These days, with all the upset we are experiencing in our country, the turbulence of a major election, big climate changes, violent responses by some that threaten innocents, economic transitions, and on it goes, it's important to know what is happening but also stay grounded in ways that are healing. We don't want to become sick from all the stress. We have to keep always in mind that we have to make our own lives good.
I find that for me one of the most joyful supports always comes from time in nature. Fortunately I live on the banks of a stream which in the summer is always a joy as it follows a lazy meandering path as it does what it does best-- provide a source of water for the land, the plants and the animals who live by its banks.
When wading in the stream, in a low water season, there are interesting rocks to examine. Crawdads, mussels, and once in awhile an artifact left behind by those who came before us from the Native Americans to the later settlers.
I have a little buddy who doesn't go out into the fields with the others. Most days he hangs around the house saying-- maaa maa which sounds like ma to me. He's old as the hills and should not be alive as he's a wether which means neutered male. They are what make up lamb chops. He was missed in his own round-up, fooled us into thinking he was a ewe because he so often has little ones around him. Lately with teeth missing in front, he is devoted to me and my daily feedings of cob (corn, oats and barley). He's as close to a pet as I let any sheep be. I have no idea how old he is, but he's not giving up yet. This summer, he didn't get shorn with the others-- too slick for that, but Farm Boss says he'll do him one of these evenings. He doesn't have a name-- other than oh you again-- but maybe he should have had.
8 comments:
Oh...What a dear dear guy he is! It is touching that he stays around you all the time, Rain...It's like you are his safety net---He is 'The Elder'.
I love that picture of him...So Very Sweet!
If you were aiming for a de-stresser you found it, Rain. Wonderfully relaxing post ~ Happy weekend.
Yeah, love the "oh you again"! And having that lovely stream on your farm. I take my dog to a local ravine with a brook running through it and it is very reviving for both of us. Hope your wether hangs in there for a while more.
I'm with you on this. Nature works wonders for my mind also. That's certainly a cute guy you're hanging out with.
Outdoors and animals are the restoratives we need now. He is a cutie and you will miss when he gone.
I really will miss him when he's gone. He's been a fixture here for a lot of years by how he evaded being lamb chops and then how he babysat other's lambs so much that we were sure he was a ewe and now the snack all day long, he's a character ;)
I sometimes wish we lived somewhere with brooks and streams, instead of arid California. Esp on days like today, when to sit by a little stream in the cool shade would be SO lovely.
he looks like a character!
it's easy to imagine, when surrounded by that beautiful water under a canopy of trees, that the big bad world just doesn't exist. The stream is all there is. What respite.
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