Nazi Chicken - continued

Benny: Good job, John! You got one of the trips done! Only 2 more to go! And one of them is a “day” trip!
John: My arm hurts! I’ve been typing forever! Can I get up and get something to drink or eat?
Benny: (in German accent) Nein! You vill finish dee stories! Mein tales moost be extolled!
John: You really are a Nazi, aren’t you?
Benny: Jawohl! Now WRITE! (scary red eyes still glowing)
John: Yes, Mein Commandant Chicken!

My weekend with Anya, Calvin, Ryan and other "larger" people! - August 10th

Day 3 - Today is our last day with the Kufner's. We have to head to more southerly climes before the cool winter breezes blow. (Hey, you can never plan too early). But before we go home, we decided to go to a park. And what a fun park it was! It had monkey bars and a sand pit. I tried out the monkey bars:






I think I'll stick to flying. Doing the monkey bars was very exhausting.!

Then I watched Calvin playing in the sandpit. I thought he might find something exciting, like a corn cob or a pile of hay, so I joined him in his hunt for buried treasure.




Yes, that is me with the bucket and shovel. If John only knew how to take a picture! And he even got my bad side! Oh, well. I didn't find anything worth photographing -- just a bunch of sand!


Well, Michelle (our driver for the day) had to drop us off and then head to her home in Rantoul, so we left right around lunchtime. Again, I did not get fed (although I think Chicken Nuggets were eaten by Calvin and Anya. Why would they do that to my species? Why? They were so nice to me on this trip and then they go and eat Cousin Nuggie. How sad). I helped Michelle with her driving by being a "dashboard driver"





OK, so I didn't do so much as "drive" as I kept an eye on the kids (and John). We made it home fine and went straight to my room. I'd had enough of John to last a while, if you know what I mean.


All in all, the trip up north was fine. A little cool for my tastes, not enough stops at barns and corn silos, but the trip to the zoo was awesome! I look forward to that again! I wonder where my next journey takes me?

My weekend with Anya, Calvin, Ryan and other "larger" people! - August 9th

Day 2 - Today, I was up with the birds (that pun never gets old!). They actually fed me breakfast today! I got pancakes, and man were they good.






Today we're going to go to the RenFaire. From what I understand, there will be lots of people in costumes and tons of barnyard animals running around. I can't wait to see them all!



When we got there, we went in. At least, that's what I gathered. John had me stuck in his pocket all day! (And yes, it really was a chicken in his pocket, despite what some people said!) Thankfully, I was "let out" to play with Anna and Calvin around lunchtime. My aeronautical acrobatics were very impressive! Yes, I had help from the young 'uns, but it was still a lot of fun!






After that, I was so exhausted that I was excited to go back in John's pocket. At least I would have some shade!



We went back to Greg and Jen's place in the mid-afternoon. They took pictures of the children (which was an experience, from what I understand) and they even got a picture of me in a jester's hat.





After that, they ate and I slept. It was a very tiring day! Despite knowing that tomorrow was going to be the last day, I didn't stay up and socialize with the humans. I was tired! So I didn't do much. That aeronautical acrobatic display at lunch wore me out! Don't judge me until you're flown 10,000 miles in my feathers! OK, now I'm cranky. I'm going to sleep. See ya tomorrow.

