End.

I was going to post this whole blog about things I learned and what new interns should expect, but I've arrived back in Wisconsin and things are crazy. So, maybe if I get my act together later on down the road I will revisit this blog. For now I'm headed back over to DirtPoorAndDayDreaming. Feel free to follow me there!

Over a Month Later....

Flash forward over a month now and I've got less than a week left here. It's a bittersweet thing to think about. While I'm certainly ready to move on, I'm really going to miss my friends, both human and non human. I have been terrible at blogging this last month, but I don't even feel bad about it. To be honest there was a lot I couldn't really write down. But now that we are on that subject I might as well try for a cryptic explanation. We lost a couple animals last month and it hit me harder than I would have liked it to. It made me realize exactly how difficult a care taker position would be. The employees here are some of the strongest people I've ever met. Because, when an animal dies, life goes on. It has to. Especially here. There isn't time, until you get home that is, to really morn the loss of your friends. I was really amazed to watch this process in the different caretakers. They taught me more than they will ever know. Enough of that. I just wanted to say that before this process started I really didn't consider the emotional strength that it takes to do this job day in and day out. Hats off to the Farm Sanctuary California shelter care takers. This place would be lost without you and your genuine love for each and every animal here, your courageous speaking out and standing up for the best care and quality of life of these animals, and your abilities to plow through the rough times (with several mugs of hot cocoa and a handful of cookies of course!) I'm going to miss you guys.

Other things I'm going to miss? I made a list, in no particular order:

My NASA mug that I adopted from Vegan House...I might steal it.
Snagging my shirts on wire fencing (it always made me feel like I was working hard when I had holes in my shirts)
Neal and Chrissie's grumpy faces
Melvin's swagger...duh
Sitting in the sun with Geraldine
The cattle using the mule as a scratching post
All my turkey girls and their ferociously epic personalities
Olive's strut
Vegan house discussions
Vegan house cinema
Calvin's tongue
Giving Rusty belly rubs
Making silly videos
Running for dear life as Romeo tries to eat my leg
All the farm cats (Tara, I'm going to miss our chats. Matisse you are the loudest most amazing cat ever. Handsome handsome Mishka. Scully, I wish just once I could have pet you....you know you want it. Walter, my good luck closing charm. Also, to Maggie Jett, you had a short time here at the farm but I'm glad you have  a new home...hope you are being nice! And of course Mr. Blaise....life will not be the same without you.)
Walking to the lake
Hank, you will always hold a special place in my heart. Such a gorgeous and gentle steer.
Feeding the chickens produce
Treats on the office table
Nibbles from Madeline
Turkey boy warm heads
Bon Bon and Way Way...Waylon's donkey lips
Oliver and Elliot being cute at anything they do
Doing photo shoots with Hombre...we are models if you didn't already know.
My baby Ramona
Being stalked by Elton
Hugging Lida
Peeking Chinese food
Getting excited to go to Chico
MaMuse
All my Vegan House Roomies!!!
The slapping game
The Vegan House closet...seriously, best place to shop EVER

Man there are a million more things I'm going to miss but that list is a good start. I will probably be making a couple more posts either before I leave or right after. The hoe down is in a couple days so I definitely want to show those shenanigans!

Also here's a short video I made last night that pretty much expresses how awesome this place was and how much I enjoyed every moment I was here...yes, all that in 26 seconds.

 

Olive

Since I promised some pictures of the turkey girl who is fighting for Melvin's spot in my heart (no worries, I have plenty of room in there for ALL the animals) here is Olive:

And a video of this beautiful lady coming to say hello:

"My Inner Purpose", and other treats

I've been meaning to update for quite sometime but I've been finding it difficult to recreate my days in words lately. I often find myself experiencing something wonderful on the farm and then trying to hold onto that feeling, taking in every bit of that moment and tucking it away so I can feel it later too. Kind of like I'm trying to create a happy feeling memory...if that makes any sense. This never works by the way. I can never get as much joy out of an experience that I've already experienced and am no longer experiencing...but that hasn't stopped me from trying. But really, I think that's the whole point of experiences. Being in the now, not obsessing over every detail so you can remember and feel it later. Just feel it NOW and appreciate it NOW. I'm currently reading "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle (seriously, this book is changing my life....read it. It's beautiful) and this is the central theme. Living in the now. Being fully conscious and awakened to life and how we are all interconnected. I definitely want to read his other book "The Power of Now"

Anyways, you came here for cute animal stories and pictures yes? Well, that I can deliver.

