While doing the evening chores yesterday, I was struck by the continuous balance one has to find on a farm or a homestead or even in life in general.
We face the dichotomy of it all in the largest moments of life and death as well as in the seasonal balance of sowing, growing, weeding, irrigating, harvesting, and hope despite the sometimes catastrophic weather occurrences that can strip it all away in minutes… but often don’t.
But what about the smaller moments?
There are times that make me question everything (like the loss of a newborn baby goat or crop devastation due to a hail storm) and moments that make me curse myself and laugh out loud for the silliness of choices.
There are also moments of great abundance (like a great fruit year) and gobs of cider or the joy on a kiddo’s face when they help harvest potatoes for the first time.
The point is, there is balance in this lifestyle that can be easy to forget when you’re in the thick of the harder moments, the UN-Instagramable moments, if you will. But just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re not there or not any more important to the journey (for better or for worse).
So, today I offer both sides of the coin:
Wanna guess what I did here?
Yep, I tipped over the goat’s water (on purpose) to freshen it up and stood right in front of it while I tipped it over onto my shoes and pants.
Good times 😉
I put in another 100 strawberry crowns this week to replace the ones we lost to previous hail storms.
My payment?
A bowl full of strawberries to bring inside, after the water debacle, and have for dessert (with cream on top, of course).
See, it all balances out. Otherwise we wouldn’t keep at it, right?
It’s not always romantic or Insta worthy, but this life is pretty amazing.
Do tell, what balanced happenings have you found to crop up in your life/on the farm recently? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments or be directed to a link if you have one 🙂
May more strawberries than mud puddles be in your future!
Onward,
Melissa
4 Comments
PATRICIA POINTER
It has been along time since Ihave heard from you. I have been taking care of myself (hospitals
and rehabs. Won’t go into details but it sure is nice hearing from you. Keep in touch.
Melissa @ Ever Growing Farm
Hi Patricia! So nice to hear from you here. I hope you are finding glimpses of joy in your days and that you are feeling as well as is possible <3
Joy Weese Moll
We had a tornado in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago and the devastation is immense. I’m witnessing myself and others attempt to balance our time, talents, and capabilities against the very great need. All of us together can’t give enough to meet the need. And yet, everything helps a little bit. It’s hard to figure out the balance in all of this.
Joy Weese Moll recently posted…Surveillance State #SundaySalon
Melissa @ Ever Growing Farm
Oh yes, I saw this and spoke with family and friends about all the devastation. It’s all just so.much sometimes. Obviously this event is off the news cycle, is there a place/link that you trust where can I learn more about the current recovery efforts?