There are times when I try to figure out what is reality and what is perception.....and thirdly, what is the story I'm telling myself? As I look around in my day to day activities, I feel like I know the reality of what's happening. I'm driving, or I'm working, or I'm running, or I'm with family, or I'm on the farm working/playing with the animals. Naturally - and normally - I do not think about it, I'm just doing it. I start to think about it, mainly when others notice, and make note. For example, someone visiting us might state, "This is so much work, the farm, and working a regular job, too". My reality is that I don't really think about it too much, I just do it - because I love doing it. But the perception was, "This seems like a lot to take care of". And what I realize is, that sometimes others can't fathom it, and can't put all the pieces of the puzzle together, that so easily fits together for me. But, when I really and truly put some extra thought in it, they are right. It's a lot.
Even when times are settled, and no animal is in crisis, the pasture is mowed, everyone is fed and things are all in place, there's a never ending list of things left to do. This list gets done by way of priority. What's next, what's really needed now, and what's zoomed up the priority list that wasn't there before? As I was out feeding the animals this morning, I looked around, and made my ever-changing mental list of things to do. The donkeys need their Pour-On Fly repellant on them. I see flies on and near their legs. I need to muck the sheep and the goats areas in their respective barns, as those areas attracts flies. I need to "fluff" the chicken area and shovel out some poo that accumulates where they sleep/roost at night. Oh yeah, I need to get the front gate area mowed, as it's getting too high, and that's the hardest area to mow because of the ground levels, culvert/water, and need for two different mowers to be used to finish it. I need to get our temporary fencing put up, in some sort of storage fashion (behind the barn?) because we have finally finished having a permanent fence placed there. I really need to have the entire pasture(s) sprayed with weed control, and try to nurture the grass a little more (down the priority list, but still shows up in my head). I need to set the guard pups food dishes - with screws - into the fence because they eat, then carry them off into their pasture to chew on them. Every time. Despite that they have bones and chew toys readily available. I need to check one of the cats tails, whose hurt, to make sure she's doing okay. I need to get ready for the sheep shearer's arrival soon. I literally could go on and on. But this is what people do - all of us - in our everyday lives. Mine is a farm, yours is a house full of teenagers. Mine is pasture management, yours is fixing up the house and getting the kids to their sports/games/activities. We all have a myriad of things happening.
The story I tell myself is, "l'll do these things tonight, these others things tomorrow, and the rest this weekend". Knowing full well, that there's no way in H E doubleL that I can do all that in that timeframe. But 'my story' makes me feel better. It calms me, although not fully accurate in its content. It's calming. I love the stories I make up in my head. My stories protect me, and help me keep my life in order - or at least that's the story I'm telling myself.
I do tend to reality-check my story sometimes. Let's say something not-good happens at work, and I'm feeling very responsible and bad about myself. The story I make up is usually one that comforts me. And then I look to others to reality-check my stories, confirm them, and see exactly what part is reality - and what is perception. Mostly, I look for empathy and understanding. Recently, thanks to a Podcast on The Goop with Gwyneth Paltrow and Brene Brown, I begin to use a new technique (new to me), along with Lauren, whose also listened to that said Podcast. It's really just a different way of reframing how we communicate. So far so good. More on that in a minute......
The PodCast was based around the Root of Shame, Courage and Vulnerability. If you have an extra 1 hr and 6 minutes, you may consider listening to it. Of course, I LOVE Brene Brown! Her research on shame and vulnerability has reached inside me to bring out things I don't want to feel, and quite frankly, didn't know how to process. I'm now able to rethink things in a different context. Especially regarding shame and vulnerability. I wished I had this framework when I was in my 20's. It would have helped me out - tremendously. I'd like to think this has allowed me to hop on the Self Awareness train. Granted, I only ride this train sometimes, as I forget it's there at times. It has increased my emotional bandwidth, and allows me to bring the stories I tell myself to the surface, and express them in a way that others can receive safely.
