It's a Winter Wonderland!

It was 16 degrees this morning!  Goodness gracious.  It was nice to have you join me yesterday morning.  If you're not otherwise occupied, come along today as well.  We'll go exploring and sightseeing.  It's like a whole new world out there.  As we walk through the garden path to the barn, Ol' Rosie is waiting on us. She wants some hay.  The round bale in the hay ring is frozen solid.  I'm glad I put the tarp on the two round bales I have remaining.  We'll roll another out this weekend.  Oh, check out the icicles hanging from the barn roof!

I'll climb up into the hayloft and toss three bales down to you.  By my count, we have 33 bales left.  I estimate we'll make it until the spring grass starts coming in with that.  I will, however, have to get another 8 round bales of hay from my hay provider.  To me, hay reminds me of the "Ant and the Grasshopper" fable.  During the summer, it is blazing hot.  There are other things to be doing than gathering hay and loading it up into the loft.  Besides, there's plenty of grass for the animals to eat.  Why not kick back, stay cool, and enjoy yourself and leave the hard work for later?

Well, because winter months are coming.  In a few months, there will be no grass.  The weather will be frigid and nasty, and the animals will be hungry.  The cows and goats are hoping that you were an "Ant" and not a "grasshopper" back in the summer.  Fortunately, we were ants.  Your welcome, cows & goats.

The icicles hanging precariously from the hen house are quite a sight to see.  They sparkle in the morning sun.  They seem sharp as a ten penny nail.  

I call this guy the "Regal Rooster."  He was given to us by a friend who purchased a few hens from Tractor Supply.  These "hens" were to provide their family eggs in town.  The "hens" grew and matured.  However, this one "hen" began to crow.  That is a big no-no in town, and thus, we inherited a fine rooster.  This is not a hen identifying as a rooster.  She is not gender confused.  This is a bona-fide rooster.  A man.  The cock of the walk.  In fact, he has challenged one of our other existing roosters for dominance and the pecking order has now changed.  This is the new king.  It's good to be the king.  He struts around and exudes his superiority over the others.  He proudly poses in front of the woodpile in the snow.  I think he knows that I will let you all know that he a a bad dude.  I should probably let him know to enjoy it while it lasts.  As is always the case, there is always someone out there somewhere bigger and badder.  

Belle is mighty camouflaged in the snow.  She runs and slides and has the best time!  The cold doesn't bother her in the least bit.  She was born for this.  Her coat is thick and furry.  She chases the many birds that come to eat the hen scratch that we toss to the chickens.  Belle is a good dog.  We think she is coming into her own now and understands that the chickens, the cows, and the goats are her charge.  They are for her to guard and take care of.  She is starting to take that responsibility seriously (whereas she once ATE the chickens.)

Speaking of birds, here is a fat robin sitting on the fence.  Can you see him?  Randy Travis sang a song called "Deeper than the Holler."  A verse in there says, "... Honest as a robin on a springtime windowsill, and longer than the song of a whippoorwill."  I like that song.  I can't say I've ever given much thought, though, about whether a robin is honest or deceitful.  This robin is on an extension of fence I put up so our nosy goats don't eat the vegetables in the garden.  It's not springtime, Mr. Robin, but it'll be here before you know it!

When I came back inside Tricia said, "Come look out the kitchen window!"  There was a male Cardinal (red bird) and his wife in the shrubs.  Look below.  I know you can see the male.  His brilliant red color contrasts strongly against the white snow.  The female is harder to see.  Can you find her?  God's infinite wisdom designed her that way.  The male is intended to be flashy, showy, a distraction.  While the female is camouflaged so that she can sit on the nest, hidden and raise her babies in obscurity and safety.  These two are no doubt scoping out home locations for the nest they'll be building this spring.  They are optimistic that mortgage rates are at all time lows and there are incentives for first-time home buyers.  Their McMansion awaits... 

While there is great hope and expectation with some, the day brings great sadness and despair.  A gecko that has made his home outside our side door, eating mosquitoes that fly to the window has succumbed to the frigid temperatures.  He has assumed room temperature.  Unfortunately, the room is 16 degrees.  Not a good temp for a cold-blooded creature.

Let's leave on a good note, why don't we.  I walked out to check the mail and as I walk back, Old Glory still flies.  There is a stiff north wind, and it is cold and gloomy, but she flies on.

God Bless the USA!  Thanks for joining me again.  There's always something interesting to see.  Nice to share it with you.