Some beautiful writing

About the cycles of life on the Kansas Prairies. From Jeffro at the Poor Farm. Found Jeffro via People of the Gun and I am glad I did.

A story

I was peacefully reading down the blog roll this morning, having arisen a lot earlier than I had any reason to, when I came across this on Jeffro's the Poor Farm and read it all without stopping.

These three links contain a story. I hope you have time to read it.

The Lawdog Files

A Day in the Life of an Ambulance Driver

Perspectives

If I didn't make it to your place, it is because I was reading this touching story about small town life...and loss.

Omen

I hope this morning is one for our luck on the Christmas bird count, which is coming up soon. The girls and I were walking over to the barn at about five minutes past needing a flashlight. We were traveling real slow and cautious as it is nasty icy under about four inches of mealy, slick new snow.

Just as we got about half way there this huge, ponderous, slow-flapping bird lumbered over the heifer barn roof, barely flopping along. I was hoping for an exotic owl of some sort until I saw the long, trailing legs. Of all things to see in December when everything but the river and the Schoharie are frozen-a great blue heron. I know almost exactly how low it was flying because it winged its way right past the tower on the house. That is 72 feet tall and the bird was halfway up the roof part, we'll call it 65 feet. What a strange sight for this time of year. We have counted only two on the Christmas bird count in all the many, many years we have done it. I am crossing my fingers that he flies up to the Mayfield South section of the Johnstown count and sits around waiting for us to drive by. We just love those "ooh, ahh" birds. (That is what you say when you see one.)

***Herd health today. Cross your fingers, if you will, for lots of pregnant cows.

Country folks

Yesterday I was outside hanging up laundry and feeding the ever-demanding maw of the woodstove when a friend called. When I got in to hear the message she said she was bringing over food.

Food...wonderful homemade meat loaf, sour dough bread, potatoes, corn and cuppycakes with the best frosting I ever tasted. She also brought the boss a Sudoku book, which he amazed me by finding totally engrossing when he came in from overdoing it and half killing himself with work he shouldn't even attempt. What a friend! She is busy with her own farm and her own farm guys and calvings and all the headaches that accompany being a farm wife. She already works too hard. Yet she took time to make us the best meal we have had in ages. We couldn't wait to finish up milking last night so we could come in to dinner. It was worth the wait.

Thanks!!! That is all I can say. It was a tremendous kindness that we won't forget any time soon.