Contentment is natural wealth,
luxury is artificial poverty.
Socrates
Oh my, what
a difference a week has made here in Canada formerly known as “The Great White
North” I know a lot of you are dealing with ice and snow in places like Texas
and The Plains but my cows are munching on green grass and happy to be doing
so.
As per
usual I headed back to feed the cows, and as I drove down the lane the mud
splashed up on the tires and then splashed on to the windshield. I know with
these fancy newer tractors there is a windshield washer, oh yes that is the
truth, but I have never took the time to figure out where the windshield wiper fluid goes so I
just put on the wiper and smear the mud across my point of vision.
The girls were meandering about enjoying the shoots of green sprouting in the numerous
puddles along the laneway and in the pasture fields, I could see Annie smiling.
The temperatures are a little cool in the mornings lately but for the most part
it has been very pleasant, damp but pleasant. I stopped hopped out of the
tractor and walked through the mud to open up the gate, back in the tractor I
picked up a couple of bales and drove back through the gate, popped back down
shut the gate then climbed back in and drove over to see the girls. Most times
they surround me and I patiently break the bale open using the prongs on the
bale spear and let them pick through it and then I carefully back up making
sure none of them are behind me. This is where the horn comes in. I held the
button down and they moved, well sometimes they move, I am pretty sure they know
they have all the power in this relationship, I wait for them.
I must have
grabbed a second cut alfalfa bale because on breaking open that bale all the
cows started running towards the bale and surrounded the tractor quickly grabbing
from the bale and munching with their tales wagging just like little puppy dogs.
I sat there smiling thinking it was like a bin of free chocolate bars or
something. I have a sneaking suspicion the aroma was more than they could
handle and once they had that first whiff they were under its spell, oh yes
just like those chocolate bars. I sat there for a while and let them all take a
big mouthful and then I backed up slowly honking the horn and let them be,
smiling, munching and those tails contently wagging. Knowing they were indeed
fine and happy I headed down the lane towards the bush to go for a little stroll
before I had to start my busy day.
Once I made
it to the opening to the great unknown (not really I know every inch of the
place I was heading) on instinct I reached behind the tractor seat and pulled
out my snowshoes, I hopped down into the mud (well that’s not right). I leaned
the snowshoes on the front of the tractor and told them to wait there, there
would be no need for them today. As I entered that forest of Pines and Maples I
wondered if the creatures of the forest were out and about but knowing there
was no chance of seeing tracks in the snow so I was pretty sure I would never
really know. I headed through the gate; it was indeed a beautiful day.
I could
hear the mooing of happy cows drifting through the air, the smell of the Pines, the Cedars and those decomposing leaves filled my nostrils.
I pulled an apple out of my pocket and while munching and smiling I strolled
slowly along thinking that if I had a tail it would be wagging too.
Later
Wonderful post . I miss having farm animals . The damp cold we are having is killing me . It snowed a little during the night here and now it is freezing rain the weather for the next few days here will be a mess . Looks like lots of being indoors cozy with my Miggs and Harley for a while ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !
ReplyDeleteAll these posts make me want a farm someday with lots of animals and lots of love :)
ReplyDeleteSeems an awesome morning for you my friend...continue to enjoy your day as I make way to bed....I do have shirt to iron though :) Hugs M xx
ReplyDeleteI can tell you really love your life and you make me so want to have animals of my own. I'd love to have sheep for the wool and maybe someday that will happen.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on a farm. But we only had cats. And a few raccoons!
ReplyDeleteAh..contentment.
ReplyDeletewow. you really did have a melt-off! loved the scene of the happy cattle tails. :)
ReplyDeleteAnother extraordinary post, Buttons! I can just see you enjoying that apple!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really nice morning. Love happy wagging tails :)
ReplyDeleteI love the image of the cows' wagging tails. :-) My tail would be wagging, too, if I had one. I'm surprised you don't have snow.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful early morning, mud and all!
ReplyDeletegosh all that before a busy day! Once again a lovely moment spent vicariously with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that you're not knee-deep in snow. Glad for you and the cows that it's green and somewhat pleasant. I'm sure you'll get to use the snowshoes soon enough! Enjoy your week!!
ReplyDeleteYes, take advantage of the milder weather before winter sets back in again! I can just picture those cows surrounding that 2nd cutting hay bale, devouring it, pushing for a better position, and munching away!
ReplyDeleteYou must have some very contented cows. Contented cows do very well. I remember going out at night to feed the cows. They were always ready and didn't mind crowding in on you.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your posts Buttons!!
ReplyDeleteGotta love happy cows. We got Ice here.
ReplyDeleteAwww so sweet. I wish I could come along with you to take care of the cows. It's strange to see that you don't have any snow right now and we do!
ReplyDeleteFarming is a lot of hard work but it really comes over how much you enjoy your life.
ReplyDeleteLynne
It must be a great way of life! A lovely post B.!
ReplyDeleteDo have a good week! ;-)
dzjiedzjee.blogspot.com
There's nothing like good weather to help the lovesick and crops...I was raised with angus and appreciate real "grass"...:)JP
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect day for you and the Cows. :)
ReplyDeleteHugs~
How great to read about happy cows, I'm still worried about my neighbor's who now stand in the snow and look even more miserable. But the calves are growing, I can see that. So I guess it's OK, I'm just a worry wart. And I heard that in that province, which begins with an S, and no way could I spell it, the temps were minus 28 the other day. So enjoy your warm weather together with the girls while you can. You know it will change.
ReplyDeleteSome respite! That's awesome, you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteB, hasn't the weather been different this year? I'm sure the cows are loving the break.
ReplyDeleteA little morning perfection!
ReplyDeleteB,
ReplyDeleteI'm running away from home to come up there. It looks so relaxing and your weather is warmer than ours :-)
Simply wonderful, B. Reminded me instantly of 'Out In the Country' by Three Dog Night.
ReplyDeleteLucky you if you've avoided the snow. till now.
You sure are having a good time! Are you enjoying the snow from yesterday, too? Not enough that you would need the snowshoes!
ReplyDeleteHey Buttons! Just popped over to say hello.
ReplyDeleteSecond cut alfalfa , yup they were wagging their tail in glee :) I can smell the aroma of the alfalfa from here .
ReplyDeleteJust pretend and wag away! In the bush know one but us will ever know.
ReplyDeleteWell that was a short stay! Your snowshoes will be ready for your next foray into the woods. Have a great week Buttons!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good day was had by all including the cows. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteI could smell and hear it. Then I got jerked back to my reality with the sound of crunching snow. I am happy for you and the cows. It is nice to have a bit of a respite in the middle of winter.
ReplyDeleteGgreat description of your morning.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the day was enchanted, Buttons!
ReplyDeleteI like that....a bin of free chocolate bars. How fun! I do ask myself how hay could ever taste good or feel good on those big taste bud laden tongues of theirs. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like the beginning of a wonderful day. I hope you felt like wagging your tail (if you had one) throughout the day.
ReplyDelete