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Cindy Keiger
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Crap Happens ... Wallowing Is Optional Paperback – October 31, 2015

by Cindy Keiger (Author), Katie Russell (Illustrator)
4.8 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
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Moving from the city to the country and becoming a farm hand wasn't on Cindy Keiger's bucket list, but that's exactly what she did. At the age of 53, she married a dairy farmer and said goodbye to her well-ordered, nine-to-five life. Everything on the farm was unfamiliar and strangely aggravating to Cindy. Before long, her attitude became as stinky as the barnyard. Wallowing wasn't an option for her—at least not for long. For each problem encountered, her faith and upbeat mindset helped her find a way out of the muck. Crap Happens...Wallowing Is Optional is the humorous and inspirational memoir of Cindy's first eleven years on the dairy farm. You don't need any farm experience to appreciate her stories and the lessons she learned. The next time you have to deal with some crap in your own life, Cindy's book will encourage you to find a way back to peace and joy.
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  1. Print length
    142 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 31, 2015
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.36 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0692556273
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0692556276
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Part memoir, part comedy, part devotional, Crap Happens…Wallowing is Optional is the story of how God used changes in Cindy Keiger’s life circumstances to work changes in her heart.

Cindy says of her early expectations, “Surely life on the farm was going to be an idyllic final chapter to my story. Instead, I discovered that a bad attitude and an aging body fought against my happy-go-lucky outlook. My inner Susie Homemaker couldn’t fix the farm, cover the smell or make it pretty.” While Cindy was focused on the external, God was doing some housekeeping of His own on her heart, helping
to clear away ungratefulness, rejuvenating a weary heart and teaching her that humor is its own brand of medicine.

With chapters like Huffing and Puffing, Cows Are Out, Don’t Fence Me In and Crap Won’t Kill You, Cindy writes about the conflict between her expectations and the reality of the farm. While she likes a neat house, life on a farm is messy and dirty. While she enjoys routine and schedule, the cows are certain
to escape at the most inopportune times. And while routine is wonderful, the drudgery of early morning milking, feeding and cleaning can chip away at the most resolute soul. All of these changes ultimately led Cindy to ponder, “Crap happens, so what do we do when our thoughts (and lives) get stinky?”

For Cindy, the answer was to “…sprinkle every day with plenty of joy and laughter.” Writing about each experience, from pulling a calf from the manure pit to learning to drive a skid loader, became a kind of catharsis that allowed her to put each event in perspective and find the humor in it. And humor has a
way of softening the edges of our experiences and changing our outlook on events. Cindy’s hope is that readers will take away the message to “Live your life! It’s the only one you have, so live it with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength.” Even if that life is sometimes full of crap.

Professional Source: Rebecca Olsen
Forsyth Woman Magazine



Cindy Keiger’s Crap Happens ... Wallowing Is Optional is filled with crap (the cow kind) and inspirational words. In this book, Keiger tells how she left a big city to move to a dairy farm. Keiger also talks about how her life has changed since living on the dairy farm, and what has happened to her since living there.

Crap Happens ... Wallowing Is Optional is not only filled with humorous stories about Keiger’s life on a dairy farm, but it is also filled with words of wisdom and inspirational quotes. The book is made up of thirty-three short stories that are funny and show Keiger’s way of thinking. As Keiger says, “It’s all about your attitude, the focus of your thoughts and hearts.” Keiger is a positive, upbeat person who sees the good in every situation. Her personality shines through her words on each page as she shares the positive and negatives sides about living and working on a dairy farm. The negative side is mostly filled with crap, but the positive side will make you have a new outlook on things in your own life.

I loved reading about Keiger’s experiences on the dairy farm. I too would make sure that every animal had a name if I lived there. I also liked that Keiger explained how to milk a cow. I never knew there were so many steps to doing it! It is also very clear how much Keiger loves her husband, Weldon. I really enjoyed this book. It made me long to live on a farm, just not a dairy farm.

About the Author

Originally from Minnesota, Cindy Keiger moved to North Carolina more than twenty years ago and has been working on her southern accent ever since. Living in Haiti and participating in various mission trips over the years were good preparation for life on a dairy farm. Reading and writing are two of Cindy's favorite pastimes. Her words, whether spoken or written, are a source of encouragement, wisdom, and humor.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MarAnKa Books (October 31, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 142 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0692556273
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0692556276
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.36 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

About the author

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Cindy Keiger

Cindy Keiger

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Cindy Keiger is originally from Minnesota (with Finnish, Irish, and German roots). North Carolina has been her home for more than twenty years, but people still note, "You ain't from around here, are you!" With her family spread all across the United States, she's always happy to sneak away for a visit whenever and wherever possible.

