There are moments during winter (and this is promising to be a real old-fashioned one) when running a farm can seem at its best a poorly thought-out choice for a way of life.
I love these familiar feeling stories. My motto as I age is “get everything done and get in the house” so I don’t have to worry about it. Sometimes it works.
There are times when I admire and envy you. Then you post something like this and the envy drains away. Not for nothing have I described myself living in the bosom of civilization, dependent on all the comforts afforded by a typical First World life away from the difficulties of animal husbandry, food production, resource, extraction, and fabrication. For that I'm grateful but still mindful of a certain estrangement from the admirable things you report, which make terrific stories (or is it whining?) such as kayaking with lambs. My own stories are far less flavorful (and definitely whining).
Oh, it's whining, my friend. But, as you say, there are whole levels of whining. Such as the man a few days ago who told me, while we were chatting in the parking lot about the cold, how miserable he was because the heat had gone out in his car (A BMW roadster).
Great stuff!!! It’s been snowing where I live nonstop for about the past 2 weeks with temps in the single digits at night. I’ve been steady whining about having to walk the dog. But today - I realize how lucky I am to have only one four legged creature in my care. Thanks for the pick me up. And the answer is no - you can’t read too much Wodehouse. I’ve tried.
Thanks for the kind comment and good luck with this winter! And I'm glad to know that one can't read too much Wodehouse. He is my perfect antidote to the world.
Golly, I felt like I knew how hard farming is, but I don't. I can't know it, especially at my age, because it would kill me. I get all upset worrying about the new to the neighborhood chickens in a wire pen, with no cover or warmth that I spotted, as I drove by it for the first time the other day and watched the snow come down yesterday.
I love these familiar feeling stories. My motto as I age is “get everything done and get in the house” so I don’t have to worry about it. Sometimes it works.
Sometimes, Melanie, sometimes.
There are times when I admire and envy you. Then you post something like this and the envy drains away. Not for nothing have I described myself living in the bosom of civilization, dependent on all the comforts afforded by a typical First World life away from the difficulties of animal husbandry, food production, resource, extraction, and fabrication. For that I'm grateful but still mindful of a certain estrangement from the admirable things you report, which make terrific stories (or is it whining?) such as kayaking with lambs. My own stories are far less flavorful (and definitely whining).
Oh, it's whining, my friend. But, as you say, there are whole levels of whining. Such as the man a few days ago who told me, while we were chatting in the parking lot about the cold, how miserable he was because the heat had gone out in his car (A BMW roadster).
Hope all is well in Chicago.
Cheers,
Dear Brian, if I had any remaining illusions of how hard farming is, you’ve certainly restored me to reality. Great piece of writing.
Thanks, Dan. BTW that NZ calendar you sent hangs in the kitchen.
Great stuff!!! It’s been snowing where I live nonstop for about the past 2 weeks with temps in the single digits at night. I’ve been steady whining about having to walk the dog. But today - I realize how lucky I am to have only one four legged creature in my care. Thanks for the pick me up. And the answer is no - you can’t read too much Wodehouse. I’ve tried.
Thanks for the kind comment and good luck with this winter! And I'm glad to know that one can't read too much Wodehouse. He is my perfect antidote to the world.
Golly, I felt like I knew how hard farming is, but I don't. I can't know it, especially at my age, because it would kill me. I get all upset worrying about the new to the neighborhood chickens in a wire pen, with no cover or warmth that I spotted, as I drove by it for the first time the other day and watched the snow come down yesterday.
Geeze, don't use me as a yardstick on farm work. Hope you both are well this new year.