dontclipmywings.com Archives - Page 2 of 5 - A Country Girl's Heart -Beats that Matter

August 1, 2018September 26, 2018

Local Farmer Markets

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While in the process of promoting, marketing, and establishing the 3 rare chicken breeds raised here at CG Heartbeats Farm, I found the number of eggs produced greatly exceeded the eggs being sold. Given the cost of feeding locally sourced Non-GMO and organic feed, the “chicken project” was costing as much as feeding 5 horses. I knew I needed to find an outlet for the eggs. I struggled wanting to question the path I have chosen to incorporate a homestead lifestyle and still find away to earn an income.

It has been a journey these last 4 to 8 weeks from contacting local food banks to last Saturday when I turned a customer away because I had sold out of eggs. I have looked at different ways to market egg for consumption and learned of Indiana’s regulations for eggs sales. I looked into having signs printed to sell from the farm and selling to others who already had a customer base. I found an answer in becoming a vendor at first one (Bremen Farmer’s Market)and now two (Nappanee Farm and Flea Market)local farmers markets.

A local farmers market provides a place to connect with customers who share a knowledge of the importance of eating fresh, locally sourced food and knowing just what goes into the food they are eating. While buying from a vendor at a farmers market does not guarantee you are buying organic or non-GMO products, it does provide an opportunity to ask questions about the food you are buying. Often there are various options to choose from depending on which vendor you choose to make your purchase. Since I am already using eggs as an example, I will continue that line of thought. Some vendors provide farm fresh eggs that are fed a commercial feed, and free ranging a certain number of hours a day. Others simply live in an outdoor pen with a chicken coop or shelter attached. A third option might include birds that are fed specialty feeds such as whole foods, organic, soy free or non -GMO feeds. Any one or more of these husbandry practices may go into the eggs acquired at a farmers market. A wonderful aspect of a farmers market provides the opportunity to ask questions and decide exactly what aligns with your health and food consumption goals.

While a vendor at a farmers market, I truly like to hear someone say they own chickens and produce their own eggs. I am encouraged to hear about others raising and producing their own food eggs, vegetables, meat and herbs, ect.

I am also happy to be able to produce local options for those who can not for various reasons and still find value in locally produced food. In my case, locally produced food that has little to no chemicals or hormones used in its production.

People

One of my favorite aspects of the farmers markets has been meeting new people, from vendors to customers and those who are enjoying the atmosphere. New found friends both on and off line give me a greater sense of community.

I have enjoyed having conversations with people from other states who were visiting family in town and local residents who have or still do own laying hens. On occasion a person may be interested in learning about the different breeds that produce the eggs they are eating. I have had fun connecting with people. I learn from their stories and sometimes share a part of mine.

Products

Every local farmers market delivers a special list of products depending in part on state regulations and exactly what local farms are producing in that area. I have been to farmers markets in certain states to see whole milk being sold for human consumption while in other states that is not allowed.

Some local markets feature homemade crafts along with food and antiques and collectibles. Sweet treats seem to be a big hit at almost all farmers markets.

Who doesn’t enjoy home baked goodies such as cupcakes, decorated cookies, and macarons to name a few?

How they Work

Vendors, usually local, pay a fee to set up in a certain space. Visiting a farmers market is a free event for those interested in purchasing products and checking out the sights. One market in particular, Bremen Farmers Market, provides live music in the background as a you browse.

Farmers Markets seem to be gaining in popularity in many areas across the country. Often a quick online search either through a search engine or social media will display local farmer market info such as dates, location and time. Many small towns across the country provide a farmers market on a given day of the week. Larger towns and cities may have a daily market and some places have them in different locations. For those who patronize farmers markets, thank you for buying local. Did you know there are health benefits to eating local food? If you have not been to one, be sure to find one in your area.

When traveling I like to find local farmers markets to attend. Have you ever attended a Farmers Market either as a customer or as a vendor? Drop a comment below and share your experience.

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May 28, 2018June 1, 2018

Pryor Mountain Horse Range ~ Part 2

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In 2015 I found myself living out a dream that had only birthed the previous week as I traveled along the edge of McCullough Peaks. Realizing I was close to where there were wild horse herds, I recalled parts of the PBS Series on Cloud, a mustang stallion. His young life had been documented with pictures and videos and the series continued as he aged. ‘How cool would it be to hang out with a herd of wild mustangs’, I thought to myself. My life felt disrupted in many ways and the thought filled me with a peaceful feeling. The first part of my desire can been seen and read here. What follows is the second part:

I did not think I could top the exhilaration of standing my ground in the path of a wild mustang stallion. I did in a way that I could not fully appreciate in the present moment. While at some level I understood the uniqueness of the that space in time, I feel the specialness more now.

