This morning was our first big snow, and we were hardly ready. Ron did manage to finish the repairs to the chicken coop just two days before. Thank goodness he made it. We have been so busy this last week with our son’s cello work that poor Ron had to work in the dark with this hat with the flashlight on it to finish the coop. I wonder what the chickens were thinking about that. I went to check on them, and they didn’t seem too bothered. They know Ron really well, like they know me. I suppose they just figured he knew what he was doing.
I do know what the chickens were thinking today. They were not happy. The first big snowfall is always a little heartbreaking for the chickens. They had a rough day today. I kept shoveling and sweeping out their run. They also have an extra covered “camp,” and usually some will hang out there when the weather is bad. Not today though. My babies (Petty’s babies) came out for treats. Cora and few others came outside for a little bit as well, but mostly, everyone stayed in the coop today.
I am so worn out from my week as a cello mom that I did not want to get out of bed this morning and shovel snow. Thankfully, once I got going, I enjoyed it. It is difficult for me to explain or even fully understand myself, but serving those chickens, doing what I can to make their lives better, brings me so much happiness–and peace. Working on the homestead tends to quiet my mind.
Tonight, Ron read some sad news to me. I try to avoid the news these days for the most part. I read some news once per week, and it gets me pretty down. Tonight, however, the news really got me down. But then I looked out the window at the snow. The porch light was on because my son was out for a walk, and I saw how the snow just sparkled in the warm light. It was beautiful. I saw pinks and blues and whites and thought about how snow is so magical and how grateful I am that I get to live in such a beautiful place.
I don’t know what to do about the state of the world, but I do know that this place helps me. Even when I am tired, it lifts me–body and spirit.
photo credit: Jasmina Gojko, Unsplash
