Why, yes I was, thank you. Well, not literally, but hey, we’re all animals, so if I revert to form occasionally, I can hardly be faulted for it. If I step in something nasty from time to time, chances are pretty good that something is of my own manufacture, I’ll grant you, but there is some comfort in knowing we all do the same, that others are as fallible and foible-filled as I am. Mostly if it appears that anyone gives the appearance of perfection, it’s got more to do with one of two things: either they’re more skilled than average at a quick cover-up, recovery or diversion, or they simply don’t do that much–act, change, live–so they’re just playing the odds for an easier win.
I’ve come to terms, I think, with being my own brand of nature-girl when it comes to just being an ordinary, contented chick-sheep-or-bovine and letting the, ahem, chips fall as they may. Being the human beast means I must tend to mucking out my own stall, and I’m at least responsible enough to attempt that, I hope, but it also means that I don’t have to worry too much about trying to be someone or something excessively sophisticated let alone idealized. Every creature does what comes naturally, and we don’t tend to blame the non-human ones for that, other than the occasional bird targeting our shiny cars with their natural output and such. And I promise never to strafe your precious automobile, if that makes you feel any better.
So please pardon my tendency towards inadvertently impolite outbursts, my untimely bodily noises, my awkward kinesis and all of that other too-human beastliness, and I’ll overlook yours as best I can, too. Because we are all in this barnyard together, my friends! PS: my computer just reminded me that the word “kinesis” contains the word “kine,” so the very least you can do is not be too critical if in when motion I resemble a cow. Thank you, and farewell for now. If you should need me, I’ll be over here lounging with my hooves in the trough.
Art-Colored Glasses 
How in the WORLD do you do this Kathryn? I’ve only been following a short time, so forgive me (and I know you will) that I don’t yet understand how you manage to have such talent – such DIVERSE talent – and how you share from such an abundant store, daily! I’m sorry, but I just have to ask – are you absolutely CERTAIN you’re human? Please tell me you’ve been creating these lovely pieces for years, decades, storing them up until the day when you would finally, finally dust them off and release them into the world, leaving us all, mouths agape, asking, “How does she DO this?!?”
You’re not the first to ask, though I may say that you ask in such a winsome and hyperbolically kind way that I feel I owe you some explanation. So how about a post on that topic? I shall answer you tomorrow. 🙂 Thank you ever so much, my dear.
I can categorically state that Kathryn is human (and a lovely one at that!).
Happy to help out!
Richard
ps – I so love the images of your critters! 🙂
Thanks! Hm, I am reminded of the concept that ‘at some level, all portraiture is self-portraiture’–apropos when I’m writing about the human animal, isn’t it. 😉
Excellent, Kathryn! Love those bird images. It is so much fun to visit your space and take some time wiht you. 🙂
Thanks for coming by, Ted! Of course the nature lover in you would like birds! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed these ones.
You are so funny.. and you have an In the Future drawing of big fat daisy!! I loved the chickens and tame that beast!! c
As I was prepping the chooks for publication I decided that the big “well-rounded woman” in the background of the group had a slight resemblance to Houdini. 🙂 Though maybe she’s not quite so large now that she’s not all fluffed out atop such a big brood of chicks!
I can’t wait until Daisy is wonderfully big and fat! She is one Amazon of a cow as it is. 😀
I am not sure if I am more in awe of the barnyard animal sketches or the wit that accompanies them….actually, that is what is unbelievable about you……you do it all.. Wonderful!
Since you and Spree have joined the kindly folk complimenting me on my diverse doings, I think I will post a bit about Process again tomorrow. Thank you for the sweet encouragement!
xoxo
Have no fear: we’ll be kine-d to you.
😉
I am so glad I saved this one till now, just before heading to bed. It’s always best to go to sleep with a chuckle — which, come to think of it, is probably why Johnny Carson did so well. I hope sometime I can do the same for you. Good night.
You have provided many a good laugh, John, both here and back at your place! Glad I can return the favor. 😀
More poop? Is there a toddler in your house, too? 😀
Delightful post, M’dear…Currently, I’m attempting to teach the Munchkin about Mucking Her Own Stall. Quite (nearly) literally.
We only *act* like toddlers around here, my dear. Good luck with the real one’s training! 🙂
Fabulous drawings to go with fabulous observations. Simply put you have riased a smile on this side of the world. Thank you 🙂
Well, then, I shall consider that I’m just reciprocating for all the smiles I find over at your blog! Thank you, too! 🙂
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I must say I agree with spree about the volume and quality of both your written works and your art. With regard to this article they say the Gods (or God if you prefer) gave us bodily functions so that we don’t start to think we are Gods. Nothing like sitting on the throne to make one feel less than godlike.
Less than godlike indeed! There were a bunch of bloggers passing around pictures of their writing spaces a while back, and I decided that pictures of the car, our bed, a side chair in Richard’s office, and especially a toilet might not make the most glamorous contributions to the series, so I have refrained from that bit of over-sharing. 😉
Hi Kathryn! Well, I sooo enjoyed this…the drawings are so wonderfully detailed and alive and so is your writing. I love your take on those who pretend perfection! I’m a bit of would-be perfectionist myself and you truly put me in my place. I mean that in a good way because it is so freeing and evolving to acknowledge that–as you say–‘we are all in this barnyard together’!
I also love the title, by the way. How could I resist…wait…to open this post?
So very glad to find myself on the same farm with you! I was actually tempted to word the title the way that an Israeli friend of my husband’s used to say it: “What, were you born in a tent?!”–but I suspected that would be a little too confusing for the US audience. 🙂
Udderly charming! I can almost hear that cow mooing. The bellowing you hear is just me laughing.
Oh, you are so baaaaaaad! My punning pal!! You sure know how to make *me* laugh a lot, darling!
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Gorgeous – did one of my cockerels sneak over to you to pose for that drawing?!
I’m not so lucky as to have real cockerels even coming for a visit, so I have to “make my own”! Someday, maybe I’ll have some nice chickens here too . . . or if yours need a little holiday . . . 🙂
I’ll settle my hooves in the trough with you for a while and we can gossip about the other animals for a spell over a bit of hay. I simply can not BELIEVE how those pigs root around in the mud while making those horrific noises! xxoo
Ohhhh, I knaaaaaaaooooow, WOT ah they *THINkeng*!
😀 You’re an amazing writer and artist, Kathryn!
Thank you, dear Fati!
That sheep is real cute, facial expression, fluffy coat; would love to see the whole precious animal, little hooves and all. You are an artist in possession of your own particular style. Always looking forward to your next post…
Thank you, my friend! The sheep is one that my grandpa had years ago. I wonder if she was pregnant at the time I took the photo on which this was based, because she certainly was well-rounded!
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