“I dislike the thought that some animal has been made miserable to feed me. If I am going to eat meat, I want it to be from an animal that has lived a pleasant, uncrowded life outdoors, on bountiful pasture, with good water nearby and trees for shade.” - Wendell BerryI like our animals to be comfortable, too. Especially in the hot, humid Louisiana summers that are oppressive, our animals struggle to have this "pleasant" life outdoors that Wendell Berry speaks of. The animals aren't stupid; however, they seek out the shade under the trees to find a respite from the heat.
The chickens gather between the dairy barn and the goat barn beneath the shade of the water oak trees. The dirt stays moist and cool in the ever-present shade here and they linger here during the hottest part of the day.
They do this thing with their wings that I show in the photo below. When we get hot, we take off a jacket or sweater and dress appropriately. Chickens can't do that so they do the next best thing - they hold their wings out to allow better airflow next to their bodies to cool them off.
The cows chase the shade across the pasture. They know at certain points of the day where to position themselves to enjoy the shade. They are as methodical in their routine as a Swiss watch. Later in the day, they gather by the water trough and drink deeply of the cool water. It is a peaceful, fulfilling time for them.
Rosie lifts her head when she's done and savors the cool, refreshing water while a few drops fall back into the trough. This is no time for rushing - just a time to relax in the shade and drink water.
It is this time of the afternoon that Tricia and I walk around the perimeter of the property, taking in the sights and sounds of the end of a long, hot summer day.
Life has its bumps and gives us a fair share of heartache and trouble, but truth be told, we are blessed beyond comparison. In the cool of the day, we find many blessings to count.
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