Oh don’t you hear me say THAT often. Well, in a good year. All things being equal. If no-one gets sick, if we have enough rain at the right time, if we have enough sun. But I forget there is no Good Year: every year is just a year, every season – another season. Always changing. 
We work endlessly to try and get everything perfect – silly me.
The light yesterday evening was so golden that this little calf (Pin Head who was so sick that a few weeks ago I had to hold her head up for four times a day for four days to feed her) is eating grass at speed.
Difficult Bobbi laughs as she races about the field kicking up her heels. They all still cough after drinking their milk -they drink slowly – with lots of breaks but still they cough. But once their stomachs settle they are off into the grass.
Little is now the strongest and most vigorous. No coughing from him.
So really this year is a regular year, we have had and will continue to have problems but as I watched those calves leap about the fields running just because they could, kicking their back legs up high in an awkward movement that collects joy straight from the air and exuberantly explodes it outwards, I saw that perfect moment and knew that this is what makes a good year. You don’t need many of them. You just have to recognise them.
In a good year.
Love your friend on the farm,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
40 responses to “In a Good Year”
You are so right. All years are a mix of good and not so good. Contrast is essential to make somethings stand out more. You tend to focus on the good so more good comes. It’s delightful to see the calves working hard to find their joy too and take in life. I have always wanted to have cows and animals. Maybe it’s good that I didn’t. Some of what you deal with would just undo me. We need strong people like you in the world to keep it going. It’s appreciated.
The pin-headed bobbi? Hahaha!
I know – I was not thinking and now it has stuck!
The calves…. The brown one, this special shot, with that special beautiful eye! I love it. That one you call Pin Head. So cute. And Difficult jumping around. And, of course, Little. Last but not least the pigs with a colorful rooster. Oh, life at the Farmy is a feast, isn’t it? Everyone is lively and full of joy now. Like that very much.
It’s nice to read about your thoughts on it, about drawing a balance, a summary of all events that happened in that past three quarters of the year. I think the outcome must make you feel good. Sighs of relief…
Your so right. Leaning back for a moment, letting the things pass by and recognize. There’s always something good to find. Photos of course make it much more easier to recognize.
I like the title of today’s post very much, too: In a good year…
Life is a mix of ups and downs, good times and bad times, we know that nothing lasts forever….and then sometimes we get a golden, perfect moment and we treasure and celebrate it.
Farmy type things delight me. On our recent quick roadtrip one of the delights was driving through the country and seeing new lambs and calves. I always say life is so much better when you see cows. Maybe that is the dairyfarmers’ granddaughter coming out in me!
The calves gambling is balm to the soul . Don’t you love their whiskers! And I’m loving Sheila’s mud jacket. Faux fur don’t ya know. Quite “in” for fall.
You are right, we don’t need many. But we need to recognize them. It is heart warming to see the calves doing so well. I hope you can enjoy a pat on the back because those calves were doomed to death before you came into their lives.
Oh yes, catching the moment of joy, it’s so important amidst all the hard work and striving. So glad to see the leaping calves, like a little miracle really.
That shot of the calves was just a little miracle, and thanks to you! It is good to stand back and take it all in. Well done Celi…wise, and well done.
I truly don’t know who can be a grumpy curmudgeon while watching a calf (or foal or kid) bursting with such exuberance, you just have to grin. Hells bells, it was enough for me this evening seeing two goats and a pig galloping to meet me and Winston the mini donk at the gate and escorting us back to their yard after Winston’s day out with the big horses!
Thanks so much. My mother used to say ‘Hell’s Bells’ all the time. Gayle.
So did mine!
The rooster brings a bold splash of color to the photo of Sheila and Poppy. It’s so good to see the calves frolicking. Ton is priceless. Always on guard.
Each one of us approaches life differently . . . I do not think in terms of years or months or even weeks or days . . . just notice moments in any given day when I can smile, click my fingers and whisper to myself ‘well, that went OK’ . . . if there happens to be more than one such happenstance I can recall at the end of the day, it has been a very good one and I look up and say ‘thank you’ to the Powers that Are . . . 🙂 !
Eha, I read this blog every day, but have never commented. Today, my mouse hovered over your picture unintentionally and revealed that you are in Thirlmere, New South Wales. I used to visit a lovely lady there in the Estonian Village – my husband’s grandmother. Did you know Selma Toturoglu? We still miss her sing-song voice. Angela
Hello Angela: am posting this a day late and you can thank Celi for it ’cause I had already filed ‘yesterday’ when you added your note! Would you believe she was thoughtful enough to mail me to take a look!!!!!! And that after her long day !!! Yes, I knew Selma because, would you believe it, I have lived in the Estonian Village for some 21 years 🙂 ! [Am Estonian-born] Except after some 50 years of being the Village it sadly could not cope with its financial affairs and was literally ‘given away’ to the RSL [Returned Soldiers] who have made a sort’of over-55s place called ‘Taara Gardens’ out of it – only about 20 of us left, all the rest moved or . . . . how shall I say: the place is very different from Selma’s day – I did not really know her, just to say ‘hello’ when I undertook the somewhat long ‘trek’ to get mail! Yes, she was very charming and friendly . . . and if you looked down the park from her place , right to the end towards the Hall, mine is the last cottage on the right with all the trees and ‘the garden’ . . . Hmm, I presume you are writing from Down Under also . . ? . . . all the best, and Celi would love you to comment more often . . . a lot of us Aussies do . . . Eha
Hope Angela sees this – if not let me know and I will link her back! Thank you Eha Mama! wonderful.. c
Love! Love! Love! E . . . and shall do!
Ahh, its is just those moments…