Tonight and Every Night

Every evening, as the sun sets - taking it's light to the other side of the earth,

and leaving us bathed in blue,

I head to the barn for one last visit with the animals.

And yes, I always have a copilot... just not always the same one!

The chores I do at bedtime are much like the ones done in the morning.

Waterers are checked and filled if needed.

Meals are distributed.

I pick up any manure left from the afternoon.

The ducks are ushered back into the safety of their house.

(An errant egg is rescued from the mud.)

I visit with the kitties and make sure their food and water is full.

I count them... one, two, three... all are accounted for.

Ditto with the pigs.

The sheep and goats are all at their hay feeders, water buckets full for the night.

Before returning to the house, I close up the henhouses...

where everyone is snuggled in for the night.

The turkeys are roosting as well, and their door is closed for safekeeping.

It's a peaceful routine done in silence.

No more rooster crows.

No braying donkeys, or bleating sheep or goats.

Everyone is ready for the night.

To me, the day is now complete.

All is well, and I breathe a sigh of contentment.

It's the same every night, and yet it never grows old.

I love this ebb and flow.

I love the rhythm of the land...

it gives me peace.

A lone goose flies overhead as I finish my work in the light of the barn.

The blue sky of the day is gone, replaced by clouds that foreshadow the rain that is to come.

I suppose that for some, the day-in/day-out sameness of this life would seem monotonous.

Not for me... I cherish every moment of it and eagerly await the start of another day.

Though the tasks of each day may be the same... there are so many subtle differences...

so many special moments, so many tiny miracles.

Good night... sleep tight...

Let's do it all again tomorrow!