Spring Fever…Literally

“A good man is concerned for the welfare of his animals, but even the kindness of godless men is cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10)

We’ve been warming up here in New England this past week. And, like every other spring, I’ve got the post-nasal drip turning my throat scratchy; itchy, watery eyes, and a stuffy head. However, despite feeling a little blehck, I’ve also got that cleaning, organizing thing going on.

I spent this morning before work cleaning out the goat barn. This is the “old” goat barn, the one the goats knocked the door off last year that I had trouble hanging again as the old screw holes were stripped. The Farmers’ Almanac called for a stormy winter this year (yes, farmers really do read it…and, yes, they were way off in their predictions!). Hence, the goats’ relocation to some temporary quarters where there aren’t any misaligned doors causing a draft. While cleaning, I also took a closer look at the door, the “bench” Felicity loves to lounge on (raised platform) which could use some bracing on one end, and then I walked the fence as we have a stray cat that’s been living in the goat barn all winter and I watched it scoot through a gap in the fence last week. If the cat can get through, ducks and chickens can, too…and we’ve got a healthy patch of woods behind us. Over the past 19 years I’ve had fox, a fisher cat and a bobcat come calling…as well as numerous skunk, opossums, and raccoons. I found the hole and fixed it.

It felt good to get my hands dirty. It’s mindless work, cleaning a goat barn. While pitching hay out to be composted, I also ticked off all of the chores and projects I’d like to get started on. The apple and crabapple trees need pruning this week before they bud. The blueberry bush I planted two summers’ ago may also need some pruning. I have an idea for some topiary on the front hedges; now would be a good time to get started. I would also like to get some peas and leafy greens started, and pick up some potato and onion sets.

Of course, while I was contemplating all of this, a little ripple of despair ran through my head. What if we’re not here to enjoy the garden? What if I can’t stop this foreclosure from happening? What if…

The list is endless.

But, for today at least, I beat it all back down with a “So what? What if I don’t do the work and He provides that miracle I need to hold on to this place after all?” That may sound like the proverbial cockeyed optimist but I’ll take it and run with it for now…even as I search the Billy Land site for undeveloped land just in case.

May God bless you & keep you!

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