Saturday, September 14, 2013

10 Things of Thankful, #15

Let's just get right to it.  It's been quite a morning.

1.  I am thankful neither my person nor my property was destroyed by cows.   It is never a dull moment around here, I tell you.  This morning, after a nice, relaxed wake-up, I got out of bed and heard the dogs barking like mad.  I looked out the window and saw someone walking through the pig pen.  I ran downstairs, called to COW, and took off outside.  It wasn't a someone.  It was a cow.  Two cows, actually, looking at me from the barn. 
Hubby drove off in the car to get our neighbors (the owners of the cows), while I stayed to keep an eye on the cows.  Like there was anything I could do.  I got a little nervous when they came within a couple of feet from me, seeing as how I've never touched a cow that wasn't securely tethered and with it's owner.  While doing some sort of cow-whisperer thing (you know, "Hi, Cow, so good to meet you.  You are a nice cow who isn't going to charge me or run through a barn wall or anything, right?  Have you met the pigs?" etc, etc.) I mentally got my emergency preparedness act together and came up with an exit strategy.
Of course, despite the banging on the door, our neighbors never got up to answer.  Hubby left a note on the door, and we put up an extra gate to keep them in our back field.  It was all pretty anti-climactic.  Of course, I wasn't there to see the neighbors corral the cows.  That may have been interesting.  We had to leave for Turken's soccer game.

Yes, I took pictures.  I had my phone with me in case I needed to call 911. 

They came closer, (By the blur, it seems my hands were shaking a bit.)
and closer still.  They are going to be needing one good brushing.  Both were covered in burs.


2.  I am thankful we weren't late for Turken's soccer game.  We had gotten out of bed with a little bit of time to spare, but no enough to take care of a cow emergency.  The kids weren't even up when we ran outside.  We had to RUSH to get ready, and even took two cars in order to get Turken (and his coach, COW) to the field before game time.

3.  I am thankful for Turken's attitude on the soccer field.  With four older siblings who play, Turken has a much better handle on the game than other kids his age.  He knows the rules, he knows how to pass, he knows not to clump around the ball.  I was worried about how he'd do when game time came and the other kids didn't play the "right" way.  I needn't worry.  He is having a great time and hasn't once complained.  I think he was most excited, because he finally got to be the one on the field while his siblings stood by and cheered for him.  He had the biggest (and loudest) cheering section by far.

Even when his own teammates try to take the ball (or kick him.  Can't really tell.) from him, he just goes with it.

GOAL!  See the ball in the back of the net?

4.  I am thankful for cooler temperatures.  I'm pretty sure Mother Nature is in the throes of menopause.  We had some lovely weather, then for several days this week Miss Nature had one serious hot flash, sending us into a heat wave so hot practices and games of all kinds were being cancelled.  We were flirting with record temperatures set back in 1897.  Then the rain came, bringing much cooler temperatures.   And by "much cooler" I mean a drop of 30 degrees in 2 days.

5.  I am thankful I was not alive in the heat wave of 1897.    I can't imagine living through those temperatures without air conditioning while wearing long dresses with long sleeves.  Have mercy, those poor people had to be miserable!

6.  I am thankful for rain.  We've had very little in the last couple of months.



7.  I am thankful for Snickerdoodles.  They really are the best kind of cookie.  (post with recipe to come later this week)



8.  I am thankful for some downtime to play games with the kids.  We have a pretty light weekend, so in between cleaning things, we get to play some games and just enjoy each other's company.

Pay no attention to their bored expressions.  We really are enjoying each other's company. 

9.  I am thankful for all those silent friends and family who read this blog.  I know they are out there.  Every once in a while I get word that someone reads every post.  Every once in a while they will tell me themselves.  It seems one of COW's aunts heard about it recently, as I got a FB message saying how she was thoroughly enjoying going through all the posts.  I am very uncomfortable talking about the blog with people, but I want them to know I appreciate their support.

10.  Lastly, I am thankful for Giant.  He turned 11 on September 11th.  There were a few really (no, I mean REALLY) tough years for him, where we were both lucky to make it through each day.  But that same "spiritedness" that kept my stomach in knots every day has finally turned into something good.  He is a hard-working, compassionate, kind, bright boy I am so blessed to have.

(If you have a "spirited" child who you are afraid to take out of the house, wondering what sort of horrendous fit he is going to throw or what "walk of shame" you are going to have to survive, read this.  It will give you loads of hope.)

