Making a Difference
It has been some time since my last post. SOME TIME, meaning a lot of time has passed. My absence from blogging has nothing to do with my love of sharing new and interesting topics to write about, it just has to do with an uncertainty of a feeling of what can I write about that may make a difference to my readers? I want to post something today that could make a difference in how you, the reader, may think about spending your spare time, other than staring at a screen, sleeping or just plain bored.
So here is what I have been up to with some of my spare hours.
Since March, I've been volunteering at a local farm in Grand Ledge called Mitten Misfits. I thought, 'I will give back and make a difference, maybe some great humorous artwork will come out of the journey!'
The farm is owned by Vic and Bob Worthy and is in their backyard!
It's a farm for retired petting zoo animals and any aging animal they can save, to live out their golden years.
My first day was March 20th. I was thrown into the deep end, so to speak with my very first task. I held a white turkey named Liberty, while 2 other volunteers attempted to open her beak and put a pill down her throat. This could have been a 4 person task as the three of us completed it, however, it took longer than expected.
Liberty was sweet, and super sick. She pretty much fell asleep while she nuzzled her head into the crook of my elbow.
Pictured Above Me holding Liberty
Let me tell you a little more about Mitten Misfits. Being the sanctuary it is, there are loads of hellos to new animals coming in and sadly there are also good-byes. Death is a big part of volunteering here, but since I have only been working the farm since March I haven't gotten too attached, YET. I think we have had 4 or 5 animals pass away since March that I am aware of. It is sad yes, but honestly we all love on them so much, they really are living out their best years.
I go every Thursday morning, arriving by 8 am with my "shit kickers' hermetically sealed in a box in my trunk. Upon arriving and parking I do my best "Mister Rogers" impersonation and switch from sneakers to those special boots, apply sunscreen and finish the ensemble with my MSU Spartans Baseball Cap. Whoops, I cannot forget my work gloves, even though I end up taking them off later in the morning.
Pictured Above My "Shit Kickers" Lyndsay got them first and I copied her!
Promptly you are welcomed by a clowder of cats. Fat, skinny, black, white, calico, and orange felines. It really is something to see, they are hungry and ready for their breakfast and they aren't shy about asking for it! Some are skittish but most are super friendly and want lots and lots of human contact.
All the animals are hungry and waiting for food. No pressure here, and don't let the donkey brays throw you off, we start with the horses. No wait, we do the cats while we are doing the horses otherwise they won't leave us alone!
The farm is loaded with many types of animals here is a list, I am sure I will forget something. We have Horses, Miniature Horses, Donkeys, Chickens, Cows, Pigs, Pot-Belly Pigs (my favorite), Goats, Sheep, Ducks, Turkeys, Rabbits and Peacocks. They are fed twice a day during the morning and afternoon shifts.
These are special animals and just a couple examples for you. We have sweet Marshmallow, the white miniature horse with dwarfism. I know it sounds like an oxymoron, right? She is cute as a button, but definitely has leg issues. Speaking of legs, we have acquired a 3 legged goat named Tilly (aka Eileen). Last week our Thursday crew applied her prosthetic leg. A 2 person task that also became a 3 person job! LOL!
Speaking of our Thursday Morning Crew... I have made some good friends through volunteering at Mitten Misfits. Just to mention a few, Shannon (who corrals all of us vounteers and runs the farm under Vic's directions),Lyndsay, Patti, Shari and Victoria (who we miss because she needed to change shifts).
Pictured above Lyndsay, myself and Victoria in front of a BIG PILE of SHIT!
So, in conclusion after explaining some of these well deserving retired animals, and my hopes of giving back I learned something very valuable. You don't always "Get What You Give" (New Radicals).
If you are observant and open to new experiences you may actually Get More while you are Giving. I was hoping to GIVE SO MUCH TO Mitten Misfits but MM ended up GIVING even MORE to ME.
I have gained friendship, farm skills, more confidence and maybe some core strength. LOL
Volunteering is so great for the soul and a for lots of giggles. Our Thursday morning crew is always laughing at this or that. And yes, poop is funny!
So get out there- find a cause and Volunteer!
Until next time,
Tracey