Perfect Moments Can Stretch into a Whole Day

To make the BEST of each day is what I try to do here at the farm but I admit at times I just have to find the best in a minute or two and consider myself lucky..  For the past three nights I have sat with Kasha as she is struggling but despite the uncomfortable task of sitting on a hard metal floor while I give every ounce of love and care I have for my sweet one I admit it is wearing.  This morning I made her sweet eggs to get her to eat something and then I let the little babies out in the pasture to run, play and give their mothers a rest.  Mother's Day for the goat girls is simple - tender nibbles on new grass, some fresh buckets of water and playtime in the sun.

For this gal my day was filled with perfect little moments.  Watching the tiny bunnies running as fast as they can playing tag and grabbing a nibble here and there.  Hummingbirds flitting from tree to tree - darting to the water buckets quenching their thirst using those tiny long tongues.  Placing the youngest billies in the new pasture and seeing them kick up their heels with delight over the tender grass and tiny wild flowers that are like candy to taste buds.  The breeze was gently rolling in the forest trees which sent the crisp smell of pine in the air and delights my senses and calms this mind from the worry and drama that can put this gal into a funk. 

It does not matter what Special Day it is because I try to keep in mind that this is all we have - TODAY...  We can not be sure that tomorrow will come and we should not ever try to live in the past for it is gone and never can be changed.  In today's world it is hard to keep your focus on the now but when I am outside and with the tiny things that make up my world I can not help but give thanks that I am here today.  TODAY was full of Perfect Moments...

A Special Kind of Mothers Day Gift

Mother's Day is always a bit different here at the farm and ususally ends in Grace being hurt.  Now I do not plan on this being the case but you know this farm - anything but a plan and never a dull moment.

It all started about 15 years ago when my mother came out to spend the night and to have Mother's Day here.... Long before the sun came up I hear horrible sounds coming from the big barn.  My dogs where barking and animals where screaming and whirling.  I jumped from my bed and without thinking ran outside in my PJ's and slippers.  As I arrived at the barn the ewes where running and swirling around inside.  I managed to push my way into the middle of the mess and found in the bottle baby pen the most horrifying sight.  My first Badger.  It was in the pen and had killed one of the sweet little lambs and going after another.  My big Pry's were trying to get to it and with all my strength I was trying to grab them and get them out of the barn.  In all the chaos one of the huge ewe's Marilyn stepped on my right foot.  I had no idea it happened.  After chasing the Badger out and dealing with the aftermath I returned to the house after hours of caring for the injuries and bring out the dead bodies.  I Know, what a Mother's Day... Well when I returned inside it was then I found out that my right big toe was crushed.  In order not to add more frightening events to the day I said nothing, got cleaned up, taped my toes and went on with the planned day.  By the following morning is was evident that I was going to require a trip to the ER.. Yep, broke three toes and the Big Toe Toenail was going to be a lost cause.  Two weeks later no Toenail and the Doc advised me that he had several fake toenails to offer.  After I stopped laughing I told him that I was not one of those kind of gals.  So over the years I have learned the art of painting the skin to look like I have a nail but honestly I only think of it when leaving the farm in the summer.

Fast foreword to this year and after having my left Big Toe crushed with a huge metal scale, having a scared Llama run me down while stepping on my left foot and the final issue was the other weekend having a very large, heavy metal gate come crashing down while trying to fix it by myself I think the universe was telling me something.... "NO TOENAIL FOR YOU"

I spent the last two weeks taking care of that toe and it was starting to heal and I had hope.  Mother's Day was coming up and I admit I did not make the connection.  That was until I went outside after the animals were scared Friday night because we have a mother bear and her cub roaming about.  I went outside with shoes on and in the dark Dot came running out of nowhere and smacked right into me.  Yep, stepped on the foot and gave me also a bloody nose.  Took sometime to calm him down and then checked everyone else.  When I went over to the other side of the barn Maria (the other young llama) came around the corner and I could not believe it - she also stepped on my foot.  Either are very heavy but seriously get off my feet.

