Smoking hot

Smoke over on the hills I'm assured isn't an indication of a nearby fire but a change in wind direction from some serious bushfires in the middle and south of the state.  The air is thick and silent and the chooks sit quietly under the trees.  Having to make a decision about whether to stay and defend your property or leave to a safe environment is something I would rather not think about.  Our old weatherboard home would be an inviting neatly stacked pile of kindling for any uncontrolled fire that presented itself near our property.  We're lucky that we are not too close to natural bush with most of it bulldozed away for new housing estates or just cleared for farming over the years and forgotten to be put back.  The wind at the moment is constantly changing direction like it just can't make up its mind and we've had hot dry days but a few cooler nights to provide some relief.  I'm constantly filling water bowls for open beaks about the garden as they take shelter in shade.  Lewis our head rooster was in an odd place when I walked past the veggie patch.  He was behind the wire fence that houses in our fruit and veg (that has failed to contain the pumpkins as they head towards the driveway and the next suburb if left unchecked).  Lewis looked at me and made a funny noise but didn't move on.  He was caught.  His leg was somehow wrapped up in some strong blue plastic sheeting that had been uncovered with the strong wind blowing away any remnant of soil.  When I got near, I could see his back talons had pierced the plastic and he had put his leg through it without being about to get it out.  Hmmm.  I said "wait there".  I went inside and got some scissors.  This could be interesting.  If you've ever seen a roosters feet and legs, they have long spikes sticking out the back that could easily make a mess of anyone threatening, or wielding scissors.  As I knelt down beside him I started hacking at the plastic.  He sat motionless.  We both thought the same thing.  Don't take the leg off!  I was very close.  He still didn't move.  He had put his leg out sideways to make it easier for me to cut. He looked up at me blinking, knowing I was helping him.  Eventually I was able to cut the plastic free and he slowly got up.  He'd been there a while I think and he was looking a bit worse for wear on this hot day.  I put a bowl of water in front of him and there he stayed.  Phew.  Good team work Lewis.  But stay away from blue plastic.