It seems that time on the farm is at warp speed and at times I wish for it to slow down just a tad. I remember summer holidays as a child when the mid to end of July rolled around and I thought summer would never end. It was the best carefree days ever. Riding ponies with my neighbour Shannyn, swimming, riding bikes and being home before it got dark from wherever the days adventures took us. Those were the days when time had no clock and life was in the moment.
Summer here on the farm has been wonderful too. Life just has a different flow to it as an adult. It has moments of great joy and moments of sudden realization that as a child tend to skip over your conscientiousness. Moments when you realize that you are mortal or the people that you love are mortal. Moments that jerk you back into the reality of adulthood leaving you a bit dizzy and afraid. I had a moment last week. A moment where your mind thinks a million thoughts in only a short few seconds. As you recall the adrenalin and the ability of the human mind to process so many single thoughts in such a brief nanosecond you are over come with the reality that life is short...real short. It's those moments that ground us in our life. They are the moments that give us a chance to change our story...because this is our story and we are in charge of the ending and everything in between.
The moment last week was a serious accident on the farm involving Papa Bear. While burning brush at the back of the property he was burned on his legs and hand. The burns are serious....2nd and 3rd degree burns. Painful burns that will serve to remind of how life is short...real short. Thankfully, he will recover and the Burn Unit ICU at Hamilton General is staffed with nurses, surgeons and residents that are experts in burn care and treatment. It made me realize, it's time to write a different story line in the relationships I have with my family. It's not an easy story line for me to change, but one that will take a commitment to my own personal development. No matter how the story plays out from here...the realization is the start of the journey. Onward....
In other news....
Stewy
The little monster is now over 1 month old. He is becoming a brave, curious youngster. He has a few complications with his development which we will be dealing with in the next short while. A tooth that is moving and growing in a distorted way and also the contraction of his front tendons is still a concern. More news on these items next post. Special thanks to my niece, Marina for the lovely shots she took of Stuart. xo
Wedding
I was honored to witness the wedding of a friend Sandra and her new husband Iain. The weather was perfect, the back yard was perfect and the loving energy that surrounded the event was perfect. Congrats Sandra on your happily ever after.
Weed Whipping
Weed whipping is my time to think and my time to process life's events. With me these types of manual labour tasks let me get lost in my own thoughts as the hours tick on and the duties get completed. I had lots of time to process as I made the first round of fence line clearing for 2015. The weather has been conducive to excellent weed growth. So conducive, it's looking like I may not get a break from weed whipping in Aug.
Unfortunately along the fence lines I have also found my nemesis weed, Hogweed! I was previously not aware this plant existed on the farm but now have the evidence of the burning sap that this plant carries. I was covered in small blisters on my arms and neck. Beware local residents...this stuff is in our back yards and on our river banks!
Barn Roof and Door Repairs
The old bank barn has a new roof! We hired a group of Amish carpenters to replace and repair the roof. They did a fantastic job! Now however, with the shiny new roof, the siding is glaringly awful!
DH also repaired the large sliding door on the back of the barn. It opens for the first time since we moved in.
And what a view…to the back of the property.
Front Patio
Work has began on the new front patio. This is the step required to link the gardens on the south and north sides of the house.
Pan Am Games
United We Play is the perfect slogan for the 2015 Pan Am Games! I have been fortunate enough to enjoy 4 days at the games. The weather was suffering hot but the energy and enthusiasm from and for the athletes competing on home soil was felt throughout the crowds.
