Life is good, even when it’s hard.
You know the saying about rain and how it pours from the sky?
Yeah, we don’t have much of that happening here in the high desert of northern New Mexico, especially during this ongoing drought.
But the meaning behind the saying?
Yeah, it’s coming on strong these days.
I’ve been everywhere but here, in my cozy corner of the internet, for weeks. Running here and there, losing track of lists and days…
Helping confused poultry mamas figure out the cute fluffy butts that are suddenly underneath them, calling for attention…
Irrigating all of the plants on repeat so they don’t wither in the heat (thank goodness for drip irrigation)…
Keeping the animals fed and watered so they don’t wilt either…
Hand picking pests (bastard beetles) off the berries and their leaves before they decimate them all…
Weeding, weeding, weeding…
Spending way too much time in Santa Fe, running errands, attending appointments, and ensuring the pre-teen has everything she needs for her daily outdoor adventure camp…
And dealing with hiccups along the way…
Like the massive branch from a massive tree that was compromised in a massive wind storm yesterday and gave way in the middle of the night, landing perfectly on a corner of my newly planted garden and our two brand new bee hives.
Good times.
Thankfully, so far, it’s all worked out OK but I have no idea how it is already and only June 16th 😉
Time is so weird.
And so, here is, in the interest of proof of life, a little gallery/snippet of recent happenings.
Just a peek of some of what’s been up in my neck of the woods.
Whew.
Life is good, so good, even when it’s hard.
I hope to offer up an official update soon and check in on you sooner, but in the meantime…
How the heck are you? Up and not crying? Having the summer of your life? Do tell 🙂
Onward,
Melissa
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I love the baby chicks and the sunset 🙂 The beetles not so much!
Same same 😉 Balance in all things, right? Hope you’re doing wonderfuly!
So sorry to hear about the branch! I finally feel like things have calmed down a bit here these past 2 days. I think helping my middle son prep for his overseas trip was taking up much more of my mental space than I realized but now that he’s there (and texting me photos) I’m quite relaxed about it. I should be good for at least another month or two until it’s time to get both boys ready for college drop off time. That doesn’t mean we aren’t busy working on the house and yard as there is always something to do but that just feel like “regular/normal”… and made easier by the fact that I don’t garden or homestead. LOL
Oh goodness, I’m so glad your son got overseas and you’re able to see the world through his eyes while he’s away! As a Mama, it always seems to be the build up of a big experience that gets us, doesn’t it? My oldest daughter went on a two week backpacking trip with an organization called NOLS the summer before her Freshman year in high school and I was a wreck with all the prep and build up. Once she was there though, all I could do was think good thoughts and trust. It was a no-contact trip as they were in the mountains so no news was good news. EEK! It all turned out just wonderfully and she learned SO MUCH about herself while she was gone. I learned a lot about myself, too.
Anyhow, take good care of yourself and enjoy some down time!
That sunset is glorious and the baby chicks are adorable. But damn those beetles! And how discouraging to have that branch fall where it did. Summertime is busy time, especially when children are involved. (I remember those days very well.) But fun, too.
Wild times, Laurie. Wild times. But it all turned out OK in the end 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying a wonderful weekend!
Hi Melissa,
Greetings from a wintery Australia following up from a comment of yours I missed on my blog over a year ago. Sorry about that. Life on your farm sounds busy and full of ups and downs. Loved the cute chick and stunning sunset, but the beetles…grr! Our daughter has gotten into gardening rather seriously in the last 18 months and has been planting bulbs and seeds in prep for Spring. I decided to join in and planted seeds called a bee and butterfly mix. I understand it was going to take 10 days to see signs of life, but I’m impatient and I’m probably 3 weeks in and there’s just tiny sprouts. There are also other concerning signs of life in our backyard namely two possums. I’m sure they were delighted when our daughter planted her veggie patch and she had these large green heritage tomatoes that were coming along and they snaffled them up and the cucumbers. They didn’t go for the lettuce. Our lemon tree is mouldy and needs to be treated. Our daughter has been away at a dahlia convention and is bringing two new ones home. Hope your going well.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Hi Rowena! So happy to see you here! No worries about the time lapse, that’s just how it happens sometimes 🙂
Gardening is such a balm for the soul, especially in these uncertain times. That being said, it is nothing if not truly humbling. We do all we can and then just have to trust it’ll turn out like we hope and all the critters will keep away! Alas, every bloom and every harvest count and are so deeply fulfilling to carry in our arms and hearts!
I hope your daughter had a wonderful time at the convention and the season is shifting smoothly where you are.
I like how you capture the essence of time as ” already and only.”
Great round of pictures.
Thank you, Shari <3
You are right, life is good, even when it is hard. Hang in there..
Thank you, Maria! One step at a time!