Summer Evenings at Chickenmash Farm

Life Doesn't Always Turn Out the Way You Expect

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, summers revolved around the pool. My cousins and I spent countless hours swimming, and we were all on the swim team. Back then, swimming felt like a way of life. If someone had asked me what my future would look like, I never would have guessed it would involve goats, chickens, and evening chores on a small farm.

As a kid, I dreamed of traveling the world with Jack Hanna and working with animals. Other times, I imagined moving to Texas and living the cowgirl life on a horse ranch. Goats never entered the picture. Life has a funny way of taking unexpected turns.

A Different Kind of Summer

These days, summer evenings look a little different. After milking goats and finishing chores, one of my favorite things to do is spend some time in the swim spa. It might not sound very farm-like, but after a hot Ohio summer day, it feels pretty wonderful.

Sometimes I listen to an audio book. Sometimes I simply enjoy the quiet. The goats have settled down for the evening. The chickens are making their way toward the coop. The day's work is done, and for a little while everything feels slower.

Simple Things

I sometimes think about how people cooled off years ago. Maybe they found relief in a pond, a creek, or simply sat on the porch and waited for the evening breeze. These days, after chores are finished, I find myself in a swim spa. Different method, same idea. We all find ways to slow down and enjoy the season we're in.

Appreciating the Unexpected

I never planned on becoming a goat farmer. I never planned on making goat milk soap, collecting vintage treasures, or spending evenings watching chickens settle in for the night. Yet here I am. And honestly, I wouldn't change it.

One of the things I've learned is that happiness doesn't always look the way we imagined when we were younger. Sometimes it shows up in unexpected places, in quieter moments, and in routines that become part of everyday life. For me, that's often a summer evening on the farm, after the goats are milked and the work is done. And that's become one of my favorite places to be.