Country Bliss?

It's that time of year between winter and spring when standing water, mud and yuck abound. It's the time of year when I begin to make lists of everything I want to accomplish through the drier months.

One of the things on my list is noting where I need to fill in with topsoil and plant grass seed due to a new addition to the place. Another to-do is expanding the goat pasture so I have less grass to mow even though it's one of my favorite hobbies right up there with trimming trees. Seriously.

Every May (or spring), whichever comes first, I get a strong urge to build something. Give me some lumber, a hand saw, hammer and nails and I can keep myself occupied for hours. And if the job lasts longer than a couple hours then all the better.

I need to build more houses for the Blue birds and Swallows. When I mow the grass the Swallows are out there catching whatever bugs I stir up. And I can spot a Bluebird several hundred feet away just by the way it drops to the ground to pick up a bug, and then, quickly flies back up to a tree branch.

As the rain begins to lightly fall I make a mental note to fix the roofs this year on the butcher shed and green house. I'll use metal to replace the old rolled roofing, which I will use as a floor covering inside one of the other sheds.

I should have started the seedlings for the garden by now. And when the ground dries a bit I'll get out there and till the garden.

I'll need to add another bottom row of electric fence to Glory's pasture so I can turn the male goats in with her. And then I can let Sadie, Sarah and Pepper in the goat pasture. Don't need any more kids until next spring.

Can't forget the rabbits. A couple litters of bunnies will help to fill the freezer for next winter.

Let's see. I think that begins my list rather nicely. I just wish there were more than one of me. I could use the help. In the meantime, I'm gonna go take a nap...

How Far Can it Get Ya?

I am a firm believer in the power of doing, get it done, no better time than the present, and get your butt moving. But, on a rare occasion, it's difficult to get a task done when I lack the drive to make the first move.  I do find, however, that when I get enthused about a project time flies and the job gets done.

What does it take to get enthused? Find something good about whatever you need to do. Maybe it's a word or a color, you are doing it for someone else, or the fact it won't get done unless you do it. And then the next step is just that: step, move, get going. Your reward will be accomplishment, and that can take you far.

Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thought For Thursday - Furstenberg

"You're always with yourself, so you

might as well enjoy the company"

- Diane von Furstenberg