So, I decided to try out my new framework, and Lauren was my subject. When I began the conversation with, "The story I'm telling myself is blah blah blah.....", Lauren immediately knew what - and how - I was trying to express a recent event. I reviewed with her "my story" and how I was seeing it. She, in turn, shared "her story" and how she saw that same event. As we each told our stories to each other, we found a gentle and expressive way to get our information communicated to one another. Turns out, I misunderstood what she had said, and she was able to clarify. It worked wonderfully, and allowed us to minimize a conversation that really only needed a touch more navigation.
Since that example, it's encouraged me to try and use that method more often. I can see it reducing unnecessary conflict and having a discussion in a welcoming manner. David and I begin to use it, but in a different fashion. We refer to it as times we may need to "change the record" we are playing in our head, and put a new one on. I've still got some work to do on it all. For me, it's about creating a new habit of how to begin a conversation. That goes back to being self aware, thinking how I might phrase something, before I just blurt it out. I'm not exactly "wired for pause". When it comes to Reactive vs Responsible responses, I'm the Queen of Reactive. If I was wired for pause (which I've met those people), I would breathe, ask a question to gather more information, and slowly create an answer while thinking through it. Yeah, I've got some work to do on that front. Practicing to lead from the heart, rather than leading from fear is tough. Add that to my list of things I need to do (see above).
So while I work my list of things to do around the farm, I work my list - of me. My cracks, my broken pieces, my silly thoughts and silly self are all a part of the beautiful broken me. I tease that my Sugar JuJu (adopted, adult, 4 lb MaltiPoo) is about as broken as they come. Her first phase of life was likely not all that great. But her broken self is turning into joy - for us all. She is an example of how to keep living life, adapting and loving. I've had a blessed life, and the flaws I work on are for me, because I want to be a better me. And I can see where work needs to be done, no doubt. I recently listened to the book, Everybody Always by Bob Goff. Loving everybody always, as Jesus did, is something this man lives, celebrates and teaches. His Love Does work is absolutely beyond words. The first time I listened to his book I was basically unable to grasp his words. Listening again brought me closer to understanding. His outlook on life inspires me to love all, and to practice by starting to love those that are hardest to love. It's a wake up call and reminder for me - all at the same time.
The story I'm telling myself is that beautiful hearts don't always happen. Sometimes they need to be made. All hearts need love. I always appreciate beautiful hearts, energy that's kind and positive, and modest, compassionate souls. But Jesus showed us to love everyone, always. By His example, by His words, I strive to be more.
"Write what you need to read". Where did I see that lately? Or did I hear it somewhere? But it's been sitting inside me, as I mull that concept over. I learn so much from other's written words. People who have this insane ability to speak directly to our hearts, and allow us to restructure, reframe and get a chance to redo some things in our lives. How fortunate and how grateful my heart is to be able to receive the words of others. And in return, I have the privilege of writing my own words down. It doesn't get better than that.
Now, back to that list.....did I mention that I learned the difference between a To-Do list and a Check List recently?
That's for next time,
Cyndi
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Friday, April 19, 2019
Herd/Pack Mentality
It feels amazing to begin a interval whereby things are stable and functional. As you know well, I’m always striving to find stability on the farm. Between attrition issues, fencing maintenance, chores, and the general upkeep of animals (and the property), I always seem to be at an impasse between management of activities and damage-control. In other words, I move towards farm nirvana on a daily basis, always reaching for it. Having secured a landing point, of which to perch and rest on, it feels good. Here is where I am.
Recently, we have completed more house and property renovations. We go through waves, and this was one of house painting, new decking, and fence painting and maintenance. Also included in this wave is the flagstone porch and 2 palettes of sod to place on the bald areas in the immediate yard. We have completed this wave, and now are ready to sit on it all awhile. This was all around the same time we were settling the pastures and animals. Now contentment sets in, and it's time to enjoy it the fruits of the seeds we have been planting and sowing.
