When I stop focusing on the labor involved, feeding the farm animals feels more like love transmuted into hay bales, senior feed, pricey kibble, and scratch grains.
It appears to me that we human-types might be a lot like your llamas - we often don't let others close to us and instead spit on each other. We are such a odd group of critters. But we (humans) should/could also be included on your list of those you have fed, nurtured, and guided us to a deeper understanding of life, love and being human. Your words, in Coming Down to Earth and in your numerous books, have enriched and led us to see life in different ways that we might otherwise ignore or downright miss. Huge Thanks for who you are and your willingness to share yourself with all of us hungry critters.
Having searched a chunk of the ether for spiritual discovery, I find your posts the closest to any recipes, answers or parables I’ve found yet. Coming down to earth is precisely what we keep encountering when the gurus of the ages speak. That kingdom you’re looking for is right there in front of you.
Thanks for reminding me that the things I gripe about are actually the things that make me alive. Doing three things a day sounds like a good plan. Even if it’s ends up being one thing only. You are such a gift Barbara 💚
Barbara, thank you. You' ve brought me right back to the center...go where you're sent, share what you've got and practice gratitude for the gifts that grace our lives on ordinary days. I never finish my lists, either and now, at 86, I let that be okay.
As a single female without children (post menopause!), my fur and feathered children are such WONDERFUL GIFTS from God. I get to experience and give Love, and for me, that is what completes my soul. Thank you BBT for sharing these!!
Once upon a time I had nine cats--now I just have my only--Scout. Her feral mama left her on my back patio for me at a time when I had been cat-less for a few years. My friends said she knew I needed this tiny fur baby. The first thing I do every morning, even before coffee, is feed her and watch her enjoy her breakfast. After my first cup, I look at my list. Thank you for this beautiful post.
How interesting that we never count the things we do for our pets - feeding, medicating, petting, brushing - in our list of things to do. It’s just automatic, a part of our routine that goes unnoticed. But not by them.
My heart leaps when I see your fresh words in my inbox.
I can relate!
Caring for our critters took a significant amount of time and effort each day. It was a lifestyle. Today, I have one small dog and cottontails who show up seasonally...unless my dog sees them first 🙄😬
I will never look at feeding my rescues as a chore again...yesterday I made the tough decision to let go of one of the rescues i have...she was older, her health declining...plus a tumor on the liver. They are for sure one of Gods perfect gifts even if they spit. I truly needed this ....
Anne Lamott calls laughter "carbonated holiness". That's what those llamas provided you. It's a gift not everyone would appreciate. I mean, what with the spitting and all. Good for you.
Maybe it’s because we’re both retired teachers, or maybe it’s because we put more items on our list than we ever expect to do, or maybe it’s because you share such sweet and simple observations about what offering “food” is, but I feel so fed after I read your offerings. Thank you!
Oh, wow, what a great way to start my day with Coming Down to Earth. I’ve been wondering how I ever had time to work for about 20 years; still haven’t figured it out. Thanks for the smiles and the wisdom.💕
Thanks for being real and making me smile. You have sparked some ideas that I can implement in the never ending daily chores of life, of getting off track regularly with an ADHD brain.
It appears to me that we human-types might be a lot like your llamas - we often don't let others close to us and instead spit on each other. We are such a odd group of critters. But we (humans) should/could also be included on your list of those you have fed, nurtured, and guided us to a deeper understanding of life, love and being human. Your words, in Coming Down to Earth and in your numerous books, have enriched and led us to see life in different ways that we might otherwise ignore or downright miss. Huge Thanks for who you are and your willingness to share yourself with all of us hungry critters.
Thanks for the smile and for the reminder of why I do most of what I do.
Having searched a chunk of the ether for spiritual discovery, I find your posts the closest to any recipes, answers or parables I’ve found yet. Coming down to earth is precisely what we keep encountering when the gurus of the ages speak. That kingdom you’re looking for is right there in front of you.
High praise from you, most prized cousin.
I love the idea of a Done list rather than a to do list much more positive
Thanks for reminding me that the things I gripe about are actually the things that make me alive. Doing three things a day sounds like a good plan. Even if it’s ends up being one thing only. You are such a gift Barbara 💚
Barbara, thank you. You' ve brought me right back to the center...go where you're sent, share what you've got and practice gratitude for the gifts that grace our lives on ordinary days. I never finish my lists, either and now, at 86, I let that be okay.
As a single female without children (post menopause!), my fur and feathered children are such WONDERFUL GIFTS from God. I get to experience and give Love, and for me, that is what completes my soul. Thank you BBT for sharing these!!
Once upon a time I had nine cats--now I just have my only--Scout. Her feral mama left her on my back patio for me at a time when I had been cat-less for a few years. My friends said she knew I needed this tiny fur baby. The first thing I do every morning, even before coffee, is feed her and watch her enjoy her breakfast. After my first cup, I look at my list. Thank you for this beautiful post.
Cats are golden!
How interesting that we never count the things we do for our pets - feeding, medicating, petting, brushing - in our list of things to do. It’s just automatic, a part of our routine that goes unnoticed. But not by them.
My heart leaps when I see your fresh words in my inbox.
I can relate!
Caring for our critters took a significant amount of time and effort each day. It was a lifestyle. Today, I have one small dog and cottontails who show up seasonally...unless my dog sees them first 🙄😬
I love the question: Do they make you laugh? Very good criteria for decision making:)
I will never look at feeding my rescues as a chore again...yesterday I made the tough decision to let go of one of the rescues i have...she was older, her health declining...plus a tumor on the liver. They are for sure one of Gods perfect gifts even if they spit. I truly needed this ....
Anne Lamott calls laughter "carbonated holiness". That's what those llamas provided you. It's a gift not everyone would appreciate. I mean, what with the spitting and all. Good for you.
Maybe it’s because we’re both retired teachers, or maybe it’s because we put more items on our list than we ever expect to do, or maybe it’s because you share such sweet and simple observations about what offering “food” is, but I feel so fed after I read your offerings. Thank you!
Oh, wow, what a great way to start my day with Coming Down to Earth. I’ve been wondering how I ever had time to work for about 20 years; still haven’t figured it out. Thanks for the smiles and the wisdom.💕
Thanks for being real and making me smile. You have sparked some ideas that I can implement in the never ending daily chores of life, of getting off track regularly with an ADHD brain.