2020

Grandpa Paul wanted to own a pony to have a perfect farm to share. Of course, the kids would love to ride him, and he shouldn’t be too big. He should be gentle so even a child could lead him. He should be able to take apples and carrots from the grandkid’s hands, and he should not bite their fingers.

Compliance is an interesting word implying a conflict of wills. In the DRC the motivation for those demanding payment, when non-compliance was discovered, was Nouveau Zaires. Who pays the COVID Compliance officers in this country and sets the fines? Is enforcement of compliance motivated by protecting people?

Making early hay is always a challenge, but it is more difficult when the bale launcher shears a pin, the knotter fails and rain is threatening. Dropping the heavy bales on the ground to hand load into the wagon might work for young men, but it had to be done. The horse watched our efforts. I decided I had made enough hay.

Life on the farm can be idealized, especially by a visiting sister who loves to tell stories. The old retired farmer was finding it harder and harder to keep his equipment running to make hay for his young beautiful horse. Zack had no idea grandpa was retired. He simply lived with no work and no responsibilities. He expected someone else to care for him.

My young horse didn’t really get old but the joy of owning him faded. He refused to submit to any authority, not even the one who worked with him until he gave the signal of submission. I read the book, Horses for Dummies, but had to conclude that I was the dummy and the horse had his way, not interested in doing anything for me.

When I bought my horse from a woman who rescues unwanted horses, it could be called bait and switch. I signed an agreement with the seller that made me wonder if he really did belong to me. Zack turned out to belong to no one except himself, and didn’t fulfil my expectations, but he did willingly follow a little one who loved him.

One learns a lot about life in the effort to care for a variety of animals on a small farm. The income from the farm is unlikely to cover the expenses but life in the country and meeting the daily challenges bring real value to living life in harmony with God’s creation. Life and death are part of the daily experience.

Kittens grow into cats that reproduce exponentially and then what can be done? Some grow into the perfect pampered pet, others may be a pain. How does one get rid of an unwanted pet? The value of animal life has been so elevated that their care is of more concern than what happens to unborn babies. A loved pet finds her way to a new home.

The grandkids love to come to the farm, especially to grandma’s big kitchen. My desire to have the perfect horse didn’t work out as I had planned. Of course the grandchildren expected to have grandpa give them rides on his horse. Zack was a beautiful horse, but had ideas of his own as to why he existed and who could tell him what to do.

Doesn’t a real farmer have to make a living from the animals he cares for? Great-grandpa Lawrence said, “Around here it is produce… or else.” A farmer builds a relationship with the creatures he works with every day to the point where they could be called pets on his Hobby Farm. He searches for the one that is lost.