A few more pictures of me on this special trip taken by Denise. They had plans for the evening and we had a 2 – 3-hour return drive. I did not mind our time on the mountain was considerably shorter than the time spent driving. The experience made it worth every bumpy mile!

A short distance back to the first watering hole we noticed more vehicles parked along the way. Certain this indicated more horses at this location we stopped.
This was what we found.

Cloud, the wild stallion, made famous by the PBS 3-part mini-series hanging out with another bachelor stallion. These videos share part of the story of his life from the time he was foaled.

Cloud had recently (in the last year) lost his band of mares.

He was around 20 years old here when these pictures were taken in July of 2015.

As I knew my companions were needing to continue home, I satisfied my heart knowing that I had seen and photographed Cloud. This trip gave me considerably more than I had expected. I ran up the hill from the watering hole. Surprised at how easily I accomplished that feat even in the high altitude, I simply felt an exhilaration and peace for my time spent ‘hanging’ with the wild mustangs. This seemed to trump the physical struggles I had been having. The mind is a powerful tool!

The last anyone seen of him was in the fall of 2015. I might find myself tearing up a little when I realize I seen him in later part of his life. Yes! A special moment realized at a deeper level after the fact.

I would love to explore that mountain top and other parts of the Pryor Mountain Mustang range. Perhaps one day I will camp up there. I think I would enjoy that!!!

Here a few websites to learn more about Pryor wild mustangs and other mustang herds in the United States. The mustangs on the Pryor range are closely monitored by volunteers who name and document the bands, stallions, mares and foals. They keep track when a one stallion steals another’s mare(s). I find this fascinating? Do you?

http://www.pryormustangs.org/

https://www.thecloudfoundation.org/

Facebook page for Pryor Mountain Mustang Center

Facebook page for the Cloud Foundation

Denise and her husband kindly transported and shared this adventure. Denise takes beautiful pictures and owns a better camera. Generously, She allowed me to use photos of me shot the day we experienced this story. Credit for her photos are noted under applicable pictures. Every year she offers calendars for sale featuring Wyoming wildlife. To order your own beautiful calendar, email her at:

dconnelly1970@gmail.com

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May 1, 2018June 7, 2018

Pryor Mountain Horse Range ~ Part 1

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I ended the blog post titled Yellowtail Swimming Hole sharing my belief that the Lord had an encounter with the wild mustangs that was just for me. That a special moment would happen and I would know without a doubt it was intended for me. That is all I had was belief that had well up in me. Truthfully this doesn’t happen often to me. I had no conscious idea of how it would happen or when it would happen. Simply a belief that it would. This happened on a Sunday. Fast forward to Wednesday when a friend of my sister offered to take me to the Prior Horse Range. This time we were driving to the top of the range and the top of the Pryor Mountains. The Yellowtail, where we had been swimming a few days before was visible from our location on the mountain.

The Yellowtail, where we went swimming a few days before is pictured in the distant body of water. Photo credit: Denise Connelly

But first we spent about 2 – 3 hours driving. The first half of that time we were on paved roads, but the last half was a rutted, bumpy, dirt track. The closer we came to the top, the worse the ruts, it seemed. I was naushas going up and down the mountain. Oh, no worries, I would do it all over again. The experience at the top was worth it all. Life is like that too, isn’t it?

We finally reached this sign, but no mustangs in sight.

A short while later we pulled to the side of the two track drive. My new found friends believed this area to be one of two watering holes in this area of the mustang range. Here was a sign with a few need to know facts and important behaviors to maintain around the wild horses. As a horse owner for over 30 years who had earned a reputation (I have been told) for being a bit crazy, I honestly did not give much thought to the ‘rules’. I felt super excited to be on the mustang range…now to see some wild mustangs!!! I am not sure if I realized at this time that this range was home to Cloud. Cloud, made famous by the 3 part PBS series to increase awareness for wild mustangs, lived out his life of 20 years under the watchful, but non-intrusive, presence of humans with cameras rolling.

Wild horse habitat had my attention. The dry forage, trails and this beautiful watering hole, but so far no mustangs.

