Awareness

Took the ducks for a morning swim and look at my fat meat chickens. As they timidly swam into the cool pond, it was clear that their awareness was keenly engaged. Walking slowly back to the house for a second cup of coffee, their attention slowed me down enough to notice the feel of the soil under my feet after a night rain, and to look at every slope and hillock for the differences and opportunities. I have potatoes coming in from my attention to such a likely pocket that I noticed last Spring. No attention except a quick till, spread sprouting leftover potatoes, and watch the plants come up. Nothing I would have noticed if I had been speeding by in a car at 60 or even on a tractor at 10.