Benny the Nazi Chicken

Benny: Um, John.
John: (Ignores Benny)
Benny: (pecks on John’s shoulder)
John: (brushes off Benny) Not now. I’m busy playing a game.
Benny: (pecks harder on John’s shoulder) Listen to me!
John: (quits game and looks at Benny) What?! I was winning that game!
Benny: You haven’t updated my blog in a while.
John: I know. I’ve been meaning to get to it.
Benny: Well, I think you should write something.
John: I will.
Benny: When?
John: Soon
Benny: How soon?
John: Soon, I said.
Benny (pecks on John’s ear, drawing blood): Listen to me! I had fun on my many excursions and I want everyone to know how much fun I had. I would write about it myself, but you have fingers, which is a lot quicker than my “hunt and peck” method. So you will write about my experiences NOW!
John: Fine. But don’t think this is over. Should I write about our weekend at the Highland Games in the Q.C. or continue the saga of our getaway to Chicagoland or the Wild West.
Benny: Yes.
John: That’s not an answer!
Benny: (with scary eyes glaring at me, wings spread wide for scary dramatic effect) It IS an answer! You will write about all of them.
John: OK
Benny: NOW!
John: I said OK. (mutters to self) Chicken Nazi.
Benny: What was that?
John: Nothing. I’ll finish the weekend in Chicago, just because I’ll have one excursion done. Then I’ll write about the QC Highland Game experience. Then I’ll continue the Wild West. Man, you’re worse than Kathy and Ellen!

My weekend with Anya, Calvin, Ryan and other "larger" people! - August 8th (PM)

Day 1 (PM) - After visiting with the various animals in the morning, the humans were getting hungry. They decided to eat at the Flamingo Cafe. I seriously hope none of my cousins were in the "chicken fingers"! I doubt it, because I don't remember them having fingers.


Anyway, I went with John and Calvin to find a table for all of us to eat at. Eventually we found one big enough for all of us to eat at. I was all ready to sit down. That was when Calvin swooped in and took me for a ride.






By the time the food came, I was worn out! Thank goodness he found a monkey to play with!





Of course, when the food came, I didn't get anything to eat! Apparently I'm on a diet - would've been nice to know! Although, part of me was glad I didn't eat at the zoo. Who know if the "chicken" was really chicken, or if it was penguin or flamingo! I would've been a cannibal!


So lunch was completed and then we headed out to wander about the zoo. I got to be in a picture with my cousins Val and Velma Vulture:





They're very shy, so you may not see them. But I was told by Busta/John that the picture would come out, so I believe him! Silly me!


We wandered towards the African animals and saw giraffes and elephants and other 4-legged creatures. Miss Anya helped me get an aerial view of them:





But again, my poor little wings are not used to all that flapping, even if it was with the assistance of the lovely miss Anya. So I had to take a rest:






But that was when I spotted the nice lady on the other bench. She was sweet; she even let me lay in her lap!











I didn't appreciate the young lady who tried to snatch me from her lap. I didn't even recognize her! I know Busta/John and Michelle explained what was going on to her mom, but I still felt the disapproving disbelief emanating from that woman's pores. Get a sense of humor, woman!


After that interesting pitstop, we stopped off by the polar bears, the seals, the peacocks, and the camels. I almost got to ride on a camel!






After seeing all those animals, I was definitely ready to go home! And so were all the grown-ups. The little ones were getting sleepy, too. We took this time to head on home. But first, we had to get a picture to commemorate this momentous occasion:











And then we all piled into the minivan and went home. We let the little ones sleep and then we had dinner. And they actually let me eat! It was only 1 cookie to pectk, but at least I got a drink to go with it!

After watching the Olympics swimming finals with the adults, I went to bed with visions of winning the gold medal in flying. I know I can win it!! Tomorrow is the Renfaire. Woo-hoo!

Benny in the news

My weekend with Anya, Calvin, Ryan and other "larger" people! - August 8th (AM)

Day 1 (AM) - Today (August 8th) I was awakened by numerous sounds: snoring from Busta/John and raucous laughter from children downstairs. Eventually Busta stopped snoring, woke up and went downstairs. I went down with him to see what the ruckus was about! Well, the kids were awake, including Mr. Ryan, who I didn't get a chance to meet the night before. They all had breakfast (again, none for me! Just toss me some corn -- I'll eat it!) and then it was time to get ready. For the ZOO!!! I can't wait! But first, the "larger people" had to get ready. This gave me plenty of time to play with the children.

Me with Mr. Calvin:

Me with Mr. Calvin and Mr. Ryan

Me on Mr. Ryan's head:

Me on Miss Anya's head

Me on Busta/John's head:

I didn't realize how many heads I was perched on! I must say, though, that John's head was the worst to sit on. Too much like hay, which is very scratchy. Not soft and downy like Miss Anya's or Mr. Ryan's heads were.

