I thought we had dodged the brunt of the snowstorm. Monday night we had only a heavy dusting where the cities and other regions had a couple inches of snow. But, Tuesday Morning we woke up to about a foot. I guess Mother Nature didn't want to leave us out.
Naomi was the only one who had to get out; she had a test [nursing school] which she couldn't miss. We were plowed out shortly after noon. She made it to school without incident, but on the way home, slipped off the road. She called and reported she was stuck badly and the rear of the car was still on the road. Thoughts of tow trucks, the car causing an accident if left on the road overnight etc. etc. past through my mind. I grabbed a shovel and went out to find her [she was about fifteen minutes away]. Before I reached the place where she went into the ditch, I saw a car approaching and slowing down, it was her van. She had been pulled out by a passing motorist, who had the right vehicle and equipment. What began as a traumatic event, turned out to be worthy of celebration. On the way to pick her up, I was aware of the thoughts that passed through my mind, but I didn't indulge them and I was able to maintain peace. I was very gratified to experience the happy conclusion, but not surprised.
Remember the old rooster; the magical one that disappeared for four or five days? Upon his return I ensconced him in the broody area of the barn where he would be safe. In the last couple weeks he has healed up well and except for his assumed loneliness, he seemed just fine. Yesterday, when I went in to check on him and give him water, I found him dead. I examined him and found his neck had been chewed on. I know of two predators who will first eat the neck meat, a skunk and a great horned owl. There is no way an owl could be in that area of the barn. Of course, I don't see how a skunk could be either. That area, that we call our broody cage, has been safe from predators for the last twenty five years. I couldn't see how an animal big enough to kill a ten pound, healthy, rooster could get in. Chickens can't see at night. Skunks have good night vision. Skunks can grab a chicken off the roost and dispatch them quickly. We have had it happen before. Over the years skunks have been our worst predators. Still a ten pound rooster! That has never happened.
Living on a farm, you have these experiences. I wasn't upset. Puzzled perhaps, but not upset. I do look for messages that life brings me. I am not sure if there is a message here. In a way the skunk, or whatever it was, did me a favor. Caring for a lone chicken in the barn was an extra chore and I had planned to let him run free when the weather improved. It would have been difficult to lock him up at night and so he would be vulnerable to just what happened. There was a time when our life depended on what we raised and we would have eaten him by now. And that was always a possibility, but he was a friend and I wasn't eager to go that route.
The only thing to do, is love and love some more. Love without attachment. That rooster did not have to stay alive for me. I don't have to be angry with that skunk who was just looking for a meal and I can be thankful for him that he showed me that a predator can, now, get into the broody cage. By the way, I think it was via an under ground tunnel probably dug by a woodchuck. I spotted an area where the floor was raised up.
Life comes to us everyday. According to our attitude it can be an adventure in love or a tragedy. The circumstances can be the same. I am learning to love everything. This Winter has been a test. It seems like every week, something happens which could be seen as a tragedy or at least very inconvenient, yet, when you pause and look for peace inside, suddenly it is not a big deal. Our experience and the very perception of our surroundings, seems to be molded by our attitude which is governed by our thoughts.
I am blogging early because I need to go the the feed store. My little truck is on the fritz and I need to use the van to pick up feed and get the milk from the Amish. Normally, I would go to the feed store and Jamie would get the milk. This way we get to do it together.
Have a wonderful day and love everything.
Love and Peace, Gregg
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