What happy things would you like to share this week?

Have a lovely day!

Ten Things of Thankful


 Your hosts

61 comments:

  1. ok this is a two part Comment.

    I stopped reading when I got to photo Number 5!!! and I will *not* continue until you provide a reasonable explanation for the white cat sitting in the goal-thingie.

    are you just messin with our collective heads or what!?


    (right there! on the ground towards the back of the goal... staring right at you!... )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! It does look like a cat! It's a sand bag, holding the net down. We are nothing but kind to animals. :)

      Delete
  2. I had to look at picture #5 after Clark's comment as I thought, 'hang on, I just looked at that and didn't see a cat!' Then I saw it - a white gym bag, I reckon, but, boy, it sure does look like a white cat just relaxing and watching the game! :)

    As usual, your list of thankfuls are so heartening, and I loved the Cow saga! Having been the recipient of wandering cows myself, I know just how nervous a person can get with animals not their own - and I'm glad your property came off scott free :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does look like a cat, doesn't it! I had to go back and look after he mentioned it, too.

      You've dealt with wandering cows, too?

      Delete
  3. Oh Lordy, how well I can commiserate with the visiting cows problem. My ex-father-in-law's cows were constantly excaping their confines and showing up at our house. One even took a bite out of our satellite dish... try explaining that to the DirecTV people! :-) You have to read my story about one such escapade, it's guaranteed to make you laugh! http://www.josie2shoes.com/2009/10/bump-in-night.html

    How awesome for Turken to come with his own cheering committee and make you all proud, I never cease to be amazed at how well kids do when it's their turn to shine! The same goes for Giant, it's the "challenge children" that we will end up being the most proud of, and amazed that we didn't kill them before! :-) Wishing you a great week ahead, looking very much forward to your Monday guest post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will most certainly be reading that post!

      I have often said God gave me the easy-going Turken as a thank you for allowing Giant to live. :)

      Delete
  4. Waking up to cows, awesome.. Awesome after nothing happened to your family or property. Something you'll remember I bet. Glad you have cooler weather again, I know, those heat waves suck! The soccer game looks like so much fun.. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Christine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I was glad no damage was done, but it was nice to have a little chat with a cow first thing in the morning. :)

      Hope you are enjoying yours as well.

      Delete
  5. ok... thank you for that reality re-configuring... (who are you calling 'such a clark'?...lol)
    but then again, perspective is the Wakefield Doctrine middle name!*

    there are part of the fall that I enjoy, but the unavoidable connection to the winter takes much of the fun out of it... the 'lighting effects' during this time of year is enjoyable... very blue skies and that very un-mistakable late afternoon light. not bad.

    the cows! are you not a scott! lol "I looked out the window and saw someone walking through the pig pen. I ran downstairs, called to COW, and took off outside..."
    I will bet a trillion dollars that the subtitles** would go something like: "as she runs down the stairs she locates all of the children in the house (in her head to her satisfaction before going outside... not quite running, but truly not *sauntering* she positions herself between the large animals and the house... she advances looking (without thinking consciously, if there are any...*implements* handy or available)... she listens more to the house behind her than to the driveway where the car will return from"
    would have been fun to watch

    Fun Post... even with the secret goal post cat



    * yes, a demonstrable false statement.
    ** really, wouldn't it be cool if, at our choosing would could have subtitles as we went through various life experiences?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As for the cooler temps, I am not usually a fan of fall, either. I hate winter very, very much, and fall only leads to it. However, 98 degrees and humid wasn't exactly fun.

      Well, if I had a trillion dollars, you'd have it right now. That is very similar to what really went through my head. I actually looked around, thinking, "Where is the closest rope so I can get a hold of one of these guys?"
      Subtitles would be so helpful. And hilarious.

      Delete
  6. Cows are intimidating by the sheer size of them but I have never been charged in all the years skip has spent chasing them in the fields... well he did go after the bull once which was a close call. Mostly they just walk around and look at him like he is an annoyance, which I am sure he is. I loved your secondary link to the pancake breakfast post! My boy used to be a real trial but then he would do something sweet like this and turn the tables... He is 24 now and I have been sent to tell you it only keeps getting better! Yours has already begun... there were other trials for us but nothing any more unusual than others were dealing with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was pretty sure I would be fine, but you never know with animals out of their home element.
      My husband's great-grandpa was killed when he was drug by his own cow through the field. That is always in the back of my head.