My Inner Purpose
Speaking of that book I was reading, I went to go spend a little time with my sheep and goat friends who have been moved to the rescue barn which is right behind the vegan house. I thought it would be relaxing to read in the pasture with them. It turned out to be more entertaining. Molly was the first goat to come greet me and she was very interested to see if I had any treats for her. When she found I came with only a book of paper in my hands she wiped her nose all over the pages and walked away. Love you too Molly. Then came Buddy. Cute old Buddy. He stood over me for awhile as I mulled over and digested the current chapter title "Your Inner Purpose". Buddy literally digested the chapter when he decided I was paying far too much attention to words on a page than to scratching his shoulder. This is what it now looks like:

My book then got finished off by Melvin who came and licked several pages. Yes, my copy of "A New Earth" is looking a little ragged. But it was well worth it. I love those guys. I feel I'm getting daily lessons on "living in the moment" from all the animals here. What great teachers they are :)

For the Love of Olive:

I went to go cut grass buckets to be fed out a couple days ago. This involves sitting in a field with shears and buckets, soaking up the sun and clipping away. One of the designated areas for cutting grass is the turkey ladies yard. So, I toted my four buckets up to the barn and opened the gate, looking for a nice spot to sit for the next little while. As I chose a thick grass patch Olive turkey spotted me. I really hadn't had much experience with the turkey ladies, as most of my turkey time was spent with the girls for my little video project. As I watched Olive hobble over, I wondered if she had come to give me "love" pecks that turn to "love" bruises like her sweet turkey girl friends. Instead she cocked her head sideways when she saw the bucket, continued walking towards me and then positioned herself right along my side, snuggled in as close as she possibly could without being on top of me, and sat down. I gave her cute turkey head a little rub, she closed her eyes and took in the suns rays. That moment, is one I will never forget. All the magic of this place seemed to be sitting with me and Olive in the yard that day. Olive is a beautiful soul and I wish everyone could meet her. Today, I went to cut grass again and it was so tall that I couldn't see her. I called out "Olive!" and out of the yard popped her little head. I sat down and again she came to cuddle. What a day. Tomorrow I have the day off and will be getting a picture of this lovely lady.

Here are some random photos from the past couple weeks:

 Buddy being silly. He stuck his horn in the ground and was lying with his head facing the sun.

 Whittaker and Harrison playing. To watch a 41 second video of this love fest click here

 Me and Colvin.

Perfect Day Off

That's how I spent my morning. Reclining back in the arms of a lovely tree outstretched over the lake. It was beautiful. I woke up at seven this morning. It seems I just can't sleep in too well here on the farm which is okay. I catch a lot of amazing sights when I'm up this early. The morning started with a bowl of oatmeal and dates (6 days sugar free, thank you very much!) and I hiked my way up to the butte across the street. The scenery once you get to the lake here is unbelievable. I took a different path this time so I was hiking underneath the butte where all the trees are. It was extremely mystical feeling. I half expected Kahlan Amnell to appear in her white confessor dress from "Legend of the Seeker" (I should start that show up again). I spent a good three hours outside this morning, moving from rocks to trees just reading. What a great start to the day.

When I got back I headed to the farm to hang out with the goats and pigs a bit. Some highlights from that adventure:

Six little piggies sleeping on a hill...and Rusty.

Kanbar and her ears.

Charles Suave (I'm giving him that last name because he just is...suave) What a handsome guy!

So that was my lovely day around the farm and beyond. When I got back I did some laundry and hung it out to dry. Seriously, who doesn't want to do laundry when you've got these little babes watching?

Since they trotted up to the fence line the second they saw me hanging laundry, I went and got an apple and carrot for these guys. I mean they left the comfort of the shaded tree to come say hello! <3 Oliver and Elliot. 

Sugar bad, Cows good.

I love how Cinnamon rolls bring people together. Kerrie, had her 39 1/2 birthday today and celebrated by bringing everyone a Cinnaholic Cinnamon roll. Word traveled through the farm phone tree pretty fast and we were down at the shelter in minutes ready to chow down. It was delicious and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Monday is the official "I'm never eating sugar again day". Seriously. I'm pretty sure that with all the exercise I get out here weight gain SHOULD NOT be an issue. I'm blaming our late night baking parties and lack of self control. Stephanie is joining me in the sugar fast! I will post updates on how it's going.

After work today Shubah, Stephanie and I hit up the pastures with our cameras. The cows were moved to the pond pasture this weekend and it was absolutely gorgeous up there! I'll let the photos speak for themselves:

 Whitaker and Edwin

 Loretta grooming Suzie Moo

 El Nino surveying his pasture

 Melanie checking out the pond

Our awesomely dorky camera timer shot

Couple quick photos

Not a whole lot to report tonight, just wanted to post a couple photos from my walk back to vegan house after close.
 

 

Secret cow love at dusk

Tomorrow I help with santa cruz health care and then head to San Francisco for a couple days!