Only One

Today is Thursday.....I'm only answering one of the questions for TMT today. 

What is one lesson you have learned this week?

As the North West gets hit with crazy winter weather......we most certainly do find out who are friends are.  The calls that were made this morning, concerns shared through facebook......friends checking on friends all in the name of standing in the gap and easing a hardship.

I took my camera with me as I drove to the ranch to feed and assess my situation.   Penalty for being curious.....the creek that overflowed its bank came up to my running boards as I crossed. I pondered my AAA coverage and if they would bale me out if I were too daring....I bravely rolled on.

My little ranch is fine.  My barn is nestled in at the bottom of a big hill, water that is flowing through it appears to be coming up through the cement foundation.  Every time this happens I wonder how I might solve it for next time...do I need a french drain or is it just the fact my barn was not built well?  My ranch used to be a dairy....so under the barn is a huge catch basin.  It fills with rain and I, in turn, siphon the water out.  Maybe one day I will buy a pump but a hose does the work for free.  I started the siphon yet again today, although it was only 3/4 full, and hopefully can keep ahead of the skies.

I feel very fortunate today.  I saw folks out helping each other fill sand bags, dig drainage ditches, while others gave moral support.  Nothing like a brief, thoughtful phone call received while sweeping out the water from the barn to lift my spirits.  My sheep are fine...all have shelter and dry hay from the loft above.  Not sure how the lower kept alfalfa and straw will fair but nothing that money can't replace.  All is safe, healthy and lambs are not due until early February.

Funny how my day started with a thoughtful post on facebook by the 10-7 Ranch shepherdess.......it caught my attention because is said "Don't Carpe Diem" and well, I am all about seizing the day....so I read it.  This was an article about parenting and the writer, Glennon Melton's definition of Carpe Diem was "being in a constant state of intense gratitude and ecstasy" That is definately NOT my definition of seizing the day, but I read on....."I think parenting young children (and old ones, I've heard) is a little like climbing Mount Everest. Brave, adventurous souls try it because they've heard there's magic in the climb. They try because they believe that finishing, or even attempting the climb are impressive accomplishments. They try because during the climb, if they allow themselves to pause and lift their eyes and minds from the pain and drudgery, the views are breathtaking. They try because even though it hurts and it's hard, there are moments that make it worth the hard" I stopped and thought to myself...Bingo, that right there is my definition of seizing the day in life (parenting or otherwise, including running a sheepdog!).    Lifting my eyes and seeing that breathtaking view.....even though life is hard or the run is hard or the work is hard or.....there are moments that make it all worth the hard!  The article had a lot of fabulous nuggets...you can find it at PARENTS if you would like to enjoy it in its entirety.

Secretly, I knew all these things.....but it was such a fabulous gift to re-look at the idea of friends coming along side to share the breathtaking view that manifests as I choose the climb.  I think I'll stick with my definition of Carpe Diem....'.lifting my eyes to appreciate the view regardless of how hard it becomes' while being thankful as I take the next step.

Seize the Day by Carolyn Arends

I know a girl who was schooled in Manhattan
She reads dusty books and learns phrases in Latin
She is an author, or maybe a poet
A genius, but it’s just this world doesn’t know it
She works on her novel most everyday
If you laugh she will say

Seize the day – seize whatever you can
‘Cause life slips away just like hourglass sand
Seize the day – pray for grace from God’s hand
Then nothing will stand in your way
Seize the day

Well I know a doctor, a fine young physician
Left his six figure job for a mission position
He’s healing the sick in an African clinic
He works in the dirt and writes home to the cynics
He says, “We work through the night so most everyday
As we watch the sun rise we can say….

Seize the day – seize whatever you can
‘Cause life slips away just like hourglass sand
Seize the day – pray for grace from God’s hand
Then nothing will stand in your way
Seize the day

I know a man who’s been doing some thinking
He’s as bitter and cold as the whiskey he’s drinking
He’s talking ‘bout fear, about chances not taken
If you listen to him you can hear his heart breaking
He says, “One day you’re a boy and the next day you’re dead
I wish way back when someone had said….

Seize the day – seize whatever you can
‘Cause life slips away just like hourglass sand
Seize the day – pray for grace from God’s hand
Then nothing will stand in your way
Seize the day

Well one thing I’ve noticed wherever I wander
Everyone’s got a dream he can follow or squander
You can do what you will with the days you are given
I’m trying to spend mine on the business of living
So I’m singing my songs off of any old stage
You can laugh if you want – I’ll still say….

Seize the day – seize whatever you can
‘Cause life slips away just like hourglass sand
Seize the day – pray for grace from God’s hand
Then nothing will stand in your way

Seize the Day!!