There was one more watering hole to check out farther on ahead. Oh when I think of physical peace on earth, it was the time spent on this mountain top! A similar feeling to what I often had when foaling out mares. The view that appeared before me became eye candy to my soul.

I bask in the breezes and deeply smelled the fresh mountain air as I found myself walking across the mountain top.

I told my compainions, “Don’t mind me, I am gonna go be with the horses.” I took a deep breath as I walked away down the hill. To translate my meaning..“I am gonna go be one with the horses.” After all, I knew the Lord had a special moment for me, as promised a few days earlier.

A cremello colt caught my eye and I ambled that direction.

Camera in hand, I took pictures of 3 adults and 2 foals walking along.

I did not see a stallion with this group, odd I thought. I took a few more steps toward 4 horses to my right. I seen a stallion, obvious to me, root his nose in the air, toward the other 3 horses directing them to run towards me.

My thoughts were racing. ‘Nothing around to hide behind‘ as my first instinct was to run and hide. Next idea: An embankment, ‘perhaps if I could reach the other side it would offer some protection’. I took two steps to my right only to realize the timing did not work for that plan. If continued on that path those 3 horses would plow me over. On the path ahead of me the stallion charged toward me, ears pinned back.

Now I have been rushed by a stallion before, but NOT a wild one! At which time while somewhat fearful, I side stepped at the last minute to avoid being trampled. This was different. I felt scared, picturing a rearing, stomping, wild stallion. I am not sure scared truly defines the emotions I felt. Terrified might be more accqurate, as my mind logically realized potential death by trampling. I planted my feet. As he barreled toward me, I waited briefly until he was almost a stride and a half from me. I extended my arms out in front of me, placing one hand over the other and clasping my fingers together. Intuitively, I waited for the perfect time, feet still planted, I decisively pushed my hands up and down in short motions. These movements communicate to a horse that I am creating a boundry or in human terms personal space. Amazingly he shifted his direction and ran by me, kicking out as he went by. Perhaps he was being playful or defiant, but at least he was respectful of my communication to him. I immediately dropped my hands, shoulders, and head to indicate I presented no threat. I might have snuck a peak over my shoulder to see his response, an ear was cocked my way. Guess I had his attention.

As I walked up back up towards the others, I felt alive, more alive than I had in some time. Exhilerated might describe it, but I don’t know that I have felt quite the way I was feeling before or since. “I don’t want to do it ever again, but that was AWESOME!!!!” , was my statement. Denise told me, “I was sure we were going to need to have you life-flighted off the mountain.”

Another look at the stallion I later learned had a name. His ear was still cocked my direction. I snapped a quick picture.

How special to have a moment of communication with a wild stallion, I thought. I will be honest, I had a desire to continue interacting with him, but my common sense and logic won. A reminder from my fellow man regarding the rule to stay 100 feet from the horses chided my wish. “Perhaps another day, in another place and time the opportunity will present itself,” I consoled my desire with that thought. I decided to be happy with the moments I had been given.

In awe, I strolled, at safe distance from the other bands, and took pictures.

Remember the first watering hole we stopped at? One more treat awaited me back there…to be continued.

dconnelly1970@gmail.com

Read other posts about the Pryor Mountain horse range:

Yellowtail Swimming Hole

Pryor Mountain Horse Range ~ part 2

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April 24, 2018April 29, 2018

Roots and Wings: New Life ~ Chickens

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Have you ever reached a point in the journey of your life, stopped for a moment and wondered, How did I get here? That describes how I have felt these last few weeks as I wrote about my memories of new life and how it pertained to goats and horses.

I turned down the opportunity to foal out mares this year. A difficult decision for me to reach, largely due to my health. Staying up all hours of the night disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm. This negatively impacts the adrenals. Since I am working to create an environment for mine to heal, I believe it would be counter productive. A smaller percentage of the picture is the fact that I have a limited amount of energy and I have chosen to direct it to my current goals of breeding chickens and a homestead lifestyle. I am hopeful that I will discover a way to add foaling mares back into my life in the future. If that doesn’t happen, I will simply relish the memories of that season. To read my blog on seasons click here.

Swedish Flower Hen chicks hatched at CG Heartbeats Farm

I adore babies of almost any species. Spring time brings new life in plant and animal form. I like to see the tiny plants pushing their way up through the soil, but not quit as much as seeing new life appear when a mother gives birth or an egg hatches.

