Changing of the Seasons

It’s been starting to get cold here in Colorado. The green of the pastures is fading to brown. Trees are exchanging their usual attire for bright reds, oranges, and yellows (which doesn’t always happen here). There’s even the threat of snow on the horizon, though it hasn’t happened yet.

That means the rhythms of life are starting to change.

I harvested the last of the garden produce - which wasn’t much, but still more than I expected from a mostly neglected space this year. I ended up with some more zucchini, a few Banana squash, some green tomatoes, a handful of tomatillos, and a few pumpkins! I’d never successfully grown pumpkins before, so that was a pleasant surprise.

The horses are all off pasture; it will get to rest during the colder months. That turns much of my attention to hay. Thankfully, we have a great supplier, so the barn is getting filled up. I always feel more ready for winter when there’s plenty of hay on hand.

The cow hay is cut and baled, too, thanks to a deal with a local rancher. It just has to make its way home.

Each spring, I send my horses’ blankets in to get washed and repaired, so they’re on standby, waiting for when they’re needed. Sometime soon, I’ll get into the long held debate - to blanket or not to blanket? But we’ll wait on that controversy for another day.

There are still a few more winter prep tasks to be completed. Test and replace tank heaters. Finish cleaning out all the extra plant matter in the garden (the chickens have been getting the immature corn stalks and heads as a tasty treat). Make sure my veterinary supplies are well stocked. But those are coming along.

I’ve been looking forward to this change of the seasons. For one thing, I’m not a huge fan of the heat, so exchanging 80-90 degree temperatures for 40 and below sounds great to me. I love snow and moisture it brings. I enjoy hot tea and a good book.

And baking! The oven at home died this summer, and though going without has made for some creative culinary experiments, I’ve missed baking more than I thought I would. I’m not too handy in the kitchen (yet), but I’ve been able to dust off my apron and get to work. Peanut butter cookies and cornbread muffins have been the first on my list of priorities. I’ll dig out my sourdough starter soon and get him rolling again.

More than anything, I’m looking forward to winter as a chance to dig in and rest. Yes, animal care gets more labor intensive and complicated, but as long as the critters are warm and well fed, I can tuck myself back in and focus on the cozy things.

My priorities?

Nourishing my body with good, from-scratch food.

Nourishing my mind with good books, games with the family, writing, and trying new creative projects.

Nourishing my soul with church family time, Bible study, and theological podcasts.

I want to get true rest this winter season. It’s been a long, tumultuous summer without much true rest.

Part of that’s been my fault. I look too quickly to distractions that feel restful when they really aren’t. I’ve been dwelling on the shallow instead of the meaningful.

I aim to change that. There’s a lot about to change in my life, so this season of rest feels pivotal. So I’m going to tuck in and enjoy it.

If you feel the call to rest this season, I urge you listen to the Caller. When you bake, close your eyes and take an extra sniff. Watch how your animals eat and cuddle together. Laugh with your family and friends. Seek good stories, and make some of your own.

Matthew 11:28