One thing I've begun to form a habit of doing (esp during this last reno) is to give things back to the earth. This concept was new to me when first moved to acreage. Previously, there was a trash and recycle container. Still is. The difference is now, my goal is to not fill them up, but find uses and disposal methods for the rubbish I have. It seemed like a hard task the first year living here. My old habits were firmly refined from years of living in neighborhoods where restrictions kept people from making free choices. So, I went along with city living in the country, unknowingly. But after awhile, I noticed I could make other choices. Better choices. Now, I'm in full swing. I have three official burn pile locations. Small, medium and large areas. My small and medium burn areas are for convenient burning of household things, boxes, trash, and anything that fits nicely in those spaces. The large area is for furniture, wood, extra lumber, and larger cardboard boxes. One time, a whole bedroom furniture set. It's just that easy to discard it. I've gotten to know when NOT to burn (wind), and how to start my fire without gasoline, as I like my hair and eyebrows. One of my favorite things to burn is the straw from mucking the sheep stall. Gone, just like that. I do reuse the straw sometimes for various reasons. To cover wet, muddy areas or place conveniently in a windy area where it will speed itself back to the earth, at its own pace and rate. There's many variables that go into discarding used straw, trash, and all rubbish. We still use the trash and recycle bins. Just far less that before. It feels good to be able to rid myself of trash without having others do it. We are certainly not 100% trash independent, but I'm going to continue to use the privilege of making burn decisions, and work towards placing things back to the earth, when possible and within reason.
Speaking of trash, I've learned that goats will chew and nibble on most anything. I must be mindful of what they can get to, and is it dangerous or poisonous? I have recently placed baking soda and mineral blocks at their free-choice discretion. Goats, like sheep, have delicate rumens that require a consistence balance of forage and if needed, grain. Goats need cooper, whereby cooper can be toxic to sheep. As many ways that sheep and goats are alike, they are very different. They have the same amount of 'stomachs' (4), but the minerals they need are different. I have a salt lick for the sheep, and a mineral lick for the goats. I'm still learning what is best for each of them. The one thing that is similar is the gestational time - both around 5 months. In a previous blog, I mentioned the 5th, and newest-to-us goat, Sprinkles, was rehomed to us by an acquaintance at a local feed store. Kind of like, here, want this goat? Well, either Sprinkles is eating a lot of pasture yum-yums and is gaining weight, or she, like Nona, came to us pregnant. I certainly can't say for sure yet, but I have my eye on her. What I have found is our sweet little goats are quiet, curious and observant. They watch everything I do, and want to follow me around, if possible. I could see how there's such potential in regards to maximizing my relationship with the goats. Yeah, I bought them so the guard pups could have their own herd to guard, but I really like the goats. They are not just ornaments out there in the pasture, they are my herd, too. Despite my original thoughts about goats in general, I will continue to nurture my relationship with them. How can I not? They are open to my love, nurturing and touch - as if they could be like a dog. Fascinating to me.
Speaking of herd animals, there's a good chance you might have heard of the new book, Wolfpack. I've not read (all of it) yet, but I do follow the author, Abby Wamback on InstaGram. Abby is the soccer phemon who is an Olympian, and now adds Author to her acheivements. She's taken what she learned in life, and placed it on paper. It's an interesting take on her 'Wolfpack' rules that she outlines in her book. It's a book for women to connect us to our strength and power of our pack. New Rules, she calls them. Lead From The Bench spoke to me, as we all live the life of not being the one playing on the field. But leading from the bench is something we all can do. We can support each other and be for each other. We can Point and Rush to each other when we score in life. Pointing to those who helped make it all happen, supported and cheered for us, and rushing to hug and thank them. We can Be For Each Other. She encourages celebrating the successes of each other, and that's what I find most important. These are all basics things we may or may not already do - but I love the way she reminds me of these things, and how important they are. Having several herd/pack animals on the farm, I see it in action every day. The sheep are always for each other. The goats are always for each other, and the donkeys are a strong herd that never leaves the other one out. I see examples of these herd/pack qualities every day, and translating those qualities to my own life has been a new way of thinking for me. It changes everything. My herd, my pack, my family, my friends, my coworkers, but really - it's all of us as one big pack. Rushing to each other, being for each other, and grateful for what we all have is her focus, and she shares and reminds me with this new book. Abby takes it one level deeper by saying, The Wolf is not only grateful for what she has AND insists on what she deserves. The Wolf makes failure her fuel. The Wolf demands the effing ball. The Wolf knows her Power.
