Thursday, March 10, 2011

Random Thursday Thoughts

Our chickens are finally starting to lay decently again so we have enough eggs for our own use. Hooray! (We eat a lot of eggs . . . when we have them. When we don't, it's the pits!)

I really enjoy the distinct difference between summers and winters in our part of the country. It is truly as if we live in two different worlds.

As burnt out as I am on gardening in the fall, I'm ready to get out there again in the spring.

The geese remain so clean and pristine looking when they have access to the pond. After being cooped up with no method of bathing this winter, they look pathetic. (Fortunately, they seem to feel better than they look. Apparently, they have no pride. Or mirrors.)

Two people don't need a lot of food. We have so much food left in our freezers and on the canned goods shelves as we go into spring that I wonder why I spend so much time growing and preserving all the food I do.

My cousin recently sent me copies of pictures of our family taken during our childhood years he found while going through his mom's things. What vivid memories those pictures bring back. Absolutely vivid. I was so fortunate to grow up in a large extended family. I wish my daughter could have experienced the same thing.

We can get plenty of outdoor exercise in the winter time, but it's not nearly as inviting or easy to go outside when you have to put on a heavy jacket, insulated pants, boots, gloves and/or mittens, hat and sometimes a face mask.

It's so hard to watch your dog get old. I mean really old so that she no longer is the same pup she was up until a few months ago.

Since we're staying away from most baked goods and desserts, I've been surprised to find how very much I actually miss making these products. A couple of times I've simply had to make a batch of cookies and then give them away or hide them in the bottom of the freezer.

How in the world can I have a daughter who will turn forty this summer when I'm not that old myself? (Well, okay, I am that old -- plus, plus, plus -- but I sure don't feel it.)

The saying, "Live each day as if it were your last," is pure balderdash. What a quick mess I could make of my life if I were to follow that!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm... you wrote a lot of things to make me think. I've kinda enjoyed winter because for some reason I'm feeling rather "hermit-like" and not wanting to do much. Maybe I need to refocus. My oldest baby turned 24 yesterday and I can't figure out how that happened. She was just born, wasn't she?

LindaCO said...

Good stuff. That gardening thing is coming to get me nowadays as well. :-)

Susan said...

All good thoughts, Mama Pea. I know what you mean about baking. I am not eating bread or baked goods either, but I do really miss the process. Thank goodness for my barn crew every Sunday. And I have been able to send it ALL their way. I am almost physically aching to get out in the dirt. Or mud -- your favorite thing ;o)

Mama Pea said...

Ruth - You and me both! I can't BELIEVE how much I've wanted to do NOTHING lately. Maybe we're resting for the busy outdoor season ahead??

Kids. They grow up waaay too fast. I can remember when I had my 50th birthday. I said to my mom, "I cannot believe I'm FIFTY years old!" She replied, "I can't believe I have a FIFTY year old child!!"

LindaCO - I think maybe we need more sunshine on our bodies!

Mama Pea said...

Susan - I've been wishing for a while that you would post every week what you make and take to your barn guys. You don't have to take the time to write out each recipe unless you want to . . . I just NEED to see your luscious baked goods!

Mud? What's mud? I'm not having any mud this year. Uh-uh. Nope. No mud. Gonna skip it. Lalalalala! I can't HEAR you!!

Alla said...

Really good thoughts. I'm the same way, I'm so ready for fall to be over but right now I'm just dying to get in the dirt! Although I still have much to finish inside. I love baking too and don't really bake for myself that much but am thankful my grandkids are around a lot so I can bake for them. Talk about age, I have a granddaughter turning 22 on Friday. Oh my gosh!!

Jane said...

I guess I'm older than time,I have a gg son.Where did the years go? Blessings jane

Mama Pea said...

Alla - Well, I certainly COULD have a 22 year old grandchild, but hubby and I were rather slow starting and none of the family is very prolific . . . so I guess you could say we've done our part to keep the population down!

Jane2 - A great grandson! I can hardly imagine! But you are blessed.

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

I agree with all the things you say but the worst is the aging dog. Uugghh! Your right, you think that last year at this time she could still go up steps, hear, etc. It makes you want to puke, because then you think about next year at this time. Then you run over to that pile of fur on the floor and smoother her with kisses and treats.

Erin said...

I turned 40 last summer and i wonder if my mom thinks the same thing?! I find myself looking at my little kids and thinking "WOW, when my mom was my age i was already in the Navy and gone from home! No wonder my kids tire me out, I'm too OLD for them LOL!

I'm still wondering what your "plans" are you mentioned about the garden this year, did you mean just cutting back?

Michaele said...

Really nice twist on that saying in the last paragraph. How true. We need to live like we are going to be around for a long, long time. That way we plan better and take better care.

Mama Pea said...

Jane - So you talk yourself to the point where you're "prepared" for her to be gone, but the next time you're outside, she has a burst of pep and energy and does her funny, little hippity-hop dance down the driveway and you're back to convincing yourself she's really not in as bad shape as you've been thinking and she'll be around forever. Then she sleeps for 16 hours straight and you keep checking to see if she's still breathing. Sigh.

Erin - Post to come soon detailing my garden plans for the summer. Promise.

Michaele - That's what we have to do. Otherwise, life will come back to bite us in the patoot!

Jenyfer Matthews said...

You can't start gardening again yet - you haven't done nearly enough quilting this winter!!!

Mama Pea said...

Jen - You're telling me?! You've got that right!

Sparkless said...

I'm partial to the saying "Love what you have and not what you don't" Can you imagine how great life would be if we just loved what we already had and were satisfied.

Gosh my kids are young teens and I'm almost 50! I started late and now I feel more like their grandmother than their mother.

I'd post a picture of our chocolate chip bran muffins but I don't want to taunt you too much with my baked goods. hee hee!

Mama Pea said...

Sparkless - It all comes back to gratitude. And appreciating what we have. Good point.

Oh, please do post pictures of your home-baked goodies. I can look at them, drool, and virtually enjoy them without adding any pounds!

Dmarie said...

*chuckle* I get such a kick out of it when folks punch holes in some of the more popular sayings. Our daughter is 27 now...I know the feeling.

Mama Pea said...

Dmarie - I've sure never understood that one! But then maybe I take everything too literally! I mean I can understand that it would be important to tell people you love them, give extra hugs, etc. But I don't think I'd spend my time paying bills, cleaning the floors, doing the laundry, going to that meeting I didn't want to attend, making those calls I've been putting off, etc., etc.! :o)

Jenyfer Matthews said...

"Want what you have and you'll always have what you want" used to be my email signature line. Words to live by :)

Mama Pea said...

Jen - MUCH more sensible than "Live each day as if it were your last!"

mtnchild said...

I love your random thoughts - all of them.

My first granddaughter just turned 23 back on March 2nd, and that makes me feel old, not my age mind you, but hers!!
Hugs
Yvette

Mama Pea said...

Yvette - Just keep remembering, we're only as old as we think we are. I truly believe that. If we were to start thinking, talking and acting like we were getting old, you can bet your bippy we would get just exactly that!