Bundle Up

With the snow and colder temps, I go out to the barn to give James an additional coat to wear and some extra food. It is cold, but the strong Colorado sun is out so I am warm in my winter coat. There is only one other person at the barn. The wintry white trees glisten in the sun. James recognizes my car, and starts to head over to the gate. I prepare James’ food and then go to the pasture to bring James in to eat. His feeding stall is in what used to be a cow milking barn over a hundred years ago. James is now the second oldest elder at the barn. He has his privileges as a wise sage who has lived at this barn most of his life. I have a halter in my hand, but I just open up the pasture gate and let him walk free. There’s only one place he wants to go in the moment, and that’s his bucket of grain that waits for him in the feeding stall. I hang out with him while he eats, and he shares with me his impression of the winter snow:

“I don’t care too much for the snow and cold, but it’s pretty. I like when it sparkles in the sun. When I’m toasty warm under my blankets and coats, my muscles relax and I can enjoy the stillness that winter provides. 

Bundle up when you go outside so you can appreciate the season more. People are in such a rush, but the winter season is such a treasure. Fall into the quiet and the stillness. Everything is regenerating behind the scenes. You all should be, too. Use this time to replenish, restore, renew. Go deep inside yourselves. Enjoy this time. 

People are too loud. The winter season quiets the energy at the barn, and I like that. It is very healing. It is so pretty here in my pasture. The snow is so sparkly today. The whole herd is at peace.”

--James