Cultivating Calm Amidst Domestic Chaos (Hint: It’s with God)

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Ah friends! It has been way too long! I’m not even sure where we left off… but let’s just jump back into it, okay? I want you to imagine something for me. Then we will both be in the same head space to get the point of this weeks muse. So here we go.

Ten baby chicks are in the house still. Tucked in a corner with the red heat lamp glowing even though they don’t need it. Except now they are almost fully feathered “teenagers” who are getting crowded in their little brooder cage. You feel bad, so have to let them out for some free time and to stretch their wings. Bottle baby goats have arrived. Three rambunctious little boys who are running a muck through the living room. They are treating your living room furniture like a playground (and an outhouse). Your five older hens and rabbits have just had their snacks and have been let out for the day. The dog has been fed but is vying for a bite or two of your bagel. Are you there? Okay, so this was me a few weeks ago. Still in my nightgown, sitting on the floor, coffee cup in hand surrounded by messy chicks, running goats and a big goofy lab drooling on my leg (yet unshaven for the warmer weather). As I sat there surrounded by fluffy feathers, drool, and untold messes on the floor that will need to be scraped, scrubbed and mopped for the 5th time this morning, I smiled and mused: What the heck have I done, and how will I ever survive this chaos?!

Yup, that’s me, with coffee cup, on the floor giving baby birds treats!

Did you imagine it? Did you smell, taste and see it? I laughed, not because I found it funny really. Oh, don’t get me wrong — I chose every bit of it. I wanted to be right there. I laughed because it was crazy. I laughed because it was slightly funny, the scene before me. It was funny because I put myself there. I was slightly overwhelmed. Yet, I was happy. And smiled because I was. Perhaps your chaos is not the same as mine. In fact, I suspect most of you do not have the same chaos that I have. Maybe you are that young mom with toys and diapers and a home that is also overwhelming, but in a different way. Maybe you are older and dealing with aches, pains, appointments and a supplement drawer overflowing with ailment aids. Your house is tidier, but your mind is cloudy. Perhaps your chaos is the in between… carpooling, school lunches, technology demands and your mini van has become the home office for calls, fast food and cat naps in the school pick up line. It smells just as nasty as my living room floor with that hockey equipment in the trunk. Oh friend, your chaos may be different than mine, but I am almost positive you can relate.

Does the word “chaos” have a bad connotation in your mind? I’m not sure. I looked it up and the definition seems to have some darkness to it. Maybe I chose the wrong word to describe the feeling I had on the floor that day. I say that because it wasn’t wrong or evil… just, well, chaotic. Perhaps it conveys a “lack of control” when things are just everywhere. Or is it just like the beginnings of earth… a void with no purpose or direction until God came in and breathed life into it? I think that’s the take we see when we think of “biblical chaos”. Or is it the dark sin taking over the world as in Noah’s day where things needed a clean slate and a “start again”? Is my chaos just busyness? A mental health strain that just needs more time? I don’t think it’s evil or sinful. Perhaps my semantics have labeled busy as chaos? Overwhelmed? Whatever — you get it.

Photo by Serge Bardot on Pexels.com

Right now, the house is quiet. Everyone has been fed, cleaned and cared for. The sun is shining. Okay, a hen just walked through the front door… but so far, the floor is still clean. Now the dog is barking. Trust me, it was peaceful a second ago! And it will be again. I guess the point of this post is to say, be encouraged! Life stages are just that: stages. We move around all the time! Faithfulness is so very much an attribute of God I love… because as much as our world changes and life seems crazy and overwhelming and often messy… God is our consistent companion to hold our hand and carry us through to the next thing. Believe it. Trust Him. Smile, with coffee cup in hand and say, “Yup, You and I can handle this God… on to the next adventure!” And now if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go chase a chicken out of my living room…

Finding Comfort: Shelters for Goats, Chicks, and Us

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It’s another rainy, spring day — and exceptionally cool for this time of year, which means there is little outdoor work to be done — again. I am so behind in the garden. It may not happen this year. The few seedlings that survived may go in pots and be done with it. On the bright side, there was an opening in the builders schedule and our goat barn/shed is complete! She needs a coat of paint, but I am super exited! It looks great and I didn’t have to wait the weeks I thought it was going to take! I spoke with the breeder and I’m going to check out a few babies likely next week…it is happening people!

The chicks are indoor still but growing well… except for “Onion” a little peep who still seems to be fluffy and downy soft. In fact, she looks like a turkey chick if I didn’t know better. I didn’t order turkeys, so that is very unlikely, but it makes me laugh just the same. As I type this they are all quiet and snuggled up together under the heat lamp. It’s a perfectly peaceful afternoon in the house right at this very moment in the rain. It’s silent and still. And feels safe and warm and serene right now. Which has me musing…

All safe and warm under the glow of the heat lamp!

I’ve been looking at all kinds of shelters… goat, chicken, rabbit. I’m constantly on Pinterest or FB Marketplace looking for ideas and habitats. Before moving to Itsnotta farm, I spent hours (and yes, I mean hours!) scrolling for the perfect century home with all the things on my checklist. Yes, the property is full of maintenance that is draining our time and certainly our budget, but I am so thankful for all the blessings we have. Last night, God granted us a spectacular sunset. The sky was a blaze of oranges and pinks and purples. It was stretching far across the farm fields and I am sure it looked absolutely gorgeous reflecting off the lake. Yes, we are blessed to live in a free country surrounded by the beauty of the southern Ontario countryside.

