Preparing for a Move
As the winter rain comes tumbling down here in southern Ohio, I walked the nearby river reflecting on the last week. We spent our time writing, planning and disrupting. Writing our school primer for next years students, planning our planting cycle for next spring and disrupting Gus the donkey’s pasture to prepare for some horses moving in next week. Overall, the work is going well.
The walk also reminded me of an axiom from my enlisted service, “If it at raining we ain’t training”. This call for soldiers to stop whining and get to work regardless of the weather came to mind during dozens of farm visits. During these visits I helped to wrestle sheep in the rain and snow, cut timber in the cold and ice, and carry hay to horses as your feet bust through the thin frozen ground into giant muddy messes. Doing this should suck, but oddly it didn’t. As the Axiom implies you will get more out of it if the conditions are worse. Now I am not saying I loved it, but between my soldier experience and my upbringing in the sometimes frozen wasteland of Montana I do find enjoyment in the work. I enjoy being useful and accomplishing things especially in bad weather. That and the satisfaction you find once the job is done sitting next to the fire or drinking a warm cup of something have been glorious.
Just as I found Gus’s response to the disruption we made in his pasture, I found it gloriously hilarious. You would understand if you met him. May you continue to get the most out of training in the rain or snow or sleet or whatever this winter. Deven Little