Stop signs and flashing lights preside over busy intersections. Commas and semi-colons mark the collision of clauses. Wouldn’t it be lovely if there were some ready marker or built-in gulp of air at the major crossroads of life?
Kelly Chripczuk began living the transition from ten years in full-time mothering mode when her youngest children went off to school. “Who will I be,” she wondered, “in the face of so much open time and space?” Chicken Scratch: Stories of Love, Risk & Poultry is a thirty-day record of Kelly’s vital signs in the early days of this transition, because one of the first things Kelly did to mark the beginning of her new listening-to-life is to buy ten laying hens.
She soon realized that chickens (like children) are inconvenient. They get out when they are supposed to stay in. They are uninhibited with their bodily functions. Even so, we welcome them into our lives as a reminder that we also are inconvenient at times, and that we refuse to bow down to gods of convenience or efficiency. Convenience and efficiency are not the boss of us.
In Kelly’s longing to join the psalmists at the “intersection between heaven and earth, writing, singing, and praying from the very center of their lives,” her chickens became a symbol for a way of life that was spacious, rooted in nature, and that demonstrates the truth that “there’s no arena of life in which God is not able to be known.”
With equal measures of self-deprecating humor and here’s-what-I-learned wisdom, Kelly shares stories that kindled within me a deep thankfulness — for the fact that tools and bicycles now inhabit the hen house on this country hill, but also for the glorious reality that life with critters is helping me to see that there are “different ways of being.” I can’t control our family’s pet St. Bernard’s predilection for using window sills as a handy chin rest, and maybe that’s a good thing because, as Kelly points out, “there’s only so much you can control.” I need that reminder in as many different contexts as possible.
As she grows deep roots into the person she is becoming, Kelly expands her heart around the ache of life and death (after all, things happen to chickens), and, in the process, she gains a heart that is more open to joy. In the day to day experiences of love, risk, and poultry, she begins to find the courage to live the life she loves.
//
This book was provided by the author in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Lovely review, Michele. Like you, I so enjoyed Kelly’s insights, humor, and wisdom as she shared lessons she learned along the way.
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Well the title of this book alone should get some type of an award for creativity Michelle! But I love that gentle reminder you left us with today that we can’t control everything. Simple, but important truth! 🙂
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Ha! Kelly does get my award for creativity! As a former chicken owner, she also gets my award for bravery!
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Awards accepted 😉
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I think I must read this!
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Her sense of humor and creativity of expression would definitely resonate with you — along with the fact that she is a sister to you in self-publishing. You guys all amaze me!
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Hi Michele,
Your title of chickens caught my eye (not that I love chickens so much, it’s just that I keep running into them in my travels!) so this book about thoughts AND chickens sounds intriguing! I love all your book reviews and thoughtful impressions they leave with you, friend!
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Thanks, Valerie. The book resonated for me because I enjoy following Kelly’s blog — also, we have had chickens off and on over the past 20 years or so. Right now off, and while they are a lot of work, they are endearing in their own chicken-ish way.
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Michele,
So true that as our hearts ache with pain, they are simultaneously being opened to contain more joy. Thanks for your thought prompting reviews.
Blessings friend,
Bev
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I really liked Kelly’s sharing of that concept and have seen it borne out in my own experience. Thanks, Bev, for sharing — and for reading!
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This sounds like a book I would love to read, being the chicken lover that I am. There is something about them that grabs your soul, and entertains too. Enjoyed your review!
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Smiling at you, Chicken Lovers! I loved their big and beautiful eggs, and my kids really bonded with our hens. Sometimes I could see myself and my own foolishness in their antics.
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Michele- maybe I’ve been looking at my chickens in the wrong way;0) They have been an annoyance in between the random laying of healthy eggs.
The book looks interesting, you’ve piqued my interest!
Blessings!
#HeartEncouragement
Julie
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Yes, there’s a blessing in most inconveniences, if we find grace to look for it. Kelly has done a good job pointing that out with her chicken project.
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This looks like a book I would especially enjoy. I’ve got 25 laying hens, and many of my friends have said I should write a book sharing all the life lessons they have taught me. Looks like it’s already been done, for which I am grateful 😉 Maybe I’ll have to construct a talk or blog post around the subject one day, but a book…I’m happy to know that Kelly has written it.
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Ha! I have a feeling that this book came to Kelly “asking to be written” as Madeleine L’Engle used to say. So many good lessons among the stories!
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Michele,
I’m not sure how you read through so many books?!?! Quite the amazing woman you are. This sounds like a cute book to help you like change and embrace it. Thanks for sharing it with us all.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
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I do read quickly, and I read in snatched moments. And I love to share what I’ve read with others! Thanks for being here!
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Sounds like a fun read, Michele! Not a transition I’ve heard addressed much, either. Thanks for sharing as always : )
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This sounds like a fun book to read, Michele. Thanks for the review and for sharing it with Thankful Thursdays.
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I never cease to be amazed by the creativity of God’s people as we seek to make sense of and share our journey through life. What a unique title!
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It’s a really fun read, Donna, and challenging too!
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Great review, Michele! I love Kelly and her book sounds outstanding. Thanks so much. Blessings to you!
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This is a most lovely review! Kelly cracks me up with the hilarious and poignant examples that she shares on her blog and I’m eager to scratch up a copy of her book for my very own! ♥ Thanks for sharing Michele!
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Oh, I do hope that you will. I am a sporadic chicken owner, so many of her scenarios really resonated for me, but the life lessons she shares are priceless for anyone who’s ever lived the following life.
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This just looks fun! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the review at the #GraceMoments Link Up!
Blessings!
Dawn
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It was a fun read!
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I’m so grateful for you and your ongoing support, Michele. Thank you.
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You always review such life inspiring books. I really found this one interesting and could relate to the authors transition time. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLinkup this week.
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She’s also a fellow Link up host like you, Mary! You can find her writing home at http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com
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I’d forgotten that Kelly had released this! Looking forward to reading. Thanks for the reminder!
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Reblogged this on The Mimosa Blossom.
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[…] Chickens at the Crossroads from Living Our Days […]
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