# the Sheep Herder

#2 wanted to catch those sheep who keep escaping. He was all excited about it and even brought along his pen to assist. The only thing is that he has no arms! This hindered him a bit but he was determined. He also has no legs but I did not want to remind him of that and looked hopefully at him. He works hard. The dots in the distance are my sheep and if you look real close you will notice that some of them are in my parent's yard on the wrong side of the fence. #2 was determined to set things right. He pondered over this. I told him that it was all right, my father would not have to mow by the time they drive back up from Florida for the summer. My Dad will be happy when he learns that he did not have to mow his lawn since my sheep did it for him. #2 was sad about this but understood all the same.

#2's commute to work

#2 and I have decided that we will commute together to work. It is a very short commute since I work at my home on the farm. The commute is really non- existent-but #2 insists on it. He states that it is really the whole concept of it. The commute is what professionals do. He loves it anyways-reminds him of his days working for High Point Insurance. He loved that commute to another town in Maine to sell insurance to people in New Jersey-even though he lived in Maine. Now he helps out on a farm. He argues and wants to drive all of the time and forgets the fact that he has no arms. What shall I do? He is determined to drive to work.

Tough Times

I suppose no one really prepares us for tough times such as we face today. Every generation claims that they had it so rough to the next generation ahead of them. However, I think what makes it especially rough for those born in the 70's is that we really had it great and now have to deal with all that surrounds us with our spoiled mentality. Unlike generations before us-we did not have it rough-so we cannot make that claim. Think about it....Everything was so easy when we were younger that it seems now. We were the generation that did have it all when young, Safe home, supper on the table at 5p when Dad got home. Pool parties on warm sunny days, summer vacation, hanging out with friends, riding bikes down the street and home before the street lights went on at night. Stability. Normalcy. For most of us back then it seems. Knowing that Mom and Dad had the same jobs they always did and knowing you were in a safe home tucked in each night. Things that were always there, a comfort not often though of.

Now, it seems as if it were just a dream. As an adult, even when married, I was a single Mom. I was the one who made the supper each night and paid the bills for those lights that were turned out as they were safely tucked into bed each night-I was married on paper, not in reality as my father was to my mother in his own stability. I thought I would have the same job for years as my parent's before me seemed to have. Now, I don't know where the next dollar is coming from.

In our parent's generation, one could get a job out of high school or college and expect to stay there until retirement and then to move down to Florida. Us, well, all around us things are closing down. I certainly don't need to go into detail about that. There is not even the stability of marriage anymore. The world seems to be teetering out of control and I sometimes feel lost in it.

Before, once and a while someone would have a rough time with things. Now, it seems that it is contagious-everyone seems to be suffering from hard times not even imagined. In the 80's one could just walk right into a place and potentially be hired. Now you drown in an endless quagmire of oblivion when searching for jobs. I hear about mills in this area being shut down all of the time-and with each closing-hundreds lose their jobs and are tossed aside. With more and more closings-including the ending of my own program and employment-I feel as if this area is becoming a ghost town. People are walking around in a daze-wondering when things will go back to something even close to normal. Grasping for some sort of stability no one seems to even remember anymore.

Distant memories of jaded times are becoming more and more hazy. It does not even seem to hurt that there will be no more retirement funds left by the time my generation needs it.

Up here, people are fighters. We can survive on almost nothing and to withstand unendurable cold with every incredible means possible. It is not uncommon to hear about people not having any money for propane or oil for heat and of having to heat their trailers with hairdryers and heating plates. Of knowing tricks of keeping that valuable heat inside by hanging drapes over the windows and piling on blankets. Of people not only losing their jobs-but their vehicles and homes. I am hearing more and more stories of human suffering all around me and I will fight to keep smiling and to not lose my humor-for that will keep us alive for when the better times return.

