After The Storm

Just a few examples of why it has been a bit difficult to feed the animals lately.

The Details

I've often discussed the fact that the rewards of this lifestyle are not always monetary.

If there are monetary rewards, they quickly disappear into a newer piece of machinery, into the ground to be next year's crop, or into the upkeep of the place.

However, the rewards of this lifestyle are plentiful. You just have to look for them.

Sometimes, when it's below zero for days on end, you have to look a little harder.



Sometimes you only have to look to see what's right in front of you, just waiting for her next meal.

It is undeniably rewarding to care for God's creatures and to marvel at the details.

Favorites

My brain needs a break from writing, so I've been sifting through photos of our holiday activities. Here are a few of my favorites, in no particular order.



















I dare you not to smile when you look at that last one.

Multitasking

If you're feeding with the tractor, you may as well plow the road as well.

Bloom Where You're Planted

One of my favorite sayings is "Bloom where you're planted." 

It's a visual description of my life philosophy. Happiness is not a result of having everything you've ever wanted. It's a result of wanting what you have. 

So when Christmas vacation plans are interrupted by illness and bad weather, it's natural for me to take the opportunity to pass along a lesson or two.

Instead of thinking forlornly about what we had planned for the day, we made new adventures.

Luckily, our backyard was full of opportunity.

We turned a field of dormant wheat and a calf sled into a ride that rivals those at an amusement park.

We experienced family togetherness.

We crashed.

We crashed again.

We learned that the journey home is sometimes steep.

But it's important to persevere.

There could be hot chocolate on the other side of the hill.

We learned that climbing the hill after the ride can be exhausting.

But it's easier when a friend is along for company.

Bloom where you're planted. Even if the ground is cold.