Sunday, June 13, 2010

Gifts

As we began our daily chores in the relative cool of the first morning light, I thought again (as I often do) about what a gift it is to work with one's spouse in the same place that one lives. I understand that for many people this might be more of a curse than a gift, but for truly getting to know someone (and at times truly testing the strength of your marriage) there is no equal in my opinion and I wouldn't change a thing about it !




I spent most of my adult life, including most of my first marriage, working away from home in addition to working and farming at home. I can tell you from experience that this can quickly turn into a nightmare if you and your spouse don't share the same end goals, but it sure works a treat when you DO share the same end goals ! It is only recently that I have transitioned from two full time jobs down to being here on the farm full time (which I count as one full time job!). It's very nice to be able to take the time to stop and smell the roses occasionally instead of rushing past them in an endlessly futile quest to try and get it all done. If you have noticed more of my posts on this blog of late, I don't mind sharing that this is one of my attempts at allowing Melissa an opportunity to take a little time for herself. After writing nearly 300 posts and keeping up with our many clients every day along with shouldering the lion's share of the daily farm work for a very long time, I'd say she deserves it.



As Melissa will readily share with anyone who will listen (and as she warns everyone who passes the threshold of our home), I am not much for maintaining order inside our house. She half jokingly says that after years of living with me, I have broken her. I'll admit there is a lot of truth in that statement. In spite of my quirky household habits, I don't run my farm that way at all. I was raised among good farmers and those of them who read this blog will be pleased to know some of their lessons actually did rub off on me ! As a general rule I'm not very much fun to be around and I don't have much time to stop and visit unless my animals are happy, my fences are fixed, my weeds are controlled (no more buttercups !), my pastures are fertilized and kept appropriately mowed, my buildings are trim and painted, and my equipment is maintained. Thankfully, most of the items on my list have been tended to over the past few weeks, and I am about to turn my full attention toward our new farm ! Hope everyone is having a great Sunday !

(post written by Jason - again!)

Mr. O'Reilly standing outside one of the sheds
Thomas
Trigger grazing in front of the pond
Tony and Hemi

Apollo and Ivan

Winston

Faune and Sebastian; Faune is a Selle Francais and just shy of 18 hands and Sebi is a Connemara/Irish Draught cross and is about 15.2 hands. They make a cute pair!

Lucky and Lightening

Hemi, Chance and Leo just hanging out

Lucky, Clay and Silky

6 comments:

RuckusButt said...

I'd say she definitely deserves it! I have to admit, I do miss your posts Melissa. Nothing against yours, Jason, I just really like them both. I can certainly understand not wanting to blog on top of everything else.

I love the expression on Winston's face in that photo! Good job catching such an inquisitive look.

Melissa-ParadigmFarms said...

(from Jason)

We FULLY intend that Melissa is going to continue blogging; in fact you can look for her on Tuesday. She's just had a bit of a welcome break this past week and instead of doing ALL of it we figure now she can get by with doing SOME of it ! :)

RuckusButt said...

Sounds like a great arrangement for you guys and us readers. Thank you both for sharing your knowledge and simply bringing the pleasure of a properly retired horse to the internet. You guys have brought a lot to the table over the last year or so I've been reading. I feel fortunate to have discovered your blog.

Gillian Farquhar said...

*hugs* to both of you. Melissa deserves the time :D

Thank you for the WONDERFUL photos of my horse. I'm missing him something terrible right now, and these keep me going!

Sylvia said...

I think it's great that you and Melissa can work so well together! You're both very lucky! (I've also been 'broken' over the years! Not as neat or particular as I used to be)
I thought of you today, when walking our new place...I came upon some buttercups, but left them. :)

Vivian, Apollo's Mom said...

I enjoy both your posts tremendously and the pictures as well even though you did catch Apollo in an embarrassing moment this time! Your pastures look so green! We are getting quite brown in the grass down here as it has been SO HOT and little rain. Hope to see you later this summer!