Day: August 22, 2014

I ran out of gas at the county fair this evening, I was so tired I wasn’t sure I could get back to the car, this is both predictable and inevitable, I was walking a long time over long distances and, as usual, forgetting that I am still recovering. But these two young women inspired me, I loved the way they were looking up, suffused with joy and excitement and I decided to do the same thing.

Every day, we are confronted with choices about how to live, what to feel, what news to watch, whether or not to see life as a trial or an opportunity, a lament or a joy. A friend came up and hugged me and said I looked great, he heard about the surgery. I said I was great, I was lucky, I was excited by the opportunity to move forward with my heart and my health. I thank these girls for that. And now to sleep.

This proud young 4-H exhibitor agreed to pose for me in front of her award-winning cow. I am almost moved and impressed by 4-H, these kids spend little time on Facebook or playing video games, they work hard to train and care for their animals and most of them sleep with their cows and sheep and goats during fair week, which runs through Sunday. I can’t imagine anything that builds more confidence, independence and responsibility. They build powerful friendships, connect with the natural word.

Maria and I went to the county fair this evening just before dark, we had a roast chicken dinner at the Argyle Fire Department booth, saw many people we knew both from West Hebron and Cambridge. We had a good time prowling through the animal booths and exhibits, we came upon this goat getting his hooves trimmed and not loving it.

I had a good morning, busy, a long walk, but this afternoon, I crashed, I just lost all of my energy, I got from one end of the fair to the other, but barely. I didn’t spend as much time as I would have wished shooting the carnival at the fair. This is something I just have to accept – every day is different, it will take awhile, some days I will not have the energy to do what I wish. A bitter pill, still, for me. But it was fun going to the fair, we enjoyed it, I got some photos I like and will share them.

Every day, something new and beautiful from our Dahlia Garden.

 “If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.” ~Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, letter to President Franklin Pierce