One A Day

     I take a One-A-Day vitamin to keep me healthy.  In fact, as I (and Joe) get older, the number of pills we take once a day has grown.  It used to be "An Apple A Day" would do the trick.  Regardless of what we do though, sometimes a doctor can't be avoided.  In thinking of this concept, I realized, there are a lot of things we would benefit from on a one-a-day basis.  Remember the old rule of thumb, "All things in moderation."  This was Aristotle's counsel on personal responsibility.  We should be rational in pursuing our sentiments, pleasures, and passions.  You cannot simply enjoy limitless amounts of all the possible delights available in life.  There are going to be tradeoffs.  Gluttons and fanatics self-destruct by refusing to make the tradeoffs necessary to lead a good life.  The Aristotelian counsel of moderation tells us to weigh the tradeoffs mindfully; choose and act
wisely.  His concept of moderation

involves finding the mean, or middle ground, between excess and deficiency.  It does not mean that a person should approach all things (whether healthy or unhealthy) with moderation; therefore, reasoning that a moderate amount of a bad thing can, or should, be indulged in.

                                                       You know what happens when you
bite off more than you can chew... you choke.  Is this not also true of trying to accomplish too much in one day?  Being in too many activities; taking on too many commitments; starting too many projects; caring for too many animals; overdoing it while exercising; or even racking up big debt; any of these can lead to our demise.  Unfortunately, the flip side of this coin is lack of motivation.  Being tired, in a slump, unmotivated, a couch potato... not getting a thing done all day.  Normally I am an overachiever, but recently, I've been in a slump.

     Slumps, or periods of massive de-motivation are caused when we lose sight of goals and more importantly lose sight of a purpose in life. This can be brought on by many factors, such as 
(1) Accomplishing a goal that puts you in a transitional period where you no longer have a goal or focus.  (2) Trying to take on too much at once and getting bogged down or losing focus of the important goal(s).  (3) Not wanting to make difficult decisions so you stay in a state of limbo and inaction.  I guess each of these are, in part, a cause of  my demise.  The weather hasn't helped at all either.  My current goals can either wait for later, are not desirable enough, or seem too big to tackle.  I really need to step away from my computer, chose one thing on my to-do list each day, and Just Do It!  The big goals, or overwhelming tasks should be broken down into smaller parts and then I should try to do a manageable portion once a day, to reach the larger goals.

                                                           An immediate goal I had this week
was to befriend our new visiting barn kitty.  I needed to catch it to determine sex (turns out it's a girl) and then be able to get her to her home or to a new home.  So, I worked at taming her each time I went out to the barn (Which I usually do 3 or 4 times a day).  First I got her to come out from hiding under the manger.  In this photo, she is reversing back into a hole because I had tried to pet her.

     Saturday I was feeling quite lazy.  It didn't help that I only had five hours of sleep.  So, I opted for a second cup of strong caffeinated tea rather than trying to get to the Replex for an 8 am exercise class.  I have been feeling pretty stiff and sore when I get up in the morning or after sitting for extended periods of time, so decided my body needed a rest. 

     After ending last weeks Blog with the comment about seizing the day, I decided to be more intentional with my activities, time and efforts.  I want to tackle one main item (or at least do one thing productive) from my "To Do" list, each day.   While hoping for the weather to improve, so I could work with the horses, I busied myself sorting and organizing more files.  Yellow Kitty has started following me around in the barn, but will run for cover if I try to pet her.

     I eventually did ride Roni late Saturday afternoon.  Even though I had held off in hopes of better weather, it still seemed so cold out.  With no sunlight, a damp and chilly 36 degree temperature and 17mph winds, I was shivering on the way home from Becks.  Mentally not wanting to let Roni rush home, but physically feeling the need to run back to the barn myself, it took great self control to make him walk, stop and back when he started to go too fast.  We made a slow but steady return to our farm.  Not asking Roni to gait yet this year, I decided to end our ride in the round pen and see what he would give me.  His gaiting was slow and
                                                      controlled for the most part.  As I was
trying to be clear with my cues, he was listening and trying to do as I asked.  Something I am surprised and happy about.  We had a good ride and I felt good about getting him all cleaned up too... no more cling on mud balls (for now).  Notice he is eating his evening treat of hay, with his rear to the wind, which was blowing his tail between his legs.

     After attending first service Sunday, I subbed in the nursery, working in the 16-18 month room during second service.  We (4 workers) had 14 toddlers.  They were so much fun, but a lot of work.  I was sweating by the end of the 90 minutes.

     After lunch, Joe and I went to the Replex.  I walked 3 miles, in what seemed no time at all, because I was listening to his I-Pod music again.  He also showed me how to use the
elliptical trainer.

     Back out at the barn, I continued winning over Yellow Kitty.  When I sat down, she felt less threatened by me and would come up to smell me. 

