The Missing Piece

Sunrise...

  It's not yet to the point where I have noticed a difference in the light.  It still remains dark when I rise... giving me time to do a few small chores around the house.  By the time we reach the barn, the sun begins to peek above the horizon. 

The horses eagerly meet us at the barn, and we place Moonie's fly mask on and give Red his antibiotic.  Then, out to the pasture they go as the sun sets the sky on fire and the clouds become pastel tufts of cotton candy. 

Another day begins... triumphantly, proclaiming,  "This show is for you... for braving the cold... for seizing the opportunity to witness a miracle!"   I am enveloped by this intensity of color and my soul absorbs the energy.  Sunrise has become an important part of each day.  There are days that I wait in vain - clouds.  And then there are the others... and no two are ever alike.

I am grateful for being a part of the audience... a front row seat!  I have no idea how any given day will unfold, but if nothing else, I have begun the day witnessing the ultimate expression of hope... the sunrise.  It's a quick show - one that's easy to miss.  Despite its brevity, it is infinitely worth the price of admission (getting out of bed).

We've been giving the equines a little supplemental hay when they are in the front pasture as there's not much edible grass there now.

Forrest always claims one pile of hay as his own.

He takes his nose and shovels beneath the hay, throwing it into the air.  Then he grabs a mouthful and begins to chew.  He never quite swallows it... just goes through the motions.  It’s a funny thing to watch - him imitating what the equines are doing.

He seems to understand that it's not good to eat, unless you're a horse - but still, each morning he does the same thing.  He's a silly guy!

I finished my first of two January puzzles... my attempt at slowing down a bit at this time of year.  This one was 1000 pieces... but in actuality, ended up only 999 pieces.  You might agree... there is nothing more annoying than finishing a puzzle only to find a piece missing.  I am guessing that the morning I found Ivy cat walking across the puzzle pieces, she must have knocked one onto the floor... only to be sucked up by the vacuum (I'm guessing.). I take this as a lesson in letting go of that which is beyond my control.  Regardless, it was a lovely puzzle to do.

Cats!  (If you know... you know!)