May I introduce you to Horns

[caption id="attachment_2065" align="alignleft" width="237"] Horns
16x20 Canvas Board[/caption]

I am so glad you stopped by. Let me introduce you to Horns.  Horns is really not my favorite name for this sweet mama, but my children give me such a hard time for all my names for the girls that I am a little gun shy. She is the only cow we have with really big horns so we call her Horns. Pretty original. She had a baby last week. So sweet. Mamas and babies in the pasture are one of my favorite things.

Life in the pasture is awesome! There is an amazing sense of family and community among the girls and their babies. It actually reminds me of my old neighborhood when I was little. I had friends in every house on my street. It didn't matter what age anyone was or what school they attended, we were all friends, and everybody's mama was my mama. We were close and we took care of each other. It is the same way in the pasture. All the babies run and play together while the mamas eat and visit and keep a close eye on each one. When we pull into the pasture the mamas run for the truck to say a quick "Hello" then dash off to be first in line to eat dinner. The babies bob and weave in between the truck and their  mamas to get a look at us before they sprint back to the field. When the girls are through eating, they call their babies to come home and eat. It's amazing. Each baby comes immediately and goes directly to their own mama. I think that is fascinating. When they are through with dinner, they mosey out to pasture for bedtime stories.

I was in the art store today taking in the sights and smells of paint and dreaming of what I was going to create next, when I was interrupted by a young mama calling out to her daughter. It was pretty obvious that the mama was not happy that her daughter would not come when she called. The little girl thought it was hilarious and showed no fear as she stood her ground in the crayon isle. After an exchange of heated conversation, a very angry mama about took me down as she appeared out of nowhere running down my isle looking for her daughter. I actually held my breath anticipating the meeting between the two. Believe it or not the end of hide and seek wasn't nearly as explosive as I thought it would be. Sadly, the mama chose distraction rather than discipline, and her daughter learned disobedience is more profitable than obedience.

When mama cows call their babies, they obey the first time. I love that! There's no arguing, no discussion, no distraction, just obedience. First time obedience provides protection and peace. Why are parents so afraid of teaching obedience? Why does our culture laugh at discipline and disrespect authority?  Disciplining our children and teaching first time obedience makes for happier children. It makes every day a lot more fun and makes life much easier down the road for everyone. You only have to look as far as the pasture to see obedience produces happy children. Be brave. Don't be afraid to teach first time obedience. You can do it! Let me know how it goes!         love love love Ruthie