Lifestyles

How the Hen House Turns: Geese in a Hail Storm

Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned in the way geese respond to weather—or not.

On a bright sunny day, Lucy and the Hen House gang cut loose whenever I appear outside. I am greeted with a cacophony of loud honks and squawks. Their message is quite clear, “Let us out of here.” And I do.

But then, when the wind starts blowing the Ponderosas into a wavering dance, usually after noon, they retreat to the safety of the pen.

If the day is not bright and sunny—or if I need to open the Hen House doors a little too early—they do not Read More

Your Money: Social Security Strategies for Couples

It’s a new year, and that means a new cohort of people are eligible for Social Security. Some elect to begin taking benefits at 62, the earliest age allowable.

While it may sound good to take the money as soon as it’s available, that’s often not the best option. The age at which you apply affects the amount you get. Most of the time, the math works out better for those who wait at least until full retirement age, if not longer.

But for married couples, it’s worth taking even more time to consider the Social Security options. When spouses Read More

How the Hen House Turns: The Power of Imprinting

I’m thinking of new beginnings as the new year begins. It’s been almost four years now, since Gwendolyn hen was a chick, raised in our human house during a nasty cold spring, thus imprinted with me as her mother hen.

She still climbs onto my lap whenever I perch on the bench beside the stock tank. She’ll accept a snuggle under my jacket and holds still for several minutes—a rare event in the life of most chickens—then she gets bored and hops off to peck around in the yard for the rest of the morning.

Such imprinting Read More

The Pain Free Athlete

Polls show that one quarter of people who set New Year’s Resolutions drop their efforts by the end of the first week. This figure rises to a third by the end of the first month and is over half at the conclusion of six months. Not very promising statistics, especially since many resolutions are set to improve health. Losing weight tops the list as the most common resolution almost every year.

As a wellness coach, I work with clients to make positive lifestyle and behavior changes Read More