Wow, what a great week this has been! Nothing extraordinary has happened but taking this time for myself, for my art and for my soul has been far more healing that I could have imagined!My canvas is almost fully covered with its under painting that I managed to block out into sections since I never seemed to have time for a sitting more than two hours. I think my max has been three so far... Little things keep cropping up, grocery shopping, the yearly chick purchase (I was bold and bought SEVEN new layers this year!), making dinner, cleaning the house, following up on business email... you get the idea.
But through it all I'm managing to find myself again and just in time too. Riverboat is going to need their massive order early next month, this commission needs to get rolling again and we have got to get our rental done!
Of course there are the dog houses still to be made, new chicken cages to build, the dog yard to clean up and minor repairs on the dog truck but who's keeping track of all that? Seriously, I kept my to-do list really small this year. I want to feel like I accomplished everything and not go into winter feeling like I should have done more.
The dogs have enjoyed some wonderful things over the past few weeks. One day it was a cow hoof treat spree (or Easter egg hunt if you follow the traditional holidays), then a few days later I moved their houses out of the deep snow to open up the hole that was created by the hard pack. Underneath was a neat warm bed of recycled straw from the winter's change outs. I stuffed their houses with brand new straw, put even more old straw in the hole and made a NICE spongy day bed that all the dogs have been using frequently, even during free time! Ive caught many pups guarding a cow hoof snug on someones bed and during the day, when they are all tied, they lounge around in the open air cooling down in the warmer temps.
Water has just started to gather around one of the houses so the official break up of spring shouldn't be too far off. There is still a LOT of snow on the ground but the temperature has been in the 30's and 40's.
I didn't realize how long I spend out in the yard most nights. Tonight I was out there for 2 1/2 hours but it only felt like minutes. Its so nice to be out there enjoying the last rays of daylight, watching the dogs play around with each other, find hidden goodies in the snow while I clean up, change out straw, play with them or just sit and reflect.
A good friend of mine once told me that watches were forbidden in his yard, an excellent practice! I go by the same philosophy. Its far too troubling to guard my minutes with the dogs and stick to a set schedule out there. Better to let life flow, roll with the seasons and enjoy every minute! : )
Posts
