City people often refer to country life or country people as slow, boring, rednecks, or even hillbillies, which is fine, most of the time. They don't know what it is like to have the open space, little traffic, or the ability to have such a quiet place, that is so calming.
Here on our farm, seldomly is it quiet, the morning starts with Omega, Orion, and Alpha crowing, telling everyone its time to start another day, by 545 the men have riled their hens, Ringo has awakened Star, (our turkeys) and the sweet calls have told the pigs it's time to eat. Tigger, our baby goat has begun his morning ritual of baaing, clearly demanding his bottle of milk, whilst, Winnie and Ginnie, (our pigmys) have started their daily Fonda workout routine.
Sir Lancelot summons Gwynevere, (our sheep) who just wants her head rubbed and to be let out to eat her morning clover.
Hens call out to be fed, and to be allowed to their daily fill of grubs and worms, as the Cornish hens cackle for their feed.
The constant breeze carries the sounds of a passing train, and swooning sounds of bulls calling out to a mate.
All these things, I'd gladly take over a day of traffic, noise, violence, or the busy movement of the city.
Around here, is anything but slow, from feedings, pruning, picking, petting, to the never ending egg hunt that starts at 10 am, and ends near 6pm.
As the spring time sun basks upon the land, the kids chase lizards while Brandi picks weeds throughout the garden. Taking great pride in each new seedling that has broken ground the night before.
A late lunch passes, then the time frame for naps are upon us, Tigger and Gwynevere find shade under the elm, while Sir Lancelot, Ginnie and Winnie chew the bark off a dying walnut tree.
All of the hens scratch and pick at the weeds, as some take dust baths in the fire ring.
As afternoon wears on, the fencing needs mending, straw and hay needs spread, plants are fertilized, and of course, Zachary (our soon to be 3 year old) is ready for his 30th adventure of the day, frog and lizard catching. Although he screams if a bug lands on him or even flies near him, he will track a lizard until he can snatch it.
Finally the day turns into evening, Brandi and I find time to sit on the porch and watch the hummingbirds eat, as the children ride bikes, and explore their yard, as if it was different than the day before.
As evening falls, we watch the skunks, raccoons, opposum begin to slowly emerge, while coyotes cry within a football fields distance. The hens are gathered by their roosters, and Star by Ringo slowly entering one by one into their coop.
As darkeness surrounds the farm, ducks, cranes, and frogs serenade the land with their lullaby.
We retire ourselves for the day, and retreat to the house, and begin the nightly chores of laundry, and dinner,(always around 9-10). Then baths are given, stories are read, boys are tucked in, as the girls finish what's left. The day finally ends.
See how easy it is to say farm life is boring, or country people are slow. It's a common mistake, if anyone ever needs to get away, or wants to cover for us to give us a day to live off the farm, please contact us. Take a day, and have an adventure on the farm.
I do not claim to be a writer, or a story teller, but, I like to write about the farm, the experiences, the joys, the pain.
In 10 years when the kids are grown, I'd like for them to look back and remember these days, because once they get older, they may not have the chances, or opportunity to raise their kids on a farm.
In closing, again, please come and have an adventure on our farm.
