4:55 am Farm Report Its Sunday on the farm. Snow has fallen overnight. All traces of the frozen mud we have been struggling with are gone. I know it is temporary. Freezing rain and rain are in the forecast for today. But right, now at this moment, the snow is here. I feel a sense of relief. And I dont know why really. I am not a winter sports enthusiast. Never have been. And I dont like deep snow. Its too hard for me to walk in. The amount outside my door this morning is perfect for me. A nice covering and not too deep. I wonder if the animals have a perfect amount of snow.. I know the cows dont really like having to push through deep snow. I have seen them huddle together in the lean to after a big snow, giant drifts all around the outside. They will stand in their snow free enclosure calling and calling to me. And I come. Tractor and shovel, I work to free them. They wait patiently until I am done, then single file they walk calmly out into the yard. I have plowed a trail for them from their housing to the water and hay ring more than once. They will rarely venture off the trail, until the snow depth recedes. And the donkeys, too would rather pick their way carefully, almost daintily around the snowy yard. They will walk a circuitous route taking a long way around to the water and hay, rather than fight deep snow. And they will not walk on the cow path if it becomes icy. I wont either. Ill walk through the snow. Orrie will walk behind me when I find a route thats different from the icy plowed path. Hes no fool. And Martha will wait and watch. What she is really wishing is that I will bring out my bucket of lime. Tossed about on the slick ice, it offers solid footing for everyone. I worry so about those fine legs of the Jersey girls and the donkeys that I keep lime handy until the spring mud season. The thought of a broken leg for any of us is unbearable. The pigs will plow their way through to the food and water. This route is direct. House to food and back. Then, they will plow a figure eight trail around their yard and call it quits. They need to sleep. No sense working too hard. It might rain tomorrow and wash all the snow away. Theyre so practical, those pigs.... Now, Im thinking... This might be the perfect amount of snow for most of us here. Not too deep. Not too icy. Just right. And maybe Ill take a cue from those pigs and not bother plowing and shoveling too much today. Maybe one figure eight around the barn yard... After all, it may very well rain. I think after chores, Ill just go back to sleep. Those pigs may be onto something... It is Sunday after all. Well see.. Orrie and Martha are calling.. Its time for chores. I can see the shadowy figures of the horses and cows moving about. And the pigs.. Theyre quite practical and predictable. I know theyre sleeping.... Its Sunday on the farm. Im off to the barn. Ill be back later.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 11:51:01 +0000
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