Day 2 and counting...

Today was... (speechless). I'm pretty much grasping at straws when trying to describe this experience as of yet. There are some really rewarding, satisfying, and enlightening experiences. But there are also some things that are completely not what I do on a day-to-day basis. I guess that's the point. I just have to keep remembering that I don't have to change everything, just the things that I set out to change - an appreciation for what I put in my body, better fitness, more knowledge about farming (so I can have a little garden with my class), and some spontaneity/ courage on top of it all. I DO NOT have to become these people.

Some lessons learned on the farm today and last night:
1) Do not put two hens that are clucking at each other in the same pen, because they are probably having a disagreement that could result in a fatality (true story - poor baby chick was trampled).
2) The complete silence of the woods at night is extremely peaceful and extremely soothing.
3) Prepare the milking pen properly before starting. A calf that doesn't belong to the mother cow should not be allowed to stay in the pen with the actual baby. The result can be confusion, a couple of kicks to the calf's head, spilled milk, and a really dry utter.
4) Milking a goat is surprisingly easier and more rewarding than milking a cow.
5) Mulching is good. Not sure exactly why and I'm pretty sure I'm not doing it properly, but they say it's necessary.
6) Farming life is pretty satisfying. Three hours of work in the morning followed by a long break is the kind of work that I could get used to.
7) Organic farming life is pretty thinning. I snuck in the car today to eat grapes and peanut butter crackers before lunch. No processed food leaves Emily a very hungry girl (and hopefully thinning girl, too).
8) Schlau is hose in Switzerland. Note to self - need to ask what language they speak in Switerland.

Tomorrow is picture day. My battery was dead, but I managed to take some candids of the cows. And I WILL be asking Batina to take my picture milking a goat and a cow. Thank god she's here, because I would be completely lost. She is the wwoofer from Switzerland. She'll be here til Friday. And speaking of Batina, she told me quite a story about her wwoofing experience right before this one. This was her "safe place." Let me just say, I picked the right farm. Ha ha ha. I will save her story for another day, because I'm not ready for any family member to come flying here to get me :)