The rain predicted for Friday afternoon arrived as snow. The low temperatures meant it stuck around, and Saturday’s showers were flurries.
Freezing temperatures aren’t entirely horrible. They turn mud into solid ground, which translates into less slipping and sliding and dirty boots.
Below zero Celsius temperatures also mean those nasty parasites that dwell on top of the soil and in short grass will die, making the pastures safer places for our goats. Goat safety is high on our priority list.
Today when I went out to feed at dawn, I couldn’t help but appreciate the brisk fall morning. The snow crunched beneath my boots, the sun crept above the trees into the clear, blue sky and the young Dorking rooster practised his crowing.
There was no need to hurry even though the donkeys he-hawed for me to pick up my pace. One of the goats bleated from the goat house, then bleated again. The tone of her voice told me she was in heat. The two and a half year old doe paced the fence line, flashing her eyelashes at the buck next door.
After delivering the hay, I put the doe and buck together to breed. It was a beautiful day to breed. With good luck, in five months, the activities of this day will produce two healthy goat kids to frolic in the spring sunshine.
Autumn days are a promise for spring. Winter is just a passage of time to get there.
Now that I’ve left south Texas, I’m experiencing my first winter in 5 years. I missed the brisk fresh cold wind.
LikeLike
Brisk. That’s what I’d call today’s winds. There were many places with white-out conditions, and more than 60 accidents across the province due to the whether alone. I can’t say I hate winter. I’ve enjoy too much of it over the years. I hope you are enjoying your first winter in a long time. It certainly makes us appreciate spring and summer. Thanks for dropping by, Ernesto.
LikeLike
Thanks for taking us back to spring and fall as the deep freeze comes upon us now. 🙂
LikeLike
We were in the minuses for a few days, but not this one; it’s plus 14 Celsius out there. A heat wave. lol. Thanks for visiting, Debby.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, enjoy your heat wave. We have the deep freeze today! 🙂
LikeLike
Love that your goats mark the promise of spring and renewal. We are headed into the freezer zone for a bit but it always gives way to another season…
LikeLike
Thank you, Martha. I’m not prepared for winter, but as they say, it will come and go anyway. We look forward to several goat kids bouncing around this spring, so it keeps us trudging through the snow, ice and mud (when it rains).
LikeLike
I like how you put a positive spin on things people might see a different way. Thanks for being so uplifting.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mae. I like to see the positive side of things. I don’t always though, but I’m better now than before.
LikeLike