When you've had a farm for ten years, it's inevitable that you'll lose some very special animals over time. In the last six months, we've lost two horses, our sweet dairy goat, and more than one favorite chicken. It's not easy to share publicly, maybe because my heart hurts so much... and also because I know it breaks the hearts of the kids who love these critters like their own. As a farm community we have honored them, buried some on the property, and just last weekend had a tribute and balloon release for Clifford, the big red horse. We miss our horses, Magic and Clifford, every day. AND, we have had some horses gifted and loaned to the farm (welcome, Isaac and Jorgen!) and that is the beautiful silver lining. Our dear goat, April, passed away and we miss her feisty character and delicious milk. AND, she gave us sweet kids this Spring (we love Blossom and little May) so we will continue to love on them as they fill their mama's shoes. It really means a lot to me that our guest blogger, Dawn Renee, wrote up this latest post about our loved ones lost. Thank you, Dawn. ~ FArmHer Rosemary
Salutations, heel kickers and critter lovers ~
Laughing Buck Farm’s atmosphere is a vision of rolling hills with pastures that are filled with the sweetest scents of wildflowers in the form of community, both human and animal. It has its peaks and valleys of daily chores, thunderstorms and sunshine. Life has so many bountiful pleasures of the heart for us to imbibe on, to soak up and refresh us. It also gives us moments in time that leave us wondering, grieving and feeling the deep sense of loss.
One of the most exhilarating sights and sounds at LBF is the thunderous beat of the horses’ hooves as they gallop together with their gorgeous flowing mane flouncing in the wind. Their wild presence reminds us of scenes from old westerns where cowboys used them to rustle up their cattle, sheriff’s rode them into town to warn the town folk of danger and families used them to transport their worldly goods across barren land to create a settlement. We’ve read about gladiators, princes and soldiers riding majestically into war driven territory. Horses have a softness to them, as well. Their muzzles are a velvet kiss upon your hand and their gentle eyes gaze at you with such a vulnerable tenderness to ease your loneliness as if they can see through your soul. These loyal creatures have been serving us since the beginning of time.
Salutations, heel kickers and critter lovers ~
Laughing Buck Farm’s atmosphere is a vision of rolling hills with pastures that are filled with the sweetest scents of wildflowers in the form of community, both human and animal. It has its peaks and valleys of daily chores, thunderstorms and sunshine. Life has so many bountiful pleasures of the heart for us to imbibe on, to soak up and refresh us. It also gives us moments in time that leave us wondering, grieving and feeling the deep sense of loss.
One of the most exhilarating sights and sounds at LBF is the thunderous beat of the horses’ hooves as they gallop together with their gorgeous flowing mane flouncing in the wind. Their wild presence reminds us of scenes from old westerns where cowboys used them to rustle up their cattle, sheriff’s rode them into town to warn the town folk of danger and families used them to transport their worldly goods across barren land to create a settlement. We’ve read about gladiators, princes and soldiers riding majestically into war driven territory. Horses have a softness to them, as well. Their muzzles are a velvet kiss upon your hand and their gentle eyes gaze at you with such a vulnerable tenderness to ease your loneliness as if they can see through your soul. These loyal creatures have been serving us since the beginning of time.
Another joyous sound on the farm is the bleating comical call of the goats! These whimsical 4-legged garden gnomes-of-fun bring us so much laughter with their yodeling and their never ending energy. You can’t help but imitate them when you hear it as you throat sing back to them to let them know that you are near and on your way to visit! April, she was the mama of many and she was such a sweetheart brimming with patience and love for all. She endured a plethora of hugs, kids and milking! She nurtured and nourished us with the gift of her presence, with those beautiful eyes and the rich milk that was used to lavish our bodies with the scented soap that was made from it. We will miss her so…
We have experienced numerous losses of critters, presently and in the past. All of them grand in the vast emotions of owning a farm and livery stable. The Jedell-Graff family has endured each one of them with such an eloquent respect for the animals and honor each of their individual personalities with grace, with gratitude for the life that was shared. The farm community’s hearts are always hit hard by the death of one of our furry friends. The memories of these sweet beings brings us not only tears but smiles, stories about our experiences and the existence that we have shared together = the bond between human & animal.
Through the sadness, comes joy. Just like a rainbow that shines above after a thunderstorm bringing us hope of another day, another moment of beauty, there are new animals that arrive with their own special spirit of communing with the farm to frolic amidst the garden of happiness that this place exudes and feeds us all.
Let’s remember the service and the companionship that Magic, Lone Star, Clifford and April gave to us while welcoming with love our newest equine buddies — Jorgen, Isaac & Nina.
Through the sadness, comes joy. Just like a rainbow that shines above after a thunderstorm bringing us hope of another day, another moment of beauty, there are new animals that arrive with their own special spirit of communing with the farm to frolic amidst the garden of happiness that this place exudes and feeds us all.
Let’s remember the service and the companionship that Magic, Lone Star, Clifford and April gave to us while welcoming with love our newest equine buddies — Jorgen, Isaac & Nina.
Love and healing regards,
~ Dawn Renée
www.sassafraselements.com
So many good memories with Magic, Clifford and April
Dawn Renée Markley-Webster writes about the savory and sweet spices of life by finding beauty amidst the chaos of our world. She's a visionary of Possibility. Seeing challenges as opportunities to discover strengths, she seeks resources for turning yearnings into realities. Dawn is a soul whisperer who engages in listening to the voices of our hearts, encouraging us to nourish our souls with enriching bites of whatever makes us sigh blissfully or squeal with excitement. Reclaim what brings you contentment. A mother of 3 who's passions run deep for community, cooking, culture, teaching and rhythm making. You can follow along in her meanderings, where she dwells and within her own abode by going to:
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