One thing about living on a working farm is it really keeps you in touch with what is happening in nature every single day. Farm animals require certain care and as the weather gets tougher the to-do list does too.
Sunday morning was the first time this year we had ice in the waterers... and the stock tank... and the pond.
The waterers are plastic, so the ice in the base pops out like an ice cube, easy right? I bet you're conjuring images of a cocktail or a refreshing glass of lemonade. Not quite, it's 30 degrees out- not too bad, but not comfortable- and bare fingers first thing in the morning do not want to be digging into muddy chicken water. Too bad fingers!
Out comes the ice but the spout is frozen anyway, so the 3 waterers get dragged into the house to thaw under hot water in the laundy tub. Full of water they're about 25 pounds each and akward to carry. But good grief the chickies NEED water, so rain, snow, sleet or ice fog, the waterers must be filled!
So what's the pay off? Being forced into the cold I see things I never would otherwise.
Rabbits playing in the frost, sparrows huddled under the pine tree fluffed up from the cold, the way the light turns golden in the afternoon. I love it, I love the silence in the frozen morning, I love the wind through the bare branches and I love the patterns the ice makes in the stock tank.
Yes winter is difficult, but it's also so very beautiful.
2 comments:
And that is why those chickens jump in your lap: they know who takes care of them.
That was an interesting entry. I never thought of all the energy that goes into having chickens. And I never thought of the pay-off other than the obvious, eggs.
Why didn't we become friends sooner?
Aww, probably because I was a total jerk before. :p
I'm glad we're friends now though. :)
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