A Friday Ruminant Rumination

The only constant in our lives is change. But you have the strength to see every new challenge as an opportunity for personal growth. — Juliet, the smallest lamb who, through all her many challenges, has, by far, done the most personal growth.

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Here’s What’s Happening At Good Spirits Farm

• Ms. Juliet is out with the herd full time now, and I’m having some feelings about it. Change is so hard! But I’m also happy to see her bonding with the other sheep. She no longer cries when I walk away, and the mama sheepies have stopped headbutting her. She’s truly one of the gang. (Don’t worry, she still comes running when she sees me and loves snuggles and snoot kisses. She’ll never forget I am her mama!)

• The weather changed this week from the 80s during the day down to the 60s. Suddenly my list of things to do before winter arrives feels urgent. Tomorrow, we’re getting our last big delivery of hay. When the last bale is carefully stacked and the wad of cash is handed off, I’ll know that whatever comes this winter, at least my animals will be well fed.

• I can’t believe it, but, I am essentially sold out of Thanksgiving turkeys. I originally was having trouble selling enough to fulfill the minimum order from the hatchery. Then, on a whim, I doubled my order, because they’re cheaper in bulk and you’re supposed to account for at least a 30 percent loss rate since the chicks are so fragile. And then: All of my chicks survived. I was having nightmares about eating turkey for every meal in 2022 when I couldn’t sell them! One at a time, word has gotten out! (I think it helps that they are currently in our pasture right by the road, so people drive by and see them living their best turkey lives and end up stopping in to ask about them!) What’s even more amazing is that people who have purchased turkeys have then asked about eggs and honey and other things we may offer in the future. Tryptophan: The gateway drug to supporting Good Spirits Farm!

Here’s What I Loved This Week

I love fall so much, I want to experience every bit of it. I’ve been finding myself employing a therapy technique to remind myself to take a breath and enjoy the weather. Yes, technically this exercise was developed to help with anxiety and staying grounded in overwhelming moments. But it also turns autumnal weather into a total sensory experience.

So: Next time you’re outside, take a beat to run through this list: What are five things you can see? What are four things you can touch? What are three things you can hear? What are two things you can smell? What is one thing you can taste? (The last one is generally pretty hard!) I love picking out the smell of woodsmoke and wet leaves, and noting the moss on the rocks and the squirrel prepping its nest for winter.