After getting everyone checked and quite I returned to the house.  I took off my chores clothes and went to clean up.  The nightly routine of soak my foot was about to start.  Off came the heavy work socks, drew the warm water and added the salt. Sat in my chair and went to take off the bandage and YEP, toenail stuck to the bandage.  In my usual fashion - went to find my glasses because I was not sure what I saw.  Yes in deed - toenail stuck to the bandage.  So soaked and re bandaged the toe and all the while giggling....

So I know this is a long story for such a small issue but this is how Grace is use to Mother's Day.  It is not only crushed toes but also two broken ring fingers three years apart, one broken crown and let's not forget a smashed knee cap.  Yep, Mother's Day for this gal means something completely different.  So no breakfast in bed, no special luncheon or evening a dinner party.  For this gal I start to wrap myself in bubble wrap and stay away from sharp objects.  Well, at least now I am not the freak with a missing big toe toenail but I am the freak with TWO BIG TOE TOENAILS MISSING!!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Holding My Breath

Have you every held your breath for so long that you forgot how to be normal.  Today as I went to town I found myself again holding my breath....  Maybe I need to back up.

Not too long ago as I was coming home from getting Hay and doing the food shopping for me I was half way home and in the middle of no where when my front right tire exploded and I almost flipped the truck.  There I was with 2 ton of hay in the back end and my spare buried under it all.  Some kind angels came to my rescue and with in three hours I was home and my nerves, head and soul was a mess to say it nicely. 

I was going to go and get the tire replaced but life kept me in one spot and then two weeks later the plan was to get the hay that my dear ones needed - drop it off at home and then go into the  opposite direction to the only tire store that had my size tires.  Also the store  did not open before the hay store so I thought let's not waste time.  So off I went with a plan.

Here is what happened to the plan - I got the hay, food, gas and well on my way.  I was driving that same road and kept saying how all was good and was right on schedule. This time got about 3/4 the way home and the back left tire exploded.  Again a kind angel came to my rescue and loaded the hay in his truck and drove me home.  At home I called my son and he came to take me to get a new tire, then go back to the truck, change the tire and then follow me to the tire store again to get the other tire fixed and mounted.  Getting great at holding my breath and trying not to cry in front of strangers.

Here is one of the funny parts - No One's Cell Phones worked in those two places so that is interesting.  Second, the tires I required was only at one shop out here and it was not the one I had planned to go to - they sold them out from under me while I was getting the hay.  The other part was the store we ended up going to because it was closest got those tires by mistake and so they had two waiting for me.  You might all think this is good luck which part of it was but I would have rather not had any of that happen but it is what it is. I am thankful both times I did not flip the truck and cause more damage to the truck or me. 

So  now we are a week and a half out and I needed to go into the small town where every time I go there is a huge drama.  Let me tell you I held my breath for the 26 miles one way and then the 26 miles back home.  Not the best way to have my day start but I am home with 4 tires and for that I give thanks and will work on breathing in about two more hours.

What have you been holding your breath on???

Touching Base

It has been a bumpy ride here - Mother Nature has keep all of us guessing and running on empty.  We go from high 60's to blizzards within a day.  Over and Over to were the animals have been giving me very nasty looks as if I had some control over this mess.

It also seems as if everyone I know is experiencing such drama, heartache and pain that it is hard at times to breath...  Sitting in peace has escaped me and I know I am not alone.  Life is CHANGE and we know this but why does it seem to derail us?? 

I have been busy making incredible fiber batts that all found loving, talented homes and I have been thrilled about that - hoping my shoulder will cooperate.  I have also found my days and nights getting confused but learning to roll with that as well.  Who says you can not rake out a barn at 3 am???  I found it much more enjoyable because I had the company of a sweet bat who swept the skies while I enjoyed the still of the night.  I even had two owls sit on the gate to the barn and tell me of their adventures and plans.  I  had to giggle because the mink family came out to play and would run around my feet with no fear what so ever.  Could not find more joy and peace at such an odd time - I guess I would be a great late shift worker.  Now if I could do more then two hours of sleep a day but I will take what I can get.

So that is what I have been up to AND YOU??  Love to hear what is going on in your world - hope you might share.  Keeps me grounded and also knowing that someone is reading and sharing.  Hugs to all...