A Day's Work

Resplendent clouds remind us to pause and witness.

As is too often the case in the rush of a day's work, we do not see what lies before us. These clouds were a magical spectacle, performed in the great hidden space above, last weekend, lasting only minutes. Fortunately, we were uncharacteristically quiet enough to witness the magic. What a fabulous few moments those clouds offered, as they passed by, so rich with presence, color, majesty, and intention. They were nature's marching band, strutting down the boulevard of the great blue beyond. We felt lucky to have looked up in time.

Sometimes the day's work is not so resplendent. Last week we sorted through 200 bovines - palpating, dehorning, vaccinating, eartagging, and castrating. It was a long day at the office. Three of our 63 cows were not bred, which is a favorable report. 

We had to bury our fourteen-year-old border collie, Nick, this past weekend. He was our first border collie, and he taught us much about dogs, sheep, and life. He was trained by Vergil Holland, in Cynthiana, Ky., and was fiercely loyal to his masters and fearless as a predator. He loved both to work and not work, making him low-maintenance and affectionate during off-time. His acumen enabled him to rise through the ranks on our farm, to become chairman-of-the board, guiding us toward promising prosperity. With his passing, we will have to replace him with a lowly two-legged beast. Nick had a lot of soul, and we miss him already.

Below is one of our favorite meals - pan fried (& roasted) pork chops, baked apples, polenta, and kale.

My our day's work be invigorated by taking note of the clouds, bringing us this season hope, birth, and liberation,