Random Thoughts On A Finer Marnin' You Couldn't Have

6:00 a.m.

Coyotes on the horizon.... they're yipping in the freezing morning air. There was a frost last night... but a mild one.  The sun will be up soon and the sky looks as if it will be blue. A flock of geese are flying low, calling to each other in their V.  They must be looking for freshly threshed grain in the fields....whether they find it or not depends on if the rain of the last few weeks has spoiled the oats that the farmers around here planted last spring for their cattle.  Did I mention before, that this is cattle/bison country? Lots of ranches raising cattle/bison.... so what's a shepherd doing in the midst of all this?

7:00 a.m.

Calm... there's not a breath of wind. What a perfect morning to go canoeing.... wish I were on the river now. Coffee and cinnamon toast smells marvelous. The dew on the deck is sparkling brilliantly in the morning sunshine. Not a cloud in the sky. Trip to FSJ later this morning... will be shedding my duties as secretary for the NPSW. That will be good.... I don't think I made a really reliable secretary.... live too far away and winter snows aggravate driving.... shan't miss it.

8:00 a.m.

Dogs stirring... must need to go out. There is nothing more pleasant than seeing a happy dog go streaking out the door first thing in the morning to chase birds and the black cat and then stand with it nose to the air catching scent of what might have been around in the night.... all is right with the world. Ducks go by not too far away I can hear them but I cannot see them they must be headed south. Winter is coming.... I can feel it. Here comes the cat purring around my feet must be looking for his crunchies.... miss Oozle.... I hope he had a good death.

8:30 a.m.

Drip... drip.... drip.... the dew dripping from the roof is sparkling in the sunshine.  There are spiders in several spots outside the window... large.... quiet... they wait for their next meal to fly unbidden into their invisible webs. Soon they will hibernate for the winter.  The horse is nibbling.... soft lips moving over the ground.... looking for the newly greened grass. Chestnut flanks ripple in the sunshine... no wonder people think horses beautiful.... they are.

8:49 a.m.

Farm life is worth it.... but must go and prepare for the day.... AGM minutes to photocopy. All is quiet in this small house in the north country. But soon it will be bustling with life.... soon it will be filled with the mayhem that is my family. It is good to be surrounded by life.....