Tuesday, February 25, 2020

On interruptions and needs

This morning's 'routine,' such as it is anymore, was frequently interrupted by the need to step out on the deck and catch the progression of sunrise:



at this point, a quick glance over to the left to catch the action there


Soon after that, the quiet of country living was once again interrupted by hum and growl and clang and bang. In spite of all the boulder-clearing done before our new neighbors bought the lot next door, they apparently chose a house site on top of many more, which are being noisily grubbed out and moved around almost daily by a big trackhoe. I doubt they anticipated the need for so much additional work, time, and expense; it's been going on for most of this month.
Wait; here's a video. Turn your sound WAY up and you'll get a taste of my audio environment:

Sigh.

Growing puppies need exercise, and stimulation, and sleep. (The following were taken last night as she was winding down, and give you an idea of how much she's GROWN. 😳)






Healing puppies need to keep their splint as clean as possible, which means restrictions. Poppy's accident in some ways means 'adolescence interrupted,' which is hard on both of us. She's fully house-trained (except when the menfolk ignore her when she whines at the door). But outside play is SO much more fun than inside play (More sights! More smells! A cat!) that she has started whining at the door for that. I ignore that request at her training's peril, but I can't indulge her desires completely, either. So she's frustrated, and I have very little uninterrupted time to get things done...
...like exercise two horses more than I'm currently able. Lance needs daily exercise to help manage his equine metabolic syndrome (think Type 2 diabetes); Stella needs daily exercise for her physical and mental well-being; I need to ride Lance regularly to stay in shape for when Stella's finally ready to be ridden, 'cause that girl is athletic. Here she is during turn-out on Sunday, showing that 'baby's got BUCK':


The ewes need . . . something. (Wait for it.)


Fortunately, my husband doesn't need more cardiac intervention (except to do better on his heart disease reversal program); yay! He went to his cardiologist on Monday, who put him on the treadmill for a stress test. The results were so good that the doctor told him his chances of having more blockages at this point were less than one percent. Brian, on the other hand, seems determined to hack up a lung, so I'm taking him to the doctor after school this afternoon. (He's not able to drive right now because he's let a couple grades drop . . . again. Call it adulting, interrupted. 🙄)

I guess all that's going on here interrupts the temptation to focus much on how the norms and institutions of our republic are being bulldozed daily, so I will be thankful for that.

Sayonara for now from . . .

8 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Eiy-yi-yi, what a plateful you have right now! This is a good reminder of what having your peaceful environment shattered is like. And what getting a pup is like. And what having animals besides poultry to take care of is like. And what raising a teenager is like. Eiy-yi-yi!

Michelle said...

Mama Pea, I know that "this, too, shall pass" – the neighboring racket, the intensive puppy stage, the teenager.... ;-)

Wanda said...

What a relief for you that Rick doesn't need any more stents. Poor Poppy, to be limited and cooped up when she's raring to for adventures. So much on your plate these days!

Retired Knitter said...

Youth can be exhausting when you are surrounded by it like you are. Energy, energy everywhere. I just got out of bed and I feel like I could take a nap! hahaha.

Susan said...

How sad that your little piece of paradise now includes heavy equipment. I can totally relate, as I watch (hear and smell) the steady stream of dump trucks passing back and forth in front of my house. Does the noise keep your sheep on edge? I know I keep saying it, but that puppy is the MOST darling thing. There is something so endearing about the way they can just collapse and sleep. You do have your hands full (horses, sheep, puppy, job, keeping the family fed and cared for!) You'd think that, by now, Brian would realize it is just easier to keep his grades up than to let them drop, lose privileges, work to get them back, wash, rinse repeat! This is why I stick to dogs... :) xo

Helen said...

Hang on mom, adulthood is so close. Your opening pictures of sunrise look like the perfect color combination for the Alaska Hat (can be found in Ravelry). Hopefully the rest of the week will be peaceful.

Jeanne said...

Your sunrise pics are gorgeous! I saw that the sun had peeked over the eastern hills and into our little town at a little before 7:00. Then the clouds covered the sun. Phoo!

I haven't watched the equipment video yet. I'll wait till the rest of the gang is up, so i can turn up the volume! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Stella and the sheep goofing off!!

Poppy really is growing! She's SO beautiful!

Thanks for sharing!

Michelle said...

Not for now, Wanda, but statistically the other shoe WILL drop. As hospital staff say, "Be kind to our cardiac patients, for they are our repeat customers." 😏

That must be it, Elaine; I'm exhausted by the energy of youth!

The noise doesn't seem to be bothering anyone but me, Susan; I guess that's a blessing. Usually I say dogs are easier (and they are!), but right now is pretty intense. Fortunately, most dogs (maybe not JRTs 😉) mature much, much faster than boys!

Thanks, Helen; I AM hanging on!

Glad you enjoyed it all, Jeanne (the equipment video isn't entertaining; trust me).