     She let me pet her but still not hold or pick her up.  When I tried, she was all nails; hissing and clawing to get free.  It was again very cold so I opted not to try riding.  In fact, it was kind of a do nothing day in terms of productivity.

     My one-a-day task was to clean all the hay out of the fenced in area around the paddock River Birch.  Tons had blown and been pushed in there and was covering the Day Lilies that were trying to emerge.

     One soldier a day   -  Time magazine’s July 23, 2011 cover read, “ONE A DAY:  Every day, one U.S.
                                                 soldier commits suicide.  Why the military
can't defeat its most insidious enemy," by Mark Thompson and Nancy Gibbs. 
To summarize, it reported that suicides are surging among America's troops, averaging nearly one-a-day. The numbers are rising among active-duty military personnel despite years of effort to encourage troops to seek help with mental health problems. Many in the military believe that going for help is seen as a sign of weakness and thus a potential threat to advancement.  This is a very sad and unfortunate reality.

     The Yellow Ribbon activities Dan
has attended are designed to help with re-acclimation into civilian life.  I think he is transitioning well.  This was a drill weekend for him and today he had a Facebook post reading: "I actually had a good drill day, fun, productive, and I touched a radio *GASP* oh and be silly with laser m16's, shotguns, and m9's  :) ."  I think it is good that our soldiers can have fun and unwind every now and then.

Icy,

cold,

cloudy,

damp,

dark,

dreary

Monday

     If I was given one (complaint) a day, it would be about this rotten weather.



     With the freezing rain (that lasted till mid morning) I decided it would be better not to drive, so I stayed home from Water Lilies. 

     You couldn't tell how pretty it could have been, because there was no sun shinning on the ice.



     Even Stew and Babe had a glazing of ice on their backs, which just goes to show how well their hair insulates them.


     It's just about chow time for Babe.  Well, actually...
It's about time to chow this cow.

     After it warmed up, the ice started falling off the trees, which lasted a few hours.  Notice in the photo below, there is still a little snow (from the drifts) left on the ground.  It was still windy, cold and wet out causing me to decide it was just not going to be a good day to ride, or walk outside.  So, I went
for my exercise at the Replex.  I walked 2.5
miles and did the elliptical trainer for 2 miles.  Feeling happy listening to music as I walked,    I thought about Britney.  I think one reason why she is such a happy little thing, aside from being filled with the Holy Spirit, is that she is filled with music.  (When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, it does not guarantee happiness or an easy life.  But it enables us to be at peace with our circumstances and become more Christ like; to be loving, giving, compassionate etc.)  You all know Britney loves to hum and sing and has a song for everything.  There is always a tune in her head, music in her heart, words on her lips, and a beat to her step.
I realized having music to listen to has really made my workouts more enjoyable and peppier.  We should all have; everyday, once a day, all day long, at least one song stuck in our head.

    The chickens have started laying in this wheel barrow because the yellow kitty has them too frightened to use the boxes in the manager that are above where she hangs out.  Their production rate has increased but, it is nowhere near one-a-day.  From the nine hens
we are getting 4 or 5 eggs a day.  

     We stopped to fill water jugs at Courtney's after leaving Growth Group.  Once home, I went straight to the barn to put the horses in and feed them.  When I went to shut the chicken coop, Hercules was missing.  It was 29 degrees with 24 mph winds and was going to get colder overnight, so I felt I needed to find him and get him into the coop.  I walked around, looking under bushes throughout the yard, finally finding him on the picnic table.  I had glanced there first, because it is where he used to go, but he must have been hidden by shadows or the wall.

   Tuesday was another cold, cloudy day with a temperature range between 19 and 40 degrees.  The winds were around 31 mph with gusts up to 41 mph.  I kept the barn mostly closed up but went out a few times to see the yellow kitty.  I can pick her up now but she gets very squirmy.
  


     Trying to take a picture of myself holding the nervous cat, left me with these as my best photos.





     With spring weather nowhere near in sight, I made a bunch of phone calls looking for options on places and costs to ride indoors.  I even made a doctor's appointment for a physical, getting in the next day because they had a cancellation. 

     It was kind of a lazy day, although in the morning, I did make it to Water Lilies and covered 4 miles between walking and the elliptical, bopping to the music all the way.  I think a nap-a-day is an excellent rule of thumb so I did so on the couch while Abbey inhabited the bean bag.  Joe and I had corned beef and cabbage for a late St. Patrick's Day dinner and did our usual evening of TV watching/computer play.

     It was colder (19 to 30 degrees) and even windier on Wednesday, but at least the sun was shinning.  In this photo, Hercules is being followed to the barn, which I had opened enough for the flock to be able to get into.  Right after Water Lilies, I went to town for my Dr. Appointment, finally fulfilling another one of my New Years resolutions.  I got a complete physical including blood work and an EKG, which the Dr. was concerned about and wanted a cardiologist to look at.  