You were never Little Red Riding Hood -- You were always the Wolf.
Wait, I'm not Little Red Riding Hood? I'm the Wolf? Oh, I am the Wolf! I am the Wolf.
My perspective just shifted. Thank you, Abby Wamback, for taking time in your life to remind me of my power and strength, and reminding me to ask for what I deserve. Abby has teamed up my my most favorite author, Brene Brown, and the two of them together make all women stronger and more resilient. They are my examples of presenting the qualities in life that I can focus on, improve upon and learn that we were never Little Red Riding Hood. We were always the Wolf.
To my Pack of women and men - I am most grateful for you. You, who read my words. Listens to my heart ebb and flow in life. You, who is on this life journey with me. Our own Wolfpack.
I am rushing and pointing to you right now,
Cyndi
Recently, we have completed more house and property renovations. We go through waves, and this was one of house painting, new decking, and fence painting and maintenance. Also included in this wave is the flagstone porch and 2 palettes of sod to place on the bald areas in the immediate yard. We have completed this wave, and now are ready to sit on it all awhile. This was all around the same time we were settling the pastures and animals. Now contentment sets in, and it's time to enjoy it the fruits of the seeds we have been planting and sowing.
One thing I've begun to form a habit of doing (esp during this last reno) is to give things back to the earth. This concept was new to me when first moved to acreage. Previously, there was a trash and recycle container. Still is. The difference is now, my goal is to not fill them up, but find uses and disposal methods for the rubbish I have. It seemed like a hard task the first year living here. My old habits were firmly refined from years of living in neighborhoods where restrictions kept people from making free choices. So, I went along with city living in the country, unknowingly. But after awhile, I noticed I could make other choices. Better choices. Now, I'm in full swing. I have three official burn pile locations. Small, medium and large areas. My small and medium burn areas are for convenient burning of household things, boxes, trash, and anything that fits nicely in those spaces. The large area is for furniture, wood, extra lumber, and larger cardboard boxes. One time, a whole bedroom furniture set. It's just that easy to discard it. I've gotten to know when NOT to burn (wind), and how to start my fire without gasoline, as I like my hair and eyebrows. One of my favorite things to burn is the straw from mucking the sheep stall. Gone, just like that. I do reuse the straw sometimes for various reasons. To cover wet, muddy areas or place conveniently in a windy area where it will speed itself back to the earth, at its own pace and rate. There's many variables that go into discarding used straw, trash, and all rubbish. We still use the trash and recycle bins. Just far less that before. It feels good to be able to rid myself of trash without having others do it. We are certainly not 100% trash independent, but I'm going to continue to use the privilege of making burn decisions, and work towards placing things back to the earth, when possible and within reason.
Speaking of trash, I've learned that goats will chew and nibble on most anything. I must be mindful of what they can get to, and is it dangerous or poisonous? I have recently placed baking soda and mineral blocks at their free-choice discretion. Goats, like sheep, have delicate rumens that require a consistence balance of forage and if needed, grain. Goats need cooper, whereby cooper can be toxic to sheep. As many ways that sheep and goats are alike, they are very different. They have the same amount of 'stomachs' (4), but the minerals they need are different. I have a salt lick for the sheep, and a mineral lick for the goats. I'm still learning what is best for each of them. The one thing that is similar is the gestational time - both around 5 months. In a previous blog, I mentioned the 5th, and newest-to-us goat, Sprinkles, was rehomed to us by an acquaintance at a local feed store. Kind of like, here, want this goat? Well, either Sprinkles is eating a lot of pasture yum-yums and is gaining weight, or she, like Nona, came to us pregnant. I certainly can't say for sure yet, but I have my eye on her. What I have found is our sweet little goats are quiet, curious and observant. They watch everything I do, and want to follow me around, if possible. I could see how there's such potential in regards to maximizing my relationship with the goats. Yeah, I bought them so the guard pups could have their own herd to guard, but I really like the goats. They are not just ornaments out there in the pasture, they are my herd, too. Despite my original thoughts about goats in general, I will continue to nurture my relationship with them. How can I not? They are open to my love, nurturing and touch - as if they could be like a dog. Fascinating to me.
