As I walked out to the barn early this morning, the mist was heavy in the air and the sunlight peeking through the eastern pines created beautiful rays reaching right into my heart. The horses were anxiously waiting at the pasture gate to come into the barn for breakfast and the barn cats were scampering about, rough housing while the Great Pyrenees were chasing about. The glory of a beautiful and cool morning after the summer's oppressive heat is so welcome and it makes it so obvious why God created the seasons, the animals and yes, we humans in his image to enjoy it.
I couldn't just look and listen for long because Hailey, the boss mare, was whinnying and creating a ruckus, telling me to let her in. When we have no visitors, I let our equine family run in independently for as long as food is in their stalls, they know where to go. And that they did, quickly beginning to crunch and munch with nothing else on their minds. I love the sound of the crunching and munching; it's just one of those wonderful natural sounds that suggests peace and tranquility.
While they were occupied in their closed stalls, I went out to feed the outdoor barn cats in their several feeding spots. Jerry the Maine coon cat was waiting for me, always wanting a pat on the head both morning and night. All of the other outdoor felines took their places as well, deserving their meal for keeping the barn and surrounding area rodent free.
The range free roosters and chickens scampered around me looking for a handout while Luther and Casey, two double yellow headed parrots, talked from their cages, asking me what I was doing and saying hello. Sometimes those two will really surprise you, so better watch the language when you're within their hearing range.
Next I headed for the side paddock which is occupied by Angus the Shetland pony and his sidekick, Sammy the goat. These two are inseparable; if you take one out alone the other is a nervous wreck, especially a bleating Sammy, but you wouldn't always know it when they are together because the chase is constant. They were both rescues and they've been great additions to our farm family and a joy to watch.
After putting some hay in the pasture, I headed back to the barn to walk the horses out. They'll run in but once the food bucket it empty, better get a lead line to take them out before they devour the yard. And coming back into the barn last, but not least, I feed the two big dogs. The Val and Sal Great Pyrenees team is a half-brother combination and they are the best guardians of the farm that we are so fortunate to have. They love us totally and we clearly reciprocate whenever we come near.
Finishing my rounds and watching the sun turn the sky to gold then blue, I think how fortunate I am to have this lifestyle in my retirement years. Oh, on a heavy rainy day it sometimes isn't such fun, but the love and companionship of some of God's greatest gifts turns sadness into joy, work into fun and life into an unforgettable experience. And they serve as a great outlet and way of forgetting at least for a little while the troubles of the day and our country's woes.
So Saturday's will be politics free and Sunday will be a time for spiritual enrichment and growth. We deserve Saturday in peace and God deserves our attention on Sunday. So take a little time for experiencing the beauty of nature and the love of God this weekend. And, besides, there's plenty of time, more than enough time, to follow and participate in political thought or action from Monday through Friday. But for now, for today and tomorrow, it's off limits for me.
God bless you and God bless America. May we and she always be free.
I couldn't just look and listen for long because Hailey, the boss mare, was whinnying and creating a ruckus, telling me to let her in. When we have no visitors, I let our equine family run in independently for as long as food is in their stalls, they know where to go. And that they did, quickly beginning to crunch and munch with nothing else on their minds. I love the sound of the crunching and munching; it's just one of those wonderful natural sounds that suggests peace and tranquility.
While they were occupied in their closed stalls, I went out to feed the outdoor barn cats in their several feeding spots. Jerry the Maine coon cat was waiting for me, always wanting a pat on the head both morning and night. All of the other outdoor felines took their places as well, deserving their meal for keeping the barn and surrounding area rodent free.
The range free roosters and chickens scampered around me looking for a handout while Luther and Casey, two double yellow headed parrots, talked from their cages, asking me what I was doing and saying hello. Sometimes those two will really surprise you, so better watch the language when you're within their hearing range.
Next I headed for the side paddock which is occupied by Angus the Shetland pony and his sidekick, Sammy the goat. These two are inseparable; if you take one out alone the other is a nervous wreck, especially a bleating Sammy, but you wouldn't always know it when they are together because the chase is constant. They were both rescues and they've been great additions to our farm family and a joy to watch.
After putting some hay in the pasture, I headed back to the barn to walk the horses out. They'll run in but once the food bucket it empty, better get a lead line to take them out before they devour the yard. And coming back into the barn last, but not least, I feed the two big dogs. The Val and Sal Great Pyrenees team is a half-brother combination and they are the best guardians of the farm that we are so fortunate to have. They love us totally and we clearly reciprocate whenever we come near.
Finishing my rounds and watching the sun turn the sky to gold then blue, I think how fortunate I am to have this lifestyle in my retirement years. Oh, on a heavy rainy day it sometimes isn't such fun, but the love and companionship of some of God's greatest gifts turns sadness into joy, work into fun and life into an unforgettable experience. And they serve as a great outlet and way of forgetting at least for a little while the troubles of the day and our country's woes.
So Saturday's will be politics free and Sunday will be a time for spiritual enrichment and growth. We deserve Saturday in peace and God deserves our attention on Sunday. So take a little time for experiencing the beauty of nature and the love of God this weekend. And, besides, there's plenty of time, more than enough time, to follow and participate in political thought or action from Monday through Friday. But for now, for today and tomorrow, it's off limits for me.
God bless you and God bless America. May we and she always be free.
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