Thoughts Upon Turning Forty

Yes, today was my birthday, and I am now 40 years old. Is this bad? No, not really. I mean, it does have a certain ring to it, implying a certain level of maturity that I'm not sure I possess. Not because I am "immature" but, well, I just don't "feel" 40. Anyway, I had a good day, and I hope that my next 40 years bring as much joy as the first 40 have done!

So, what can I say about my birthday? Well, first of all, my parents bought a wonderful drum carder for me. I found it on eBay, and they gave me the money for it, because it would be difficult to send a drum carder from Canada. I have already tried it out and made a test batt, so I will be using it more in future, although not too much until this semester at school is finished.

My parents also made a wonderful set of 10 photo cards for me, each one with 4 pictures, showing me with animals through the years of my life, right up to today's photos with sheep and such. It was remarkable how many photographs they found of me with various critters, and here's one of my favourites - who knew one day I would have my own sheep?! In this picture, I'm in England with a bottle lamb on a farm near my grandfather's home. I think I was giving it some grain.
I named her Tanya, and her sister was Jemimah. I have no idea why I thought of those names. In any event, the next summer when we went for our visit, those sheep knew their names and came running out of the field to see me at the gate. It was the start of an addiction I didn't know I had!

My friend at work bought me a gift card for Earl May nursery, which is fabulous because I love to shop there and I will easily find any number of ways to spend it! I am thinking about a new decorative container for my front step. Of course, I might change my mind when I get there and see all the wonderful plants.

My friend in Calgary bought me an Amazon gift card and I'm excited about that because I have a lot of books on my "wish list" right now, so I can choose from those and have something new to read, even though I probably won't get to it until the summer.

I went on a birthday walk-in-the-woods today, just to see what was up and about in the woods. I found a male blue-winged teal duck on my pond, and then I found some beautiful trillium flowers (Trillium nivale).
I also found some interesting tree fungi.
I'm fairly glad that, at the age of 40, I have no visible fungus growing on me. Clearly I have not reached that age of antiquity yet.

I looked at my garden coming along and saw spring's promise in the daffodils.
I spent time playing with Calypso and Clipper, and also with Luna.
I watched my little Jacob lambs (they're more timid) and played "bleating" games with them.
I chatted with my feathered friends and hummed at the llamas. I looked at my pregnant Icelandic sheep and wondered about how many lambs I have on the way.
I collected 14 eggs and laughed at the ducks in the wading pool as they did their daily cleaning routines.
I watched my new pair of Muscovy ducks (Valdez and Latté) exploring their new home.
As I did all of those things, I felt like I was exactly where I am supposed to be, and I was filled with the happiness that life has brought my way, and I decided that being 40 is a good thing.