What glorious weather the past couple of days! What a wonderful way to begin the second month of the year! Temps actually in the sixties, mostly sunny skies, light wind. I thought about taking a motorcycle ride, going for a hike, taking a slow drive through some pretty country. Yep, I thought about those things.

Mostly, though, I worked in the garage on a big cabinet making project. But finally, I just had to take a break and spend some time outdoors. Just couldn’t stand not getting out in such lovely conditions. All that wonderful sunshine and warm air, just had to get out there and enjoy myself!

So, I did.

On my tractor.

And, in just about an hour, my little Kubota and I had pretty well smoothed out most of the hoof-pocked lot and semi-cleared the horses’ lounging area. I think they might even be able to find a muck-free place to lie down. At least, a) until it rains and b) until they have once again spread their own particular version of recycled hay across the paddock. Ah, well, I guess I could just think of it as job security.

Aside from the simple pleasure of working outside in really nice weather after a month of dismal and sometimes bitter conditions, there was the satisfaction of seeing improvement. Even if it is temporary, it was rewarding to see the change and to know that at least for a little while, I’d made things better for the horses.

Sure, it can get rather frustrating to keep cleaning up the paddock and then seeing them immediately get back to messing it up. But, after all, they are horses and while horses can be trained to do a number of rather amazing things, cleaning up after themselves rarely makes that list. So, I can either a) cheerfully accept that they are horses and regularly participate in the joyful duties of equestrian management or b) make myself rather miserable and resentful and regularly participate in the joyless duties of equestrian management.

For the time being, at least, I’m choosing to focus on the fact that before too long, I’m going to have some mighty fine organic compost for sale. Tons of it. (See there? Even cleaning up manure has its bright side.)

On the whole, most of us pretty much live in the same world and share similar situations and opportunities. Sometimes the weather is wonderful and sometimes not so much. Sometimes life seems relatively easy and sometimes not so much. Sometimes pleasure and sometimes pain. The main thing that seems to vary is the attitude we choose to carry through these experiences.

Right now, I’m trying to be the most cheerful poop scooper in Doniphan County. A man’s gotta have goals, right?