Cindy lived in Haiti for seven years, teaching English in a Haitian high school for three of those years and leading short-term mission teams in Haiti and Jamaica during the other four years. Since that time, she has participated in short-term mission trips to the Philippines, the Zona Maya in Mexico, and, most recently, to a Haitian church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Marrying a dairy farmer turned Cindy's world upside down. Fortunately, she realized that writing is good therapy. She's become a Crazy Cat Lady, but the craziness stays outside. She says she has to draw the line somewhere!

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
57 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and entertaining, with one describing it as a relaxing read. Moreover, they appreciate its spiritual content, finding it spiritually enlightening and encouraging. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its humor, with one customer particularly appreciating the amusing stories. Customers also respond positively to its romantic elements, with one review highlighting its portrayal of the magic of love.

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19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read, with one describing it as a relaxing experience.

"This is a really cute and delightful read. The author, Cindy Keiger, delivers on the book title: Crap Happens…Wallowing Is Optional...." Read more

"This book is a good start...." Read more

"...Love this book and it's very real look at how we take every day situations and "excuse" ourselves from having to deal with a bad attitude in..." Read more

"...I really enjoyed reading her book. Well written and the bible scriptures were an added plus. Looking forward to reading a follow up to this one...." Read more

19 customers mention "Spiritual content"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book spiritually enlightening and encouraging, with one customer noting it provides a very insightful look into real life.

"...it all, we see the author grow and learn and cope with love, determination, some stumbling along the way, and always with faith and gentle..." Read more

"...deeper than that into Cindy's personal growth and shift in attitude toward more positive thinking with the help of her Bible reading and spirituality..." Read more

"...Well written and the bible scriptures were an added plus. Looking forward to reading a follow up to this one. Keep up the good work...." Read more

"This book had it moments, and I read it all, but it seemed to go on and on with the same old, same old." Read more

7 customers mention "Humor"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous.

"Funny, relatable & sprinkled throughout the book are Bible quotes showing Cindy's devotion to the Lord. But be careful not to read it too fast!..." Read more

"...Is Optional" is a delightful read, full of hope and joy and humor; a testament to the resilience of the humor spirit and the magic of love - at..." Read more

"This is a warm, humorous book written with great honesty...." Read more

"This book is entertaining and humorous, yet gives insight to the reader on how to live in the real world where we face trials and troubles of every..." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing style"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it well-crafted and easy to read, with one customer noting its creative use of words.

"...I really enjoyed reading her book. Well written and the bible scriptures were an added plus. Looking forward to reading a follow up to this one...." Read more

"...brings such a wonderful message to the kids, so it was wonderful to read her history...." Read more

"You did an excellent job telling your story and sorting through all the "crap" that has landed in your path...." Read more

"This is a delightful easy read. Cindy uses humorous and serious situations to challenge the reader in their own life situations ...." Read more

5 customers mention "Romance"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the romance in the book, with one mentioning its warm heartwarming nature and another noting its generous soul.

"...Yet, through it all, we see the author grow and learn and cope with love, determination, some stumbling along the way, and always with faith and..." Read more

"...Always an artistic and generous soul, I never expected anything less than a "best seller"! &#..." Read more

"This is a warm, humorous book written with great honesty...." Read more

"Love love love this book. It will warm your heart and tickle your funny bone...." Read more

4 customers mention "Entertainment value"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one describing it as a great adventure.

"Cindy Keiger makes growing older and marrying again a great adventure! Life is not over after 50!..." Read more

"This book is entertaining and humorous, yet gives insight to the reader on how to live in the real world where we face trials and troubles of every..." Read more