How did I go from foaling out horse to hatching chicks? I see some humor in the fact that an egg or newly hatched chick is about the size of a foals hoof. Now that is quite a big difference, going from one to the other. My health goals have played a part in directing my current path. It is a simple truth that when making room for change in one’s life certain activities must be let go of to make room for new. An area I struggle with at times, letting go. Some days, I actively choose to stay focused on the new adventures.

Silver Gray Dorking and Swedish Flower Hen chicks hatched at CG Heartbeats Farm

Hatching chicks

Hens make hatching chicks easy. They do the work of an incubator and brooder after the hatch. One of the Swedish Flower Hens went broody last fall. Click here to read the story. The relationship a chick has with a broody hen seems like it would provide an education. However, the incubated chicks seem to know instinctively to peck at food and drink water. Again the power of new life is amazing.

Today, as I write, new life abounds around me in the form of hatching chicks. Yesterday, the little chirps greeted me before I even seen a pip. Today I have been privileged to watch them pop out of their shells. Some times I need to work hard to pop out of my shell. It is tempting to stay where it is safe, comfortable, and truthfully, easy. Working to get out of a shell takes effort, and then just when I accomplish breaking out, I find myself faced with changes. Like a chick who suddenly finds space to stretch and learn to walk and balance. Freedom to move is one of those changes. I mean what chick would want to stay cooped up in a shell. In reality, a chick dies if they don’t break out in time. Similarly, we risk a different kind of death( I am not referring to an eternal death here) if we too stay in our comfort zone.

Last year incubating chicks became a new challenge for me. I have used 3 different incubators to hatch chicks in the last year and a half. The Little Giant, Incuview and Janoel12 produced chicks, but offer different features that seem to influence hatch rates. The Little Giant, a styrofoam, I used only once when I borrowed from a friend. I hatched only 2 chicks. Perhaps with time and experience I may have improved the %. I like the plastic incubators best for the easier clean up after a hatch. Both the Incuview and Janoel12 are constructed of hard plastic. They clean up nicely. And oh those newly hatched chicks make a mess.

They are adorable though once they dry off and the fluffiness appears.

A discussion on different incubators would provide enough material for its own blog post. In the hatching course, I am preparing, I include info on different incubators and a worksheet to help you decide which one suites your financial need and personal preferences.

Consider joining the wait list while I finish up the e course on hatching chicken eggs. If you are not needing this type of information, perhaps you know someone to pass this opportunity onto? There are going to be a few bonuses for signing up early.

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April 10, 2018February 9, 2022

Roots and Wings: New Life ~ Horses

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Continuing the story concerning my passion for new life, this post shares briefly on the journey as it relates to horses. I say briefly because the experiences and stories might make up a small book. I am limiting my sharing to this blog post with no comment on the possibility of future stories. If you have not seen the first or second you may click on the underlined words to view.

Our pony, Glady, foaled when I was thirteen. This is where my love of new life birthed in a new species, horses. I remember sleeping in the barn a few nights to hopefully catch her foaling. I slept with blankets on bales of hay, NOT comfortable, but at 13 years old, it was an adventure. I must be getting soft, because my idea of adventure has shifted slightly. I can not say with certainty I would not sleep in a cold barn to watch a mare foal, cause likely I would. I simply much prefer a camera to view, a warm room and softer sleeping arrangements these days.

Life became busy in my teenage years and it was after my high school graduation that I was again blessed with a foal, re-kindling a flame.

The arrival of Roses Casino, out of a mare named Mismatched, created a story its own. While her arrival has a story to it, her impact on my life is currently an on going story.

Alas, it would be 5 more years until I foaled another mare of my own when Brave the Cold gave me Brave Diamond Dust. This time I had the privilege of studying the Book Blessed are the Broodmares by M. Phyllis Lose . I learned a lot. However, I had no experience knowing the difference between a tired pregnant mare resting at night and a mare actually foaling. I faithfully checked her during the night for close to 6 weeks. My excitement and anticipation for this foal, driving me to wonder about the meaning of her every move. One night I was certain something might be going on and called the only person I knew to ask, my farrier. Our families were friends and often his wife would invite us over for supper. But, I think he found me a bit overzealous to be bothering him in the middle of the night. Lesson learned! I smile at the memory! My consistency paid off and I was rewarded with being present for her foaling, a filly I called Dusty. This was the beginning of developing my eye for foaling and only added more to my passion for new life. To be honest, I have been fooled since thinking a mare was foaling when she wasn’t. However, it takes a bit more to fool me now. I would rather check on a mare and be wrong, than miss a foaling.

