It is the season of waking in the darkness here at Sabbath Rest Farm. Morning light continues to come but it does not call me from sleep. Evening darkness begins falling early and the animals are ready for the shelter of stall and barn by 4:30. The memory of summer light and the length of its days fades as I bundle up in Cuddle Duds, overalls, socks, muck boots, gloves, toboggan and Carrhart jacket to feed horses, donkeys and cows. Dressing for this excursion takes almost as much time as the work itself.
The cold, crisp air bites my nose as I breathe in the winter air. Walking down the hill to the stable I hear the donkeys call for breakfast and see the mist rising from the valleys across the way. The temperature has risen from twenty to twenty five and a high of forty is predicted for today. Sunshine is a gift after days of rain. The rooster is calling the hens out to play in the chicken yard and I hear Barney barking on the walk with Michael.
A poem written by Christina Rossetti is one of my favorites during this season of the year...
In the Bleak Midwinter Christina Rossetti (1872)"
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air,
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
In this season of darkness, iron earth and moaning winds, I remember light and warmth and length of days. I remember and rejoice in the seasons of light and darkness, warmth and cold, presence and absence. I pray for all the babies born into this world and all those who are leaving this world... from darkness to light to darkness and light again. Faith in the Creator who gave us the gifts of the seasons and the memory of the Face of God in Jesus Christ will light my path through winter darkness until spring blooms once again. Thanks be to God.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Dear Diary...
November 30th
Dear Diary,
It is rainy this morning. A pale imitation of the sun peeks out now and then in between showers. I head out around 8:45 to let the chickens out and throw them some scraps. Then down to the horse barn to feed and scoop poop. Since Ferd began living in the horse pasture there is more poop to scoop under the run in where he walks to the water trough. The farrier is coming today so I try to tidy up the stable area so he can work comfortably.
As I walk up the hill to the house, Gary drives up in the Kubota with baby Grayson. They are out riding around since it is raining and Gary can’t do much outdoor work today. We chat a little while about fencing and other farm folderol while the baby boy drifts in and out of sleep.
After he leaves, I head down to the leaning barn and throw five bales of hay in the back of the mule then put the four wheel drive in gear to navigate the muddy fields. The cows are waiting for me. I dip out some feed and while they eat feed I stuff the manger with three bales of hay. I can’t lift the bales over my head to clear the top bar so I cut them and put them in. Two bales go out on the ground.
When I get back to the house it is 10:45 and time to start making my calls for the day while I wash clothes. No hanging clothes out on the line today but all this rain will fill Tim and Jeannie’s cisterns. We are not satisfied with our farm insurance package and I am calling around gathering information.
Called various insurance agents and am going to take copies of our current insurance coverage to two agencies tomorrow as well as talk to our current agency. I called a farm on top of Doggett Mountain, talked to the owners and had a lovely conversation about their operation. They rent three cabins, have 240 acres, Belted Galloway cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, guineas and are open year round. They were recently featured in Southern Living as a vacation destination.
Natalie came to work the horses and take a little ride. I am still washing clothes. 12:45- time for lunch break.
After lunch I paid bills, made calls about bills and checked on mama’s home insurance. Natalie came in afer her ride and we visited a little. Junie B was slipping and sliding on the wet clay so she walked her back home from the low pasture. The farrier showed up and I spent time down at the stable with him as he trimmed hooves on the donkeys and horses. Junie B looks like a mud puppy. Dixie is always much neater. Still washing clothes.
After the farrier leaves I will go to Weaverville to get a birthday card for Alison so we can get it in the mail tomorrow. Hard to believe all my small children now have children of their own. 5:30... The farrier left around four so I zipped into Weaverville. Came home to feed and bed down cows and horses and donkeys for the night before I cook supper. Cows were waiting for me at the gate. They had finished all the hay I put out in the morning so I replenished the manger. Cold wet weather ups their need for hay since we have no grass in the pastures. Still washing clothes.
I ate supper with mama while Michael made a run to Lowe’s. I will be starting to paint the quilt panel that will hang on the end of the barn and it needs to be framed in. Made a plate for Michael, came home and watched my favorite tv show, folded clothes and went to bed. Thus endeth this day.
Bully took treats from my hand. Dora let me pet her. Dixie loved on me. Junie B sang her throaty little song to me. Ferd smiled when I gave him grain. Barney ran to the fields with me. I ate lunch with a purring cat in my lap. I loved on a baby boy. This was the day the Lord made and I rejoiced and was glad in it.
Dear Diary,
It is rainy this morning. A pale imitation of the sun peeks out now and then in between showers. I head out around 8:45 to let the chickens out and throw them some scraps. Then down to the horse barn to feed and scoop poop. Since Ferd began living in the horse pasture there is more poop to scoop under the run in where he walks to the water trough. The farrier is coming today so I try to tidy up the stable area so he can work comfortably.
As I walk up the hill to the house, Gary drives up in the Kubota with baby Grayson. They are out riding around since it is raining and Gary can’t do much outdoor work today. We chat a little while about fencing and other farm folderol while the baby boy drifts in and out of sleep.
