Staff writer
It seemed to be a good way to end the year, visiting with good friends out in the goat barn. A cold wind was blowing, but the sun was shining and it was not so bad in the barn. It was after all, my favorite place, my favorite subject, doing my favorite thing — trading goats and stories about them. I just did not see that hit coming from the big bossy doe bent on putting Little Boy Blue, the new young buckling, in his place.
It was over in a second, but I am still feeling it. Big Bossy lowered her head and came forward full blast, Little Boy Blue moved a split second before she got there … and bam, I took the full hit in my knee. Ouch, that hurt.
It took me awhile to get up. My leg did not want to bend that day or the next. However, the good part was that nothing was torn, nothing broken, I just hurt. It was not how I intended to start the New Year.
Now that I think of it, the whole little goat incident kind of summed up my life, and maybe that of others in similar situations, lately.
The past year has been full of changes, and there have been times when the cold wind of a tired economy and uncertain future made life pretty uncomfortable. But, good friends, good conversation, and a sunny spot out of the wind always made things better. It was just those unforeseen hits from big Bossy that took their toll.
We could have done without that horrible local truck deal gone wrong. The devil diesel that came complete with a pack of lies and a vacuum on our bank account was almost too much to deal with.
Then there was the whole health-care issue and loss of veteran’s benefits fiasco that continues to wreak havoc on peace-of-mind in our lives.
The rising cost of groceries, the constant struggle to save our small town rural way of life, worry about schools, senior citizens, crime, and whatever else keeps people awake at night, combined with the endless effort to keep the electricity on and the water bill paid made for a rough year.
Then just when I thought it was all over, and I was safely standing among friends, 2011 moved out of the way and 2012 hit with fury.
I think the best piece of New Year’s advice I have heard yet, came in too late to be part of our 2012 New Year’s Resolutions for Marion County, published in the Marion County Record last week. However, it rings loud and clear for my family and me.
Cathy Fish of Hillsboro said everyone should keep a smile on his or her face and “chin up” in 2012.
Works for me. I may be hobbling around for a few days yet, but 2012 is a brand new year, full of promise for those who greet it with a smile and their chin up. I am really going to be smiling, however, when the new owners of big Bossy come to pick her up next week. I sold her. I am done with the pain from 2011 and ready for some fun in 2012.