I was given the opportunity to spend time on a farm that foaled a few mares each year. Here I would trapes out in a 10 acre pasture to find the mares and look them over. I once found a foal stuck in the mud and pulled it out to return it to its mother. I was only gone for the evening and knew she was close. I checked her and found the foal. I guess by then I was getting a bit better at knowing what was a true sign and what was my anticipative thoughts. That said, I remember years later a mare I looked at that had NO bag, No softness under her tail, the slightest bit of change under her tail perhaps, but not presenting a picture of a mare ready to foal. Everyone was surprised she foaled that night. Now in this case, she did not even get her milk in for over 24 hrs after the foal was born. If I recall correctly, it was drug (hormone) induced.

Oh, do you see what I mean? I could share for days the stories I remember! I moved from this place with a bit more knowledge and a growing love for foaling out mares.

I spent the next 5 to 10 years focused on barrel racing and a bit of team roping. During this time I had only occasional reason to be involved in foaling out mares. One time, my mare who pregnant with twins lost them about 7 months. Another involved a friends 4 yr old Arabian mare who lost the foal due to a red bag. Several of us pulled for over an hour to remove the dead foal. The education I gained that day saved another foals life years later.

When I learned a veterinarian I had recently ask to work on my horses was involved in opening a foaling barn, I could not resist asking about the progress every single time I spoke with him. You see I had given thought to taking a job on a ranch in Wyoming to be in charge of foaling operations. I decided against it. Now a foaling barn would soon be in operation, locally. Offered a job there cleaning stalls, I took it. Employed there for 5 years, I gradually was given responsibility for overseeing the foaling mares. I loved watching the mares shape up to foal. Each one was different and I learned to expect the unexpected. Oh wait! In some ways I was that way from the beginning, perhaps the years of seeing goats do unpredictable things when kidding. They are different in some ways goats and horses. But then again new life is new life when it comes to the beauty of it and unpredicateble timing of arrival.

I probably do not even consciously remember all the mares I seen foal at the foaling barn. I often operated on 3 to 4 hours of sleep for months during the foaling season. There are some memories that stand out where I learned a new lesson or encountered a special moment. I could write a small book on those experiences alone. I grew my knowledge base of foaling out mares. The opportunity to see a wide range of breeds and sometimes special cases like a mare that was partially paralyzed allowed me to learn in a way no book can.

It has been almost 5 years since I ended my employment at the foaling barn. This was where my focus started to shift in a different direction. But last year I was ask to help foal out mares at another local barn and sure enough, my passion for foaling mares has not left me.

A part of shifting my focus involved starting to live a homestead life style on almost 12 acres. My love of new life has manifested itself in the form of hatching chicks. Stay tuned for New Life- Chickens.

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April 6, 2018April 10, 2018

Clarks Fork

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Last summer found me enjoying the high desert of Wyoming. I stayed just east of Yellowstone for a couple weeks.

One evening, I invited my Mom to take a drive with me to Clark’s Fork, or perhaps it was her idea we go. We felt the need to get out and explore, even if it was from the comfort of a car.

Whatever the reason, we drove through Badger Basin on our way to Clarks Fork.

Thunder storms rolled across the Bear Tooth Mountains creating a unique horizon for our viewing pleasure.

Our drive took us a short way into the beautiful canyon and the area known as Clark’s Fork.

Are you are enjoying the view? Fill out the form below to learn details of how to visit for yourself. This list includes links to find info on 9 other places to visit in the Cody/ Powell area of Wyoming, as well.

I researched a bit of the history of Clark’s Fork, a tributary of the Yellowstone River. A settlement, Clark, and Clark’s Fork, was named after none other than the Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Further reading revealed the closest Clark came to the Clarks Fork was where the mouth dumps into the Yellowstone near Billings, Montana. If he had known the beauty he was missing, he may have investigated his self given namesake.

We checked out a few side roads.

Beautiful flowers lined one of those roads.

There is more to do than drive on the road and look at beautiful mountains in Clark’s Fork. A parking area provides for further exploration on 4 wheelers and camping experiences. Grizzly bear sightings are not uncommon and rattlesnakes frequent this area as well. Be safely prepared for adventure.