"Fun and thought provoking!..." Read more

"Entertaining and Encouraging..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Toy Cannon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quick-witted, Honest, and Spiritually Uplifting
    Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a really cute and delightful read. The author, Cindy Keiger, delivers on the book title: Crap Happens…Wallowing Is Optional. It’s an honest appraisal on life and what you can do to keep it interesting. It is also a bit of a pep talk for life from an author who, like all of us, has muddled a little in the mire and then has to deal with its tracking’s. We all have attitudes at times. Cindy, through an impeccable ability to succinctly state the case, is able to communicate to the reader how to talk, think, and pray oneself away from the edge. Keiger shares countless stories about the unpredictable circumstances of life on a dairy farm, and confides the thought processes of adjusting to that life. This can help everyone when troubles come or the manure lands in your hair at just the wrong time. One of the keys to a fulfilling life is a positive attitude. A positive attitude is good, everyone knows that! But how do you make a positive attitude operational in your life—especially when crap happens? Cindy provides a best practices manual by providing examples on how readers can self-examine their lives. Keiger, a former missionary, has included heartfelt, thought-provoking, Scripture in just the right places. Since we all experience crap and need to learn what to do about it, I highly recommend reading this book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • emeleste
    5.0 out of 5 stars Life throws us all curves, sometimes! How to cope?
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a good start. I recently went through some major life changes and was attracted to the sentiment of the title, although I admit, being a bit reserved, I found the expression a little off-putting. That disappeared pretty fast once I got to reading the book itself, though! As suggested by that title, things really do happen for and to the author; some good and some pretty harrowing by most standards. Farm life isn't for sissies, and I imagine it could be quite a jolt for a city girl! Yet, through it all, we see the author grow and learn and cope with love, determination, some stumbling along the way, and always with faith and gentle (if often wry) humor. I felt I almost like I was there, on the dairy farm, seeing what the author saw (and reacting very much as she did!). I enjoyed the quotes used throughout the book, and appreciated the strong sense of faith and hope. Very much a book I needed to read right now, and one I am sure I will return to again and again.
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  • Barbara
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved walking my dogs down the dirt road through the ...
    Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    For 21 years of my earlier life, I lived on property that bordered this dairy farm, so I knew all the characters in the book except for Cindy at that time. I was very familiar with the cows who occasionally crashed through my yard. I loved walking my dogs down the dirt road through the farm and observing all the activities, but when I heard that the farmer was marrying a city girl, I couldn't imagine how she would make the transition. Crap Happens...Wallowing is Optional is at first a collection of humorous stories of the gritty life on a farm, but it goes much deeper than that into Cindy's personal growth and shift in attitude toward more positive thinking with the help of her Bible reading and spirituality. She includes lessons on how to carve happiness out of unhappy situations. Before writing this review, I reread the first two chapters and laughed out loud, then realized that I will enjoy reading the entire book again one day!
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cindy Keiger makes growing older and marrying again a great adventure! Life is not over after 50
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Cindy Keiger makes growing older and marrying again a great adventure! Life is not over after 50! She makes herself vulnerable by describing honestly how her emotions clashed with an idyllic prospect and how she allowed God to expose her true attitude! Love this book and it's very real look at how we take every day situations and "excuse" ourselves from having to deal with a bad attitude in each situation, because we are set in our ways and allow traditional reactions as part of "oh that's how I am"! It exposes our underlying disposition and blows the cover of that excuse to challenge us to check our attitude at the door of each situation! I read this book like a devotional!
    One person found this helpful
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  • K. Crawford
    5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous Christian Living
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Well the author, Cindy said she would kick up her heels like Nurse Nora the cow if I told ya’ll what I thought of her story, so here goes…
    This story actually inspired me to go out in the world and find the beauty in my everyday irritations. The author was overwhelmed by the physical and constant work of farm living, but eventually came around to a compromise with her new life by using her faith in God and recognizing all the love in her new family.
    This book is filled with Bible verses and inspiring quotes. The bonus is humor.
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  • Pam D
    4.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully surprised!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2024
    I came across this book in our public library and thought it had a cute title but when I seen the cover pic I had to check it out. It was a fun read but more than that it made me stop and rethink some things in my head. She had a great way of putting things in perspective by using humor. We all need more humor in our lives.
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  • Vermont Reviewer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tales about everyday farm life.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Cindy Keiger has a story to share with her readers that shows the big city can make the change to country living. I really enjoyed reading her book. Well written and the bible scriptures were an added plus. Looking forward to reading a follow up to this one. Keep up the good work. I suggest you put together a daily devotional. I am sure that would be an excellent one for your readers as well. I have rated this one a solid 5 stars.
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  • Pat
    3.0 out of 5 stars Just kind of so-so.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book had it moments, and I read it all, but it seemed to go on and on with the same old, same old.
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