Spring, summer and autumn are all about gardening. Winter here tends to be weighted toward inside activities. This can lead to cabin fever. Having livestock, however, guarantees that you will spend quality time outside on a daily basis.

The bunnies come and clean up feed left on the ground by the ducks and chickens.

You get to see the sun on occasion! The old part of the cabin, where we spend most of our inside time, has few windows.

The swans fly from the fields to the river every evening. The geese fly high, but I can hear the wind in the swans’ wings.

Emptying the outside tubs is an evening chore. Watching the ice develop over time, as well as its run-off patterns, is fascinating.

The mower blade/rail tie counterweights on the squirrel-proof bird feeder make interesting light patterns. They also chime in the wind.

Light changes in quality with cloud cover and ice crystals or fog or other airborne water particles, as well as with the position of the sun. It keeps the same view ever fresh.

Michael has been doing more outside, hauling all the water buckets in the morning and occasionally hauling wood in the day. He has been more conscientious about elevating his surgery site to reduce the swelling. I am still doing many of the outdoors jobs, and now am loathe to give them up!