If you enjoyed this visit to Clark’s Fork and would like more info on how to visit here or other places in the Cody and Powell area of Wyoming, be sure to grab your FREE list of 10 places to visit by using the form below.

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April 4, 2018April 4, 2018

Roots and Wings: New Life ~ Goats

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As a child I observed the birth of baby goats. I do not remember my age the first time I seen a baby born, but I may have been as young as 5. Perhaps I was in early elementary school. Somewhere along the way we lost a kid or a goat due to complications in the delivery process. I remember the frustration I felt, seemed like something could be done to help out.

Perhaps all the James Harriet books my Dad read me triggered the belief that I might be able to assist the does when they had trouble kidding. The next time I was alone with a doe who was having trouble giving birth or kidding, as it is called I decided to see what I could do. Feeling a bit apprehensive, I tentatively, reached my fingers in the birth canal found the missing leg that was just out of sight. I gently pulled the leg forward. Excitement rushed through my veins as the doe was able to complete the birth of a kid (baby goat). Looking back, the kids elbow may have been locked on the does pelvis. Thus, my journey as mid wife of sorts to animals found a place in my life. A new feeling to me, accomplishment, a new belief that maybe I could……make a difference, succeed, learn a new skill, and a belief in the importance of trying. I guess, the belief and the curiosity in what if I tried this(or that) may have been there all along or I would not have searched for the baby goats leg that was hindering its birth.

From that first kid where I pulled a leg forward to assist with a birth, I gradually learned to sort out more difficult kidding complications. As I recall my next challenge presented a kid with one leg and head present in the birth canal and one leg pointing down or back into the utertous. Again I reached in and found the hidden leg holding up the process and gently worked it forward, allowing for the kid to make easy passage and begin a life out of the womb.

Life as a (human) kid featuring the pet goat Jimmy.

Becoming bolder, I found myself facing two kids attempting simotanous birth. I remember feeling only slightly sorry for the doe. No time to think about the momentary pain I was causing her. I resolved the short lived pity of her pain with the thought that if I didn’t proceed the kids and her would loose their lives. I worked back the nose that did not belong pushing it farther back into the uterus. I may have needed to find a leg not properly positioned, or perhaps that was another time. I do not recall if there were twins or triplets born that day. I do recall the momentary joy as my confidence grew in the belief that in at least on area of my life I could make a difference.

This picture shows a mucus plug on a doe getting close to birthing or in goat terms, kidding.

As my confidence grew, I learned to reach into a goats birth canal when no kid was presented, but the goat was obviously straining in labor. I remember one particular time where no kid presented, but I found it in the uterous, its back bone pressed against the birth canal. This not only blocked its own birth it blocked the birth of the other 2 kids that were born that day. Before they could make an appearance, I pushed the kid further in the uterous to reposition it allowing it to come out into the world via the birth canal. In the process, everything became funny! The doe was less than convinced I was truly helping her and instead of laying down she began moving rapidly around the pen. I stayed with her, my arm still lodged inside working to move the kid into position. She laid down again and the kid was born. I likely will not forget the memory of that experience. Of course, this was over 30 years ago and technology did not lend to the ease for videoing the process. Recalling this story causes me to laugh inside for the picture I must have presented.

Goats also influenced my life as the first animal I exhibited.

Not only did I learn this skill, I developed a passion for new life. A passion that carried over when I found what I call my heart animal, horses. Looking back I am amazed at the timing in which each lesson presented itself. Had I faced the doe in labor with no kid visible, first, the doe and all 3 kids would have died. I would not have been prepared or confident enough to sort out that problem. Today as I write and think how perfectly each incident went from a small challenge to a slightly bigger one. It feels like God’s hand wrote the process. Did He orchestrate my education? And if so what was He preparing me for? I can look back and see where my passion led me up to now, but I do not see why! The why of how my life abruptly changed and headed down a different path on the surface largely rests on choices I made, but in the bigger picture(the strong passion for birthing animals I have always felt), I am uncertain. I trust the message of Philippians 1:6(KJV) that says, “…..He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

As I ponder, I have to ask where else in my life has this kind of learning process occurred?

Mare and foal before the foal stood for the first time.

On a lighter note: Next in this series, I share about how my experience birthing goats fueled my passion for new life in the form of a horse. I could write a book about foaling out mares, but for now I will limit my sharing to a blog post.

If you have ever witnessed or helped an animal give birth, what was your experience? Leave a reply in the comments.

