Many of you already know her, but have never had the opportunity of seeing a photo of her. Meet Virginia, my sweet 83 year old neighbor.
Virginia lost her husband, Ramone, in February and has been very sad. When I talk to her she tells me what a good man Ramone was and how it hurts to look out at the place where he would sit on two milk crates while waiting for the water tanks to fill. She cries when she remembers him. We all miss him very much.
Virginia had offered to help us butcher the chickens a long time ago. However, her grandson was graduating from law school and she had lots of family in town so she said she would have to miss it. But, when she looked out her window and saw we didn’t have any help…..here she came with a knife in her hand. I think we had six birds left to do.
Virginia had never skinned the birds before and made sure I knew that this was not what she was used to. She decided to clean the birds and let me do the skinning. She also cleaned all the gizzards for me. Do you know you have to clean the gizzards? I don’t have any photos of it, but you slice them open clean out the grain and gravel and peel off the membrane, the end.
This is one of Virginia’s daughters, she’s holding her one and only grandbaby, Virginia’s great-grandbaby. Ramone and Virginia talked about that little girl constantly, they just couldn’t get enough of her. She loves visiting the farm and our dog, Preacher, is one of her good buddies.
Virginia told me she’d never cleaned such a big chicken before. It’s much more fun to clean a chicken when you have someone telling old stories. Virginia told us her mother taught her how to clean a chicken because nobody would want to marry her if she didn’t know how to do all the simple things.
I love Virginia, she’s a good neighbor, she cuts up a chicken much better than me. I was so glad she came over for a bit to help.
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Virginia is a sweetie. She and I used to work the polls during elections. I had no idea Ramone passed away. Please give her my love. I’m happy for you having Virginia for a neighbor!
I tell that to Miss Munchkin all of the time: “If you don’t learn how to kill a chicken, no one will marry you!”
It’s nice to see Virginia smiling. You guys are such kind neighbors.
Awwww, isn’t it sweet to have neighbors like Virginia. It’s wierd, I know, but I’ve thought of her a lot since her precious Ramone passed away. I’m glad she has loving family, and great neighbors like you!
I want a Virginia. Could you pack her up and send her to Maine?
Thanks. I don’t have any chickens for her. But I do have a garden and a little bit of ocean.
Oh gosh… Virgina’s mother gave great advice! My fiancee definitely needs me to help him so the simple things in life.
http://www.whatmegmakes.com
And people wonder why I can’t handle chicken on the bone! I like it cleaned and cut up for me already! Chicken guts sort of freak me out. Maybe it would be better if I had people telling me old stories while I had to deal with it.
I like Virginia:-)
Calf nuts and chicken guts! Anymore cool websites???? LOL!
Wow-it’s good that you are willing to share these special times with your friends.
Thank heavens cleaning a chicken was not at the top of my husband’s priority list for finding a wife!
Yeah Virginia! You guys are great neighbors.
I have memories of chicken Auschwitz when I was a child. The thing that stuck with me – that nasty, wet feather smell. So thumbs up to you for skinning instead of plucking!! Except – I think I would be somewhat depressed when it came time to cook them. I am such a fly by the seat of my pants cook, the chicken skin helps me to not dry the chicken out.
How big did the chickens dress out to be?
Virgina looks like such a sweet lady.
Wow! She truly lives “love your neighbor as yourself”
What a treasure to have next door!I have really enjoyed these posts on butchering chickens, love real life!!
So Sweet!
My burning question is Why do you have window screens lying on your roof? Escape artists?
I love your blog! My sister and I used to fight over who got to clean the gizzards…we loved peeling that lining off! I think back now, and think ewwww! My mom raised over 100 chickens each year and we would help butcher in the summer. Oh what memories!
I’m so glad she came over.
what a good neighbour! She could probably share a few more tips with you about canning and gardening as we as butchering.
Cleaning and chicken, sharing time with a neighbor,feeling needed, it all goes hand in hand.
You are one lucky lady to have Virginia!! That’s a good neighbor.
-FringeGirl
I love your blog, and Virgina too! I tell my daughter she’ll never get married because she’s a bit-o-a-slob and no one will want to pick up after her. Hmmm. I thought that was a pretty simple thing until I read about having chicken skilz.
Aha! That’s why I’m still single, I don’t know how to kill a chicken!
Love your blog by the way
Thank you for this series on chickens. I’ve always wanted to grow my own. This has helped. I will start with laying hens first. I really enjoy your blog. Thanks!!!
Thank Heavens for sweet 83 year old ladies. Amen.