In Maine people will help one another with the last dollar, knowing that it might be them next time. I hope people can learn from people here that lesson and to not give up hope. I will smile and know that I have worked hard and will keep searching for something out there. I do need money to keep this farm going and to feed my children. I know that I am not alone. Sorry this is so sad-but this needs to be written. People need to know about the incredibly brave people that live up here and of how strong we all are and silly when times are tough. We take pride in our accomplishments and gain strength from all we are enduring. Pulling ourselves up each time we fall and are made stronger each time. Learning more and more ways to get off that grid that is failing us. Growing our own food and living off the land. We will come out of this stronger and full of pride. Never forgetting what brought us up when we were knocked down again and again. Each other.

The Adventures of #2-"First week at new job"

Now that the Program that I worked on is over and done with I have embarked on a new adventure. On Friday of last week- we had the usual office party-though this time was the last. However, what made this remarkable besides the event that the party was for- was that I inherited the office mascot named #2. He is a plastic toy really. He is made of that rubber foam stuff and is a pencil-compliments to each of us in sales from the "Teacher's Insurance Plan of NJ". Sean made his special-he was decorated with an aluminum foil head-band and was given a mouth to hold a pen. He also had a small plastic skeleton sitting on his cubile to keep #2 company by the name of "Mr. Patel" in honor of the many Patel families that we sold policies to in NJ. My Co-worker Sean gave him to me as a parting gift. I felt honored. So in remembrance of the occasion, I thought I would update Sean on his adventures. Sean cherished his desk toys and loved #2. Other male co-workers would usually throw them at us female co-workers and I stupidy would pick them up and throw them back-untill I caught on.

Since our last day on Friday, April 3rd-after a tearful farewell I parted with #2 stuffed safely in my book bag with my empty coffee container and mug and reading materials. Call time was very slow on those last few days of the program.

Now, this is his first week at the new job-so I could understand his adjustment. Last week he was top in sales with ten minute breaks for cigarettes and now he has fifteen minutes. I am a good boss. He mainly sits in front of the monitor-missing his old boss Sean-though I have given him his space to adjust. He is used to the small cubicle and numerous co-workers who talk about fish fillets and ferrets all of the time. Now he stares at the monitor and sometimes has Cheese-Its at his desk. He is still adjusting to the loss of Sean and Mr. Patel.

Tuesday I even let him spin some wool. He is having a rough time though-since he has no arms. I understand and will let him adjust and hope for the best....

Before and after photos of sheep

My wonderful sheep! Here are the "before and after photo's" of them. I'll let you guess which one is which!!

Shorter Blogs

I have received requests for shorter blogs. I will certainly try! I write novels-what do you want people! OK, here goes....

Friday, last day of work. High Point insurance wants to stay in NJ and not have us in Maine anymore. Fine. We kicked their butts in sales, but whatever. Understand. Economy and all.

Saturday. Dragged kids outta bed and drove down to Mass-four and a half hour drive. Visited with my little sis, her husband Jim and their adorable son-Baby D (Dylan). Had a wonderful time. Kids loved Bugaboo Creek Steak House-we felt like we were home in the Disney version of our lives. We didn't hear the moose talk-will just have to wait until we are home for that and hope we catch them! lolol

Sunday. Little sis, Kris' made chocolate chip muffins-Yum. Dragged kids in car and headed south a few more exits to Attleboro area in Mass. Visited with Heidi. Made everyone down there watch my wonderful video that I made of Winter in Cheddaville! Complete with Cat Stevens music in background and morphing pics of big Maine snow!

For lunch we went to Josie, Keith and Ali's house. We were inundated with Keith's latest technology and us hics from Maine loved it! Had burgers on the grill. Then over to other side of North Attleboro to see Marcia and Wayne for afternoon and dinner. Sat on the porch out back and updated them on life here in the Sticks. Hung out for a while and watched Wayne torment kids in his usual way! He made them a snack for long ride home. Left North Attleboro around 8:30p and arrived home-non-stop after midnight. Second wind around Lewiston for last leg of journey.

Wished I could have stayed longer-took updated pics of all down there. Have a lot of work ahead now that I am unemployed. I am keeping my schedule that I had grown used to with finding other means of employment. I plan on updating my farm web page and organizing the farm. I also plan on getting my two completed literary historical novels published. All this while searching for something. Please do not let all of my years of education and work history not go to waste!! I common prayer in these times I know! A lot to do so little time!

Just another step in my life's adventure.
:)