The not-so-nice thing about this last snow we got is there is a coating of ice underneath everything. A fact to which Chicken Mama can attest.
I snapped this picture from Papa Pea's office window this morning. Dear daughter had just dropped off Tucker and was heading down our driveway to work.
The depth quality of the picture isn't good, I know, (and she was already halfway out) but her little red chariot ended up completely sideways in the driveway. There is a sharp 90-degree turn to our driveway right before it goes into the heavy woods and out of sight of the house. The turn is v-e-r-y slippery right now. She stopped crosswise in the drive with her back wheels just enough off the drive and in a snowbank to hang her up.
No problem. She hiked back in toward the house, and when she got close her dad hollered out and said he'd suit up and come help. She said thanks but she could handle it herself. She got a small can of our ashes, a shovel and had herself unstuck practically before her dad could dress himself in all his winter regalia. He got down to her just in time to wave good-bye and carry the ash can and shovel back up to the house.
This little getting stuck problem was nothing compared to what she's dealt with the past two-plus years when living alone out in the boonies at Swamp River Ridge. Whenever I compliment her on how capable she is and able to handle anything tossed her way, she replies she's able to do so because we raised her "strong. " (Said with a grunt and show of muscle.) I'm not sure that was a quality listed as Number 1 or 2 when thinking of the characteristics we tried to instill in her . . . but I'm glad it turned out that way.
22 comments:
I'd say she is very capable. I was thinking earlier this week about vehicle colors across the country. Wondered what was popular colors in other states. Here in this county most vehicles are white, I guess due to the heat. Her little red car stands out against the snow better than my white truck would. I went to the big Ag Expo Fair in Tulare a few years ago, looked for an hour for my truck, finally found a worker with a golf cart traveling the parking lot with another visitor, they were looking for a white Thunderbird. Most of the vehicles in that parking lot were white. Next time I will put a flag on my antenna.
Tombstone Livestock - We see a lot of white cars on the highway even up here where it's cold much of the time. I think a flag on your antenna would be a good idea!
Years ago I worked for a large company with a very large fleet of company cars which were all the same gray color. One of this companies workers did a research project and found that gray cars had more accidents than any other color and submitted this info to the head honchos. He received a bonus for his research and all the cars were repainted a light, bright blue. I always wondered if red or some other color wouldn't have been more noticeable. But I suppose red or pink or orange (!) wouldn't have been "distinguished" enough for the company cars!
Of course she's capable ! She probably had one of the best upbringings of anyone I know. Lucky, lucky Chicken mama !
You and PP did a great job, and when she took the reins herself, she just kept on truckin' down that same road. That's the way it's SUPPOSED to be. lol
Must be a fine feeling to know you raised a capable child. Do you think you can come here and whip my two kids into shape?
Does head-strong count? Would you adopt me and whip me into shape? I am tending to be whiny lately.... :) None of us are surprised that CM turned out to be independent, funny, generous, and strong!
Ashes huh? Mmmm.... maybe we should all carry a container of ashes in the trunk! She's so smart! You did a great job!
Akannie - You should hear her go on at times about ALL the chores she was FORCED to do when growing up. No child (according to her) EVER had to do so much!
(Thanks for the kind words!)
Sparkless - You're doing just fine with your two, my friend. What kids really need is parents who truly care about them and set rules of responsibility they have to live up to. And yours have that.
Susan - No one would say CM isn't head-strong, too! (Gee, I can't imagine where she got that??)
Freedom Acres Farm - Oh ya, sure, you betcha! Ashes thrown under tires give really good grip and can get you out of lots of slippery spots. Not the cleanest material to work with but when you're stuck, you have to use what gets the job done!
My girls are strong chickas too. It just turned out that way without me trying to teach them. Must be "our" examples as we "get it done" without help. What do think of my theory :} All 3 of my kids are go get it done kids. I don't even think about until someone else comments on it.
Proud Mama you are...and should be :)
You both did an amazing job, and while it's been rough for her for awhile, I have no doubt she will come out the other side wonderfully.
Your gal remains an inspiration and a source of strength for me as I muddle along on my little homestead. Good work, mama. :)
(And if you do house calls, I could use some help "motivating" my two to get more chores done!)
Lisa - I do believe that for better or worse, kids do pick up the vibes in the home where they're raised. If they are raised knowing how to work and figure things out, they think that's the way it's supposed to be done!
Carolyn - Thank you, ma'am!
Stephanie - I know she will, but as a mama I sure do wish I had a wand full of magic fairy dust that I could tap her on the head with and have things be much better for her right now.
Fiona - Ha! It's NEVER easy during those growing up years! Such a struggle between instilling responsibility and letting them enjoy their years of . . . well, no grown-up responsibilities!
You're amaizing, so if she's anything like you, the apple certainly doesn't fall far from the tree.
The Weekend Homesteader - Oh, pshaw! We're more like chips off the same block . . . a wooden-headed block. We just refuse to give up! Sometimes to our own detriment!!
(But thank you so much!)
that is an excellent quality to instill! I always tell the kids the most important skill is to be able to read, since you can then read about whatever else you want to learn. That "roll with the punches" capability I think is just as important since it allows you to deal with and solve just about any real world problem that rolls your way!
Erin - Worry thee not about either of your boys. Loch has the inborn intelligence to do anything he sets his mind to. Finn with his adorable impish ways will be able to charm his way into whatever he wants. (Just be sure to teach them it's VERY important to take care of Mom and Dad in their reclining years! Hee-hee.)
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