Into the Deep Freeze

One of the reasons we like where we live is because the winters are fairly mild. We might get down into the teens at night for a week or two but that's about it. Our summers are pretty miserable so it's nice to have mild winters. Well the past two weeks have been anything but mild! Nearly the entire country has been dunked into the deep freeze and it's been quite miserable. The saying goes "I love winter, said no farmer ever." It's true. Keeping animals alive outside in -15 degrees is tough. We have farmers down the road that are in the middle of calving season. The calves freeze to the ground before the cow can even dry them off. It's heartbreaking. 

I'm lucky to have cozy houses for the horses and goats that are bedded down in deep hay but they are still shivering when I go to feed in the morning. It takes about an hour to feed, bring fresh water and hay to all the critters. The hoses are frozen so buckets of warm water must be brought out to fill the stock tank. It's quite the work out. I don't know how the northern states do this every winter. Pretty sure I'd move. 

Our area has been dealing with rolling black outs now due to the power grid unable to keep up. We haven't been effected by this luckily. This coming weekend is supposed to be in the 40's and next week in the 50s (and SUNNY!). I feel like it's one day at a time around here. I have to really work myself up to put on the four layers and trek out to feed all the critters. This too shall pass. 

They line up on the south side and soak up the sun.

Wesley got a work out clearing the driveway and sidewalk.