Star Clan

This sweet mama went to sleep forever today. It was a bittersweet goodbye and a hard, but full-of-love kind of day.  Mama was part of the herd when we bought the farm in 2018.  We didn’t know a thing about goats back then, but it didn't take long for us to fall completely in love with every single one of them.  

Lately, we noticed she's been having difficulty digesting her cud.  Our vet made a few farm visits in the hopes of helping her recover.  This morning, I found her snuggled between her two grown kids in a very tender moment.  Her desire was still there, but her body was failing her.  I knew it was time to say goodbye.   

To our sweet old mama goat:  

Thank you…for the joy you filled our days with, the tiny baby goats you brought into the world, and letting our Ella grow up beside you.  

Even though today feels sad, we are so grateful you were a part of our story.  Run free and eat all the best leaves in goat heaven.  

R.I.P. Star Clan  

G.0.A.T.

I KID you not...we now have a four-day-old, Spanish Boer twin GOAT weighing in at four pounds.  What he lacks in weight, he makes up in spunk.  It all started with a simple text from a neighbor looking for someone to bottle feed an orphaned goat and ended with this mother/daughter duo taking on the every-two-hour feed/potty challenge.  We got this...*yawn/wink*

Ella took his naming seriously and for the past couple of days, she's been searching her heart and observing his spirit to give him the identity he deserves.  The result:  

Junot Tomas Broussard!

The story behind the name...Ella met an amazing fiddler named Keith Junot at the Fiddler's Frolics in Hallettesville when she was maybe eight years old.  They developed an instant bond and--by night fall--he surprised her and invited her on stage to play a cajun song or two with his headliner band.  He stayed in contact with us and constantly imparted his musical wisdom, shared stories, provided guidance, and promoted Ella every chance he got.  

Years later, Keith was diagnosed with cancer.  At that moment, I began to see the real impact his friendship had on her.  They/we chatted often, she visited him when she could, brought him his favorite snacks, and even donated the money from a gig to help when he needed it most. 

In 2022, Keith was inducted into the Fiddlers Hall of Fame as one of the Greatest Of All Time fiddlers.  After the ceremony, he came up to her and told her he had the perfect blue Barkus Berry fiddle he wanted to gift her--and he did.  Not long afterward, Keith passed away, but he stayed in touch until the bitter end.  His earthly struggles are gone, but his spirit lives on in little Junot!

Tomas means twin (and is the name of our dear friend's heavenly son) and well, Broussard means "man of the brush;)" 

Can a mother forget the [kid] at her [udder]
and have no compassion on the [kid] she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 

Isaiah 49:15

#wearefamily

High School Freshman

Ella's first day of 9th grade looked very different from our actual lesson plans. After reading posts from parents whose kiddos started school last week coupled with news of a tragic school-related accident, we deviated from our "plan." 

Turning off the early morning alarm before it sounded, I stared at my beautifully sweet teen sleeping peacefully. She looked as if the summer breathed a new level of maturity into her--her big bed no longer swallowing her.  I couldn't help but delay the inevitable and climb in for cuddles. "The Old Man and the Sea" could just continue fishing, and we would CATCH him later.

These are the times when being an older parent comes with special benefits. Grateful for a successful career, retirement, an amazing hubby, and the opportunity to homeschool, teach, follow and support my girl--without judgment, while she navigates the different stages of life. 

"Every day is a new day" (Hemmingway). I love watching her smile and grow into the fresh-faced teenager she’s become.  With over seven billion people on God's earth, SHE is the absolute perfect daughter for me.  Can't' wait to see what this year brings. 

Happy learning sweet girl from the Happiest [Mama] in the Whole USA;).  

By the light of the moon

Ella and I had intentions on this cold, dark night of a walking farm tour by the light of the Cold Full Moon.  Mother Nature (cloud cover/misty rain) and potential Christmas Covid/Cedar Fever had other intentions.  

In celebration, we lit a candle, talked about the13th full moon this year, the oddity of 2020, the unexpected gifts, and things we might like to change in 2021. 

Days and nights will get colder, but His birth, hope and some of our favorite things with keep us warm.  

 

May you always find warmth and light on the coldest, darkest night...

A new perspective...

Sometimes we need to change things up a bit to gain a new perspective:  

I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way.  John Keating in Dead Poet's Society

In the spirit of new perspective, she hangs in the air as a gentle reminder to view her same surroundings a little differently.  

For one brief moment in my life, I was a college English teacher and was inspired by Robert Williams, John Keating, and Dead Poet's Society.  Ella and I watched the movie tonight.  I used parental guidance and fast forwarded through some scenes that were inappropriate for my ten-year-old.  However, the movie generated some great discussion on the many truths throughout: 

1.  “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.
2. “There is a time for daring, and there is a time for caution. And a wise man understands which is called for.” 
3. “We must constantly look at things in a different way.” 
4. “Poetry, beauty, romance, love… these are what we stay alive for.”
5. “You must strive to find your own voice.”
6. “What will your verse be?”
7. “Carpe diem. Seize the day.... Make your lives extraordinary.”

May we all sound barbaric yawps over the rooftops and find our joy, passion and excitement.  

O Captain My Captain!

Shasta the Barn Cat

Our farm is growing...now 13 strong.  Anyone who truly knows our Ella knows she's a lover of all animals.  For her upcoming birthday, we thought we would take her on a trip to see her beloved Harry Potter at Universal Studies, but she had a different plan.  Her plan:  adopt a barn cat.  So, meet the latest member of the Broussard farm family, little miss Shasta B!  

They have so much in common, and they just met.  Adoption is a beautiful thing.  

She's getting the best gift ever on her actual birthday...stay tuned!  Hint:  involves one of the most famous adoptees in history.  

Time spent with cats [and Jesus] is never wasted.  
Sigmund Freud and mom