Ups and Downs

We all have weeks/days like that, right?   I have been talking with someone for at least two months - or more - about my horse, Buddy.   They would ask me a hundred questions via email, then kind of disappear for a while.   Then the man came to try him, see if they were a fit.   Then nothing.   For about a month.   Then back again, interested in purchasing Buddy.   Finally, he showed up with his trailer, the vet (for a pre-purchase exam), and check in hand.   On Tuesday I sold Buddy to a fabulous home in Carmel Valley where horses check in and never leave.   All my anxiety about selling melted away and I was happy, relieved, finally able to exhale.  

We had dinner.   After dinner, I went outside to feed the chickens for the evening.   There on my front step was my beautiful rooster.   He had collapsed and was gone.   After all the emotion of the day, I just broke down.   He was such a big part of our place.   I am still sad.   When I think about him, I tear up.   He was a pet, not just a farm animal.   Always talking, always there, always underfoot, begging at the door for Cheerios, taking care of his girls.   It's a loss and I haven't come to terms with how much I loved a rooster.  

I've lived here for almost 14 years and have never seen an eagle on our property.   Yesterday I went outside to get the hens in their yard after hearing a hawk nearby.   I got them settled, looked up, and an eagle soared over, then landed on our back fence.   He/she was there for about 30 minutes.   I was in awe.   Just nature or a sign from the universe, I don't know.  




When an eagle drops by, just stop what you're doing and watch it.   It may never happen again.