Thomas Allen's Blog, page 5

Loveliness

There are those who have come into my life through the years who qualify for the word loveliness. I’m not talking about physical beauty, although some could be eligible. But I’m talking about a quality of character that their lives radiate—gracious, unassuming, honest, self-sacrificing, joyous, and more. They may never be well known outside of their community, but I am confident they put their signature, which will extend throughout eternity, on the lives of many people.

Soaring

It is not unusual on the ranch to see a small bird called a Scissor-tail. They are light grey, with beautiful salmon pink under their long scissor wings that displays when they are flying. In the spring while I am shredding (mowing) the pastures, the tractor stirs up a tasty meal for them and several usually appear. They put on a beautiful show, diving and dancing in the sky above the field while I shred. It’s a lovely sight which I look forward to every spring.

Valuable Things in Life

I have never heard anyone say commitment doesn’t matter. After all, isn’t that what marriage vows are about? But, it seems today no one accepts the meaning of the word—promise, pledge, vow, obligation. You see, the problem is that things change and people change. There can be no commitment unless that fact is accepted. But if it is accepted, commitment is one of the most valuable things in life…….. To be committed to one another forever is well worth the challenge.

Origins

Several years ago, we started raising free range chickens. Farm eggs are tasty. But we have received an education from watching our group. “That’s nothing to cackle about” …...hens always cackle madly after laying an egg. “That’s nothing to crow about” ……our rooster crows at all hours of the day and sometimes through the night! “Mad as an old wet hen” ……chickens hate to get wet. How many other sayings that have come down through history can be attributed to everyday things? A hundred years from now, I wonder if people will know how “Google it” originated?

A Precious Person

Have you ever had a friend who you knew cared deeply about you…...a person who was overjoyed with your successes or unexpected serendipities……and yet whose eyes brimmed with tears when you shared your sorrows or disappointments? How lucky you are. But then, you might just be that same precious friend to someone else.

Teardrops

Just as the rain coming down over the ranch blurs our view of the pond and hills on the horizon, sometimes our teardrops blur a mixture of feelings that we can’t express any other way. When the rain stops and the sun shines again, the view changes always for the better. The pond is shining and the hills are new again--bright and clear. Teardrops can do the same for our feelings—wash them away for a glimmer of hope.

Reaching out

There is a difference between pleasing someone and giving them pleasure. Pleasing can be done just to appease, or to get along, or even to make one indebted. But giving pleasure involves getting to know someone well—so well that you’re aware of their wants, desires, fears and doubts. Then you can do exactly what they need and like, and you are rewarded with their happiness.

Ranch Babies

We have a small herd of cows on the ranch, and every spring brings the excitement of waiting for new calves to be born. They are usually born in the cedar filled parts of the pasture, and the mother cow hides her new calf for a day or two. We have daily searching excursions on the John Deere Gator to be sure the calf and mother cow are okay. After all the new calves are about two weeks old, each mother cow takes her turn babysitting the group. What a surprise it was the first time we saw the herd grazing in one part of the pasture, and all the calves frolicking—just like puppies or kittens—in another area of the pasture, under the watchful eye of a caring mother cow. To our amazement, each day another babysitter cow took her turn caring for the calves, while the herd grazed in another field. What a nice arrangement.

Friends

Through the years I’ve been fortunate to have a variety of friends come into or pass through my life. Some always brightened my day with happy fun times. Some brought wisdom and deep thoughts that stayed with me on my journey. Others taught me everyday things that made life easier. And still others nurtured me with caring emotions when my feelings were bankrupt. What a wonderful thing to have friends. Never take them for granted.

Things you hear

Each evening as the day comes to a close on the ranch you can hear a symphony of nature—if you listen. First there are a few familiar sounds of crows flying by to find a resting place for the night. Then there begins a chorus of crickets singing merrily and slowly the frogs begin to chime in with a regular tempo. In the distance—always in the distance—you might hear a whippoorwill tweeting Chip-married-a-widow, Chip-married-a-widow. And if you’re lucky, you might hear the bass voice of an owl or the percussion sound of a woodpecker. Of course, the music you hear depends on the season. The symphony disbands briefly for the winter.