This year Jimmy, Brigham, and Annie joined 4-H with the intent to raise and sell a pig. The kids have 4 pigs in all and are learning to care for them, as are Corey and I. We have had a lot of guidance and help from more experienced families. The kids have shoveled out straw and pig poop. They've fed and watered and walked their pigs. They have participated in classes and they've learned rules and etiquette for showing pigs.
This morning I had the opportunity to travel around with Annie and view some of the animals for our group's 4-H projects. Annie was excited about the tiny baby pigs and I was impressed with some awesome calves. Unfortunately I referred to them as "cows" and my friend gave me a whispered aside, "steer."
Our first experience with the fishing pond, found us expecting to bring home a pet goldfish and then returning with rainbow trout for dinner! After the parade, the food is free and the people on the floats know all of the people on the sidelines. In fact, many of those people are generations of the same families.
There are many things that I miss about living next to a city - opportunities and conveniences, but nothing can compare to a sunset spreading over endless sky above the patchwork fields, waking to birdsong in the morning and enjoying picnics in the park with friends and children. We look forward to squirrels in the spring and still get excited about hearing the mourning doves and seeing the many crows hanging about town. I love walking into businesses and always knowing that I will be visiting with friends and acquaintances. My business is often the business of my neighbors and there is a sense of safety and belonging.
Life may eventually take us away from here, but I am content and will bring some of the peace I feel here with me in my heart wherever I go.
1 comment:
Awesome blog! You need to write mine, so it will be cool, too. I saw my first unattached pighead last week at the street market! Don't tell the children.
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