Leeward

Three years and nine months ago, these buffalo berries, junipers, and Nanking cherries were just a few plastic-wrapped bundles easily held in my arms. Destined to become a windbreak, it was difficult to imagine those sorry little sticks ever making a dent in any wind. But now, I'm proud to say, they’re starting to make some small snowdrifts!

Granted, the cows and deer will have to wait several more years for the trees to grow big enough to shelter them, but at least the mice, birds, and rabbits can rest leeward.

“And each one of them shall be like a hiding place from the wind and a shelter from the storm….” --ISAIAH 32:2 (AMP)

Ripple Effect

Blueberry and Meels used to eat plain oats before they had multiple kids to nurse. When they needed extra calories, I fed them “sweet feed”, a molasses-coated mixture of corn, oats, and barley. (The young doelings eat sweet feed, too, since they were raised on it.) Blueberry and Meels don’t need it now but are spoiled and won’t eat plain oats anymore.

Our sparrows are also quite fond of sweet feed. The little birds flit only a few feet away from the buckets, waiting for their chance to dig into the grain crumbs. Apparently, a spoiled herd means a spoiled flock!

Two tiny opportunists wait their turn (upper right corner)

The birds look rather chubby. Some even have double chins!

“Kind words are like honey—
    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” –PROVERBS 16:24 (NLT)

Nine Hours

The sun officially rose at 7:46 and set at 4:46 today, which computes to 9 hours of sunlight, 15 of darkness. According to the law of supply and demand, sunshine should be a valuable commodity in these latitudes, but, providentially, it’s free.

A snowy cold front is on its way, courtesy of our Canadian neighbors, so I count myself blessed that I needed to wear sunglasses today! I'm also thankful that, even though tomorrow's sun may be obscured by clouds, it will be up for 9 hours plus 1 minute!

Time for morning chores

Almost sundown and, yes, time for evening chores

“When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in….” –PSALM 112:4 (TLB)

Up the Road

Our morning run began with Hubby grouching about the cold (only one measly degree plus a breeze out of the west). Before long, I was crabbing at him for seeming to run faster whenever I tried to catch up. So we trotted down the road, grumbling past this pair of bald eagles without even noticing them!

How many people in this world aren’t healthy enough to run or don’t get to run in places where bald eagles perch? How could I be so ungrateful?

Mercifully, the pair was still perched in the tree when we came back up the road!

“Thou hast given so much to me. Give me one thing more—a grateful heart.” — George Herbert

“Joy is a heart full and a mind purified by gratitude.” —Marietta McCarty

Basins, Bowls, Backs

Even though we live in the Big Horn Basin, a giant geographic bowl, no bowl games are played anywhere near. Thanks to satellite television, Hubby doesn’t have to migrate to more football-friendly climes to watch the Rose, Gator, Sugar, Orange, Fiesta, and Cereal Bowls.

This morning looked rather like the Snow Bowl!

Winky would make a good linebacker, don't you think? 

“God’s blessing inside the city, God’s blessing in the country; 

God’s blessing on your children, the crops of your land, the young of your livestock, the calves of your herds, the lambs of your flocks. 

God’s blessing on your basket and bread bowl;

God’s blessing in your coming in, God’s blessing in your going out.”

                                                          --DEUTERONOMY 28:3-6 (MSG)

In the Bag

Mercy and I wish you a Happy New Year! May it be chock full of mercy and delightful surprises!

“For the Lord your God is living among you.

    He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

    With his love, he will calm all your fears.

    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” –ZEPHANIAH 3:17 (NLT)

Gently Rounding Moon

We just call it December, but northern plains tribes had more descriptive names, like: Moon of Popping Trees (Northern Arapaho), Winter Moon (Shoshone), Moon When the Deer Shed their Antlers (Lakota), and When the Wolves Run Together (Cheyenne). Other Native Americans called it Long Night Moon or Cold Moon.

If I were to rename December, I’d call it the Cows Gently Rounding Moon because this is the month that the cows begin to look pregnant.

There’s been some “gently rounding” on my part as well, due to excess fudge and Christmas cookies, which is why I’m headed outdoors for a walk as soon as this is posted!

Flame and Sparkle

Angel

 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” –3 JOHN 1:2 (NKJV)