Arctic Blast

It's PA State Farm Show week.  If you live in Central Pennsylvania, then you know that Farm Show week is almost always the coldest week of the year - and typically snowy.  It looks as though this year will be no exception to the rule.  As with much of the country, we've been having unseasonably cold weather these last few days.  Snow is predicted for today, but just a couple of inches (perfect!).  It's been bitter cold and fiercely windy - so, the donkeys declined going out into the front pasture yesterday morning.

They prefer room service on mornings such as this, and huddle together beneath their heat lamp.  Yes, they might be just a little spoiled... but after all, they are Sicilian donkeys and come from a much warmer climate!  Just ask them... they will tell you!

The horses still go, however.  And while we are on that subject... Red is doing so much better after a month of antibiotics for Lyme disease.  He actually kicked up his heels the other morning when he went running into the front pasture.  I am going to finish out his bottle of doxycycline for good measure.  I am hoping that his aches and pain continue to be in his past!

We are occasionally asked if we are going to the farm show ... to which we reply, "we live the farm show... no need to go" - but mostly because it falls every year during cold and flu season (and Covid) season... a time when we prefer to avoid crowds.

Luckily, I get my fill of critter time right here on the farm.  And the good thing about that is... I get to do much more than just look.  I get to be up close and personal... snatching the occasional hugs and witnessing all of the little moments that bring me joy and often laughter!

On these cold days, the horses seek out any sunshine that they can find.  

Though Saturday started out cloudy, the sun arrived in the afternoon.  In order to protect Moonie's one eye, I made sure to put his sun-blocking mask on.  He walked over to me when I entered the dry lot with his mask. 

 He's always so good about lowering his head for me when I put it on him.  

Afterwards, I hugged his huge nose

 and somehow stimulated a yawn.  

(I guess I had arrived just in time for nap time.  Both horses like to take a nap after spending their morning in the front pasture... especially if the sun is out!)

Yawning can be contagious... do you feel the need?

In spite of the cold, we've been taking our woods walks with the dogs.  Annie sometimes stays behind,  preferring her warm bed over the frigid wind.

There's something about the cold air that makes me feel more alive.  I love these walks... the sound of the roaring wind in the treetops in an otherwise silent woods.... the peaceful stillness this time of slumber.

Walks give this fellow plenty of opportunity for exercise and play.

He grabs the biggest stick (branch) he can find in a rowdy game of "keep-away".

His favorite winter swimming puddle is frozen now, but he visits it on every walk.  He races around on the ice...

leaping and hopping...

never losing his footing, spending more time in the air than on the ground!

Much of our weekend was spent indoors enjoying the warmth of the fireplace.  A favorite room is our upstairs loft.  It is the warmest place in the house - as the warmth from the fireplace rises to this space.  It's a pleasant room for reading or knitting with houseplants and the afternoon sun filling the large window.

I noticed one of the succulents that I had repotted at the end of summer had filled up the pot and seemed to have little green flowers at the ends of each stalk.

How sweet are these!

Perfection!  Just another illustration of the wonder of nature!