Ole Ma's Ramblings...

-
What do we do when love turns bittersweet? When the gentle sway of a cow’s tail reminds us of joy, yet whispers of loss linger in the air? LadyBelle, our beloved firstborn, graced our farm with her presence, her gentle spirit and sweet nature surrounding us like a warm embrace. She recently calved, yet the silence of her lost calf echoes louder than the gentle moo that greets us each morning.

Four gallons a day. Milk that flows like cherished memories—creamy butter, rich cheese, and homemade ice cream that dances on the tongue. We’ve tasted abundance, but now, amid injury and chaos, the weight of milking her grows heavy.

Have you ever felt the pull of what’s good and right? Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Is this the season to hold tight or to let go? LadyBelle's sweet nuzzles and the warmth of her presence bring us joy and comfort.

But life calls us to move differently, to release some of the heaviness. The weight of responsibility, the ache in my bones—what was once farming is now a burden. The milk is more than we know what to do with; it fills our fridges and pours into feed pans, threatening to drown us. It’s all too much.

We contemplate letting her go to another family, where children laugh and run through green pastures. Will she find a home where she can be cherished? Where her milk will nourish another family, where her spirit will continue to shine?

I close my eyes and picture her—grazing in the sun, her soft eyes reflecting the sky. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Even the hard things. Even the goodbyes that feel as heavy as the workload of keeping her.

This journey of life is strange. I’m reminded of the grace found in moments of uncertainty. LadyBelle will always be a part of our story, whether her hooves are in our soil or another's. In her sweetness, we find strength. In her presence, we find hope. And perhaps, just perhaps, there’s a new chapter waiting to unfold for both of us.

Helping others take control of their food supply is the absolute foundation of what we do here at this farm. So maybe that's just it—perhaps we offer her up, allowing another family to flow in her milk, to experience the grace that we find in her. To be flooded with love and self-sufficiency, dancing through the pastures, swimming through the simple joys that come from a life intertwined with the land, with the animals in this crazy little thing called farming.

Think she might be a perfect fit for your family? Message us today! 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ole Ma's Rambling...

-
Image
Tonight my heart is shattered into a million tiny pieces. How do you even say goodbye?  Today i had to make the choice to love Thistle more than I love myself, knowing that my heart would never, not ever be the same.  Thistle was not just a pig but a teacher of quiet wisdom, wrapped in bristled, curled hide. She was the matriarch, the heart of the herd, with eyes that saw through the seasons of my soul. For nearly a decade, she walked beside me, her presence grounding me in the land we shared. She was best in show not once but  twice—a reflection of her strength, her grace. But those ribbons pale in comparison to the lessons she imparted in the stillness of nights in the barn, early morning feedings, and the every day walks that dominate farm life. It was in the way she turned her gaze toward the horizon, our future, as if seeing something beyond what any of us could fathom. She was the one that started it all.  Today, I said goodbye, though it feels impossible to grasp and
Read more

Ole Ma's Ramblings

-
Image
I’m starting and stopping so many times as I write- the words that don't want to come. It’s so impossibly hard to put my thoughts into words that I’ve even moved outside to look at the pasture, I've ventured to the barn and even back into the house. Now though I'm sitting under the gazebo where we recently had our Porkpalooza, the smoky aroma still emanating from the fire pit, a reminder of laughter and joy shared with friends and family and I feel as though I'm finally prepared to to get these thoughts to you all.  The wind tosses the leaves around me, mirroring the torrent of memories swirling in my head, tangling up my thoughts as I grapple with the weight. Our Porkpaloozas are always such a special time, but none more so than our most recent. Porkpaloozas are always a great time. We spent our evening eating massive amounts of good food surrounded by friends and family, their laughter blending with the scent of smoky porky goodness. The animals were in th
Read more

Warmer days ahead...

-
Image
As winter blanketed the farm in its icy grip, we've grappled with the unavoidable truth that this season brings loss. While each departure weighs heavily on our hearts, two recent losses have been particularly significant. Big Bird, our cherished emu at the age of 37, bid us farewell after many years of companionship. While her departure was expected due to her age, it has left a profound void in our hearts. During her final hours, as we noticed she wasn't doing well, we brought her into the warmth of our home. For her last 24 hours, she was nestled under a blanket, surrounded by the comfort of our presence. It was a peaceful and intimate farewell, a fitting end for our dear feathered friend. Another somber loss that should be mentioned is the passing of Meri, our beautiful Berkshire sow. Taken from us tragically during the horrible cold snap that hit the Northwest. A fight with a basic infection coupled with that dangerous cold tipped the scales and unfortunately s
Read more