Blanche for President!

Blanche is my write-in vote next election.

It's 9 below here in Minnesota on Inauguration and Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Yet that doesn't deter Blanche from leading her solitary life outside. Yep, just taking this picture was, for me, like taking the Polar Bear Plunge. But there's Blanche, toughing it out. That's why I'd like to nominate her for President. She can not only make those unpopular, difficult decisions, she can also execute them.

Blanche does have a Vice President, too. In the very late fall, someone found a stray hen crossing Ayd Mill Road. No one claimed her, so I adopted her. My thinking was that when I reintroduced Blanche to the flock, who is allowed to be outside all summer away from the flock, I would introduce this new hen as well. They would then have each other.

It worked!

Ayd Mill Road, her temporary name, gets along with everyone. At first, her stray tendencies kicked in and she would wander far out of the yard, or try to escape. Now she is settled in, gets along with the whole flock, and sits on the perch with Blanche, no matter what the weather.

Jim wrapped the run in plastic, but ran out where the ugly blue tarp takes over. That has helped keep it warmer, allowing the hens to move in and out freely and may be the reason Blanche is able to endure this polar bear weather. It doesn't look good. I don't think there are many coops that look good in winter. But the hens are happy.

Blanche on the perch far right. It's minus 9 out there.

Blanche during the summer. She perches in the pine tree at night.