Happy New Year!
It hardly seems possible that another year has flown by! I imagine this year will be pretty much the same, with its highs and lows, and ups and downs. That is what life is all about!
I never make New Year’s Resolutions – I rarely follow through! How about you?
As I look back on December, I think about the excitement of the children, building to a crescendo, as December 25th approaches- their favorite holiday of the year! A brightly lit Christmas tree, church services, time off from school, all of the holiday events, driving around looking at Christmas lights, meeting Santa (or his representatives!)
It’s amazing how even the shabbiest house, when covered in Christmas lights, becomes a magical place after dark. In some ways, it is almost depressing to take it all down, making January seem very drab.
But January is what you make it! The cold is not something I look forward to. Especially going outside in the early mornings to care for the critters. I am not a real farmer, I don’t know how they do it all day long, day after day! Animals need care, if you have them, the work never ends.
Of course, mine are pets, but I still need to make their breakfast every morning, fill water troughs, make sure the trough heater is still working, and they have enough food. Mr. Green Jeans puts out the round bales for the horses and donkey. That’s something I will have to learn how to do one day.
I made a “tent” out of an old quilt, for Charlotte, my pot belly pig, in her old barn, because it seemed she was cold. She seemed to enjoy it for a while, then the past few 20 degree days, I find her in a new bed she made, far from her tent. I guess all that fat surrounding her, keeps her pretty warm.
The chickens have extra straw in their coops, and every night at dark, I go out to lock up their runs. After losing a few to a predator (most likely a mink) I make sure everyone is secure at night. Despite the cold, some of the chickens prefer to roost on top of a door or on the roof of their inner coop, rather that inside in the straw. I’ve stopped worrying- they will do what they want!
The dog always goes out with me, wearing his blaze orange coat during the cold weather. It makes him easy to find in the trees. He is pretty good about sticking near, and as he has gotten older, he sits by the barn and waits for me to finish the chores, ever vigilant, watching for intruders, and trespassing cats!
A new year, a new day, and the same old stuff! Despite nothing really changing, I am thankful to be here, living where I do, and being with family.
So, as 2024 begins, be happy, and thank you for reading our little paper as we head into our 5th year of publication!
Time for me to get outside and feed the animals!
All is well, at Mountain Meadows this cold morning…….