Speaking of herd animals, there's a good chance you might have heard of the new book, Wolfpack. I've not read (all of it) yet, but I do follow the author, Abby Wamback on InstaGram. Abby is the soccer phemon who is an Olympian, and now adds Author to her acheivements. She's taken what she learned in life, and placed it on paper. It's an interesting take on her 'Wolfpack' rules that she outlines in her book. It's a book for women to connect us to our strength and power of our pack. New Rules, she calls them. Lead From The Bench spoke to me, as we all live the life of not being the one playing on the field. But leading from the bench is something we all can do. We can support each other and be for each other. We can Point and Rush to each other when we score in life. Pointing to those who helped make it all happen, supported and cheered for us, and rushing to hug and thank them. We can Be For Each Other. She encourages celebrating the successes of each other, and that's what I find most important. These are all basics things we may or may not already do - but I love the way she reminds me of these things, and how important they are. Having several herd/pack animals on the farm, I see it in action every day. The sheep are always for each other. The goats are always for each other, and the donkeys are a strong herd that never leaves the other one out. I see examples of these herd/pack qualities every day, and translating those qualities to my own life has been a new way of thinking for me. It changes everything. My herd, my pack, my family, my friends, my coworkers, but really - it's all of us as one big pack. Rushing to each other, being for each other, and grateful for what we all have is her focus, and she shares and reminds me with this new book. Abby takes it one level deeper by saying, The Wolf is not only grateful for what she has AND insists on what she deserves. The Wolf makes failure her fuel. The Wolf demands the effing ball. The Wolf knows her Power.
You were never Little Red Riding Hood -- You were always the Wolf.
Wait, I'm not Little Red Riding Hood? I'm the Wolf? Oh, I am the Wolf! I am the Wolf.
My perspective just shifted. Thank you, Abby Wamback, for taking time in your life to remind me of my power and strength, and reminding me to ask for what I deserve. Abby has teamed up my my most favorite author, Brene Brown, and the two of them together make all women stronger and more resilient. They are my examples of presenting the qualities in life that I can focus on, improve upon and learn that we were never Little Red Riding Hood. We were always the Wolf.
To my Pack of women and men - I am most grateful for you. You, who read my words. Listens to my heart ebb and flow in life. You, who is on this life journey with me. Our own Wolfpack.
I am rushing and pointing to you right now,
Cyndi
Monday, April 8, 2019
Like a Soap Opera 'round here
As the World Turns, with only One Life to Live, the farm keeps moving forward. As we shake off the recent events with the storms and #goatdilemmas, the shake out starts to reveal itself. This shake out is how it's all coming together, instead of flying apart. The dust settles once again, and we are guided in how to manage it all. Hope and Faith are the biggest sponsors of this season. God has shown us that with hope and faith, anything is possible - and we hold on to those two with a tight grip.
These Days of our Lives have brought us great peace. As we settle and shift into Spring, so do the animals. Everyone is glad to see the green grass, new forbes, warmth at night and an abundance of sunshine. The quiet is deafening, as All My Children are finding contentment in their own lives. All the farm animals are able to forage, and not feel the need to hee-haw, baa, cluck, and maa for food. It's right there in front of them, and plenty of it. The change from cries of hurry-up-and-come-feed-me to heads-down-busy-eating-here is like living in a polar opposite world from merely a few weeks ago.
