Dec. 16, ’09-I step outside and am struck by the contrast of a hot pink garden flamingo propped up on the canary yellow porch wall and the snow draped across it’s back. It’s bitterly cold and @ 5 AM it’s a jolt to my system. Hot pink 1/2 face mask, forest green down feather jacket with hood up, pink camoflauge snow pants, 1200 gram knee high boots, a pair of Cabela’s gloves with wool mittens pulled over the top, long underwear, jeans, Cabela’s socks, a turtle neck and a sweater.  I tug @ the house door and struggle to get the inside door to click shut. The rug is all balled up in the doorway and I kick the rug back inside the house. I spill the 2 water pails I am trying to carry over to Geezer and Sassy the barnyard geese and the water for the ducks. I decide that I won’t give them a full pail of water and promise to give them extra water tonite.  They honk and quack to greet me despite the frigid temps. I tell them tonite I’ll have Tom give them extra straw. What have I become in the first snowstorm of the season!  I slowly break a path to the white shed and Hawken’s pet sheep are anticipating my arrival. Just a baaing and though the curtains are raised up on the sides of the shed-the cracks @ the top of allow more snow to sneak in.  I brush the snow off the tops of the haybales with my mittened hand. I find the ancient carving knife with the curve @ the tip.  It slices easily through the twine strings that bind the small square bales. I don’t bother placing the strings in the garbage can.  I run the grain auger and am thankful that works as it quickly gives me ground corn. Good-the waterers are thawed in this building. I try to turn the handle to click the top door shut as I leave the shed. I have to take off the mitten and quickly plunge me hand back inside it. Trudge and I’m busting a path through 12 inches of freshly fallen snow. Winter winds whirl and twirl the Christmas snow into my face.  I venture over to Cherry Hill and my heart sinks. My pace quickens and it’s my voice but it sounds so forlorn..so desperate.  “Jasper!! I’m so sorry..I should’ve moved you last night after Hawken was sleeping.”  Oh no! The goat Jake is shivering in one calf hut. Mounds of snow are blown in on the front. Clancy the other goat is in the other hut and he’s huddled in a corner with snow. Howling winds and  no sheep.  I’m trying to holler for Jasper. The winds choke my words and I’m seeing Tom on the lower farm with his head lamp beaming  light.  I climb back to the top of Cherry hill and swing the gate open. I hurry to the lower farm and I hear Jasper baaing. He’s spent the night standing outside.  What would you do now?  Find out the rest of this saga @ a later time. 

What cold weather clothes keep you warm?

Sue Roskos