Day after the storm
This morning was spectacular. Early dawn shown down softly on the rising mist from the creek. The rain soaked trees let off steam as the warmth of the sun rays touched their forms, so heavily clad in thick, dark green moss. Drops of water clung to leaves while the colors of the rainbow danced in the canopy as the sun played with the dropletts. I couldn't breathe it all in fast enough. Cool, clean air. Delicious.
So much water in the ground makes it hard to move around without slipping. I placed my feet carefully to avoid wrenching my already damaged left knee. One step at a time I pulled the wheelbarrow up the long hill to the very top, knowing that the high ground would be the first to drain off, and have the best places to feed hay to the horses.
After putting the hay out, I spent a few hours in the top pasture working with the pole saw, clearing branches off a huge Oak tree that fell across the double gates. I always want to spend time watching the horses, and was pleased to see how well fed and relaxed they were after a big storm. They have free access to grazing, plus we give them some pelleted supplements, so they weren't that interested in their hay. The horses are doing well. I wanted to at least clean up some of the tree mess, enough to make room for the backhoe to drive into the pasture. The ground is far too spongy for any heavy equipment just yet, but now it is ready for when the dirt is dry enough. It looks like lightening hit the tree and blew it in 4 different directions, taking down branches from neighboring trees. In the end, we will have 5 or more cords of firewood after all the work is done. Yes, we have lots of trees on this property, but I hate to see the big ones leave. Those big trees are special. They have lived through so many cycles of drought and flooding and wildfires. They have seen generations of people passing through. I treasure each one.
This property has other treasures. There are 3 big grinding rocks at the edge of the creek. They stand in testimony of the indigenous Indians who lived here long before we came along. They will remain long after we are gone. Knowing this helps keep things in perspective. Our lives are such a small blip on a much bigger radar.
Every night when I am brushing my teeth, I step outside and close the door so I can gaze up into the darkend heavens and stand astonished to see how different every skyscape is. No two nights are the same. Tonight is clear and crisp, deep blue black with brilliant shining stars, the North Star right over my bedroom window. Simply spectacular.
