The hen house should arrive soon so then we can choose our girls. I'm very nervous ...how will the cats react ?

I predict hen related pressies in the future ! Having a birthday on Valentine's day it's been hearts for years...but I sense a tide of change.

Mum says this hen keeping business is " Genetic " as both her Grannys had hens. I see a pattern emerging in the family too but it has nothing to do with hens....great granny was a teacher but not my grandmother. Mum was a teacher ...but not me. So will DD follow tradition ? She wants to take quite hefty A levels but also perfect her Spanish.

Mum trained at Whitelands' ladies college in the 50's and briefly taught in Fullham before marriage. When I was young she started teaching in special needs schools and continued until she retired. In those days they weren't wrapped up in litigation so mum often brought children who lived in the school hostel home for tea. She still receives Christmas cards from ex pupils which is a huge joy to her. She was known as Mit Mit ( Mrs Smith ) which I think is lovely.

Mum brought the class hamster, Maisie home each holiday & it had a habit of " dying" on us ! Mum managed to bring her round with milk and brandy each time until she really did die. So Masie was replaced with a look a like.

Back at school a boy was looking in the cage & calling out " Mit Mit two hamsters ! " ...no dear only one. " Mit Mit three Hamsters ! "...no dear only one. " Mit Mit !!! "

New Masie was giving birth and the class had an impromptu nature lesson. Seven babies in all.