seen at the B'town fair yesterday

[asakiyume]

Mrs. B., retired kindergarten teacher that two of my kids had, who also ran a 4-H group that one of my kids participated in. She and her husband also had a farm in town and sold produce at local farmers markets--he's passed away, and she doesn't do that now, but she was in the 4-H tent, next to the baby calves, holding an adolescent duckling, with silky black feathers, cradled in her hands, a smile on her face.

"How are the kids?" she asked, and I talked about the two who are in Japan, and she talked about her daughter who's been in Ireland for 12 years. And then four children came up, curious about the duck, and she started explaining how it was still a duckling and the smallest of its siblings, and she pointed out where the others were.

She's a wonderful woman. If only you could have seen her smile and the gentle way she held that duck.

Here are those baby calves.

Comments

[sonia]

Thanks for sharing the image of a wonderful woman! I hope she's aware in some way of the good she does in the world.

[asakiyume]

I think she must be. She's made such a difference to generations of children and their parents, and everyone loves to see her and say hi.

[sartorias]

She sounds like a wonderful woman. We need more quiet heroes like her.

Love the photo. You know those little creatures will have a good life.

[asakiyume]

We do; I count on people like her being present. The ripples of positiveness that come from her are really strong.

The one calf on top had what looked like black eyeliner around its eyes--so beautiful.

[cmcmck]

Awww!

So sweet!

[asakiyume]

Truly ^_^

[sovay]

She's a wonderful woman. If only you could have seen her smile and the gentle way she held that duck.

Thank you for describing her. (And photographing the calves, which I hadn't realized sleep on one another like cats.)

[asakiyume]

I'm amazed at how flexible they are! I think adult cows, like adult humans, are less able to twist around like that.

[shalpacafarm]

Does relaxin (sp) affect babies in the womb? And do all pregnant mammals produce it?

[asakiyume]

I had never even heard of it! But just now I went and looked, and it seems like yes, they do.

[zyzyly]

What a wonderful little story! And I love the pic of the calves.

[asakiyume]

Thanks--yeah, Mrs. B. is a wonderful person, and those calves were just so sweet!

[minoanmiss]

You always share the most wonderful snippets of life with us. *beams*

[asakiyume]

Aww, I try. Feels sometimes like they're not always so common or I'm not always noticing them, so when I do, I want to share.

[athenais]

Oh those sweet babies! I do love cows.

[asakiyume]

These ones were exceptionally endearing. The big one leaning on the other one looked like it was wearing ancient Egypt style eyeliner.

[amaebi]

Your post reminds of the term "to gentle."

[asakiyume]

Those moments talking with Mrs. B. were very gentling. They made me breathe deeper and relax.

[wayfaringwordhack]

I cannot wait to get a dairy cow, and yet I must. :P Don't rush in, don't rush in! must be my motto.

[asakiyume]

The dairy cow you eventually get will be a lucky lady to be part of your household!

[wayfaringwordhack]

I think so, too. :D