Just Write {63}

November 26, 2012

My feet won’t warm up.

Today I learned how to make a water warmer for the chicken coop; a thing to set under the water so it doesn’t freeze. Now I just need to actually make the water warmer for the chicken coop. It looks so easy and the post even said it takes less than ten minutes.

It’s getting so cold, the water freezes too fast. I’m in and out, trudging across the backyard with my puffy coat on, hood up, to bring fresh warm water that will freeze in about an hour. But I keep doing it, because chickens get thirsty too. So back and forth I go.

We went to buy a warmer in the store yesterday but it just felt like there were so many hurdles. The price, the kids asking questions and going into other aisles and then wanting suckers. The farm store always has them asking for suckers because at the checkout they’re in this very appealing display and they are such HUGE suckers, so obvious and shiny and colorful, like the elephant in the room, in our homes and our lives. We ignore those though. It’s like we’d rather just keep walking back and forth on repeat in puffy coats, with our habits of being even though it would be easier to make a water warmer for the chicken coop.

Or get rid of some of the unhealthy elephants by facing them.

This morning Elsie walked away from me, down the sidewalk, behind her brothers. Brothers who were saying goodbye to me and see you later and skip-walking fast. Elsie was doing her slow careful toddler tippy toe walk and she stopped and turned around and she waved with a huge-looking mitten on her hand. Up and down, slowly lifting that warm little hand at me and smiling from behind her pacifier. She speaks with no words, she has fits to show you exactly what she wants and she will not stand for the elephant in the room; I already know it, and I’m so glad. She’s a no nonsense little spitfire and if it makes sense to make the water warmer in times minutes or face the elephants, she will.

She came along to teach me, of course.

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This is the 63rd installment of Just Write, an exercise in free writing your ordinary and extraordinary moments. {Please see the details here.} I would love to read your freely written words so join me and link up below. You can add the url of your post at any time. Just be sure it’s a link to your Just Write post, not to your main page, and please don’t link to posts that are not written in the spirit of capturing moments–like lists or sponsored posts. Then please link back to this post in your post so people know where to go if they’d like to join in. (Any links not following those two guidelines will be deleted.)

Also. Please take a moment to visit someone else who has linked up! It’s a really good way to meet new writers and get inspired by the meaning behind their moments. Word? Thank you!



{ 12 comments }

tara/pohlkottepress November 26, 2012 at 10:07 pm

sounds like our daughters would be fast friends…and then enemies…but then make up again real quick :) love these girls who burn bright and strong.
tara/pohlkottepress recently posted..Revival

Kerstin November 26, 2012 at 10:08 pm

I love your Just Write posts.
They are so simple and pure and they are no-nonsense! No elephant in the room required.

You have inspired me to do my own free writing and I love when it just flows.
Kerstin recently posted..A life less ordinary

Kim Gane November 26, 2012 at 10:15 pm

I’m so excited! I actually did this today, quite by accident! Excited to share for my first Just Write: http://www.westcoastposse.com/2/post/2012/11/mom-theres-something-i-have-to-tell-you.html
Thanks! @KimWCPosse

Robin | Farewell, Stranger November 26, 2012 at 11:05 pm

I think my son was sent to teach me too. I just haven’t figured out what I’m supposed to learn.
Robin | Farewell, Stranger recently posted..River of Consciousness

Baby by the Sea November 27, 2012 at 1:28 am

Sounds like we could all learn from sweet Elsie. And, yup, sometimes the easiest changes are the hardest to make.

Tricia November 27, 2012 at 6:20 am

So wise your girl. My children teach me too, every day.
Tricia recently posted..In my arms

Kimberly November 27, 2012 at 7:04 am

I never knew that someone so small could teach us so much more than we already know. They’re amazing.

Kristin Kraabel November 27, 2012 at 9:13 am

I hear ya on avoiding the store ad putting off the things that would make life easier. I was excited to do my first Just Write!
http://kristinfancypants.blogspot.com/2012/11/just-write-first.html
Kristin Kraabel recently posted..Just Write (The First)

IASoupMama November 27, 2012 at 1:16 pm

Oh, those wee ones teach us far too much…

We warm our chicken coop with red lightbulbs. They have a fancy name, but my hubby hangs them so they’re about three and a half feet off the ground and they keep everything warm and toasty, our waterer hasn’t frozen yet and it’s been three winters in Iowa. Of course, he built our chicken coop sturdy enough and insulated it well enough that we could rent it to a college student as an apartment…
IASoupMama recently posted..Ten Thousand Steps

Dara Dokas November 27, 2012 at 5:34 pm

I really like how you say, “she came along to teach you”. I do believe our children teach us many things, that is, if we listen. It’s obvious you’re listening!

Good luck with the water warmer! Definitely get/make one.
Dara Dokas recently posted..How To Avoid Being Bullied

rebecca @ altared spaces November 30, 2012 at 7:31 am

Still writing behind the scenes. Not for public consumption, but truly for public gratitude. You, Just You make all the difference.
rebecca @ altared spaces recently posted..clients bring clarity to my life…huge gratitude

Stephanie Precourt November 30, 2012 at 11:16 am

Ivy for sure was sent along so that I could learn how to continue living this life, I’m sure of it.

Steph
Stephanie Precourt recently posted..Open to Close

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