Anyway, the kids even let me fly for them. I almost got caught by Mr. Ryan, but I'm very quick and not so easy to capture.

I was going so fast that I was a blur in the picture! It was so much fun!

Eventually we were ready for the zoo. They were going to let me ride in my own seat:

Alas, I didn't get to have a comfortable ride for the whole time, as one of the "bigger" people needed that seat! Thankfully Miss Anya gathered me under her wing and took care of me for the whole ride to Milwaukee.

It was a beautiful drive. I saw fields as far as the eye could see. Did we stop so I could play with the cows and other chickens? No. But, for once, it was OK, because we were going to the ZOO!! I would get see all of my friends and we'd have lots of fun. I couldn't wait.

What, we're here already? But I didn't pay! It's free for chickens to get in? Really? Well, as long as they don't keep me, I'm OK with that.

The minute we entered the zoo, I knew it was be a glorious day. There were signs for elephants, and giraffes, and penguins, and polar bears. And wouldn't you know it! The first animal we saw were the flamingos!

I think Pinky and Rose, my 3rd cousins twice removed, were there, but I never knew them very well, so I can't be sure.

Before lunch we saw a gorilla carrying straw on his back, swinging spider monkeys, and a penguin who was staying cool by walking through a streaming fountain in his enclosure (lucky guy!)

Stay tuned tomorrow for pictures from lunch and other assorted pictures of Day 1 ... I'm getting tired and must go to bed to rest my "peepers". I promise to write tomorrow!

My weekend with Anya, Calvin, Ryan and other "larger" people! - August 7th

Day 1/2 - On Thursday night (August 7th), I found out that I was going on a little trip! Sure, it was up north, but it is still summer, so the yearly migration south has not started yet! Anyway, I got to spend some time with:

Anya




Calvin



Ryan:



Michelle



Jen (she's in there - honest!)



Greg (somehow he managed to elude all pictures, but I guarantee he exists!)

and John/Busta



First, Michelle had to pick John and I up at our apartment. It was a gorgeous day that was made even more enjoyable when the lovely Miss Anya made me her best friend for the entire. She was so loving and attentive that I didn't even notice when we got to Chicago land. However, I did notice when we went into the Denny's and had dinner. Or rather, they had dinner. At least this time I was allowed to view their dining experience!





After seeing Busta/John eating all those eggs, I'm not sure I want to see the next dining experience!


After dinner, we headed north towards the dimming twilight. Michelle and John did a good job of getting us to Greg, Jen and Ryan's place, despite a faulty navigational system (Mapquest!). They should've asked me to direct them - my directional ability is uncanny! We would've been there quicker, that's for sure! Anyway, since we got there at a rather late time, we quickly said our hellos and then our good nights. John and I were to sleep in the "loft" - the sound of that was music to my ears! There was even a little ledge for me to perch on and view the sitting room below me. Despite John's snoring, I quickly fell asleep. I knew I would need all my strength, as we were going to the Milwaukee Zoo tomorrow! I had to be on my best behavior as I knew I would be an ambassador for the animal world to my human friends. I can't wait!

Trip to the West 2008 - July 8th

Day 4 - Today we were up with the birds! Again! I'm really enjoying this trip, as I get to see all of my western cousins. Today we get to see Mesa Verde National Park. I get to soar high over the cliff houses and experience the rush of the air coming up from the canyon floor. I can't wait!





They did let me out so I could get my picture with the sign.





And then I spent the rest of the day in the car! Aargh!! It was hot and stuffy in there. I really wish they would let me out so I can stretch my wings. It really is rude! And even more rude is when they wax poetic about the beautiful houses on the cliffs. They're really ruffling my feathers, that trio!

