Summing it Up...

Now, that I'm way on the wrong side of sixty, I feel that being true to self is important. "I yam, what I yam." Kindness and smiles are to be given away. Women are strong. Men are more vulnerable than we believe. Husbands may come and go...but one thing I know for sure is that I will NEVAH live without a corgi or coffee in my life if I can prevent it. Come piles of dog fur or hot water!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Soul searching...

Each of us has stress, and we all have our own unique way to deal with it. Some jog, some blog, some read, ohmmmmm, or shop. What's important is that we find, what it is, that allows us to breathe again, smile, and shake the kinks out.

Most of you know by now that I'm a country road seeker. Senior coffee in hand, the corgi kids and I venture out to the great beyond...that is, beyond the town limits, and head for open country. Give me land, lots of land, and the starry skies above....ahem, 'cuse me, got lost there...I like country drives. We have a route, and the dogs know it well. They recognize it, and know when we near the fields with the painted ponies, woolly white-faced sheep, Rhode island red hens, and the bearded billy goats. These are on all different farms. Here's an example of what we see.

The black spotted woodpeckers peck on soft pine as we gaze across unmarred, diamond studded fields of snow. The corn stalks jut out adding texture to this view. A couple of Holstein calves at the end of a drive are marked surprisingly just like the two corgis inside the car. They raise their heads as the dogs bark a hello from the road. We always stop and put windows down in case the animals want to converse with each other. Normally, whoever is in the field, just looks up and chews, as the corgis dance about in the back seat.

The sheep and old horse, said to be pushing 27 years old, dig through the snow, hoping to get at the grass underneath. For some reason, seeing that, strikes me funny. There's a brown eggs for sale sign tacked to a tree at the end of the drive where the red hens live. They pop in and out of a handy hole on the side of the barn. This is where three goats live as well. One is heavily bearded and he stands in his doorway. A young kid peeks in and out with hang down ears swinging. He's not sure about the yipping corgi, trying to get a better look from the back car window.

We cross a black ribbon of river, edged in snow on both banks, and clunk-clunk through the 1872 covered bridge, badly in need of repair. I always look out the cut outs on the bridge sides to view the river from above. (Why are kisses inside a covered bridge so special? Just unique, I guess.) The current runs swiftly and swirls in spots; the snowy banks show off every curve of the meandering river.

Small town living, in a rural setting, is the perfect place for the likes of me. Nature soothes my soul for some reason, it always has. My brothers and I were lucky to live along a river as kids. We were always fascinated by the wildlife, living along the banks and in the river. (Thinking of the Green Acres theme song right now....)
No city life for me...but I'll visit.

My hope for you all is that you have already found your own spot.
That you have already found what soothes your ragged soul. We don't need it everyday, but we need to know, that when we do....we know where to go!

14 comments:

Ms Sparrow said...

What a lovely post! It reminded me of a trip my family took up on the North Shore of Lake Superior in the 70's. We stopped "Tom's Logging Camp" north of Duluth. They had free-roaming goats but what really got our two dogs excited were all the free-roaming domesticated rabbits.
They were out of their minds over the slow rabbits that they would be able to catch to easily. We had a good laugh over little Kippy barking so exuberantly that it came out as one continuous shriek.

Sarah said...

Thanks for the pleasant Sunday afternoon drive! I could easily imagine the entire scene. Next time could we go to the beach...my favorite place!!

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

The space heater blowing gently in the corner of my creative space while the dogs cuddle up close by and I read my new book on a silent snowy Sunday afternoon! That's it...that's my favorite place...It's heavenly and I'm lovin' it!

Angela said...

Hey Corgidogmama!

You would absolutely love it where I live! I'm in the country. The farms around me have cows, horses, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats. Wildlife galore too! It is so peaceful here! I also love to go on long rides in the country! lol You would think I would tire of it but I don't!

Hugs,
Angela

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

Today we went on a "country" ride, too. Saw a few tumbleweeds, two oil rigs, several pumpjacks, and miles of completely flat desert. *sigh*

I loved going along on YOUR ride -- now that is true country beauty, out where you are!!!

Life With Dogs said...

We are birds of a feather, and fortunately we found our spot just over a year ago.

Isn't county life the best?? No city for me thank you very much! :)

LADY JANE said...

Oh Sista...You hit it ...Nail on the head...goes well with the cherub and hammer over at Penniwigs too.....Ok...I am loading out to drive your way...or shall you drive my way? I need an adventure.........NOW...STrEsS you ask?????? Yep and a bit of EVERYTHING.........One question though...who rides shotgun when I get there...Me or the Corgi Babes?????? Well throw em' a treat...tell em' its from ME...and to move over Lady is coming!

ClassyChassy said...

For some reason, your blog updated posts don't show up on my dashboard. Lady Jane's don't, either. I wanted to respond to your comment on my critter feeding post - citrus is also a "no-no" for chickens. We can't count on those hens to know what's good and not good for them. They are like little kids - they each have their own likes and dislikes! Thanks for the compliments on my pretty hens!

JeanMac said...

I need a picture of the billy goat, please:)

Buttercup said...

I love my city life, but know a few days of quiet and country would suit me fine. Wouldn't mind meandering with you and the corgis at all.

Jan Mader said...

What a peaceful lovely post.

I live in the city but I relax in the country whenever I ride my horse though spring meadows or snowy white fields.

♥Mimi♥ said...

Yes, small town living can soothe the soul. But, boy, it sure is a problem when you want to shop!☺ I live in a small town but my small town is the biggest town for miles and miles!

Whosyergurl said...

*CONTENTED SIGH*
Isn't there something so wonderful about taking your fur kid out to potty late at night and gazing up at the stars and listening to the spring peepers or the coyotes or a hoot owl?
From one small town girl to another...M-WAH, loved this post!
Cheryl

Chatty Crone said...

You're right - we all need to find our spot or place in the world - and it is okay that everyone's is different.

Sandie

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