Beyond the Bovines

Okay, so the cows were an attraction, but the charm of a remodelled 1837 farmhouse located 12 miles from work was a big draw too. It's funny how many of my wishlist items this house fulfilled ... odd things like I wanted mature maple trees, stone walls, a potting shed, a porch, chickens ... did I say chickens? No. Maybe sometime down the road, but not until after I get settled.


I did notice, on my first walk around the outside of the house, that there was a makeshift chicken coop in the far corner of the backyard.


As anyone who has purchased a home knows, there are a lot of phone calls and e-mails exchanged between real estate agents, sellers and buyers prior to closing day. The one that really made me laugh and confirmed the rural locale of my new home, came from my real estate agent one afternoon. It went something like this ...


Agent: The sellers would like to know if you would like to include their chickens in the purchase of your new home. They have two hens.


Me: No, I think I'll take a pass on their generous offer.

Several days later ...


Agent: The sellers have found a home for their chickens and would like to know if you would be willing to part with the coop, so they will have someplace to stay.


Me: It's a big sacrifice on my part, but yes, I guess if it means the chickens will be comfortable in their new home ...


The best part was moving in to discover that the chickens and their coop had moved about 20 feet away into the back corner of my neighbor's back yard.