After he leaves, I head down to the leaning barn and throw five bales of hay in the back of the mule then put the four wheel drive in gear to navigate the muddy fields. The cows are waiting for me. I dip out some feed and while they eat feed I stuff the manger with three bales of hay. I can’t lift the bales over my head to clear the top bar so I cut them and put them in. Two bales go out on the ground.
When I get back to the house it is 10:45 and time to start making my calls for the day while I wash clothes. No hanging clothes out on the line today but all this rain will fill Tim and Jeannie’s cisterns. We are not satisfied with our farm insurance package and I am calling around gathering information.
Called various insurance agents and am going to take copies of our current insurance coverage to two agencies tomorrow as well as talk to our current agency. I called a farm on top of Doggett Mountain, talked to the owners and had a lovely conversation about their operation. They rent three cabins, have 240 acres, Belted Galloway cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, guineas and are open year round. They were recently featured in Southern Living as a vacation destination.
Natalie came to work the horses and take a little ride. I am still washing clothes. 12:45- time for lunch break.
After lunch I paid bills, made calls about bills and checked on mama’s home insurance. Natalie came in afer her ride and we visited a little. Junie B was slipping and sliding on the wet clay so she walked her back home from the low pasture. The farrier showed up and I spent time down at the stable with him as he trimmed hooves on the donkeys and horses. Junie B looks like a mud puppy. Dixie is always much neater. Still washing clothes.
After the farrier leaves I will go to Weaverville to get a birthday card for Alison so we can get it in the mail tomorrow. Hard to believe all my small children now have children of their own. 5:30... The farrier left around four so I zipped into Weaverville. Came home to feed and bed down cows and horses and donkeys for the night before I cook supper. Cows were waiting for me at the gate. They had finished all the hay I put out in the morning so I replenished the manger. Cold wet weather ups their need for hay since we have no grass in the pastures. Still washing clothes.
I ate supper with mama while Michael made a run to Lowe’s. I will be starting to paint the quilt panel that will hang on the end of the barn and it needs to be framed in. Made a plate for Michael, came home and watched my favorite tv show, folded clothes and went to bed. Thus endeth this day.
Bully took treats from my hand. Dora let me pet her. Dixie loved on me. Junie B sang her throaty little song to me. Ferd smiled when I gave him grain. Barney ran to the fields with me. I ate lunch with a purring cat in my lap. I loved on a baby boy. This was the day the Lord made and I rejoiced and was glad in it.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Rest and Rejoice!
Each morning this Advent I am reading a Bible passage on rejoicing. Today I began with a passage in Leviticus 23 that describes the establishment of the Harvest Festival for the Jewish people of God. This festival, Sukkot, follows the time of atonement, Yom Kippur, solemn high holy days. Each of these holy times carries an admonition to rest and a time set aside for rest. First worship, then rest, confess and make amends, rest, harvest, rest, rejoice. Each of these holy days carries with it specific instructions for rest. Wisdom knew our passion for being and doing, Energizer Bunnies that we humans are. And in that Knowledge, provided a resting place for our souls if we would listen and follow.
So first, worship. I will read Advent devotionals, the Bible and sing first thing each morning offering a small worship as a beginning to my Advent days. And in that time I will take a break, a rest from the busyness of my days, the unending to do list. I will rest in the Lord while I wait for the crocuses to bloom in the desert.
Second I will remember the year past, the mistakes, the sins, the blessings and the good work I have done. I will take inventory and lift it up to God as my part in atonement. Where there is a need to own my brokeness with others, I will speak and seek healing. I will affirm the goodness, the image and actions of God in me this past year as I do the same for others.
Third, I will harvest the past year of life reaping the joys and sorrows, the gains and losses with thanksgiving for it all. Without darkness we could not see the light and without suffering, we could not know joy. Gratitude for all that has come my way in life and gratitude for all that is yet to come will be my Advent prayer song.
Then I will rejoice like Snoopy dancing on top of his dog house, balanced between this world and the next, purely delighted to be here. Life is gift. Life is good. Thanks be to God for rest and rejoicing!
So first, worship. I will read Advent devotionals, the Bible and sing first thing each morning offering a small worship as a beginning to my Advent days. And in that time I will take a break, a rest from the busyness of my days, the unending to do list. I will rest in the Lord while I wait for the crocuses to bloom in the desert.
Second I will remember the year past, the mistakes, the sins, the blessings and the good work I have done. I will take inventory and lift it up to God as my part in atonement. Where there is a need to own my brokeness with others, I will speak and seek healing. I will affirm the goodness, the image and actions of God in me this past year as I do the same for others.
Third, I will harvest the past year of life reaping the joys and sorrows, the gains and losses with thanksgiving for it all. Without darkness we could not see the light and without suffering, we could not know joy. Gratitude for all that has come my way in life and gratitude for all that is yet to come will be my Advent prayer song.
Then I will rejoice like Snoopy dancing on top of his dog house, balanced between this world and the next, purely delighted to be here. Life is gift. Life is good. Thanks be to God for rest and rejoicing!
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