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Hen House

Hatched with heaven in mind

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COURTESY OF PAULA CHURCH COURTESY OF PAULA CHURCH The hen house was built in honor of Don Peak.

As told to Paula Bock by Paula Church

The Idea: We knew Don was going to pass, and we wanted to do something for him. Something we could tell him about right now. Something dedicated to him. A lot of people plant a tree or buy a tombstone and put it in their yard. That just wasn't grand enough. We wanted something that was permanent, that would have LIFE in it and flowers all around. We wanted something that people would see and say: "Oh, Wow. Tell me about your brother." We didn't want anybody to forget him.

The Brother: Don L. Peak, 1966-2004. Always a grin, boundless energy, professional landscaper who loved to garden, fish, camp and play with nieces and nephews, said funny things to make you laugh, remembered everyone's birthdays, had three cats and six birds. Died at age 37 from cancer and AIDS, leaving his parents, three siblings and his partner, James.

The Coop: Hand-carved cedar shingles, scalloped like a gingerbread house; curved roofline like a Thai temple; hand-chipped granite walls; pine-paneled nesting boxes; Colonial moldings with hand-painted ivy; interior and exterior electric lighting (Victorian frosted glass); hanging vase for fresh flowers; wrought-iron bird bell; stained-glass hummingbird weathervane.

The Builders: Don's sister and brother-in-law, Paula and Seth Church, and their children, Kayla, 14, and Wess, 17. While we were nailing things up, while we were painting, we didn't do a whole lot of talking. We felt good, and then we'd cry.

The Chickens: Bandy-legged and feather-footed, named Guacamole, Squash, Tomato and Spice. I know Don has something to do with how happy those chickens are and how many eggs they lay. (Two dozen eggs a week from four hens.) I give the eggs to people in a little basket with a card that has the story of the chicken coop and a picture of Don. Eggs from Don is what it is.