A cold winter day (already) in early November
It was cold out this morning. Ten degrees above zero by the thermometer and snow on the frozen ground. But, I'd rather have this than cold rain and mud, which is also common this time of year. November always seems to be one of the more challenging months here on the farm, when we are transitioning into "winter mode".
When Noah and I went out after snack break following morning milking, the temperature was still only in the low twenties. We tackled the manure spreader, frozen solid by the cold overnight temperatures. After banging and chisling for about 15 minutes, I dared to turn on the PTO (Power Take Off, not Parent-Teacher Organization~) to see if the bed chain and beaters of the spreader would turn. Luckily everything moved, slowly and with a lot of creaking and groaning, but moving. I parked the spreader at the end of the barn and, with the loader tractor, finished scraping the manure from the alleys in the barn around and into the spreader. Later in the afternoon I added some stacked manure to the load and spread it on one of the grazing paddocks. Four trips back and forth to the stacking area later, I had another grazing strip covered with manure.
Earlier in the afternoon, while all the boys were in school, Karen and I headed over to the Christmas trees to do some shearing. I wish I had brought the camera. It was beautiful with the snow falling down and the trees with a light dusting of snow, making them look even prettier than usual. It's very peaceful to go over and work in the trees for a couple of hours. You're there in the trees, surrounded by the woods, the sky overhead, and your own thoughts. Each balsam fir or spruce tree you come to presents a new challenge on how to shape it into the "perfect" Christmas tree. A nice change from the cows and everything that comes with taking care of them.
--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont
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Posted by Blogger Chris at November 15, 2004 11:53 AM
It's cold here in California, too. About 40 degrees last night and that's cold for Palm Desert California and the fruit trees and vegetables. We had some heavy rain, too, but it's sunny today. Happy Thanksgiving from the Bonettes to you Jonathan and your family. Emily Bonette
Here in Michigan we are still having 50 degree days, a few more 40 degree nights this week. But it's coming!! I love the first snow on trees and lawns, too, but more than 2 inches on the driveways and out come the snowblowers! The best part of being retired is not fighting 6am traffic in the winter!
Thanks for sharing your life with us. Good luck and God Bless you and your critters.
Jonathan Gates reports from Howmars Farm in Franklin, Vermont.