So, I’ve noticed lately that I’m becoming a little more accustomed to life here on the farm. For instance, I’ve given up on the idea that it is possible to stay clean and dry when I have 3 dogs and a creek. I’m on my second round of poison ivy. I’m not sure how I got it this time – probably from one of the dogs jumping on me or from picking up Smokey (our cat) who takes up residence under the pine trees where it grows like mad. But I’ve managed to stop having anxiety attacks when I see her trotting through there or when Clyde runs through patches of it here and there.

The other day we were out working in the barn and I was picking up some scrap wood and other junk left behind for decades to see if there was any future use left in them. I was wiping cobwebs (and most likely spiders) away with my hands and wiping them on my pants. And at the end of the day I pulled a tick out of my hair and did not scream, freak out and drop it like any normal girl would. I held on to the little bugger, got a paper towel and squished him till I was pretty sure he was good and dead. Then I microwaved him just to make sure.

Bugs and dirt are part of farm life, so I’m glad I’m getting used to it. But there are plenty of unscripted events that happen here too. Two nights ago when Everett and I are about to sit down at the table to enjoy a nice steak dinner, I look out the window to see Donkey and two cows galavanting their way through the backyard. Everett hops up to run out the door and herd them back into the pasture. So naturally, I hop up to grab the camera. Here’s the short version of what happened next…