It's not only Spring that has brought changes to our Bold and Beautiful. We also have completed some pasture management, that brings about the shifting of animals from one pasture to the other. As Lauren always says, we love to move things. I think I'm addicted to moving things and somehow feel okay about it. The reality is that for us, having the farm is constant movement on a small or large scale. Things are moving and we're moving it (or the wind is moving it). After recently re-fencing parts of the pasture, adding a couple of new gates, buttoning-up the back pasture (with goat/sheep fence panels applied to existing fence) and ensuring all areas have shelter and water supply we have a new labeling system of the different pasture areas. They are as follows, along with the occupants:
Front Pasture: This area is where the pond is located, and now houses our two sweet donkeys, Mama and Papa. They have not grazed this area for quite awhile now, and are Loving their new digs. This pasture is closest to the road that runs in front of the house, and farthest pasture from the house. The donkeys will guard there, and ensure no predator comes across the fence lines. They are the experts at that, and have a shutout every night. Donkeys win - every time. Period.
Middle/Side Pasture: This area has recently been blended by opening an adjoining gate to make it a larger area for our 6 sheep - Belle, LuLu, Eve, Grace, Clara and Licorice. They are guarded (and barn mates) by and with Levi & Whisper, who are brother sister Great Pyrenees who have never allowed a predator to come across the parameter, with the exception of one coyote. The coyote did not win, but it did leave alive. As a side note, Whisper had surgery (TPLO) last Nov 2018, and after 3 months of being penned, is back out at 99% with her back left leg. The surgeon blessed her and gave her the use of her leg back. She has recovered marvelously and we could not have asked for a better outcome. She's feeling better than ever, uses her leg again, and is so very happy - and you can see the joy in her eyes. She's back doing what she does best. Whisper and Levi were part of the house/land transaction - and they are truly priceless. They keep the chickens, barn cats and sheep safe - always watching, always there. Simply incredible. The sheep are grazing more than ever with the new forbes, and they are no longer The Young and the Restless.
Back Pasture: In Another World lies the brother sister duo of Dixie and Davis, who are now 9 month old guard pups, put in a pasture to guard 5 goats. Yes, what started as 2 goats, is now 5. Nona and Twizzler, then Chia and Georgia, along with the lastest newcomer, Sprinkles. Sprinkles came to us from a (different) Feed Store who was looking to rehome her. They are all "versions" of Nigerian Dwarf goats. Small and feisty. Thus far, non-destructive, playful, and fun as they romp and play like kids. The Guiding Light of Dixie and Davis keep them safe (who learned from the best). As a side note, Nona is doing better after losing her two kids last Sunday. She's been able to bond back with the goat herd, and in fact, is the calm and kind leader of the herd.
The 15 chickens in the barn, along with an ebbing and flowing number of barn cats (mostly staying strong at around 8 - due to various strays coming and going) round out the farm animals of which live mainly in the barn. All the chickens free range, but at The Edge of Night return to the barn to roost and rest, always In Search For Tomorrow.
As we were once The City, we are now country. And there's absolutely no where I'd rather be. We are no Port Charles or Sunset Beach, we are Gunter residents who love our small town. We went to the City Council meeting a few weeks ago to speak at the 'time' where citizens can talk for 2 minutes, and it made me realize the magnitude of all things "small town". We went to ask about some road repairs, and I left the meeting feeling heard. I love it that no one is driving to fast, no one is in too much of a hurry, and we all are here for the same reason - looking for life that's a little slower, a little quieter, along with land to roam.
During this season of quiet as Spring has bestowed itself, we relish in the sweet spot of not-too-hot and not-too-cold. The animals are settled and happy. I didn't move anything today. I sat on the back porch and reflected on how wonderful life is. No crisis and nothing to fret about. Just peace and joy. It feels good, and this is what I lean into, letting myself feel the feelings of it all. It's like licking your lips and tasting the last bit of icing from the cake you just ate. Delicious.
Big sigh,
Cyndi
These Days of our Lives have brought us great peace. As we settle and shift into Spring, so do the animals. Everyone is glad to see the green grass, new forbes, warmth at night and an abundance of sunshine. The quiet is deafening, as All My Children are finding contentment in their own lives. All the farm animals are able to forage, and not feel the need to hee-haw, baa, cluck, and maa for food. It's right there in front of them, and plenty of it. The change from cries of hurry-up-and-come-feed-me to heads-down-busy-eating-here is like living in a polar opposite world from merely a few weeks ago.
