Musings of a Badlands Ranch Wife

Just for the record, I am not stubborn. I am determined. Yes, there is a difference. Stubborn is being unwilling to change your mind or perspective even when good arguments are presented against it, while determined is persevering, never giving up in the face of adversity. I have a few close friends that remind me of this every day. They live in my barn. I use the term “friends” lightly here; maybe I should refer to them as free-loading squatters who have a fondness for the tantalizing flavor of barn cat food. No, they are not cats. Rather, they are the cute, furry, bandit faced terrors that resemble a raccoon, and they are determined to eat every ounce of cat food in my barn. Let me start from the beginning… For the longest time, I thought that I must have 80 barn cats because I would go through a 50-pound bag of cat food in a few days (I left it free choice because I was too lazy to feed them every day). In an attempt to minimize the high rate of consumption, I purchased a garbage can with a lid and motivated myself to feed them every morning. So, on the first morning, in the dark before school, I trudge to the barn to feed my horses, chickens and the cats. I walk in the barn, the lid is off the can, and a large portion of cat food is missing. Well heck, I guess I will get a tarp strap and secure the lid down. Dang cats are crafty! Tarp strap on, can pushed into the corner, and the food is now secure. Next morning, the lid is off, the tarp strap is still on, and the can is tipped over. Hmmm… The realization that this is not a cat, but another creature descends on my mind like an epiphany. Okay, game on. Two tarp straps, a bucket with a lid inside the garbage can with a lid, surrounded by square bales with a square bale placed on top of the can and I am feeling confident and gleeful that I am the winner. Ha! fast forward to the next morning and the square bale is still on top of the can, tarp straps still crisscross the opening, but the lid is nowhere to be found, the bucket on the inside has been opened, and the cat food supply has again been depleted. Nothing more intriguing than determined raccoons. My anger began to dissipate and was replaced with admiration. No matter what I presented, they were determined enough to persevere. Lesson learned- determination can be a powerful motivator, even when obstacles are placed in your path. Determination is the strength that prevents you from giving up, to push forward, and to stay focused on your goal. It gives you a purpose. My little furry friends taught me this. I am determined to be positive, I am determined to uplift others, I am determined to use my words for the good rather than the bad, and I am determined to approach the obstacles before me with zeal rather than apprehension.  Oh, and I moved the cat food to the house.

“Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.”

Proverbs 4:25–26 (NIV)