Writing

For the past week or so, I’ve had an idea bouncing around in my head. Generally, I get ideas for fiction writings, but this is for a personal essay. I’ve decided to title it “How I Found Love Milking Cows.” It’s fairly obvious what it’s going to be about.

 

Why I Love My Job

• I have social anxieties and poor social skills. Working on a dairy farm means, I don’t have to interact with people all that much. I have known my boss since I was a little girl and my co-workers are all easy to get along with.
• I get to work with animals. I may not get along with people, but I love working with animals. They don’t judge.
• It doesn’t matter if I’m having a bad day. If I’m sad, a lot of the cows are calm and friendly enough that I can grab a hold of their necks or heads and just hug them. In particular, one red and white Holstein, Little Red (#1008), lets me do this at any time. On the other hand, if I’m in an irritated mood, the physical labor helps me work out my aggression.
• I get to be a sassy, little smartass any time I want to.
• Milking cows is a valuable skill. There will always be jobs in farming. People need to eat. No farms = no food. So, you better damn well appreciate the farmer.
• If I had never started milking cows, I probably never would have gotten together with my boyfriend.

 

In Which, 50 Questions Part Two

6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

Milking cows. Really. I am my most content in the milk parlor. I loved my job over the summer, which was milking cows. I love it even more when I milk my boyfriend’s cows with him. Few things are better than those moments.

7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

Probably settling for what I am doing. I’m an English major, what is what I believe in doing. However, there are a lot of classes with that major that I’m just settling for what I am doing. Like Reading Poetry. I hate that class, but I have to take it.

8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

Wow. My life would already be half over… If I was going to die when I was around forty, I would have already told Alex that I love him. Right now, I have the time to wait to tell him until I’m absolutely sure he’s ready to hear it. If I knew my life would definitely be a lot short, I would take more risks, be more forward, live for the moment.

9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

Until recently, like the past year, I haven’t been in control of my own life. I was always aiming to please someone else. Whether it was my parents, or relatives, or teachers, or my ex-boyfriend, Taylor. I put my own needs and wants on hold to make others happy. But lately, I’ve been doing what makes me happy. That has been working out very well for me.

10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

Both. I worry a lot. I want to do the right things right. In other words, I want to do the right thing and do it correctly. In my mind, the two aren’t a separate question.

 

In Which, There May Be a Break

Tomorrow marks the start of fair season. Where me and my family bring the cows and sheep to various, local, agricultural fairs. That being said, I may be missing in action for a few days… Or a week.

Though, there is a chance that I will be able to update. Last year at Topsham Fair, my brother was able to pick up wireless signal on his laptop. So who knows. Maybe I’ll be able to crank out a few updates next week.

If not, I’ll be back late on the 9th.