Random Wonders for Your Consideration

The recent solar eclipse, which we were unable to see here in Olympia, reminded me of a fairly cool fact.

The Sun is approximately 400 times larger than the Moon, but the Moon is approximately 400 times closer to Earth than the Sun; thus, they appear to be the same size when an eclipse occurs.

Devout believers in a Higher Power aka God will point to that fact and say “see, that proves there is a God.” I look at that fact and think “man, it’s all so damned cool, as in mind-blown cool, as in knock-me-over-with-a-feather cool.”

Which is pretty much what I think when I hear about atmospheric pressure.  Whether you know it or not, the air has weight; in fact, within the “atmosphere,” there is enough weight to crush every little thing.

So, why aren’t we all flatter than Grandma’s burnt pancakes?

The answer to that question will have you shaking your head in amazement and no, I’m not going to give it to you. Look it up if you are interested or shoot me a message and I’ll tell you.

Which brings me to my next humbling observation.

Today there were ten chicks born in the incubator, twenty-one days in their birth chamber, right on schedule.  I watched most of them as they cracked their shells, chirping loudly, announcing to the world their arrival, finally breaking free, exhausted from the struggle, out of the safety of that egg, into what has to be a frightening new world, and if you have an ounce of reflection in you, as I do, you can’t help but think about the fragility of life, and how amazing it is that any of us, any living creature, survives the battle of life; and I tell you true, I always cry when I witness a birth, a new life, no matter the size, no matter the species, so very, very special.

And before that, out at the goat farm, sitting in the Cuddle Barn, surrounded by fifteen newly born baby goats, and I tell you this without a moment’s hesitation, it is a scene guaranteed to bring the toughest, meanest person to their knees in joy.  It is absolutely impossible to be in a bad mood around baby goats. They each come out of their momma’s womb playful and full of inquisitive wonder. They are untethered by rules, unconcerned with protocol, seemingly placed on this Earth for the sole reason to bring smiles to the faces of those humans lucky enough to be in their vicinity.  Check my Facebook page if you want a taste of cute.

Same farm, down the driveway about one-hundred feet, the new orchard and chicken pasture we all have been working on this past month.  Think a rectangle about 220-feet long and 40-feet wide, soon to be home to, currently, twenty-five chickens, though I suspect more will be added fairly soon . . . and maybe ten fruit trees, I might be low on that estimate, and it is such a feeling of accomplishment to turn a heretofore unused section of land into a fruit-bearing orchard which will feed many for many years, while the resident flock of chickens turns the soil and continues to make that soil productive into the future, all the while aiding in the battle against global warming.

Do I have a central message in this section? Nothing other than the fact that, to my way of thinking, this gift of life is worth savoring and should never, ever be wasted.

Pax vobiscum to you all.