      I'm glad to hear it gets better and better. Just this morning he showed some of his old self, and I cringed. We'll get on through and be better for it, I'm sure.

      Delete
    2. Isn't it interesting how stories from our ancestor's lives influence our own behavior? My aunt was killed when she was just a young child, when a piano fell on her. Whenever I move a piano, I think of that incident.

      Delete
    3. And you just recently moved a piano! Makes that story, of moving it over the step, even better. As is the fact that you had your husband do most of the work. :)

      Delete
  7. Glad the cows were herded without incident! I once ended up doing work experience on a dairy farm as a 14 y/o kid, and it was the most fun! Cows in a group are easier though, as I recall, than one or two renegades.

    Turken's game looks like such great fun! Was the goal his? Looks like a powerful shot, anyway!

    Is that UNO? Awesome game (when anyone will play me - I tend to hide the cards I don't like...)

    So glad that Giant had an awesome birthday and is well on his way to being an absolutely smashing young man :)

    Have a lovely Sunday :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You and me both. :)

      It was his goal. Very exciting for a five year old.

      It is uno. You cheat? Still? Oh, Lizzi... Our deck actually doesn't have the wild cards. One of the little boys took them out when he was playing by himself, and we have yet to find them, months later.

      He will be a great guy when he is older.

      Hope you are having a great time with your Irish friends.

      Delete
    2. WOW! He has some skillz! What a star :)

      I cheat. I cheat at lots of things. Especially when I'm losing. I hate losing, but I do it in an adorkable way so everyone forgives me ;) (to be fair, I'm usually pretty upfront about cheating, whether at Uno or netball or...well, anything really)

      The weekend has been sublime :) A million miles from last weekend. Thanks :)

      Delete
  8. You never cease to amaze me. Sometimes I think you live on a farm simply to make sure you have TEH BEST posts out there. It's totally unfair the fodder to which you have access. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! While the thought, "What in the world would I write about if we moved?" has crossed my mind, I can't say it is unfair fodder. Good heavens, I have to WORK for this material! :)

      Delete
  9. So happy you weren't late for the soccer game and couldn't even imagine finding cows like that (mainly because I am a city girl through and through). Also, we too had almost a hundred degree temperatures in the middle of this week and now we are 30 degrees cooler. Crazy weather for sure. Hoping that the rest of your weekend is great and thanks as always for co-hosting!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I used to be a city girl. You never know, Janine... :)

      It is some crazy weather. I'm sitting here in long pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and a jacket. Five days ago, I had swamp butt I was so hot. Craziness for sure.

      Delete
  10. snickerdoodles ~ YUCK
    and the cows were funny!!!
    great that the tough years are looking to be behind you I wish I could say the same about our house right now...
    enjoy your cooler weather and the relaxed weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ack! You've never had a GOOD snickerdoodle, then.

      Glad you liked it.

      :) I'm sure our tough years aren't over. I will have four kids in high school at the same time one day soon...

      You, too!

      Delete
  11. I have some 'silent readers', too. It can be a little spooky but, for the most part it's all good. =)
    Glad the cows returned home with no damage to your property!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is quite bizarre to think about all the people that know so much about me, when I don't know anything about them.

      Me, too!

      Delete
  12. 1. It's a good thing you didn't get cow and COW confused.

    3. This is his first year to play, isn't it? He looks like a pro!

    4. YOU MAKING FUN OF HOT FLASHES?! Come over HERE and say that....

    5. Me, too.

    6. Me, too.

    7. I like snickerdoodle dough. The finished cookie? Meh.

    9. I am often surprised by my facebook friends who read my blog. I post it there, and I have a handful of friends who read it and either post a fb comment or "like" it. But the joy comes from those silent ones who mention they read it when you had NO IDEA they did.

    10. Aren't you glad now that you didn't sell him to the gypsies?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1. Ha! I was thinking that, too! I also wondered how many people thought he was named after them.
      3. It is his first year to play on a team. He's been playing since the day he could walk, though.
      4. :) Not making fun of hot flashes at all. Just a fact of life. Unfortunately.
      7. I don't understand that AT ALL. Ew.
      9. I don't even post updates on my personal FB page. I don't know how people find out about it half the time.
      10. I am.

      Delete
  13. I can't help giggling every time I hear the word snickerdoodle. I just can't help it! It sounds like something Mr Bean would call his you-know-what!