After such a harsh and long winter, and what is turning out to be a very wet spring, I take comfort in our warm home. I take comfort knowing these little chickies are spoiled in my house under the heat lamp. I feel bad for the bunnies on rainy days and try and snuggle and dry them up before bed — knowing all living creatures appreciate a warm, soft and safe place to sleep at night. A shelter. My A.I. overview gives me this description of the word “shelter”:

“Shelter refers to a structure, covering, or place that provides protection from danger, bad weather, or exposure. It can also mean the state of being protected (refuge) or a place providing food and lodging, such as a homeless shelter. As a verb, it means to provide protection or to take cover.”

Those words describe a lot. Protection. Safety. Comfort. Warmth. I think shelter is one of those basic human needs… like food and water. Essential to life. Did you know the word shelter is used 36 times in the old testament, and almost always, the Lord is our source of that protection? He hides us under a cleft of rock, or draws us near, or under His wing. As I hang out with my new baby chicks, they do not like to be picked up as a rule. They squawk and yell and flap about, until I cover their fluffy little heads in the palm of my hand. This, like hiding under a momma’s wing, seems to give them comfort and a sense of calm protection. Shelter, if you will.

The completed Goat Shed! She still needs some paint…

My goat barn is a simple wooden shed. The goats are new to me, but I am told they will “dog pile” to stay warm. And that they hate rain. I’m looking forward to baby goat snuggles. Still, I know they belong outside and can’t stay in the house forever. My family will surely disown me. So, I will do my best to provide shelter. As our Heavenly Father does for us.

What about you, my friend? Are you seeking shelter right now? Do you need to feel the warmth and comfort of a “safe place”? I can’t imagine being homeless and wet and cold. I am lucky. Many in our world are not. My tiny chicks have it better that they… warm, fed, relatively clean, but most of all safe and protected to the best of my ability. Everyone deserves that, am I right? We must do our part.

So, as you’ve come along with me on another weekly muse, I hope you have taken notice of how you are blessed. Are you warm and safe in a cozy spot as you read this? Be thankful. Can you go to God with all your needs and know that He’ll “take you under His wing” and “protect you in the cleft of the rock”? Absolutely! Take a moment to thank Him for it, as will I, and we’ll see you back again real soon as we walk along this journey together, my friend!

The Significance of Cedar Trees in the Bible

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Welcome back to another episode of what on earth is happening and why does it cost so much? Just kidding. I just signed off on our goat shed. And got groceries this week. Yup, feeling the pinch over here. I suspect many of you are in that stage as well, so I’m in good company, eh? Thanks for being here to follow along in the journey! It’s been a whirlwind here and time has not been on our side. Spring finally arrived with a vengeance and left us with no time to catch up. Story of our lives. For recap: firewood pile is on the lawn and not stacked, baby chicks are in the house and growing fast, goat fence is up and shelter ordered but not in yet, baby goats due soon! garden has already sprouted and not cleaned up, maple syrup is a bust this year and we didn’t get to the sap…it will likely be spoiled… but hey! my house is fairly tidy at the moment, so there’s that! Life, as I have said many times, is like that, and I take comfort in knowing that God’s Got This and He sees it all.

The beginnings of the cedar arbor

So let’s dive in to this week’s muse. I think we’ll continue on the theme we’ve been following on plants and their significance in the Bible. For this week, I came upon the mighty cedar tree. You’ll see it mentioned 103 times in the Bible. “The mighty cedars of Lebanon” built the temples, and refer to strength and royalty. It also refers to a pretty hunk of a good mate ( “He stands tall, like a cedar, strong and deep-rooted, A rugged mountain of a man, aromatic with wood and stone.” Song of Solomon 5:15). Huba Huba… Could be an Old Spice commercial. They probably have a “cedar scent” for their products. Not sure if it was biblically inspired, but they likely have one.

Speaking of great odour, cedar is a favourite of mine as well. Have you ever been to one of those antique shops with an old cedar chest ? I have slight regret for not buying one when I was a teenager… it was all lined with quilting and smelled fabulous. I now own several old crates. Not sure too many of those have that great cedar smell, though. That mix of ruggedness and freshness. Outdoorsy, but still “clean”. Yes, would definitely make a good deodorant.

Cedar trees. Itsnotta farm has several cedars surrounding the property. Some are very, very tall and the owls and crows hide in them way up at the top. I can only pick out their bird calls. The evergreen needles hide them well. We also have a cedar “hedge” near the house. I say “hedge” as I think it once was much shorter than it is now. I’ve hacked away at it to build my arbor. Which is still up… but leans to the side slightly. So much for strength and royalty. I guess the good wood was just in the wrong hands. It smelled good though, when I was hacking away at the branches.

The “Cedars of God” nature preserve, one of the last vestiges of the forests of Lebanon Cedar.

Anyway, another week, another focus. Mighty cedars. What does it mean to you? A sweet aroma, reminding you that God’s in control and will be your source of strength? A symbol of power and royalty, used to build the mighty temples and palaces that held the likes of Solomon the wise? A tall evergreen to hide and protect us in its branches?

It’s good to take a look around once and awhile and notice things and wonder why they are there. It’s why I do this little thing every week. Lately, I feel like my writing hasn’t been as focused, but if someone somewhere gets something out of it, then I suppose my little musings are worth it. In this world of AI and auto generated everything, it’s nice to have a little unprofessional blip about nothing in particular every now and then, yes?

And so, as I go out to do my farm chores every morning, or hear the owl call from somewhere in the branches at night, I’ll think (and smell?) about our little cedar hedges, and be reminded of the mighty cedars of Lebanon and the strength they brought to the ancient world. And now, I hope you’ll be reminded of them, too, and trust that the mighty Creator of the cedars thinks about you as well! Be blessed, my friends!

Our leaning cedar arbor…surrounded by the “hedge”