Living on the prairie isn’t romantic. You always know the very worst things are just around the corner; there’s always a threat of injury or death for the animals or some impending natural disaster–burning heat, gale-force winds, floods, ground blizzards.
It starts before dawn; you’re behind from yesterday before you begin. There’s too much work to be done and not enough money to pay for it. It isn’t a retirement plan; it’s the hard physical work, but at least the days are long and the environment fights back. Some body part or another is always hurting, some fence or other always needs repair. There’s the eternal struggle between life and death, whether it’s ducklings on the pond or a slow-moving elder horse. Sometimes it’s as quick as a splash, but mostly it’s a long slow arm-wrestle of a fight. In the end, death eventually wins. I try to make friends with the things I can’t change but I still fight.
Then as I’m dragging through evening chores and slowing up to share a breath with the herd, a thought creeps into my brain. It isn’t happiness or relief. It’s more like, “I should be much more depressed than I am.” and then the realization that today was a good day.
Anna Blake, Infinity Farm.
(WordPress Photo Challenge is a weekly prompt to share a photo- I enjoy twisting these macro prompts to share our micro life here on the Colorado prairie. My photos are taken with my phone, on my farm. No psych, definitely not high tech.)
![Stable_Relation_3D_Cover[1]](https://annablakeblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/stable_relation_3d_cover1.jpg?w=378&h=420)
Available now: Stable Relation, a memoir of one woman’s spirited journey home, by way of the barn. It’s the story of the farm I grew up on, the farm I have now, and the horse who carried me in between. Available at all online book sellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble. To get updates and the inside story, sign up for my newsletter here: Prairie Moon News. Thank you.
“I should be more depressed than I am” – exactly. There is grace in the land, in the sky, in our muscles and it comes from outside of us, keeping us from the bottom of the pit.
That’s the word, Emily. It’s grace, from the Infinite to my tiny me. Thanks.
Good description! Its a good day, when you are upright at the end, your animals are all still with you – your kids doing ok – guess we shouldn’t ask for more!
Agreed. Every day is a win.
Perception is such an interesting thing…?
Indeed. It might be the most important thing… 🙂
Hi Anna, You couldn’t have written this on a better day for me! I’ve been meaning to ask you if you mind if I print my favorite blogs that you write. We are building a new house and barn right in the Withlacoochee Forest here in Florida and I think I want to use them as artwork somehow. I’ll put on my creative hat if you don’t mind if I display them. I know all my horsey buddies will love reading them! If you ever have a reason to come to FL (make sure it’s in the winter – summer really sucks), you have a place to stay! I’ll even take you out for a ride to show you the 50,000 acre forest that is my backyard – complete with wonderful riding trails – I am a lucky girl………. Diane Lacy
Sent from my iPad
Diane, have at it. I would love to see what you come up with. And I would also love to visit, especially in the winter, not the best Colorado months. Alas, travel is hard as the barn is filled with elders who need a good eye. The ride sounds wonderful though. Thanks for reading and liking them enough to want to live with them.
Your attitude makes your reality:)
Yes, and labeling things as good or bad really isn’t the point at all. Thanks.