How is a hay field like a basket of fleece?

Today was one of those days that are full of seemingly small pleasures that are actually the source of great happiness.

For instance… part of our daily ritual is to take a mid-morning break to walk our two beloved  dogs:

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Going for their walks is a very big deal for them,

and even though they have covered the same

ground at least twice a day for years and years,

it’s always unmitigated joy for them to know that,

miracle of miracles, Mummy and Daddy are -

can you believe it?

Going to take them for a walk!

It never fails to crack me up to see their

quivering anticipation and excitement at the

prospect of going down their road!

Today, we wanted to check the hayfield, and see how the freshly mown hay was looking:

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Jim cut the hay yesterday, and as we walked the dogs last evening announced that it had been a perfect day, because his trio had had a very fine gig in the morning/afternoon, and then he had an excellent cut of hay in the late afternoon/early evening.

So, his day had been the perfect combination of being and doing the things he loves to live: Musician and farmer.

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

As we walked along, admiring the beauty of the pattern of the newly mown hay, I was describing the combinations and permutations that I was contemplating in getting some yarn ready for spinning then, weaving.

I hadn’t thought of the ridiculously complex process of ‘making yarn’ that I had been mulling over in my mind as actually being really complicated, until I heard myself describing it to Jim.

I burst out laughing and said: ‘Or, I could just go buy a ball of yarn…..’

Jim grinned at me, and we both said, at the same time: ‘It’s just like making hay!’

You can probably tell that this is a conversation that we have had a lot…. that making hay isn’t one of those things that makes sense to someone who doesn’t love doing it….. (that would be me…. I absolutely ~loathe~ lifting those prickly, nasty, heavy bales, and just don’t do it anymore)……. but, Jim loves it…..

It’s contemplative and meditative and joy filled to someone who DOES love it. (that would be him. And, he is welcome to it)  

Spinning yarn (picking through the stinky fleece, washing it, rinsing it, sorting it, carding it, spinning it….) doesn’t make sense to anyone who doesn’t love it.  BUT…. to someone who does love doing that (me) it’s wonderful.

It’s contemplative, and meditative and full of joy…

yep….. it’s just like making hay…..

so,  when someone asks you,

How is a hay field like a basket of fleece?

Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

You can tell them the answer!

Alright, I know that they AREN’T going to ask you that, so you can ask them…..

and then smile a mysterious little smile and tell them that Noreen told you so……

it’s meditation in motion, and a contemplation of contentment!