Sell Out

My husband likes to call me a city slicker. The kids think that is hilarious. When we moved to a small town there were a lot of things I had to get used to like: living next to a field they spread manure in, having no pizza delivery service, being 30 miles from a Target and mall, looking out the window and seeing my neighbors turkeys looking back in, having skunks and coyotes wander through the field behind us and dogs chasing me while I’m jogging.

I admit there are some things I’ve learned to enjoy. I love hanging clothes on the clothesline (but not when they are spreading manure) , eating at the local restaurant and sending the kids to a small K-12 school. We even looked at a camper today that was made in 1976. You might be shocked to know that I was considering sleeping in it at a campground. Outside.

I don’t think I’ll ever become a true country girl but I’m getting closer.

Through the years, I’ve always had a line in the sand on country living. And that has always been the Chicken Swap. Mike takes the kids and they have all sort of fun. I never wanted to go. I don’t love animals or flea markets. Or animals with fleas. It’s a line I was not going to cross. Until today.

It draws a really big crowd. I know because I’ve driven through on my way to more civilized pursuits before.

I went with the ultimatum that we would not come home with anything furry or feathered. Apparently people sell all sort of animals there. They weren’t kidding.

Puppies in trunks and kennels and rubbermaids. Lots of puppies.

Goats, chickens, roosters, pigeons, bunnies and ducks.

The chicken swap is fun and kind of charming. Mike was embarrassed that I was taking pictures. Pretty city slickerish I guess. So I didn't get pictures of the baked goods, animal sculptures made of rakes, handmade toys and tractor manuals. You'll just have to take my word for it.

We saw all sorts of people we know. My friend bought a duck for her daughter and then realized she didn’t know what to do with it. So she turned around a resold it to someone else. Those are the kind of deals that are made at the chicken swap.

Next time I’ll be sure to bring my hand sanitizer or does that have city girl written all over it?

So now I am now officially a sell out.