My Gentleman's Farm

This city girl has a fantasy of having a gentleman's farm out in the boonies with chickens, cows, a horse or two and lots of room for a real garden. I dream of a piece of property with a little of everything, woods, creek, lake, mountain view, flat land for gardens, serene pastures full of wild flowers. I would love a big wrap around porch with rocking chairs and lemonade and my children singing in five part harmony on the steps as I shuck peas while the dog sits by my feet.

Today we went to a friends house who has a small little farm. There are a few goats, mostly chickens and lots and lots of work. And mud. I absolutely love to go to her home and see all the things they have done to their little homestead (not really that little). They are the perfect hosts, offering a yummy meal or snack and tea, and taking us around the property and showing my city kids the wonders of nature. She gives me "compost" from the chickens to boost my two little beds which was one of the reasons we went up to visit.

Here in my home state, there has been oodles and oodles of rain, more than usual I think. I've been waiting for a clear day to go up, but there are no such thing happening any time soon. So up we went to the mountains and boy did those kids have fun. They were trooping through the rain and mud that went clear to their ankles. One even lost a shoe in the sucking mud. Their pant legs were muddy to their knees. Guess who forgot to remind people to bring extra clothes. So they rode home in underwear with the jackets that were left in the car on their laps. Most of them napped on the hour ride home.

I on the other hand visited inside the nice warm house with my dear friend. She told me of all the things she wanted to do to her property and all that they already have done and have to do on a regular basis. My eyeball started to twitch. Then she talked about how the goats udder burst because it was too full and she wouldn't let anyone milk her. Shingles started itching. Then we went out in the rain to get the "compost" and I experienced the sucking mud. Hhhmmmm. Then we came home to our little house with the paved roads and grass and sidewalks.

And the neighbors with POUNDING nasty music playing. Yelling neighbors who are cursing and smoking on the porch.

I guess I need a farm, with lots of money, and a farm hand or two or three. And a landscaper. And a gardener. And a maid. And a helicopter. Yeah, that's what I want.