Filed under: April 2016 | Tags: draft horses, peace, quitting time, relaxation, Small Farming
April 13, 2016
I have to ask, “Is there anything better than supper?” I mean the last meal of the day when the work is all done. There is just something peaceful about that time. Even their horses enjoy their evening meal. They actually seem to chew slower, pause between bites and savor their food. I like to stand or sit in the barn and just listen to them chew. It is very relaxing for me.
I am thinking that this is what’s wrong with our society today. We don’t really have a “quitting time”. We jump out of bed, rush all day long, bolt down some food and head off to evening activities. My horses and this farm give me the opportunity to slow down. There is magic in the still of evening after the work and chores are done. Sitting down to supper is the signal for the end of the work day….well most of them.
In certain times on a farm, like planting, haying or harvest, lunches and sometimes suppers are eaten on the run as we scramble to complete the job at hand while the weather holds. I think that is why, when things are idled down because of the season or wet weather, evenings and especially meals are so much more enjoyable. I too chew slower and find enjoyment in every bite.
The food tastes better. I am better company when I am relaxed rather than just pausing between jobs to suck down some nourishment. It is the company around the table, the peace in our home and the sense of completion that makes supper time so special. I think the horses have this all figured out!