This is the second post on New Life to read the first click here. If you would like to watch a video of a chick hatching be sure to enter your info below.

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March 28, 2018April 11, 2018

Roots and Wings: New Life

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Almost all of my life, I found time standing still for the presentation of new life in animal form. I have not kept track of the times I have observed, and sometimes assisted, in animal births. I am pretty sure the list includes goats, pigs, cattle, dogs, cats, horses and chickens. From an early age the process has inspired me, leaving an almost spiritual experience impression on my heart. Now to be sure the few times a mother’s life was lost in the process damped my enthusiasm, but has not eradicated my love for the process of new life appearing to the world. Oh yes, I have been privileged to observe the appearance of human babies on 3 occasions, but with an almost tear in my eye, never my own.

New life in the form of animal and human births present like the beauty of a new day, a sunrise, a new start, a new journey. Maybe that lies at the heart of my passion for the birthing process. Beautiful expectations for all the untapped possibilities, dreams and discoveries of potential capabilities envelope new life. I often felt a bit of anxiety and fear as well. Knowing the importance of timing for everything to go right leaves me feeling I witnessed a miracle. New life amazes me for all the development that occurs out of sight with a mothers womb. Aside from a larger abdomen and some rapid belly movements there is no outside indication of the inside growth and development. I think God works in our lives that way from the inside out. He speaks to our hearts and helps us make these little changes that over time appear in big ways. I suppose, truthfully this process might lead us the other direction if we are giving an ear to the devil. Makes a pretty strong argument for the importance of learning to know the voice of Lord.

On a complete side note: As I was writing this last paragraph I heard the distinct chirp of a baby chick from the incubator. No visible pips yet, but there is a definite chirp coming from across the room…New life! My heart leapt and I felt compelled to put the computer down to have a look. I could not find a single pip, perhaps it is out of sight or not quite through the shell. Fitting for the current topic!

Spring represents new life. Flowers, and plants begin pushing new growth up through the soil. Trees grow new leaves. Spring commonly presents the time frame for animal births too. While I have been present for the birth of several different species, I am going to speak to the three most common in my life: goats, horses, and chickens. This post is the first in a short series of 4 where I will be sharing a few stories of my animal birthing experiences.

To be honest, there are a few times the stories sadly ended in the loss of life. In those hard moments, I have questioned if I ever wanted to be present for another birth. The truth is, the good out weighs the bad for me. I would not trade the moments of joy just to avoid the painful ones.

Have you ever experienced the birth of an animal? If so please leave a comment telling about it. Would you like to see a chick emerging from its shell? Use the form below to receive a free video of a chick hatching.

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March 16, 2018March 17, 2018

Book Review: Extraordinary Influence

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Extraordinary Influence speaks to a belief I have carried since childhood concerning the importance of leaders using affirmation instead of constructive criticism while still addressing the need for changes and improvements. To be honest, seeing the need did not automatically give me the skills to conduct myself in such a manner. This book provides the info to learn those skills. It also addresses the fact that not every individual possesses a healthy enough core to thrive and grow in an affirming environment.

I like the way Dr. Tim Irwin broke down the ways to affirm and speak words of life to those around us. While most info is directed for corporate setting, the ideas and principles apply to coaches, teachers, parents and anyone who is in a position of leadership. The some of the examples he shared left me saying, “I want to work for a company like that “and “who doesn’t want to work for that kind of company”. One doesn’t have to look far in my home town and state to hear of the difficulty of companies to keep employees. Of course not every job is for everyone. Dr. Irwin address the need to move a person on if they are not a good fit for a job, but to do it in a way that allows for growth of the individual.

He addresses that a job is not rehab and agrees tough decisions need to be made for the overall good of production, and the work place atmosphere. This book does not advocate everything is always easy and good, affirm all. How the need to let an employee move on is handled depends on the individual’s ability and strength of their core.

On a personal note here are a few of my thoughts I jotted down after reading on this particular subject. The subject matter led me to evaluate myself on the topic of why disruptive employees are not removed.

