LET ME COUNT THE WAYS

In an attempt to make leaving this place a little bit easier, I have been keeping a list of things I will not miss once I am gone.

#1.

First and foremost, the smell of the farmers spreading liquid cow manure on the fields.

#2

Fir needles everywhere in the house and store.

#3

Mold

#4

Digging trenches around the cement slabs to prevent the store and garage from flooding.

#5

The isolation and loneliness

#6

Mold

#7

Mud

#8

Weeds

#9

Did I happen to mention Mold? And mold.

Speaking of mold, I was reading an article in FIRST magazine the other night about allergies to common mold. Now was that timely, or what? They recommmend a Symptom stopper of Butterbur Extract. Well, you'd better believe I marched into the local health food store and told them I was looking for Butter Butt. Ooops. Well, they got a good laugh. The bottle says it is for Neurological Support. That makes sense to me because my brain feels like it is going to explode. I sure hope this works. The second thing they recommend is to have an English Ivy in your home. The Ivy actually acts as a filter. I found a very nice Ivy topiary to put in my living room.

#10

Getting up in the middle of the night to chase off coyotes. Since the alpacas are gone, I don't worry so much, but the gates are also gone, and the coyotes end up in my back yard. I'm so fierce wearing a barn jacket over . . .well, whatever, my muckboots, and my headlamp, carrying a pitchfork. Those darn coyotes are so smart, they have cleared out and are far gone as soon as I turn on the first light.

#11

Northeasters.

I am finding I need this list to make leaving easier. I am going to miss my dear friends and community so much, it is unspeakable. I cry alot.

But I am so happy and excited to be moving on and pursuing my new goals.

This blog is going to change quite a bit, and I plan to keep you all informed on my progress.