Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
              Goethe

Pete’s first words to me this morning were, “it rained most of the night. I heard it fall on the tarp.” I, who don’t listen to such things, rolled over and put the pillow over my head, hoping to fall back asleep. Once awake, and this was again the case, I was not able to get back to sleep. So I got up and faced yet another overcast, drizzly day.

It was one of those days in which depression lays a hand on your shoulder and points you in the direction of bed. Most give in because bed is not a bad place to be on such days, especially if your sheets are clean (Pete changed our sheets last night).

Alys and Tyra headed up to the bench

It was a superhuman effort on my part, but I shook off that hand and got on with my day. I took care of the horses who, if given the option, would have laid down on their Sealy Posturepedics and not given this day any notice.

I next studied for my EMT practical, by first watching two videos, one related to the airway and the other related to the cardiac skills sheet. There are National Registry EMT videos – the instructor is Jerimiah – I am beginning to feel like I know him. He sure knows his stuff. As time goes on, he is seeming less geeky to me. I next set up stations, using (for example) my stuffed horse as a CPR patient. I am getting the procedures down for administering CPR. My stuffed horse has now been brought back from the dead numerous times.

Come noon, I edited my recycling book, and Pete copy edited a few pages. After, we took a walk up the bench, me leading Tyra and Pete leading Hrimmi. I felt virtuous going on this walk on such a gray day – and even more so, when after, I rode Raudi and ponied Tinni on our trails.

Add to all this – I got some wood from down the road for the horses to gnaw on and then cleaned the goat pen. I now seriously doubt that Stormy is pregnant but just in case she is, the facility is looking good.

The above quote – here Goethe is saying what my mother used to say, but in a more highbrow way. Her phrase for taking action was “shit or get off the can.” In other words, don’t spend time bemoaning the fact that on some days, things are harder or more difficult than other days. Just get off your ass and do what needs to be done.

It’s interesting, about parents and how they do or don’t instill a work ethic in their offspring. Those that do, do as my mother did, by example. When I was young, and to this day, I had little interest in house cleaning – my mother was the same way. But if pressing things needed to be done, they got done.

I am hoping for a day of sunshine tomorrow. If Stormy has a female goat I am going to name her Stormy’s Sunshine from Squalor Holler.

Next: 300. 10/30/19: Failure