After nearly 3 weeks of frigid, sometimes sub zero, temperatures and consistently accumulating snow, the thermometer reached a balmy 45 degrees yesterday with the sun shining brightly. Finally, some welcome melting of snow that has reached an average depth of 2-3 feet.
I won’t call this a sign of spring. It’s merely a recess. It’s very welcome, though. Before the absurd cold stretch during which it was hard for me to stay outside for more than 15 minutes at a time, Boz and I would walk the perimeter of the 12.77 acre property, through the pasture, into and around the woods, as part of acclimating him to his new home and getting a bit of exercise for both of us.
We both had developed a bad case of cabin fever, limiting our outside time to short walks to the coop to change the chickens’ water, collect eggs, and check on their health in the frigid temps. Some days, their water would freeze within an hour and I could usually summon the energy to change water 4-5 times/day.
Yesterday, we walked around about about half the property. I sank into the snow up to knees with every step. Boz sank to his belly, but bounded on and was delighted to be out and about again. It’s hard work to trudge though 2-3 feet snow. I would have to rest every 5-10 minutes. Made me feel very old. I am old.
Small Calm Farm 