Hello, February! About the time I start hearing people talk about how mild the winter has been this year, is also about the time when we usually receive the coldest blast yet. No straying from the formula this year. These last few days, I have heard stories of some beautiful snows in nearby areas. Thick, fluffy drifts that are just perfect for snow angels and snowball fights. Not here. It seems, we have been designated as the ice zone. No snowball fights here. Not unless you intend to actually kill your opponent, which I do not recommend.
However, while we may not be sledding over powdery drifts here at Gentle Breeze Farm, we certainly aren’t being left out of the magic. From yesterday afternoon through the night, we received a steady stream of freezing rain and this morning when I stepped out the doors, everything I laid eyes on, was covered in a smooth, glassy shell. As I stood there in the morning quiet, as the sky was just starting to lighten, I could hear the trees crackling as the breeze worked its way through their crystalized limbs. A rare and beautiful occasion.
When things really started to come down yesterday, I wanted to go check on the horses and just make sure they were handling it all okay. Two out of three have well adapted, curly, winter coats and I really don’t worry about them. But the third and newest member of our herd is a little different. A little less hardy perhaps, and coming back from a few injuries. Mostly, I wanted to see with my own eyes that he knew there was a shelter present and stocked with fresh hay. My intention was to catch Toby and walk him to the shelter for good measure. Whether he stayed there or not, was up to him, but at least I would know he had experienced the lack of ice pelting him as he stood in it, and the existence of dry hay. I don’t know what it is, but something about the cold weather and the blowing wind, has a way of making horses extra goofy. At least mine. Smokey, my biggest and certainly goofiest horse, was feeling downright wild. As soon as I would get near Toby, Smokey felt the need to chase him off. I spent over an hour out there chasing those beasts. In the end, I determined I would catch the trouble maker and lead him to the shelter, with the expectation that the other horses would follow us. When it came down to it, I led Smokey all the way up, only to find the other hoses hadn’t followed a single step and seemed not to care one bit that Smokey had left the bunch(something I am sure he is in denial about). When I finally trudged back into my house, all I can really say I accomplished was a good bit of cardio and a new hairstyle, I like to call “the icicle”. Even so, I can say I am glad for the experience as a whole. Being able to look back on that ordeal as one of the things I can say I have done, is totally worth it. Of course this morning, I had to go straight out and confirm everyone survived the night. And as you might have guessed, they were all just fine. The Lord took perfectly good care of them without my meddling.
My morning horse check, also yielded some unexpected fun. I found a set of coyote tracks along my walk and when I looked up ahead, there was the animal itself. I had the rare opportunity to follow it a while and be able to see it clearly up ahead in the distance before it realized I was there. Eventually, it caught sight of me and made haste to the nearest stand of trees. One icy morning I won’t soon forget.
Wherever you are, I hope you stay warm and cozy and safe, but bundle up now and again to take in the magic of this frigid, winter world.
Make sure you are getting all tucked in safe and toasty, too! 💕