by Bill Byrne | Feb 11, 2015 | Uncategorized
As the geese are flying North in an early journey, there’s a siren type note to their constant sounds as they travel by, as if to say ‘join us’. Geese fly in a ‘v’ formation, to break the wind for the whole group. The ones in the front of this ‘v’ have the hardest job, so there is a constant rotation throughout the group from the front positions to the back. Most all of nature exhibits this awareness and nurturing of the ‘whole’ group, with the individual being secondary. Almost all spiritual teaching of all faiths emphasize this same thought, that we are part of the whole (God), and as we care for our neighbors we will all grow together. A nice thought.
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by Bill Byrne | Feb 4, 2015 | Uncategorized
Our cows like to spend their time looking for ways to get out of the pasture they are in, always thinking there might be some green grass on the other side. This morning we put a cow back in, but she kept looking back across from where she came, and didn’t go to eat with the other cows. Different enough behavior to make us think something wasn’t right in cattle ranching land. Some cows want to be off by themselves to give birth, and go thru fences at that time also…so we went hunting for the calf. The mama cow, in the meantime, kept trying to lead us off elsewhere, as many animals will do in an attempt to protect their young. She would look everywhere with her eyes except where she left the calf. Ahh, but we people are smarter than cows [most of the time], and managed to find the calf and link her and mama cow back up. Just another day in the life!
by Bill Byrne | Jan 29, 2015 | Uncategorized
Here it is at only the end of January, and we are watching flocks of geese, with their plantive calls, heading North. We do hope they are right, and winter is almost over…or could it be like the groundhog and his shadow…just predicting what we would really like to hear? I want to hear about an early Spring!
by Bill Byrne | Jan 26, 2015 | Uncategorized
This morning it’s up early in the cold rain, so I can move the goat herd to shelter in the barn. Our sheep and cattle are fine with being out in the elements, but goats definitely want protection if it’s available. I’ve been acclimating our goats to getting used to being wet over the years, and they are adjusting fine, but with the weather going on for a few days I am feeling for them. A little shelter and a bale of hay is good for all of us!
by Bill Byrne | Jan 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
January…..the middle of a month of colder weather ( I hate to use the word “winter”) always brings with it time to reflect, review, and renew our ideas and direction. This was and still is a time when those working with the physical rhythms of nature fix their equipment, check their seeds and supplies, and make sure all is ready for the coming season. It’s also a great time for exercising and refining the“mental”, which is the consideration of our ideal, that statement or set of thoughts that we try to live our lives by. All of us have an “ideal”, which is the “seed” of our behavior, the direction by which we exhibit and live our physical lives. It’s important to us as people to be aware of our ideal, and to refine it as we ourselves change. We are the only creatures that God has given this ability to, and we develop and grow our awareness of our “ideal” daily thru our meditations and prayers. May we all take time to go inside, to listen to the “still small voice” that helps us to guide our physical lives, our growth toward being seeds, children, of the energy that is God.
by Bill Byrne | Jan 20, 2015 | Uncategorized
Part of the beauty of the Ozarks is it’s constantly changing weather….including the 60 degree days we just had here in January. Psycologically, it gives a person a very welcome break from the long and cold winter days. The winter days are useful, though. We are in the middle of planning and goal setting for the coming year, and are looking forward to another big increase in the number of people that come and enjoy the beauty of the ranch and nature. Our number one goal is a significant increase in the number of “free” stays that we can provide under our outreach programs!
