There are some real perks to living in the country, I’ll tell you. Real perks. Of course the obvious. Fresh chicken eggs, warm off the nest.
Have you seen the one commercial where the guy runs up to the cow in the middle of the field? It is just the two of them, and he is holding a Yoplait yogurt cup. He says… “I know you’re just a cow, and you may not know what I’m talking about. But the yogurt made from your milk is just delicious.” And then he runs off….. like he is all embarrassed for having said that.
Well…. I do that with our chickens all the time. I go right up to them, and say… “The eggs that come out of you chickens… are the most delicious eggs ever.” And then I run away.
It has become kind of a daily ritual with me. I think the chickens like it too. I see it as a bit of a motivational factor. Positive reinforcement and all.
But, yep. There are all sorts of perks out here in the big acres. One of my favorites are the Groundhogs. Now, most people think they are a bit of a nuisance. But not me. You must understand. Seeing a Groundhog in an all out sprint is one of the most glorious sites on all the planet. If it doesn’t make you laugh out loud, you better check your funny button. If you don’t know where your funny button is…. I can no longer help you. Quit reading immediately.
Back to the Groundhogs. It really isn’t so much of a sprint. In their little minds, I am sure it is. It probably feels like they are breaking land records. But to see it outright. Oh my. It is more like a quick waddle. If you are lucky enough to hear, that is an added bonus.
But today, on my way home, I saw the Jesse Owens of Groundhogs. The Usain Bolt of this generation. The little dude was flying. Face to the wind. Lightning fast. And he wasn’t even being chased. I think the little guy was just running because he could. You could see it on his little Groundhog face. He was taking a lap and having fun. I like that in a Groundhog.
Another big perk: Time with animals. You know, I’ve already mentioned the chickens. But we have cool chickens. Five girls, at this point. Jeannie, Louise, Maddy, Flo, and Dorothy.
Today. We received two more winged pals. Geese. Baby Geese. Their names are Milly and Jack. They are living in the warm garage right now, and on their first night in their new home, they seem to be doing well. Here is the thing about these geese. They will probably weight 25 pounds in adulthood. Big Birds.
Now. Close your eyes and imagine this. BIG dang eggs. I’m barely able to contain myself at this point.
Perks are grand. If you ask me. So… if we enjoy perks, are we perky? If that is the case… I wish much perkiness for you. Happiness if good.
Maybe each day we should do a little something to find that happiness. To find those moments of joy. Well…. sort of like Speedy Gonz-Groundhog. That G-Hog loved to run fast. So he did. We should find those things that make our hearts happy. That bring us “The Perky.” Gather that something we love to do… and just do it.
“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.”
― Dale Carnegie
“Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get”
― W.P. Kinsella
“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.”
― Guillaume Apollinaire