It's not only Spring that has brought changes to our Bold and Beautiful. We also have completed some pasture management, that brings about the shifting of animals from one pasture to the other. As Lauren always says, we love to move things. I think I'm addicted to moving things and somehow feel okay about it. The reality is that for us, having the farm is constant movement on a small or large scale. Things are moving and we're moving it (or the wind is moving it). After recently re-fencing parts of the pasture, adding a couple of new gates, buttoning-up the back pasture (with goat/sheep fence panels applied to existing fence) and ensuring all areas have shelter and water supply we have a new labeling system of the different pasture areas. They are as follows, along with the occupants:
Front Pasture: This area is where the pond is located, and now houses our two sweet donkeys, Mama and Papa. They have not grazed this area for quite awhile now, and are Loving their new digs. This pasture is closest to the road that runs in front of the house, and farthest pasture from the house. The donkeys will guard there, and ensure no predator comes across the fence lines. They are the experts at that, and have a shutout every night. Donkeys win - every time. Period.
Middle/Side Pasture: This area has recently been blended by opening an adjoining gate to make it a larger area for our 6 sheep - Belle, LuLu, Eve, Grace, Clara and Licorice. They are guarded (and barn mates) by and with Levi & Whisper, who are brother sister Great Pyrenees who have never allowed a predator to come across the parameter, with the exception of one coyote. The coyote did not win, but it did leave alive. As a side note, Whisper had surgery (TPLO) last Nov 2018, and after 3 months of being penned, is back out at 99% with her back left leg. The surgeon blessed her and gave her the use of her leg back. She has recovered marvelously and we could not have asked for a better outcome. She's feeling better than ever, uses her leg again, and is so very happy - and you can see the joy in her eyes. She's back doing what she does best. Whisper and Levi were part of the house/land transaction - and they are truly priceless. They keep the chickens, barn cats and sheep safe - always watching, always there. Simply incredible. The sheep are grazing more than ever with the new forbes, and they are no longer The Young and the Restless.
Back Pasture: In Another World lies the brother sister duo of Dixie and Davis, who are now 9 month old guard pups, put in a pasture to guard 5 goats. Yes, what started as 2 goats, is now 5. Nona and Twizzler, then Chia and Georgia, along with the lastest newcomer, Sprinkles. Sprinkles came to us from a (different) Feed Store who was looking to rehome her. They are all "versions" of Nigerian Dwarf goats. Small and feisty. Thus far, non-destructive, playful, and fun as they romp and play like kids. The Guiding Light of Dixie and Davis keep them safe (who learned from the best). As a side note, Nona is doing better after losing her two kids last Sunday. She's been able to bond back with the goat herd, and in fact, is the calm and kind leader of the herd.
The 15 chickens in the barn, along with an ebbing and flowing number of barn cats (mostly staying strong at around 8 - due to various strays coming and going) round out the farm animals of which live mainly in the barn. All the chickens free range, but at The Edge of Night return to the barn to roost and rest, always In Search For Tomorrow.
As we were once The City, we are now country. And there's absolutely no where I'd rather be. We are no Port Charles or Sunset Beach, we are Gunter residents who love our small town. We went to the City Council meeting a few weeks ago to speak at the 'time' where citizens can talk for 2 minutes, and it made me realize the magnitude of all things "small town". We went to ask about some road repairs, and I left the meeting feeling heard. I love it that no one is driving to fast, no one is in too much of a hurry, and we all are here for the same reason - looking for life that's a little slower, a little quieter, along with land to roam.
During this season of quiet as Spring has bestowed itself, we relish in the sweet spot of not-too-hot and not-too-cold. The animals are settled and happy. I didn't move anything today. I sat on the back porch and reflected on how wonderful life is. No crisis and nothing to fret about. Just peace and joy. It feels good, and this is what I lean into, letting myself feel the feelings of it all. It's like licking your lips and tasting the last bit of icing from the cake you just ate. Delicious.
Big sigh,
Cyndi
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