Filed under: December 2014 | Tags: chores, choretime, farm animals, hurry, peace, piglets
Soup is on!
December 6, 2014
Chore time for me is a great time of day. Morning chores signify the beginning of a new day. I am greeted by my animal charges as if I am an old friend. They are very happy to see me. The dogs act as if it has been weeks since we last met. The rest of the animals make a ruckus too. I used to think it was because they were happy to see me, but then I realized they were just impatient waiting for breakfast.
In the evening, the last job of the day is usually chores too. The animals all get fed again. Stalls are cleaned and general order comes to the barn. Then, after everyone has been fed and watered, a quiet peace settles over the barnyard. The cattle start looking for a place to bed down for the night. The piglets push straw into a pile with their noses and settle in under it. The hens are sitting on their roost waiting for sleep to overtake them.
In the horse barn, the horses stand quietly munching on their hay. I like to sit on a hay bale, pet the dogs and reflect on the day’s work. The dog’s eyes are almost closed as I pet their heads. They enjoy this quiet time too. The soft music that is the horses chewing, fills the air signaling that all is well. The day is done.
How many of us rush about? Jump out of bed hurrying because we got up late. Speed off to work. Spend the day jammed with work and other people’s problems. We skip lunch so we can leave on time to fly home to work on a project or attend a meeting. Finally, an hour later than we wanted. We flop down in front of a television and watch other folks having fun. We sleep fitfully fearing that we won’t hear the alarm clock…and sure enough we don’t…or we hit the snooze too many times! So tell me… why do they say that “animals are dumb”?
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RicelandMeadows 
In the December, 2014/January 2015 Rural Heritage magazine, you had researched the different manufacturers of the hay tedders. What are the pros and cons of the hay tedder by Master Equipment ? Where are they located, and what is the price range? I have a small farm and use my horses to rake hay and would love to be able to use them to kick the hay, but can’t with my tedder I have now. My e-mail is denisecox1@aol.com, my name is Jerrell Cox, phone is 423-489-6958. I would appreciate your help on this matter.
Have a good day.
Comment by Jerrell Cox December 6, 2014 @ 1:11 pmJerrell Cox
Sent you an email, But the Master Equipment Tedder is made here in central Ohio. It is priced right. It is well made. I am very pleased with my purchase!
Comment by ricelandmeadows December 7, 2014 @ 2:05 pm