So this morning, as I was snuggled in with my cup of coffee, I noticed two men clomping through the snow in my neighbor’s yard. They stopped near the back, and pointed at my chicken coop.
My heart jumped to my throat. I wondered if there had been a complaint. I ran to the front door and checked to see if the building permit was still there. It was. Then I looked in my neighbor’s driveway, and my concern was confirmed. I saw a white car with the words “Building Inspector.”
Without thinking, I shoved my bare feet in my winter boots, and ran out in my pajamas. The two men had just got back in the car and were pulling out of the driveway.
I ran up to them and gave the international sign for “roll down your window.”
“Hey,” I said, somewhat out of breath. “I noticed you were looking at my chicken coop. Do you have any questions?”
“Oh that’s your coop?” the driver asked. “We’re in training today, and I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw it.” He explained they had been discussing the chicken ordinance when they came upon my coop.
“You’re doing a great job,” he said. “It’s really impressive.”
I could feel my feathers fluffing.
“It’s truly one of the best we’ve seen in town,” he added. “Who built it for you?”
I explained my boyfriend and I (and a couple buddies) built it ourselves. I also told him we planned on finishing in the next few weeks (we just have those pesky two doors to build) and that I’d be in touch.
The building inspector extended his hand, and introduced himself as Chris. He slipped me his card.
“I look forward to coming back out and getting a closer look,” he said.
Me too. This was just the motivation I needed to finish the job.
Chicken Scratch Fever 