Today I turned 40 years old with a bottle of champagne and my family on a summit overlooking the North Cascades. We kicked off the weekend on the Pacific Crest Trail at Harts Pass near Canada. The PCT was the first “big girl” trail I hiked after moving to Seattle in 2013. Spending time in complete silence (for hours) was a first for me. It truly changed my life. When I finally grew comfortable paying attention without immediately reacting, I was really able to listen and see life around me in a way I never had before. If someone asks what really led to the end of my career, it was an internal shift I have a hard time describing but ultimately resembles self-awareness, and it probably began on the PCT. I met several through hikers this weekend who started at the Mexico border and were almost done. I asked what they planned to do after such an accomplishment. “Go home and get back to work,” most said. At first it seems anticlimactic but I remember Trent Peterson, a young man whose story I told years ago, as he rode wild mustangs along the PCT. He used to say that the PCT is just a trail, what matters is that we slow down, pay attention and see clearly whatever path we’re on. I looked up a quote from that report to share with you all.
“This isn't to advocate for the PCT. The PCT is just a trail. Get out of the rat race and slow down. Pay attention to the little things, not just the big things, because it's the whole picture we need to be aware of," he said.
Our mini Nubian milk goat, Sundae, gave birth to a boy and girl while we were gone yesterday morning. We've been on baby watch for days and she is such a stinker for having them right after we left for a couple hours! That said, we are always happy to return to good news as there are so many things that go array when we leave. Lily has named the new additions "David" and "Olivia". Both are doing well and as cute as can be.
Don't forget you can support the farm adventures and your health with the fermented cod liver/butter oil blend from Green Pasture. It's not just any old fish oil - it's fermented organ meat oil mixed with a high vitamin D butter oil. The two work together to make sure you get the most out of all the vitamins and omega 3s. I used to get chronic cavities and this stuff saved my mouth. Use "ALISON" as your promo code at check out for 10% off. https://greenpasture.org/
Here is a short clip from last Sunday's show where Carl DiPiazza of Organic Gut Solution and I discuss how candy and grocery store waste is often fed to cows, from beef to dairy - though I have seen reports that the same can be said for pigs. It is not just surprising to me that candy is fed to cattle with the wrappers included - but that so many mainline agricultural "experts" recommend this as part of a beneficial and cost effective calorie source for cows.
Calories are not just calories - and the same can be said about fish oils - which is why I get mine from Green Pasture. I started taking the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil 15 years ago and it stopped my seemingly endless battle with chronic cavities. They have lots of other great products and you can get 10% off with promo code "ALISON" at check out. https://greenpasture.org/
It would be easy to think Sassy’s behavior is accidental but I’ve watched her for 33-years now and she is excellent at sending messages in her own language. The other day I cleaned the goat stalls and put brand new shaving in them - only to have Sassy go right into one of them and lay a massive poop. Then, after I cleaned that, she pooped again right in the goat feed dish. Any guesses what she’s trying to communicate?
Don’t forget to grab your fermented cod liver oil/concentrated butter oil - which is how I protect my teeth to make sure I can communicate my disappointment with Sassy when she acts like this! 🤣Use promo code “ALISON” for 10% off at check out. https://greenpasture.org/
We went for a rare dinner out tonight for Father’s Day and this picture pretty much sums up why we usually eat at home. Well that and …don’t get me started on restaurant food. 🤣Happy Father’s Day to all the dads! In the comments, leave the best advice or funniest thing your dad ever told you. I’ll start. My dad @ChipAbrahamsen dropped me off in Paris for my junior year abroad in 2001 and at the Metro counter he asked for tickets to the Eiffel Tower stop (Champs de Mars) except what he said to the ticket lady sounded like “chien de merde”. She was very confused. (Google it.)
