Thinking and caring logo of Sharing Life’s Abundance
Miss Abigail is a backyard chicken. No roosters live in her backyard; because they are not allowed in the city. That is why she has never had the opportunity to be a married hen (or a mother).
I dreamed her up as a logo for my future farm. She is a combination of Abigail; who was my first backyard chicken in this home, and Aunt Bea who was one of my favorite characters on TV.
Abigail was a high maintenance hen.
Abigail was part of my first pair of chicks; purchased during one of Steve’s weak moments. I raised her and her sister Bernice by hand. Bernice did not survive to adulthood, but Abigail believed that she was a dog and certainly not a chicken. She had free reign of the big yard and garden, she worked with me in the composting beds and adored Steve. She ate, played and laid down with our little passive dog Lucky. She would sit on my lap, and loved wearing my tennis bracelet. I took her with me in a dog crate when I taught gardening and backyard chicken classes in churches and parks. Her left wing was clipped making her a right winged bird (pun intended), so I could put her in a puppy pen and allow people to get in and pet her. I allowed her to believe that she was a celebrity.
She never had a boyfriend and though she was fiercely broody and wanted to raise puppies of her own, it was not to be so.
When I got additional hens, she was never mean to them. Because she thought that she was a passive dog like Lucky, so she played very well with the others.
Aunt Bea From The Andy Griffith show
I loved Aunt Bea. She did not get into as much mischief as my other favorite (Lucille Ball), but she got into just enough. What I really loved about her is how she was always clucking her tongue, fussing over everyone and trying to feed them.
I dreamed Miss Abigail up a long time ago, when I was donating fresh organic veggies to single moms in an effort to help them feed their families. But after learning hard lessons about what enabling others can do; I changed my motto. Abby’s Garden is now a place of teaching, learning, mentoring and being mentored. Now my motto is more about teaching a man (or woman) to fish, rather giving him/ her a fish.
I finally found an artist who I was able to employ to draw up the logo of my dreams. Miss Abigail was supposed to have a diamond/or pearl necklace, but because she has the same challenges with her eyesight as I do, we decided to give her bling on her glasses instead.
You will see a lot of her in the days to come.
I love you already Miss Abigail!!! I see great things ahead in your future and the futures of those whose lives you impact!!! May God truly bless you and your endeavors!
Kelea- Miss Abigail is too tired from her work in the garden today to type this herself. But she asked me to thank you. She feels sorry for her sisters who are battery chickens in the commercial egg industry. She would like to see many more families keeping a small flock of hens in their backyard, if they choose to.
You tell Miss Abigail I’m probably looking at jail time (well not really but at least a hefty fine – $700) for keeping her feathery friends safe and sound and HAPPY in my backyard currently! I’m with ya Miss Abigail – shoulder to shoulder we shall stand!
Miss Abigail says; As long as the chickens are kept clean, quiet and humanely. It really should not be anyone else’s business. The problem begins when our chickens or dogs are noisy and our cats roam. Yes, cats. Cats mark cars and front doors. They can dig up your neighbors garden to find a potty place, tease dogs from the fence top and scare other small animals. It should go without saying that all of our animals should be kept at our own home. Not everyone is interested in enjoying our pets.
Ahhh Miss Abigail, you are a wise bird indeed! Very well said and great points. It is a difficult task to educate the masses and I am hopeful your great demeanor, persona and character will go far in educating the children and their parents, grand parents and neighbors about the benefits of backyard farming and raising of chickens and other small animals.
Thank you Kelea. That is why Miss Abigail was created. Though she feels pretty strongly about these things, she is still just a bit shy. But over time, I think that we will be hearing quite a bit from her.
Can’t wait for her to break out of her shell – so to speak! 🙂
🙂