    ReplyDelete
  14. A superb thankful list, Christine and those snickerdoodles look absolutely delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Snickerdoodles - Yum!

    I love cows, but there's always been a fence separating them from me. Don't know how I'd feel if I were just standing next to them in a field.

    Life is always interesting at your house!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the fence was a lovely invention when it comes to large animals. :)

      Delete
  16. I love these posts. Perhaps I'll join you when our boating lessens. We are always gone during the weekends when the weather is good.

    I love how you are so thankful.

    Have a terrific day. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes! Join us! How about we trade? I'll take your boat one weekend and you can take my thankful post. The boys and I were just talking about how we haven't been on a boat in a long time.

      Delete
  17. Love the photo of your boys playing cards, so full of concentration! And I love your perspective on Giant - had to go and read that post too. What a great way to help your son to thrive. You are clearly a very loving and thoughtful mother.

    Oh,and by the way, I grew up around cows and they are not scary - just big softies really. I used to got to the barn and chat to them for hours when I was young. So next time they come visiting, just have a chat with them the same way you did with Giant, and you'll be fine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is fun to watch them when we play games. You can see the wheels turning, trying to figure out the best strategy.

      Thank you.

      I will keep this advice in mind. Thank you. But I'm still going to hope the cows don't get out again. :)

      Delete
  18. Years ago, we lived in a very small town. The day after we moved there, the kids came running up to me yelling, "Mom! There's a cow walking down the road!" When I related the story to one of the neighbors later that day, she asked, "Did you keep it out of my flowers?" I knew then that I was not living in a city anymore!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! That's hilarious! Was it the one cow everyone knew or were all cows let loose?

      Delete
  19. Is it wrong that I'm totally cracking up at "Hi cow, so nice to meet you?" Because HA. My husband's father raises cows and while I love that we can go there and that Tucker can do all the Mooing he wants, they freak me out a little bit too. I mean, they're HUGE. And ahhh to snikerdoodles. I can almost smell them from your photo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not wrong at all. :)

      They are huge. Pigs are a fraction of their size and practically knock me on my butt every morning. Cows could really do me some damage if they got a mind to!

      I wish I had a scratch and sniff screen for you.

      Delete
  20. Happy birthday to Giant. My KR turns 11 in October. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You must have gotten the same weather system that came through here (you may remember me griping about the *HOT*) and then this week, we finally got rain and now we have the *COOL*-- I it.is.HEAVENLY. ahhhhh.... (I love the menopause analogy--perfect!)

    Cows ... they make me very nervous. I didn't grow up on a farm, but worked a little on one. I've talked to people who say cats make them nervous because they just 'can't figure them out' or 'don't know what they're thinking.' Cats, no. Dogs, definitely no. But, cows...I just can't figure them out and they are so huge and... yeah. I even had a scary dream about them--I was probably 15 or 16 years old--and I can still remember that dream to this day! So this story made me laugh--especially the blurry picture. Great stuff!

    Lovely, lovely list! Happy Birthday to Giant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember well. :) I was kinda proud of that. Finally someone mentioned it! :)

      I used to be completely wigged out by cats. My best friend when I was young had one, and I made her keep the bedroom door closed when I spent the night so the cat couldn't get in. The way they hide under furniture, then scratch at your heels when you sit down scares the tar out of me.

      A nightmare about cows?? Ha!

      Thank you!

      Delete
  23. I forgot to say in the TToT 13 how I liked the quote a lot, and then reminded myself to do so in my TToT 14 comment, but again forgot and actually seeing one absent from this post reminded me right away. What's the dealio, yo?!

    ACK! I see! Pandemonium in Pigwrangloria!* I'm sure something is bound to happen in the near future, as it always seems to ;-)

    Is it safe to say you almost died of Mad Cow (Dis)Ease?**

    As it is, I'm really glad no one, nor your property, was damaged (at least physically) and you were able to make Turken's soccer game. Looks like he had a blast! I have habit of reading some comments before reading an entry (I've no idea why really...) and it sounds like Clark is ready for the retirement home... Cats?!

    Totally forgot to be thankful for a TON of rainfall Saturday evening! No thunder and lightning, though, was there any out there? It was just a ton of rain. Seems like many have been hit with a crazy rainless heatwave. I definitely don't do well in the heat. I noticed you said you aren't much for Fall but I love it!

    So many pictures in this entry!

