Jesse Manning, Ally and I made a run to Lindsborg today for free-range chicken eggs. The place to find such treasures is on Ryon Carey’s farm south of town.  As we need dozens and dozens of eggs to make Rom Pope for the Christmas holidays, Ryon had ample hens to respond to our request. Ryon calls our secret concoction “Crème Brûlée with Vodka”.

Ally got sidetracked over an old bottle she found in Ryon’s yard.

Ally and Jesse explore the chicken ranch… the many varieties of chickens, turkeys, geese, rabbits and a goat or two.

Jesse and moi in one of Ryon’s many chicken houses.  They all have piped in music, heating and the comforts of home.  We preferred the classical music in this one where the hens seemed a classy lot although a bit stuffy.

I call Ryon the “chicken guy”, or my “chicken friend”, but he’s far more than that.  He raises heritage chickens and turkeys of some of the world’s rarest breeds.  There are only a few remaining birds of some breeds.  If it were not for farmers like Ryon, these breeds would be lost.  Ryon is foremost an art dealer-collector and probably more knowledgeable about Birger Sandzen than anyone walking.  He’s a history buff, does corporate taxes, sings, is a gourmet cook, preserves old buildings, never throws anything away and is chair of the McPherson County Democrats.  Among other things.

Thanks for tuning in…