A Day Late and a Dollar Short – Reflections on 2015

With poor Hubs being very sick coupled with me running this joint by myself  – the silliness of the holiday season – issues with my son and so on and so on that by the time I sit down to do anything – it’s time for bed.

I am hoping now with Hubs on the mend that I’ll get back to it.

Reflecting back on 2015 – I have to say that I think that this has been one of our best years.

We have settled in to farm life nicely and have our little routine. Of course our list of things that need to be done never ends but I think we are past the “growing pains”.

Chickens joined us this past year. I have always wanted to have chickens. They are vastly amusing to watch and their eggs are delicious. Sadly it took a “couple of generations” to get our enclosures secure but I believe the fortress is now impenetrable and here’s to hoping they winter well – our next challenge.

Subtractions and additions to our herd.

Sadly Little Horse left us and we were joined by B Horse. I’d like to say that B Horse is fitting in nicely – I really would. I’d also like to say that B Horse has found his forever home – I really would. This all remains to be seen. We will keep him through the winter and if we cannot get his manners to improve will consider selling him come spring.

Work is good – very very busy but it pays the bills.

The children are well for the most part – a few hiccups with Son but those are manageable – Daughter is well and working very hard.

Wow – this post is very vanilla. See I told you – lack of inspiration – and to be quite honest – with all this weird weather and the mud and again hubs being sick- running this place myself – I have lost perspective as to why we are doing this and was thinking maybe my friend was right??? Maybe I was too old to start farming at my age?

This morning – like every other morning – up – feed cats – make coffee – put on layer after layer of clothing – only to go out and realise – it’s quite nice – take off one layer.

Load up the sled – grain – chicken food – water – turn on the lights and off we go to begin the morning routine. Ho hum!

Grain for horses – off to greet the chickens who are already crowing away. I’ve been told that Ivan (Rooster) can be herd clean over to the neighbour’s and now with Maxwell (Rooster) crowing – I hope it’s not pissing anyone off.

Chickens fed and watered – off to the hay barn. Load up trusty sleigh with hay and proceed to feed the Big Dogs – a flake here, a flake there – flakes, flakes everywhere.

Ho hum – same old routine – but then everything just sort of stopped.

For one brief moment – there was no traffic noises/no cars- it was SO quiet. The Roosters were crowing and I could here the jingle of B Horses halter and Big Horse snorted.Then – in the distance – the morning train.

I could not help but close my eyes and just stand there, in the middle of the paddock and listen. All those sounds – I smiled and had a small “AHA” moment of inspiration.

This year – it will be another good year. Sure we will still have our ups and downs and the never ending list will just grow longer – our bank accounts will be empty no doubt but if we just take the time to listen – when it’s really quiet – we will remember why we are here and everything will be OK.

Happy New Year everyone – I wish love, health and luck to everyone!