WINTER RULES

What happens when the low temperature hovers around freezing for weeks, then suddenly the high temperature is in the low teens F.? What happens when the Earth is still soft and unfrozen and it is suddenly covered with fifteen inches of snow?

Saturday we were enjoying Autumn. Jamie planted the garlic and Noah and I dug the potatoes. High temperatures were in the forties F. Sunday we scurried around getting things done ahead of the storm. Monday, I made only one visit to the animals. {I couldn't see the sheep} Yesterday we cleared snow. But first- we got a telephone call from a neighbor telling us that our sheep were across the road in the church yard [a place for lost sheep?].

Something really scared them because my usual docile sheep were very wary of me. Even a bucket of grain, would not relieve them of their anxiety. They would follow us a little way and then bolt back. They acted as if they were afraid to cross the road. Noah was the hero of the day. If it wasn't for him the sheep would have joined the church by now.

We got the sheep back in the yard. They wanted to get back in the fence. We opened a gate, that they have never used before, and they weren't about to go through. They walked back and forth several times before they recognized the opening and went in. I will never disparage the intelligence of another creature. All animals are good at what they are good at, and often outshine humans in particular areas. That said; sheep are much less observant than many animals. Once they are convinced they can't get out of a fence, they don't try, and they won't even notice when an opening occurs. For the farmer that is a great trait. Goats on the other hand, notice everything. They will find an opening in a fence five minutes after it occurs.

A box elder tree fell down on the fence, sometime this Summer. I wasn't too concerned about it, as I said, the sheep won't necessarily notice it for several days and it looked like a big job removing it. Well, they found it, probably, before the storm. Not exactly the best timing for us human caretakers. Again, Noah came through, and cut up the tree and repaired the fence.

This Morning, was the first Morning, I had to do the chores under the Winter rules. I had to go down the basement and find my water jugs and I had to get the toboggan from the garage. No more using the hose. I will be hauling water until Spring. It is one of the earliest times I have had to begin hauling water. The earliest was the year of the Halloween blizzard. I have often been able to use the hoses until Thanksgiving time and into December.

By Friday I will be into the Winter routine and I won't be mentioning Winter [hopefully].

I found all the activity good for my body and spirit. When one is my age, it is good to discover one can do those things. I am not saying, I had no negative reaction to the sudden onset of Winter. I found it discouraging. Winter is long when it starts this early. However, I discovered acceptance. With acceptance comes peace. If we can't change something, we can still find ways to love it. Weather always gives us good lessons in acceptance.

We are soon to experience upheavals, on the world stage, that will disturb many people. Some of our cherished beliefs will be challenged. We will need to be alert to the needs of the folks around us. Some will need reassurance. Many folks will be looking to those, who seem at peace, for understanding. Many of us, have not paid too much attention to the crumbling of our institutions. Things could happen fast. A whole new idea of leadership will emerge. The new leaders will be folks who do not see people as higher or lower. The new leaders will KNOW everyone is equal; not just proclaim it.

In the meantime, we can only stay in the moment, and love it. If we maintain, that we are here to find love. We will. All is well.

Love and Peace,  Gregg