.

Its cool to be a part of change, however small your part is.

Another painting by a toddler! Did I mention I love my job?

Are you all going to be at the Market Collective Sale in Kensington this weekend? You can read about it while hearing about cool stuff in Calgary at this website. I am really excited to check out some local art and crafts, and get into the holiday spirit!

Starting my own business while being a full time mom has its challenges. There are lots of ups and downs, but I am learning so much about art, myself, working together with people. I am meeting new people, and stretching in every possible way. And it just feels so great to be doing what I have always dreamed of doing. BUT…I have been out of touch with so many friends! I guess thats the down side of being so busy. But I am not complaining, and if you are out there – know I miss you!

One of our favourite places to visit in Calgary is Heritage Park. For some reason, we hardly ever get there, until October, and then we rush to get it in before the season ends.

I think we all love it for different reasons.

Em, first off, loves being with us. And so thats his deal.

Marcel loves the steam train. Of course. He also loved the new “family gallery” in the new gasoline alley, which had trikes you can ride around on a little paved road.

Mark loves learning about the life of people in the past, who roughed it, and pioneered, and did so much with so little.

I love that its so beautiful. I am not sure how they did it, but they’ve created this little bubble world, that looks so idyllic and pretty, I cant help but get swept away. I get all inspired imagining how people lived, their stories, the magic and the mystery of times past. And I also get inspired about how I want to live now. I wish that there could be a bit more real life, in my life, that resembled Heritage Park – where you can walk to the cute little grocery, know all the folks in the street, balance agriculture, farming, industry, and social life – without all the access. I also learn so much. This time, about gardening from the pioneer garden, about canning and preserving, and about living more simply.

I also just want to paint like crazy, every time I go.