In science and medicine it
is given as a range.
Normal was the name of my High
School and of the town we lived in.
My new norm is retired in Downs,
working on the farm and riding.
Normally this time of year, I would be going off to school each morning and planning and grading papers each evening and every weekend. But now my normal routine includes a morning walk with the dog, riding almost daily, playing "Words with Friends" on Facebook, doing chores, and working around the farm on daily, weekly or monthly tasks. I also go on weekend excursions fairly often, usually with the horse. I am a creature of habit and love a routine. That is why I am not a fan of traveling. Although, taking road trips and sometimes camping with the horse is becoming normal. It runs smoother with practice, and has emerged into a more relaxing experience.
"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are... Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in my pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return." -- Mary Jean Iron
Ninja Dan.
We spread the bails out on pallets anywhere we could make room on the lower level of the barn. We stored them stem side up and put salt on them. The rest we left on the wagon to dry some more, parking it in the corn crib at night because of the heavy nightly dews.
Dan headed off to do some cross training on his new mountain bike, as I headed to Growth Group, and Joe looked forward to hitting the hay early.
Tuesday I woke to find a pimple on my nose. What is up with that??? It ain't normal for a 56 year old to get zits... it just ain't right. At least I don't have to show up at school with it, and my horses will never notice.
After feeding chores, I pulled the hay wagon out of the corn crib, then headed down the drive towards Brian's, on my walk with Kaysha. Coming home, I enjoyed seeing the rising sun cast a pretty glow on our buildings.

Life for Britney as a missionary in Guatemala took on many new norms. Here she is at the pila (big concrete basins) doing laundry for a lady in need, scrubbing clothes by hand.



I went out to read my Bible, and eventually took a nap in the lounge chair. I got up and rolled the bales to the next side, exposing a different surface to air and sunlight, and to let the grass underneath breath. This is the view from my lounge chair. Tiny came out from hiding and was taking a dust bath while another chicken was looking over the bales of alfalfa.
Once Joe got home we went to the Replex to swim. It had been awhile since I have swam, but I went 10 laps without a problem. I quit, more out of boredom and laziness, than fatigue. I picked more of Becks sweet corn for dinner, which was good, but not as tender as last week. It is getting a bit old.
The Mask of Zorro
The Three Masketeers
me touch it. I compared it to the other leg and
Tiny's new norm is to come out from under the corn crib more often. She is enjoying the greener grass and likes hanging out with the flock.
Dan returned from work and then headed off to Heartland College for his two classes as I was moving laundry into the dryer. I needed to clean some clothes to pack for Carol's house. More chatting with Britney while printing some maps, and then I went out to enjoy the sun and check on livestock.
Roni cleared the vet check, and I proceeded, with him in tow, to Carol's. The trip was uneventful, but my trailer tire was low and leaking air at the stem which concerned me.
Once at Carol's, we set up a pick line, tied Roni to that, and got him some water. He was content.
We released my three ducks with Carol's three that are free range. Her rooster welcomed them to the flock but Tie tried to herd them around, much to their chagrin.
After our ride, Roni got a good hosing off.
All sweet and clean.
You can see the bales of hay I had brought, that we had set out to let dry in the sun some more.
Roni was skeptical about the sheep, then curious, then he wanted to befriend them, and then finally he got a bit bossy.
Our usual chit chat resulted in a later than normal bed time, but we were still up quite early.
After Friday morning breakfast for all (horse, sheep, dogs and poultry) I let Roni graze out front. He was quick to go back to the east fence, looking over towards his horse friends down the road.
Carol and Ike, herding sheep, came down the drive. She wanted the dog to work the sheep with the horse near by, because in big trials, they use horses.
Ike did well focusing on the sheep. Roni did not interfere, but grazed and walked the fence line looking for equine not ovine (sheep).
Carol packed a lunch while I took the trailer in to Ladoga to get the tire fixed. Then we loaded up the horse and three dogs and headed down some winding, hilly county highways.
About 95 minutes later we arrived at
I did see a lot of pretty scenery and cool things, including a little box turtle and this tree of holes.
Back at camp, Carol was working on the three R's... reading, resting, and relaxing.
Roni was slow to load, but with a little coaxing, got on the trailer.
Carol and I mustered up enough energy to take the dogs for another little walk after dinner while Roni got to graze for awhile.
Saturday morning, Carol worked with Ike on loading the sheep, or at least in getting them close to the back trailer opening.
Later, Carol had me ride Roni to herd the sheep away from her and Ike.
I continued, with Roni, to go for another ride out around the fields.
Roni and I were covered in yellow weed pollen when we got back.

Tie helped me with manure clean up, not taking his eyes off the rake the whole time.
Once picked up, packed up, and loaded up, my next stop was Danville. Seventy five minutes of smooth easy traveling and we were at Middle Fork Horse Campground. Before unloading, I stopped to talk with the camper next door. And it wasn't long before Roni was having a horsey fit, kicking the trailer really hard... totally abnormal.
I let Roni rest and eat for awhile when we got back, but again he tried to wander off, so I tied him to the trailer.
Then, when it was time to load, Roni would not go. I tried several strategies we have done in the past with Zorro... but nothing worked. Luckily, the man from next door came back early from his trail ride and helped me. All he had to do was wave his hat and holler, and Roni got on. Before I pulled out of our spot though, Roni was kicking the trailer really hard again. This is so out of the norm... I don't know what to think. If I didn't know him as well as I do, I would be afraid of him.
Sunday morning I only had time for a one mile walk with Kaysha because I had to leave for nursery work by 7:15, right when it started raining. Joe didn't make it to church again because of work, and was off to his Fantasy Football draft choice / Poker party by the time I got home. It rained much of the day so I worked on this blog among a number of other indoor and computer things.
Today the rains cleared off by 8 am and I took Kaysha on a later than usual walk. Most of my day was spent working on this blog. I had lots of photos to down load and organize. I also finished unpacking, did all of my regular chores, and cleaned up the kitchen which the boys had let slide a little. The poster below is of my new norm.
Several of you have asked about Marj and how she is doing. I don't get over there as often, or as much as I would like to, but feel she is still adjusting to life without Richard. She is trying to find a new normal that works for her. She will be starting up a weekly group riding lesson in September, which will hopefully be fun for her and for those attending.
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