10/05/2025
***Important information***
Hey Friends,
Long time no talk! I’ve missed you all—like really, really, really missed yall! This past year has been one of the toughest of my life, filled with challenges that tested me in ways I never imagined. But through it all, I’ve gained a lot of clarity. I had to step away for my mental health because life was simply too heavy to carry without pause. I know every single person faces trials and tribulations daily, and I’ve never been good at creating a facade and pretending everything’s okay. Sometimes, stepping away to heal is the healthiest choice—but you better believe I’m coming back stronger!
Here are just a few of the challenges I’ve been working through:
-I’ve been navigating deep-rooted extended family issues that I’ve come to realize have been present my entire life. I now understand they’re not mine alone to fix, so I’m choosing to release them to God and trust His guidance moving forward. This journey has been incredibly painful, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
-As many of you know, this past year has been a rollercoaster with our home. Last winter, our heater went out, and the repair was costly—so we made do with space heaters and firewood (that kept getting stolen). Then came the rainy spring, which flooded part of our chicken pens and caused two leaks in our garage/chick room. One of those leaks led to a small fire with our incubator, and I lost every single egg, chick, and grow-out I was raising. The rain also caused part of the ceiling to collapse, letting in possums and other pests. I won’t go into more detail—you can probably imagine the heartbreak when baby chicks are involved.
Then, during the hottest part of summer, our air conditioner broke and was down for nearly two months. The hot water heater followed. And as if that wasn’t enough, we’re still fighting with insurance over our roof. The damage spans the garage/chick room, front and back porches, and now parts of our living space. Just a few weeks ago, while waiting for the adjuster, I woke up to water hitting me in the head and an extension cord sparking. If I hadn’t fallen asleep on the sofa that night, I don’t know what could’ve happened. And no—our roof isn’t old. It’s only about five years old. Yet, we’re still battling for repairs.
-We’re still trying to revamp the chicken courtyard, but that’s been on hold due to the home repairs. Honestly, I’ve also paused because I’ve been wrestling with whether to continue Queens of the Coop. My health—especially with Lupus and chronic pain from six back surgeries—makes it hard. My husband’s new job takes him a few hours south several days a week, which means I’m often alone and physically unable to manage the feed and upkeep. He’s incredibly supportive, but he’s asked that I not add financial stress to our family. During this break, I haven’t been able to cover feed costs without dipping into our household income, which adds pressure. My chickens mean the world to me—they’ve changed my life. I’ve found myself again through them, and I’m not ready to give them up. They’ve brought me back to the basics: God, family, and simplicity. And they’ve introduced me to some of the most amazing people—my chosen family.
-When you’re working with a large group of people, conflict is inevitable. But it’s important to remember that everyone is carrying something we may not see. On this page, I will not tolerate unkindness. I ask each of us to lead with empathy, treat one another with dignity, and be mindful of the challenges others may be facing. Queens of the Coop must be a space built on respect and understanding. If it ever becomes a source of hurt or negativity, I will do what’s necessary to protect my peace and well-being. This goes for this page, or any friendship or family. Life is too hard and way too short for anything but mutual kindness and respect.
There have been some truly rough days, and I know it’s only by the grace of God that I’ve made it through. I’ve held on and fought hard—with His help and the support of my family. I know more trials will come, but I also know where to find my strength.
Looking ahead, my plan is to finish the remaining home repairs before the year ends. Then I can get back to hatching and raising our feathered babies. I’ve missed working with my flock, and this year hasn’t allowed me to grow my program. All my breeders are at least 1.5 to 2 years old, and some much much older. I haven’t been able to add pullets, cockerels, or chicks for over a year now. I’m also ready to reconnect with our community—posting more often and maybe even doing some giveaways!
We’ve got some fun things coming up! We’ll be offering decorated Silkie cookies for Halloween—stay tuned for pre-sales. We’ll also be at The Love of Bantam Chicken Show on October 19th, donating a basket of Silkie sugar cookies and a beautiful Silkie stained glass piece made by my daughter Katey. Plus, we’re launching a big Waffle fundraiser to help with expenses—details coming tomorrow. Even if you can’t participate, I’ll be doing a giveaway for everyone who comments and shares the Waffle post to help us spread the word, as we need to raise the funds ASAP.
I also have a few friends that mean the world to me that are experiencing some major difficulties in their lives. I want to handle these huge repairs at home so I can get back to doing my fundraising waffles that help friends and the community - like I’ve always loved doing!
We’ve been working hard to catch up on pending orders. A few are still outstanding while we wait for fertility in some pens. Our Silkie fused glass ornaments have been dropped off and will be ready for shipping in a few weeks. We’ll also be sending out the few outstanding gift boxes soon. If you have a pending order and we haven’t spoken recently, please reach out—I want to make sure I’m staying on top of everything.
Please know that I am not sharing all of this for sympathy - I live on the belief of being transparent and honest.
Thank you all for your continued love and support, even through this long break. I’m excited to jump back in with both feet.
With love always,
💛~Francene
