Lost in Gratitude at 17 Below Zero

Originally written in January 2018 ~

There is a wicked and deadly beauty at 17 degrees below zero accompanied by twelve inches of snow.  I have discovered an earthy side to me that loves the challenge of Mother Nature.

At 5:20 am and 17 degrees below zero, most events are canceled – leaving most of us to snuggle under heavy blankets or to sip a steaming cup of coffee with our toes in fuzzy slippers. 

Not able to sleep due to worrying about how the animals survived the night, I am pulling on boots over wool socks and zipping my Carhart in preparation to go check on them. 

On my way out the door, I am slapped in the face by a blast of frigid air.  Still dark, I find the profound silence most gratifying.  At these temperatures, the air itself sparkles in the beam of my flashlight.  

When all the animals are counted and comfortable, my mind is free to wander.

I wonder if the sparkles in the air could be what some call “Stardust”.

On this morning, I am thankful for freeze-less faucets, as the water flows freely into my buckets.

While the buckets fill, I stand to straighten my spine in preparation for the lifting to begin, topping off hay bunkers and filling tubs of water.

The water heaters are failing to keep up in these temperatures.

There are thin layers of ice that need to be punched through so the animals can drink.  I am grateful for waterproof gloves.

With animals fed and watered, I find the path of least resistance in a tire track that provides a narrow pathway through twelve inches of snow back to the house. 

Halfway there, I stop to admire a crescent moon in a crystal clear Missouri sky….  I have come to appreciate crescent moons, more so than the full moon. The full moon drowns out the light of the stars.  The crescent moon allows them to sparkle in their own light.

Overhead a midnight blue fades to a brilliant ribbon of cobalt on the horizon with the promise of a new day.

This is a beauty that is rarely seen.

At this moment there is total solitude, the only sound is of my rhythmic breathing.  A serene sense of peace washes over me.  Is this God’s way of putting my life into perspective?

There is contentment in knowing that all this glory is always here.  It is always here even when we do not see it.  It was here long before we discovered it, and it will be here waiting to bless those who come after us.  

 Standing there, in that thin tire track, all alone, I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Gratitude to God for putting me in this moment and place. 

Gratitude for the ability to appreciate this stillness, this peace, and the magic of this morning.   

Gratitude that there is a heaven and to be lucky enough to be able to experience a sliver of that heaven right here, at this moment.

Gratitude to have my animals as an excuse to step out of my comfort zone, out of my warm bed before the break of dawn for this experience.

I am lost in the gratitude to be able to sense the spirit that lives here. 

Suddenly the shrill howl of a lone coyote pierces through the crisp morning air, snapping my mind back to the frigid temperature.

Fearing the closeness of the coyote forces me to pick up my pace walking back to the warmth and safety of our house.  

One day, when my body fails me, I will delight in reliving my life in moments like these.

Until then, I look forward to getting back out there tomorrow to greet another new and glorious day.

***

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Let’s All Thank God Spring is Not Canceled

Ahhh  Spring…  You have finally arrived.  You are a breath of fresh air to some dreary days.  Your arrival changes everything. Seriously, you have no idea that you are a total renewal for our souls.

You energize us to breathe a little deeper and smile a little bigger. Thank God, you were able to show up.

You inspire us to clean out, to reorganize, to redecorate, our landscape changes,  our wardrobe gets brighter and our menus get lighter.

We even shave our legs for you.

 

You come in with your fresh airy swagger and everyone takes notice.  You make our world joyful.

When you show up, our feet come out of hibernation to relish the long-awaited freedom of flip flops.

All because of your arrival, our lipstick just got a shade lighter.

You help return the sparkle to our eye.

Our doors and windows are thrown open to encourage your fresh breezes to blow through.

With your arrival, our sweet Mother Earth begins to burst with new life.

The countryside is a parade of baby calves, colts, and lambs, all romping and kicking – all feeling their oats.

You make our hearts sing with this little tune from our childhood.

Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy…

a kid will eat ivy too – would you?

 

You may remember it more like this:

Mairzy doats & dozy doats & liddle lamzy divey…

a kiddley divey too, would you?

 

We are not the only ones singing. Open those doors!  You will hear the birds just bursting in song!

There are cardinals, and chickadees, and every variety of finch, nuthatch, the tufted titmouse, and my favorite – the bluebirds.

They can’t wait to start their day.  You bring such excitement to the air.

Thank you dear Spring for showing up, for not canceling.

And thank you for this happy little ditty that fills our heads.

Ohhhh… Mairzy doats & dozy doats…

 

***
I would appreciate it if you would share this site with your family and friends!
Subscribe to get our email posts sent to your inbox so you never miss a post.

All photos, thoughts, experiences and opinions are my own.

Copyright © Lost Mule Lodge 2020 All Rights Reserved