     Finally getting home at noon, I watched a home renovation program during lunch, which I usually do.  Down time also included more time than necessary on the computer.  Abbey is never far away... if she isn't in the way.  Late in the afternoon I got a call from the Dr.  I was to get an ECHO stress test and wear a heart monitor for 24 hours (Both have been set up for next Tuesday).  I could kind of see this coming, (having heartburn and other strange sensations in my chest since fall) which is why I have procrastinated going to the Dr.  Ahhh, ignorance is bliss... but knowledge is power.  I know this is something I shouldn't be lackadaisical about.  I'm sure it's nothing serious, and don't want any of you to worry, but keep my heart and the Dr.s in your prayers, just in case. 

     Joe and I went to Arrowsmith, the next little town six miles east of LeRoy, to meet a young lady who has 3 quarter horses, is looking for someone to ride with, and is willing to let me use her indoor arena for a small fee.  She has a very nice place.

     We got good news from Britney.  She was accepted for the LASP intern (Program Assistant) position.  It is a ten month commitment, but could very well lead to a more permanent spot (opportunity) with LASP, which is what Britney is hopping for.  She is so charged up about going back to Costa Rica.  (photo is of her there in Feb.)  The internship won't start until August, so Britney plans to be home June and July, which I am excited about.

     Thursday morning there was a fine dusting of snow on the ground and on the cows.









    


     Roni and I watched the sun come up over the horizon.  (Actually, he was eating his morning hay.)  It wasn't long and the sun was warming the earth.





     Our flock of fowl showed up in the paddock to see what food they could find.  Hercules strutting his stuff as usual.












     I went in to see my wrist surgeon and he gave me the go ahead to use my wrist at full capacity.  The X-ray did show some arthritis, so I will up my dose of glucosamine chondroitin to 2 pills a day.

     Thursday's sunshine was beautiful... and it did eventually ward off the low temperature.  The winds had calmed considerably, which really helped.  Yellow kitty got brave enough to come out of the barn.  She even let me pet her while outside.



     Late in the afternoon, I decided it was nice enough to go for a ride.  I rode Roni to Lisa's house to see her new horse.  Roni did great going, but once we were headed for home he started rushing.  I worked a lot on slowing him down.


     I went to the Replex at 6pm to try the water aerobics class with Shelly.   I did some exercising first and then hit the pool.  It was a nice way to end the day, exercising instead of sitting on the couch eating.

     It got down to 12 degrees last night so the ground was frosty this morning.  But the sun was again shinning and there was very little wind.  I don't know if Hercules is showing off for the camera or trying to scare me off. 

    After Water Lilies I just walked a mile, to save some energy for riding Ron.  Yellow kitty came up to the house to visit, but was later scared up a tree by the dog.

    Mid-afternoon I went out to ride Roni.  He came right up to me as usual when I went out in the pasture.  He wasn't too muddy because most of the ground is dry, except in the water way.  Brushing him was easy, although he is shedding a lot.  He did well in the round pen both when I lunged him and under saddle.  So, I rode him down the drive and headed east along 150.  Roni was doing great, until I took him around some bushes to stay well away from the road.  Something in the bushes spooked him and he spun so fast I came out of the saddle.  My one toe was slow to come out of the stirrup, so I landed on my right side, with reigns still in my hands.  I was yelling at him to woooh, but he kept running, dragging me along.  I decided it would be best to let go and he ran for home, a mile away.  I called Joe to give him a heads up and started walking for home.  I could see car brake lights and prayed horse and drivers would not get hurt.  A lady from LeRoy picked me up and drove me home.  We arrived as Roni was cutting across the corn field towards the back pasture.  
After catching him, I got right back on and
really worked on walking him away from our property.  I would turn him towards home and then head away again.  I worked at getting him to walk slowly, circle calmly, stop and stand patiently.  I took him back to the round pen and asked him to gait slowly and he did great.  Then I took him back out down the drive and around the front pasture.  I want him to understand that I call the shots, and that he can trust me.  I ended up with a very bruised right butt check, a bloody scraped right knee, and a sore right wrist (the same one I had surgery on less than 5 weeks ago).  I am a bit shaken, very discouraged, but thankful it wasn't any worse.  But why did it happen in the first place... and how can I prevent it in the future?  Maybe Roni is more horse than I can handle.   

One-A-Day can be advice on moderation when it comes to things we like to indulge in.  It can also be motivation to try to do the things we know we should... like read the Bible, exercise, help somebody, do a little house cleaning, etc. 

   God spoke of moderation in Proverbs 16:32 - It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.  And in Philippians 4:5 - Let your moderation be known unto all men.  Christians
                                                     were to be wholly self-controlled or
entirely self-disciplined.  They were not to indulge in excess of passion, or dress, or eating, or drinking. They were to govern their appetites, restrain their temper, and be examples of what was proper for people of God.  A task impossible for even the most disciplined person, yet still a worthy goal.  Photo of this day's one sunset, taken around 7pm.  Can't believe how late it is staying light.