Winter "Wonderland"...NOT

It was a Winter wonderland as dawn broke yesterday morning. Clearly it WASN’T a farmer that called it a “wonderland”…from nearly 60 degrees last week. As we tried hard not to breathe and freeze the already frozen condensation on the windshield with the little peep hole in it, the thermostat in the truck kindly informed us 29 degrees and ice ( now there was a surprise !!!). It would have been hard not to recognize that for ourselves. Chilled shiny red noses and watery eyes peeped out from under several layers of head wear. Ten little toes pre wrapped in three layers of supposedly Arctic tolerant wool socks and stuffed into waterproof boots were going to protect my poor feet …NOT…. eight of my toes were going into shock, the other two already had ! It was not going to be a good morning. The truck radiator, optimistically set to hot/high blew out cold air and my tea in my go cup was already tepid. Down at the barn, the world was motionless, no birds stirred in the frigid trees. Tux, the rooster who really wants to be a chicken, Ernie the Barred Rock Rooster and poor Adolf the old Rhode island Red Rooster were silent. Their respective harems lined up on their roost perches, feathers puffed. In the darkness of the old cedar barn, Molly Moo the matriarch black Dexter cow and the assorted cow family huddled together, steam rising from their bodies, jaws slowly grinding from one side to the other as they contentedly chewed on last night’s regurgitated dinner. The horses, safely in their stalls and warmly rugged up against the bitter wintry morning quietly waited for breakfast.  Macho the big Boer Buck, his “eau de goat” still pervading the air (and anything unfortunate enough to come into contact with him) lay with his does, Alissia and Acorn. The goat family, no lovers of weather…either excessive heat or cold…rain or sun stoically refuse to leave their pen…unless you accidently leave their gate open and DON’T want them to go out ! It was a morning to be tucked up in a nice warm bed with a steaming cup of tea and a good book….no one wanted to be out….and there we were !!

  Everything was covered in white, sharp ice crystals crisped underfoot,  the spider’s lacy webs sparkled and the wood smoke hung heavily in the air.

Greg and I were home alone, Quatre is back in Seattle and Carla on her weekend off….but the cavalry was on the way. Michael our new WWOOFER was just leaving Portland and due to arrive about mid day. Our schedule (such as it is) was in chaos, how to complete the regular farm chores, break all the frozen water troughs and defrost water hoses and milk Daisy May the momma Dexter cow. I was granted a concessionary 10 minutes to try to look like I haven’t just arrived from the depths of the barn, recycled a ton of steaming manure, got soaked by a faulty hosepipe and manhandled seven reluctant cows, seven horses at various levels of stress ( everyone wants to be first !!) three stubborn goats, all before 11 am…. AND be there to pickup Michael from the Greyhound bus depot in Tacoma.

We survived, they survived and Michael, weary after a “why on earth did I do that?” never to be repeated ( I believe) bus trip from Florida uncurled his cramped six foot something body from the bus and met us with the BIGGEST smile. I have a feeling it is going to be a good couple of months with our newest WOOFER. Welcome to Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch Michael.

Time to go, take care, keep safe, M