Peace And Quiet

I have so many favorite times of each day.

Sunrise... when my world is just awakening...

Then when the sun has risen just high enough above the horizon that the light is perfect

and nature's colors become brilliant and alive...

Then later in the morning, when the chores are done,

and everything is peaceful...

Later in the afternoon, as I finish the afternoon feeding,

is my time to relax amongst the animals for a bit of time.

I pick one group of animals...pigs, donkey, horses, or goats,

and just sit...

for the most part un-noticed by the animals...

observing...

enjoying watching the animals and their social interaction.

Interactions, like....

Sam: "Hi,  O'Malley.  Whatcha doing?"

Sam:  "You smell good.  Will you be my friend?"

Sam:  "Can I taste your food?"

Sam: "Mmmm...this is good.  Why doesn't Mom feed me this good stuff?"

You might have noticed that O'Malley says nothing.

She is very tolerant of Sammy and goes on eating... silently.

I love these little trans-species interactions in this peaceful world,

where no one feels threatened.

I lie here on my stomach, taking pictures, feeling like the luckiest person in the world.

I am surrounded by friends with the gentlest spirits.

I have learned so much from animals...

like...

how to be silent,

how to be completely present and quiet my mind...

to just "be."

It is those moments that are truly magical...

and magic happens at those times.

It is in those times, when I am completely at peace and relaxed that

the animals seem to accept me as one of their own.

Yesterday, at one of those times as I lay on the ground,  O'Malley came and stood beside me..

shoulder to shoulder...

while Sammy sat on the other side of me.

Both animals calm, quiet, trusting, relaxed...

magical.

Just behind me on the other side of the fence...

two turkeys.

I wish each and every one of you could have the chance to sit

quietly with me and enjoy this peaceful world!

Unbelievably, we've reached another Friday....

my how time flies.

Monday I will have a finished pizza oven to show you!!

And next weekend, after the mortar has had a chance to dry...

PIZZA...

and I have a few homemade pizza ideas to share with you.

It's the weekend....make it a great one!