It is the quintessential late Winters day here at the Chicken Ranch today. Old Sol peeks only occasionally thru the mix of gray and lavender clouds. The sun's proud presence warms the air just a bit before the clouds move in and curtain it again from view. Flurries of snow, heavy at times, whiten the sky, as soft dime sized flakes quietly and gently ride upon the cold wind. The crystal flakes add a rim of powder to the brim of my winter cowboy hat. And then, as quickly as it started, the snow ceases; only to return again later. It's the seasonal tug of war between Mother Nature and Old Man Winter.
The days have been unseasonably warm until today. So warm for so long in fact that some trees and bushes have well budded (too soon I think) and the pastures have started to slightly green. Tens of thousands of migrating ducks and geese can be seen and heard making their way north from their winter homes. Flowers have poked their green leaves above the soil; impatient for the warm rays of the spring time sun.
I have trimmed some limbs today and I'm a might fearful that I waited too long. There's a danger of cutting branches when the tree's sap is on the rise and, while the sap is not running full, some trees have fully budded. But this is when I could do it and it needs to be done. The roar of the chain saw is finally done, and the business of stacking wood and hauling away branches is complete. It's time for a cup of coffee.
As I sit on my back porch and watch the snow and flitting birds through the steam of my cup, I feel glad that God has spared me to see another Spring. I've been granted sixty three winters; not as much as some I know, but sadly, more than so many others. A brother-in-law left us at thirty, my father-in-law at fifty two, a dear sweet friend at forty. Vietnam took friends and family who had barely started a life at all... most still in their teens. As for me...time and again God has spared my life through things that should have killed me.
I took chances in my life that I never should have. I've pushed beyond limits that others died exceeding. I fell into circumstances where only good luck (or the Good Lord) pulled me out. I've been bold and daring, and at other times just plain dumb. Yet, in all those things God has spared me. He's shown mercy, and granted me a lot of years. I don't know why I've been so blessed. I feel like I've not thanked him enough nor tried hard enough to live a life of gratitude. I do begin every day, as I awaken, looking out the window from my pillow, saying "Thank you, Father, for another day of life. I never want to take it for granted."
I know that God has an order and a plan. I also know that "time and chance happeneth to all." Some not so well meaning folks live long lives; while other beautiful souls are cut down much too soon. It is a curiosity that is beyond our finite minds ability to solve, why a terrible hate-filled person lives to ninety and a wonderful young child is taken from our midst. I suppose that circumstance is a great sweeping net at times. It captures some while others escape. Only God knows in His infinite wisdom, this mystery of life and death.
I've finished my hot cup of comfort and now it's time to get back to work. There's brush to burn, chickens to feed, eggs to gather, and a host of other things to do before the sky grows dim and I repair to the house, and the warmth of a glowing fire. As I feel the leather upon my gloved hands and turn my collar to the increasing cold, I look around and take in the late winter scene.
The sun has shown once more, even as it continues to flurry. Canadian geese are honking overhead and a Robin tweets on a branch near the barn. A Cardinal settles in a pine tree; the spirit of some one passed who has come to say hello, it is said. I smile at him and say, "Yeah, I'm still here. It's a cold and gloomy kind of winters day, but yes, another wonderful day to be alive."
As I walk to the shed I turn to the red songbird again and say, "Tell the Almighty I said 'Thanks'.........on second thought, maybe I'd better tell Him myself."
The days have been unseasonably warm until today. So warm for so long in fact that some trees and bushes have well budded (too soon I think) and the pastures have started to slightly green. Tens of thousands of migrating ducks and geese can be seen and heard making their way north from their winter homes. Flowers have poked their green leaves above the soil; impatient for the warm rays of the spring time sun.
I have trimmed some limbs today and I'm a might fearful that I waited too long. There's a danger of cutting branches when the tree's sap is on the rise and, while the sap is not running full, some trees have fully budded. But this is when I could do it and it needs to be done. The roar of the chain saw is finally done, and the business of stacking wood and hauling away branches is complete. It's time for a cup of coffee.
As I sit on my back porch and watch the snow and flitting birds through the steam of my cup, I feel glad that God has spared me to see another Spring. I've been granted sixty three winters; not as much as some I know, but sadly, more than so many others. A brother-in-law left us at thirty, my father-in-law at fifty two, a dear sweet friend at forty. Vietnam took friends and family who had barely started a life at all... most still in their teens. As for me...time and again God has spared my life through things that should have killed me.
I took chances in my life that I never should have. I've pushed beyond limits that others died exceeding. I fell into circumstances where only good luck (or the Good Lord) pulled me out. I've been bold and daring, and at other times just plain dumb. Yet, in all those things God has spared me. He's shown mercy, and granted me a lot of years. I don't know why I've been so blessed. I feel like I've not thanked him enough nor tried hard enough to live a life of gratitude. I do begin every day, as I awaken, looking out the window from my pillow, saying "Thank you, Father, for another day of life. I never want to take it for granted."
I know that God has an order and a plan. I also know that "time and chance happeneth to all." Some not so well meaning folks live long lives; while other beautiful souls are cut down much too soon. It is a curiosity that is beyond our finite minds ability to solve, why a terrible hate-filled person lives to ninety and a wonderful young child is taken from our midst. I suppose that circumstance is a great sweeping net at times. It captures some while others escape. Only God knows in His infinite wisdom, this mystery of life and death.
I've finished my hot cup of comfort and now it's time to get back to work. There's brush to burn, chickens to feed, eggs to gather, and a host of other things to do before the sky grows dim and I repair to the house, and the warmth of a glowing fire. As I feel the leather upon my gloved hands and turn my collar to the increasing cold, I look around and take in the late winter scene.
The sun has shown once more, even as it continues to flurry. Canadian geese are honking overhead and a Robin tweets on a branch near the barn. A Cardinal settles in a pine tree; the spirit of some one passed who has come to say hello, it is said. I smile at him and say, "Yeah, I'm still here. It's a cold and gloomy kind of winters day, but yes, another wonderful day to be alive."
As I walk to the shed I turn to the red songbird again and say, "Tell the Almighty I said 'Thanks'.........on second thought, maybe I'd better tell Him myself."
