Last week, my house was full of friendly company from the States, and I was happily showcasing all the lovely things about our little farming community in Wales. I pointed out the quiet roads, the safety, the community spirit, and the fact that we have more sheep and cows than people. In other words, it was all very picturesque and nearly worthy of a postcard.

Then, just two days after our guests left, the farmer fertilized the field behind our house. Suddenly, my postcard had a smell. Even with the windows and doors shut tight, the whole house now carries the unmistakable aroma of pig and chicken poo. I can’t help but think, Well, this is a fine way to balance out my sales pitch. One minute I’m praising the perks of rural life, and the next minute I’m wondering if I should hand out clothespins at the door. 

Life has a way of reminding us that every coin has two sides. The sweet moments and the stinky ones often arrive close together, and neither one asks our permission first. I was just celebrating the beauty of our surroundings, and now I am living in the not-so-beautiful part of it.