It was like they all fell at the same time – whoosh!
To be honest, it was not a bad third world day. I simply had a less than pleasant Monday. It was full of those things that make my ridiculously easy life a bit frustrating. Clothes shopping was on the list, which for me is never fun. Then there was the laundry, housecleaning, phone calls, health insurance reimbursements, grocery shopping and needing food for the animals. It added up to lots of time in the car. Not my idea of a good day. I’m guessing you’ve had one of these days, too.
Adding insult to injury, the weather decided to head toward winter and it was cold and dreary and it looked like the leaves were in a race to see which one could get off the tree first. Aargh. I know winter is on its way, but PLEASE, not today.
Finally, after much ado, the errands were complete (sort of) and I got home. It was a complete fail on the clothes shopping (as usual). Most everything else worked out, but with more effort than I thought necessary.
I opened my computer to get some work done. Facebook wasn’t working right, photos on the blog weren’t showing up, there was a email I needed that couldn’t seem to make its way to my inbox. Really?
So, I did what I often do when all else fails. I headed to the barnyard to scoop poop.
Tools of the poop pick-up trade.
For me, there is something deeply therapeutic about wandering around the barnyard, finding poop from goats and chickens and pig, and relocating it to the compost. I walk around, shovel and rake in hand, doing my thing. Animals come round, checking out my progress. Jessie always follows me, his beautiful head often in soft contact with my leg. I walk the five thousand square feet of what I try to make animal-heaven-on-earth. I check out the length of the grass, dream about new projects, imagine next year’s chicks joining the current flock.
My helper.
It is impossible to be cranky, anxious, unhappy or worried inside the barnyard. Especially when I’m doing something so inherently basic, necessary, required, as scooping poop. Somehow, the problems are all outside the gate. I don’t know the exactly how that works, but I am thankful. Deeply thankful.
Yesterday, I loaded the shed with lots of new straw for Doink’s nighttime bed-making. Even still, today it seemed so dreary I threw another half bale in there just to make sure he would be comfortable during the chilly night ahead. Doink, after going through all of it with his wonderful, wonderful snout came up and looked at me with those tiny squinty eyes and gave me a grunt that for all the world sounded like, “Thanks for the extra straw, lady. Keeping the barnyard tidy is awfully kind as well. Oh, and sorry about your bad day. Hope tomorrow’s better.”
Doink’s either getting ready for bed or going trick-or-treating as a hay bale. There’s a pig in there somewhere!
Bad day? What bad day?
Thank you, goats. Thank you, chickens. Thank you, pig. Thank you animals everywhere.
(Shared at Homesteaders Hop, Clever Chicks Hop, Homestead Barn Hop, Tuesdays With A Twist, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Down Home Hop, HomeAcre Hop, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Simple Lives Thursday, From the Farm Hop and Farmgirl Friday Hop!)
Your posts always cheer me up. I get almost tearful reading about what a sweetheart Jessie is and am grateful that we have that connection. Thanks for having such a nice perspective on things!
He’s the best, Becky! I feel so lucky to have him at my side 🙂
Oh yes I think we’ve all had days like this. Lucky for us though, we have an aminal oasis. I swear there is nothing like a little poop patrol to feel better, I agree it is magical in its own way. Love Doinks costume haha. Hope tomorrow is better…
Jen recently posted…And The Rodent/Garden Battle Continues…
It got better the minute I hit the barnyard!
Just hide under a pile of hay on those Monday blues day when they arrive from time to time…just like Doink:) I’m sure next week will be better…CHEERS:)
Annie recently posted…The Season Is Changing
When the going the tough, Doink heads to bed. Smart pig! I should do that too 🙂
Joan Hobbs recently posted…I Had A Bad Day
And here I was thinking I was the only one who enjoyed cleaning up poop. My chickens find out my deepest secrets during those times, and they are very good at keeping secrets.
Yeah, if the animals ever learn to talk, I’ll be in BIG trouble! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Joan Hobbs recently posted…I Had A Bad Day
I totally know how you feel! When I am stressed out, I head to the barnyard. There’s just something about watching the chickens scratch in the dirt and go about their business that calms me down. It’s impossible to be stressed when watching your animals have fun and be happy 🙂
Tammy/Our Neck of the Woods recently posted…Pumpkin Carving
I know the feeling of all the probs disappearing when you are in the farm yard doing basic animal chores with the animals 🙂
I really enjoyed your post !
Thanks for stopping by – glad you liked the story 🙂
Amen, sister! We shared with our FB readers at homesteadlady.com.
I need chickens! I need goats! I need a pig! Thanks for the heartwarming story and giving me something to look forward to!
Vickie recently posted…Eating Acorns, Round 2
I like your qualifier: it wasn’t a bad third world day. That’s perspective! 🙂 I think I need a barnyard every time I read your blog…. 🙂
Lori recently posted…The Kitchen Sink
Thanks for sharing. Honestly, I would trade your bad day in the barnyard for my best day in the office. I am fortunate enough to be the “boss” in my husband’s wellness clinic but sometimes I want to run screaming from the building.
One day we’ll have our very own barnyard. Until then, I’ll keep reading about yours!
Mary@Back to the Basics! recently posted…Tuesdays with A Twist #31
I am never a Monday person, especially if the weather is gloomy!
But you are right sometimes just getting outside and working can change our perspective.
Thanks for sharing at the HomeAcre Hop!
Sandra
http://www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com