There are many blessings on the farm. Some things are even easier than in the city. I thought I’d share a few.
1. Exercise – we don’t need a gym membership to keep in shape. We get cardio when chasing cows, weights when lifting 50 lb. bags of seed to fill the corn planter, lifting calves, etc. Stretching happens too often especially when under a piece of machinery and you can’t quite reach that wrench on the ground.
2. Sleeping – no sleeping pills needed after a 16 hour day in the fields. The only hindrance to that would be if you fell asleep in the tractor while waiting for an empty wagon to appear.
3. Making meals – I can feed hot dogs, pizza and sandwiches and be received with such accolades as if I were bringing filet mignon – they are so hungry PBand J is a treat.
4. Potty Training – for boys it is sooo simple. Let them pee from the feeding trough into the pen of cows. Or if you prefer indoor – throw cheerios in the toilet and tell them to sink them. – Not having any females, you’re on your own with that.
5. Clothes – Who needs ten pair of shoes, numerous “slacks” etc.? Work boots, jeans and T-shirt does just fine. If you get real fancy you can throw a plaid shirt over top for going to town.
6. Commute – No gas allotment for our budget. We can walk out the door and be on the job. No traffic, no road rage.
7. Church – Can’t make it to church? No problem. Daily the miracles of God show up. Calves being born, corn popping through the crusty earth, the blue skies, green fields and on and on.
8. Building resilience – No need for seminars on how to become resilient in life. Every day there are challenges that need to be met head on and daily the trials are overcome through perseverance and testing.
9. Communication – Cows are the easiest communicators on earth. They don’t talk back, they don’t butt in, they don’t “share” their opinion.
10. Doctors – Being in and around the farm increases your immune system. We eat and breath dirt and grime. And, having a vet on board we can always get a stich or two if needed.
So while there are challenges and hardships on the farm, there are blessings that need to be heeded.
