The Ambivalent Shepherd

[Blue Sky]

A journal of sorts. Disclaimer: current content affected by a heat index of 104.
It occurred to me as I wiped sweat out of my eyes that I could see myself doing something else. Perhaps relaxing by a pool with a frosty drink. Instead I was clawing through old forest undergrowth (is that poison ivy?) about a minute behind an awol LGD. I could see glimpses of his smiling face, looking back at me. Baahstard. An hour later, dog secured and room temperature Powerade at hand (drinking a cold beverage would have caused me to explode) I surveyed the damage. Bites, scratches and scrapes. No ticks and only a couple of things to keep an eye on. Barbed wire gash, puncture from a honey locust tree spine (damn those hurt). More later.

 

[Baymule]

Hey, no broken bones, so it’s all good. Plus no heat stroke, just dang nigh to one. And you caught the dog! Bonus points!!

 

[Blue Sky]

“The Lifestyle” as a family member puts it somewhat disparagingly, is easier today with the arrival of a cool front and a little rain. Livestock is heathy and where they’re supposed to be. I have a salt block to move otherwise no extra curricular chores this morning. Yay. Things like salt blocks were no big deal where I started keeping sheep. Twenty odd years later I’m crowding 70 and more thoughtful about heavy objects and hikes through the woods. Ah aging.

 

[Mini Horses]

Aging -- I tell myself when I can no longer do it, I'll stop. Then, I search for ways to accomplish chores anyway. Always the excuse that the work keeps me healthy -- a valid excuse as it does just that. The more I do, the better I feel, most days.

 

[SageHill]

Ditto what @Mini Horses said.
Keep on keepin' on keeps us all healthy - and when the muscle power is lacking we use the brainpower to work it another way.
Keeping the journals is a good way to remember things, I've gone back and double checked dates of when lambs were born.

 

[Baymule]

Dear family member,
I don’t care that my lifestyle does not meet your standards and approval.
I would not live your lifestyle for all the tea in China.
I’m happy. Maybe you are, maybe not. I don’t care.
With your better than you nose stuck up in the air, do not go outside in a rainstorm. You will drown. Gee, I won’t miss you.
I get plenty of exercise.
Do you?
In the future, please refrain from voicing your opinion. Opinions are like ar$$ holes, everyone has one and they all stink.
Why do you disparage my lifestyle when I am not judgemental of yours.
You are welcome to come go fishing in the pond anytime. A family of alligators will be delighted to see you.
Sincerely,
The Ambivalent Shepherd

 

[Blue Sky]

Update. Vladinia was dealing with one her all stars when he turned on FaceTime. Fortunately I was not looking into the screen and hung up immediately. He called back and reactivated it twice. So That’s a thing. I deleted the FT app, never use it anyway but looks like my phone is hacked. I intentionally left the Apple set up incomplete but that apparently didn’t matter. A bit of tape has taken care of the camera and I’m changing passwords which needed doing anyway. I’m amused that I irritated Potty mouth enough to hack me and try to show me his pride and joy but it’s a cautionary tale about phone security which I believe is non existent. I firmly believe our devices can listen and record clandestinely. To what end who knows?

 

[Baymule]

I just don’t answer unknown numbers.

 

[Blue Sky]

Dear family member,
I don’t care that my lifestyle does not meet your standards and approval.
I would not live your lifestyle for all the tea in China.
I’m happy. Maybe you are, maybe not. I don’t care.
With your better than you nose stuck up in the air, do not go outside in a rainstorm. You will drown. Gee, I won’t miss you.
I get plenty of exercise.
Do you?
In the future, please refrain from voicing your opinion. Opinions are like ar$$ holes, everyone has one and they all stink.
Why do you disparage my lifestyle when I am not judgemental of yours.
You are welcome to come go fishing in the pond anytime. A family of alligators will be delighted to see you.
Sincerely,
The Ambivalent Shepherd

At one time I took some heat from family about my choices. They’ve since decided I’m touched in the head. We’re all on better terms these days which amounts to a phone call every 60 days or so, happy birthday and Merry Christmas.

 

[Blue Sky]

I just don’t answer unknown numbers.

A good idea. Vladinia gets a lot less mileage these days. I generally answer unknowns and say nothing till the call terminates. This can convince some robo dialers that the number is void. Occasionally I feel ornery and Vladinia answers. I’m on the do not call list (a joke) but I still average about a dozen calls a day with local numbers as id. I’ve had as many as 80 in a six hour period.