You know that time between being sound asleep and awakening?  It is surreal moments that delve into what is happening in your life.  Sometimes it does not seem to make any sense.  For me it is usually filled with emotion, maybe about things I have been subconciously suppressing, or refusing to acknowledge.  I think it is important to connect to this and consider if there is a learning event that can carry you through the day.  I find that my days proceed in a much better manner when I dreamily drift into conciousness with joy in my heart.

Susan

This is busy season when you live on a farm.  My posts have been few and far between recently because I’ve had my mind focussed on other things.  I’ve waited patiently (or not, depending on who you talk to) for my wonderful Connemara Pony mare Coastal Celtic Ceildh to foal out.  It took 342 days from conception to delivery and it seemed to take forever.  She was only two days past normal foaling time, but was looking like she could produce her foal at any time for at least three weeks before her baby arrived.  She was a maiden mare, never having foaled before, so I was particularly anxious to be there and supervise the big event.  With no history of previous foalings, it was a matter of keeping a very close eye on her.  I started by checking her every four hours for two weeks before, then every two hours for the final week.  I clearly did not want to miss this!  I have a baby audio monitor, but no camera, so I would haul my rear out of bed & tromp out to the barn for a peak at the expecting mamma.  She made me wait, for bothering her so much.  I was watching American Idol, the final sing off the night she foaled.  I was heading out every commercial break to see how she was doing.  She was considerate to wait till the show was over to get her own show on the road.  About an hour later, we had a beautiful colt safely delivered into the world.  Foaling is such a miracle.  I love to attend to the mares when they foal, but when they are my own special mare, I am significantly more invested in her welfare.  Here they are 3 days later, out enjoying the May sunshine.  This is a wonderful time of year.  I have heartfelt thanks that both my mare and her colt are hale and healthy.  The colts name is Thistledown Seol an Muire, in english it means Sail the Seas.  He is keeping his mother very busy.

Thistledown Seol an Muire

Susan

It has been a long time since I have blogged about anything. I have been busy stepping out of my comfort zone. I have started the Dov Baron Authentic speaker for Leadership Program. Yes, It means I am training to be a Public Speaker. I still do not know how I am going to incorporate this into my life but know I will in time. I am at the beginning of my training and the training will continue through September. What I can tell you is this has pushed me right out of my comfort zone and into a whole new zone. I will keep you updated on how the training continues. What I know now, is this had been of more value than the price of this training and I have a new improved outlook on life!
Nikko

We need to be very concerned what we ingest into our bodies.  Food Labelling does not always tell the entire story.  We may think we are doing a good job with what goes in our grocery carts, but I’m not so sure.  It came to my attention that some of the honey listed as Canadian honey is produced in China and packaged here.  Instead of using a product off the shelf, thatI can’t determine exactly where it came from, I will now be hunting local sources.  My honey comes from Stuber’s Honey, on Olund Road, Mt. Lehman, BC.  If anyone wants some, just call 604-854-5384.  This is real farm gate.  I went to the farm, had to open a farm gate, while containing the friendly dogs that were there to greet me.  I drove in the driveway past an apple orchard (source of the best honey).  There are chickens there as well and if you are lucky, some eggs might be available, although they are in short supply.  There are pastures and flowers and cattle happily grazing in the back field.  It is rewarding to see where your food comes from.  A side effect of my trip is the honey is very reasonably priced.  Have you sought out local sources for your food?

Susan

Humans are consistent learners, or at least re-learners.  I’m busy learning a bunch of new stuff for myself, and also reviewing a bunch of stuff I’ve already learned.  I’m getting more depth out of my re-learning, and am intrigued by the new things I am experiencing.  The pace of change, requiring assimilation of new ideas and ways of doing things is astonishing.  Science fiction doesn’t even cover it.  The human race is incredibly creative, both with the mind and with the body.  We need to take the time to marvel about this.  I wonder what the next hundred years holds for the human race.  I do know, that good or bad, we will continue to excite, incite and inspire one another.

Susan

Breaking up is hard to do, no matter what the circumstances.  I have a friend who has horses and she sent one off to be sold.  He was not approved by the buyers Veterinarian and she was told his feet were the reason for him failing his Vet check.  She contacted a new farrier to take a look, and they made changes in the way his feet are trimmed.  She now needs to contact her old farrier, who she has had for 9 years, and fire him.  Her other horses have also had some minor issues with their feet.  She was bemoaning about how do do this.  Why is it so hard, to just call someone and say to them, “I’m no longer happy with your work, and going to do something else”.  I think that I would appreciate the honesty, and want to know how I could improve.  I myself would not want to make that call, because it seems to be letting the fired party down, although they weren’t meeting your requirements.  Part of the worry would be the kind of response that you get back.  I’m sure it all works out in the end for the better (sound horse, happy client, happy farrier), so why does it become such an issue?

Susan

Small miracles happen every day.  The trick is, we need to see and recognize them.  Life is flourishing all around us, and we need to save some awareness and appreciation for this.  I love living on a farm, because that awareness is so close to the surface, and a reminder to value the essence, the vitality, the fragility, the enduring nature of life.  Spring is here, the seasons are effecting the yearly change, the cherry trees are beginning to blossom and life begins anew.  We have a chance, with every day, to reinvent, or refine ourselves.  Lets not lose the opportunity.  I am reflecting on myself and what I can do next to make my way through life.  While I consider what I am and will do, I wait on new life to begin their path, more chicks to join the beautiful creature above.

Susan

Sometimes we must challenge ourselves to move onwards with our journey through life no matter how uncomfortable it may make us. We do tend to get comfortable and as time passes the comfort turns into our own private jail and we must learn to break free. We start to stagnate in life and when we look back we will still be in the same place as we were 5 years ago. We must project ahead and work towards those goals we see in our future even if we are uncomfortable because even if we fail if we hold onto the vision and work towards our goals our lives will be full and we will reach our goals.
Nikko

I live on a farm and we currently have a problem.  Rats have invaded the barn and are taking over.  The rotten little creatures destroyed several unopened bags of grain and spoiled them, and made a horrible mess.  Nothing could be kept, and it all got thrown out & I am still sweeping up after them.  They can not remain in the barn as they cause substantial damage.  I set out poison.  I stuffed it in nooks and crannys where only the mice and rats can go.  I have eliminated four so far.  Where there is one rat, there could be a hundred.  The fourth rat, I found outside and it was dying.  It required me, to minimize its suffering, to dispatch it quickly.  I grabbed a sharp shovel and bludgeoned it to death.  I am spectaculary bad at that.  I did enable it to pass on quite quickly, but found it a very difficult thing to do.  I hate rats, but it disturbs me greatly to kill them.  They are sentient beings, and quite intelligent, hence the source of my existential angst.  My concience troubles me.  The responsiblilty of farming and keeping the farm free of vermin that cause damage and illness is a bit like Damocles Sword.  I’m not sure I want to have the power of death, even if it is for a rat.  Every time I go to the barn now, I’m afraid of what (or how many bodies) I will find

Susan