A Farmer's Weather Lament

It's a well known fact that people are never satisfied with the weather.  Some want it warmer--some cooler--some wetter--some dryer.  It's just human nature I guess.  However, few people are as adamant about their weather wishes as a farmer.  I sometimes wonder if God doesn't get confused listening to all the farmers and their weather demands.

In the spring, they want enough moisture to germinate their seeds but not so much that they can't get in the fields to plant.  Then they want sunshine to make them grow but not so much that they dry up.  Rain enough to nourish but not enough to wash out the little plants.  Add to that the fact that every farmer is on a different schedule and need and I  can see why God would throw up his hands in exasperation!!

In their defense, farmers have to do their chores no matter what the weather is.  Cows must be fed and watered, fences repaired, and crops tended without regard to the desires of the farmer to just "stay in the house and snuggle with a good book --or ballgame".   

Living with a farmer is a challenge.

This time of year is especially a challenge.  Yesterday it was 50 degrees and beautiful.  Knowing that there was a change coming Hubby launched into a rare day off work that coincided with the pretty weather.  A rational person would have noticed that his list of chores was a lot longer than a day.  However, with the optimism that only a farmer knows, he eagerly attacked the list.  First off was delivering a piece of equipment to the shop to be repaired.  Then after, a brief (?) visit with the owner,  he returned to the farm to help get some cattle up to be moved.  This is more of a job than it seems since with the warm weather came thawing of the mud surrounding every feed trough, waterer, fence line, gate, or anywhere else that humans or cattle move.  Boots protect the feet but soon become encased in inches of heavy mud so that it is like hiking in concrete blocks.

After getting the cattle settled into their new location, it was time to put out some hay for them.  Sounds easy--fire up the tractor and spear a bale of hay and dump it in the waiting ring.  Except for the mud.  Every gate has to be opened, and closed, involving a slog through the mud to open then a trudge back to the tractor.  Now repeat on the other side of the gate.  Even the tractor tires will slip and slide in the mud.

Even little chores, like re-hanging a gate or replacing a plank in the fence become a game of slip and slide.  Don't even think about trying to head off the frisky calf that decided to take advantage of the gate being open to make a dash for freedom! 

Days end came with a spectacular sunset, that Hubby was almost too tired to notice.

Today we awoke to snow and falling temperatures.  It is forecast to fall into the low single digits, which means all that mud will freeze to holes, ridges, spikes and dips.  Today's chores will be done in the Arctic cold, in fading light, after work.  Waterers will freeze and have to be broken loose, ponds will freeze and have to have holes chopped for the cows to drink and extra feed will have to be delivered to the mama cows. 

At least the mud is frozen.

Now, God, about this snow.......