Good night Mary Ellen, Good night John Boy

Having watched nearly all of the television episodes of The Walton's in the '70s, my subconscious mind frequently recalls the closing lines of the show at bedtime. With the Autumnal Equinox nearly one month away, the chickens are returning to the coop to bed earlier each night. Tonight they began the climb up the gangplank at 8:10 pm. Good night Meatball; good night PeeWee; good night Pecky, and to all, a good night.

P.S. Meatball's wattles and comb seem to have doubled in size in just two days. This obvious growth must be a sign that full adolescence is right around the corner, which means the pullets will soon begin laying eggs. The wager is placed on the first orange yolks some time after Labor Day, but before Halloween.