I feel fear in the confrontation of a problem person. I feel a big dose of pity for whomever or whatever when I think about giving up on someone or something. It feels like failure. Perhaps I am taking on a responsibility that isn’t mine. Each one of us are responsible for our own behavior. Perhaps in letting someone go, it may even provide the motivation and/or realization they need to change. ~ M. Graber

I like a book that promotes a deeper, new line of personal thought. Extraordinary Influence did this for me on more than one occasion. I was, what we would today call, bullied in elementary school. When reading the part of Extraordinary Influence on parenting, I traveled back in my childhood memories and felt all the emotions of that time. I recall some of the girls chasing me down and digging me with their nails. The only memory I have of why they might not have liked me was the time I informed them they were doing something out of line and what was going to happen to them if they continued. Their dislike of me continued for a few years and then I switched schools. I can still feel the feeling of shame, hurt, and desire to hide, to be small. I became like a turtle, pulled my head back in my shell and only shared my truest of feelings and thoughts when and with who I felt the safest. Needless to say, even some who I thought I felt safe with over the years continued to result in experiencing those same feelings again and again. I have continued to live small in many ways. I find I have a desire to challenge myself and shift my perspective on these types of encounters.

This book challenged me in several ways. I can not lead with affirmation if my core struggles so when thinking of how to put some of this material to use, I was required to look deeper into my self. A couple are listed above and go beyond the subject matter. I mentioned at the beginning of this post that while I seen a need for affirming leaders, I often found myself at a loss, wondering how to motivate others in a positive, affirming way. It is way too easy to revert to the examples we have seen around us and how others have spoken to us. Dr Irwin shares specific areas to look at for ways to affirm others. This book is filled with real life examples, asks thought-provoking questions, provides guided steps to make affirmation a practice and is backed by scientific brain research.

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I can not lead with affirmation if my core is compromised. When thinking of how to put some of this material to use, I was challenged to look deeper into my self.

One chapter speaks into the importance and the how to of leaders investing into the lives of those with leadership potential, while another talks on leading teams.

Given the importance and live changing info of this book I am going to have to say it is becoming one of my favorites!

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March 8, 2018March 8, 2018

Planting Seeds Indoors

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I found a neat planting calendar on The Old Farmers Almanac, www.Almanac.com to enter ones location and view the suggested times lines for planting various garden vegetables. Here I discovered that tomatoes, onions, lettuce and peppers need to be started the first to the middle of March (if starting indoors). Actually, onions could be started as early as the first of February, but here we are, the first part of March already. The first of March it will be when I start my onions.

Indoors or Outdoors?

Why start seeds indoors? I would like to give my garden vegetables a head start for the growing season. Our season here in northern Indiana is long enough to produce vegetables with out starting them indoors. Plants started indoors will be available for harvest sooner then seeds started outdoors. If I choose to start seeds both inside and out, I will have a longer time for harvesting and eating fresh from the garden. I like this line of thinking!

The Dirt

Take a walk with me out to the manure pile and previous manure pile location.

I am about ready to start a new pile, but want to use some of the dirt generated from the old pile before I do. The process of composting both animal and plant waste products produces wonderful rich soil from which to grow vegetables.

I am going to bring soil inside in a 5 gallon bucket to use for starting my seeds. Now one can purchase potting soil and do the same thing. I am all about using what I have available and for me compost is free. If you do not personally have the option of composting, sometimes a farm will allow you to get compost from their manure pile. A word of caution here, if wanting to keep everything organic, it would be important to know if drugs and/or antibiotics where used on the animals who produced the manure. I know I use a limited amount and so my compost is as close to organic as I can get it. I am ok with that for the time being.

Planting Seeds

Now is the time to place some of the soil into small containers. I have saved some of the pictured egg cartons to act as a green house for starting seeds. They trap the moisture, but once a seed is sprouted the lid needs to be opened. I have found they do best if transferred into a bigger container soon after sprouting.

After watering to make the soil moist, seeds may be planted shallowly. In this example I am planting onion seeds. I used my finger to hollow out a small spot in the soil to drop the onion seed into. After placing the tiny seed, I gently covered the seed with soil.

Now aside from keeping the soil moist and warm enough for the seeds to sprout, there is not much to do, but wait for the tiny little green sprouts of a new plant to poke its way up through the soil. These are due to sprout in 10 to 15 days so I added it to my schedule to check them on March 15(10 days) and March 20(15 days). Check back on A Country Girl’s Heart ~ Beats that Matter FB page for updates those days on the onion seeds progress.

This project has cost me nothing aside from the cost of the seed and a bit of rather easy work. I am always looking for ways to repurpose items like manure piles and egg cartons. What items to do have around your house that would allow you to start seeds with little to no cost to you?

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