Tuesday, January 06, 2015

the second day

The moon gave us a winter white night. Long shadows, blue snow.

I know all this because I have developed sympathy new-parent-sleeping-habits. Two hours into the cycle I am wide awake, thinking baby thoughts. There are no baby noises at the farmhouse, but I imagine what they must be like and I lie there listening.

I'm sure the new parents are exhausted. And I'm exhausted for them!


We are entering a two day period of intense cold. A wind is buffeting the already freezing air and we have warnings popping up everywhere telling us to stay inside.

I go to the barn to visit with the cheepers. They huddle, but they find a sunny spot and try to take in some of the sun's warmth.


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As I throw them bits of bread, I notice Butter is off to the side, staring at the tractor-mower. Ah! There is a barn mouse right by the little wheel... see it?


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Butter glares at the mouse. The little critter is feeling brave, wanting to join the feeding party. No way! Butter pounces at it. The mouse barely gets away.

We have a mouser-cheeper!

I leave the brood to their devices and head over to the hospital.

Day two of little Snowdrop's life.

How she has changed already!


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Her parents as well. I sit back and admire the scene. It's as if they've been doing this stuff for years!


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Time with little Snowdrop is precious. Very precious. A parent is overwhelmed with responsibilities. A grandparent sees only the beauty of every move, every yawn, burp, scrunched face.


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It's dark when I pull into the long farmette drive. The cheepers are locked in their coop, Isis is eating cheese and crackers with Ed, both waiting to see what supper ideas I had for them.


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We pick up our evening routines. I cook supper, we watch some documentaries.

Someday, snowdrop will quiet down in the evenings. Someday. Probably not today. Not just yet.


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