    I'm a pretty big fan of snickerdoodles. My grandmother makes them every year for the holidays, but am uncertain she will this year. This made me think of requesting you mail me some cookies, which also reminded me I forgot to ask you to send some of the abundance of tomatoes mentioned a while back too...

    I find the silent readers of my blog kind of creepy, but yet also heartwarming. It's great to find out more people than those you continually interact with are reading even if not commenting***. There may be more than you even know...

    Happy Golden Birthday to Giant! Did you guys get extra crazy given it was his Golden?

    *Feel free to use that as a post title sometime****
    **Get it?!?!
    ***Not that it becomes stagnant...
    ****You're welcome

    Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of Ink

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! Hours after I published the post I realized I hadn't put a quote. I was a touch annoyed with myself. Oh well. Maybe next week I'll have my head on straight.

      Since the pigs will be heading to the butcher next week, no doubt there will be pigwrangloria. Thanks for my post title. :)

      Ha!

      I read other comments from commenters, too. Especially from those I know. If I don't, I may miss it when someone makes a disparaging remark about me. *ahem* Don't think I didn't see the ones you wrote.

      And are you saying there are too many photos?? Or "I love to see photos in posts. Thanks for putting so many in." ??? :)

      The cookies would travel better than the tomatoes. Perhaps. Or, how about you and your grandma make them together on Monday?

      Delete
  24. We had the same weather here - crazy! And I am thankful for snickerdoodles too, because I don't care for them. I can bake them and not be tempted to eat them all. Chocolate chip is another story...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm pretty sure I am tempted by any and all cookies. :)

      Delete
  25. I am thankful you are going to post that snickerdoodle recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow! Cows and menopausal Mother Nature?? Never a dull moment! Haha! The cow pics were awesome,by the way. Snickerdoodles are awesome, too!

    I was reading your comment about the silent readers...I have those too. They troll around never commenting but then I'll see someone, say, at Christmas, and they will say something about something I posted. And then it will feel all weird. I totally get what you are saying about uncomfortableness talking about the blog. I don't know why...I don't keep it a secret, but I guess I don't talk about it a lot either. Hmm.

    Anyway...post that snickerdoodle recipe girl! Inquiring minds wanna know!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never, ever dull around here, that is for sure.
      Glad you liked them. :)

      Yes!! Those random comments at Christmas are so awkward! Thanks to Mrs. Always Random, there are some soccer friends who now read this. I get all antsy and flustered when they talk about it. :)

      I'm hoping to get it up Tuesday afternoon.

      Delete
  27. Loved the cow story--but what a way to start your day. Also enjoyed the menopausal Mother Nature. Since I'm in the throes of menopause, I can relate, relate, relate. And your snicker doodle photo made me want to go and make some, but I have to wait for your recipe. Happy to find you this week. (Thanks for stopping by my blog and reading). P.S. Your kids are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah, the cows pretty much ruined that relaxed morning I had going on. :)

      Sorry you can relate, but glad you enjoyed the comparison. :)

      Tuesday afternoon I should have some time to get the recipe post up.

      Thank you! I find them to be quite cute, too.

      Delete
  28. The cows got in our yard once... it was bound to happen. We live next to a cattle ranch, after all. The funny thing was that when it happened we were gone until that night, and then it snowed overnight. The next morning the neighbor came to ask if there was any damage, and we told him we didn't even know they had been in our yard! THEN the snow melted. Cow pies and deep ruts where their hooves sunk in the mud were everywhere. But thankfully, no real damage. After a few weeks the cow pies disappeared and the ruts filled in. Ha!

    PS - Those snickerdoodles look soooo good!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! That's funny. Surprising that it only happened once! We've had cows in our yard at least 4 times.

      Those snickerdoodles were soooo good. :)

      Delete
  29. I don't think I've ever been that close to cows that weren't fenced in at least. lol. Good photos. 11. Happy belated Birthday. My oldest turned 11 in July. Soccer looks fun. It seems this entire summer was filled with rain and floods. I would have gladly sent some your way. :) Mother Nature has been a bit moody in this area also. Very nice post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are massive animals, but I think they're kinda cute.
      Happy belated to your 11 year old!
      I'm ok with no rain for a while at least. Certainly cuts down the number of hours I have to spend on a mower.

      Delete
  30. That is GREAT stuff, but especially the last--having your child become greater than you could imagine! What a blessing.
    My Boy Scout has never brought me flowers..what's up with that?

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to tell me what you're thinking!