And when we got back to camp, they decided they wanted dinner at a restaurant. And again, I didn't get to go in with them. I'm beginning to suspect a conspiracy! And Busta was smelling mighty fowl, if you know what I mean. Well, anyway, tomorrow we have to leave Durango and head to the Grand Canyon. Maybe there they will let me fly with the condors! If not, I may have to "accidently" peck a hole in the roof of their tent! That'll show them!

Trip to the West 2008 - July 7th

Day 3 - Today we get to go to on a train! I can't wait! But first, we get to eat breakfast. Or rather, Busta and Anna will get pancakes at the campground, Wanda will eat a scrumptious granola bar and an apple, and I get ... nothing! I protest! What do they think I'm made of? Fluff? I need some kind of sustenance to get through this long journey! Feed me!

Alas, they did not feed me. Instead, we went to the train station and boarded the train (after Busta was able to get his tickets. I'm not sure what he was freaking out for last night!)

I must say, I was enjoying the sunshine and the open air. Being stuck in the car all day for the last two days was so constricting! I want to flap my wings! I want to feel the cool mountain air on my feathers as I swoop down on some unsuspecting worm! I want to drink water straight from a rushing, raging mountain stream! Come to me, Mother Nature!

Instead, Wanda took my picture with Anna.

Then Anna put me in her purse! I mean, how RUDE!! I didn't even get a chance to see the mountains and the stream, let alone swoop down on some unsuspecting worm! If I weren't so crammed in her purse, I would've pecked my way out and leapt through the open air windows.

Or at least pecked a finger off when she opened her purse up. She did that in Silverton so that I could pose with some "miner". I think he looked like Farmer Jed from the farm in Iowa, but what do I know? I'm just a bird.

And again with the hand in a very uncomfortable spot for me! At least this time I knew where her hand had been, because I doubt she could've done anything disgusting on the train! Of course, after the picture was done, back in the purse I went! A curse on your house, Anna!

The rest of the day went by great (I think). We finally made it back to camp where I was able to sleep in my perch high above them while they slept.

If only I'd had something to eat ... then I would've had some "ammunition" for the night. Oh, well ... maybe some other day I'll get a chance to "defecate" on their good clothes!

Tomorrow - Mesa Verde! Maybe I'll get to play amongst the cliff dwellings!

Trip to the West 2008 - July 6th

Day 2 - After drinking my morning coffee, we were off.

Today, we were going to Durango, our first camping destination for the trip. I heard we were going to take a train ride to Silverton and then drive around Mesa Verde. Sounds like fun. But first, we have to get there. And since I can't power a sedan all by myself, I let Busta take the wheel.

We stopped in Buena Vista, Colorado, for dinner. Of course, they didn't take me in. I had to spend all of my time in the car. If only I could get the cooler open! You'd think they would crack a window, don't you? Well, when they came back, at least I got to go outside and see the lovely mountain scenery.

So, back on the road we go! Apparently we have to go through the mountains to get to Durango. Man, I wish I had eaten my Corn Wheaties this morning ... then I could've carried the car over the mountains and we would've gotten to Durango by noon! 2 PM at the latest. But instead we were stuck in the Busta-mobile. At least we got out at one of the stops so I could see the trees:

I really need to talk about Anna and where she places her "hand"!

Probably my favorite part was when we all played in the snow at Wolf Creek Pass. There was tons of snow! I even got to make a snowman:

Of course, the funniest part was when Busta and Wanda wanted to take my picture. Busta was in flip-flops and could get up the tiny slope but couldn't get down it without sliding. Wanda was in the same predicament and eventually fell in the snow, which made Busta laugh so hard he fell in the snow, too. Stupid people!

Well, eventually we made it to Durango. The tent was SO HUGE that Anna and Wanda needed help putting it up (Busta had to go into town to get the train tickets for tomorrow).

Busta came back and was all flustered because he couldn't find the train station to get the tickets at and by the time he did, it was closed. Talk about some ruffled feathers! Finally we all fell asleep to my fellow feathered friends of Durango chirping and trillng into the night. Tomorrow is the train ride! I can't wait!