Nothing Like It

I'm feelin' the love here and there's nothing like it.  Thanks for the good wishes.  Okay, that's enough of that stuff.

It's a squirrel invasion.  Even my standing in the open doorway did not dissuade this bold boy from enjoying the view from the porch.  As long as he stays away from the Talisman rose, I guess I'm good with that.

He probably felt safe knowing he was under the watchful eye of Shaddup, the lookout on duty in the top of the juniper bush.

It's said that music will soothe the savage breast, but I'm here to say that nothing will calm a troubled mind like working with animals, pulling weeds, or mowing on a lawn tractor.  Doesn't matter what's going on in your head or how late you might be for chores, you can't rush a goat.  They instinctually pick up on your vibes and get (dare I say it?) squirrely.  To maintain peace, it's necessary to slow down, take a deep breath, and calmly go about the business at hand, or both hands, as the case may be.

It was a beautiful day, but a little too warm to pull Fu out of the shed early on, so Bess and I went past the squirrels to pull weeds in the walkways and herb/peony bed.  We go out several times a day, so I was able to make some inroads.  I try not to look too far down the path because the amount of work ahead is somewhat daunting.

When the peak of the heat had passed, I fired up Fu Manchu and off we went.  We came to an abrupt halt, however, on the first pass when a wheel dropped into, yes, a squirrel burrow.  The rear wheels are the drive wheels and one was in the air spinning and useless.  Trying everything, and I mean everything, including trying to lift Fu up and out, I couldn't get the tractor to move.  I hated to admit it, but I needed some manpower.  With great reluctance, I put in a call to Beau.  I sure don't want to take advantage of his kindness or have him think I'm going to be a problem child on a regular basis.  He came immediately and was, with the same strength as with the battery, able to get Fu out of his rut.  Took him two minutes and I'd been futzing around for 15 by myself.  Oh well.  Around and around, mindless work on a lovely, warm afternoon with a light breeze blowing, there's nothing like it.  There is still plenty to do, but the west field looks like a park now.

This sunset was actually a couple of days ago (not a cloud in the sky yesterday), but it's still a fitting ending to a very good day.