Walk

We walked around our little farm today with the kids, calf sled in tow to pick up tired stragglers.

My dog Fiona comes along, but she’s barely noticable. She sits on little hills a ways off and keeps an eye. That’s her way: Protective and inobtrusive.

We climbed the high hill on our property. It’s a reliable sign of spring when the cattle climb that hill. I sometimes take a picture of it and text it to Jesse: We call it “summiting”, and we’re fairly certain they must do it just for the pleasure of a walk on fresh spring day.

Jesse was hauling water to the cows this fall. One tan cow plunges her head into the water up to her eyeballs: nostrils and mouth fully submerged. She then pulls her head out and shoots cold water out her nostrils at high velocity.

I sometimes drink strong coffee when I’m very tired. I find it useful; however, I’m certain this cow’s method is a more effective pick-me-up.

I took a walk with the kids earlier in the week. Jesse noticed today that a moose had been walking in my old tracks as though he was taking advantage of the easier walking. What a funny thing! I was so pleased Jesse noticed the tracks.

We passed by some old willow trees, roots exposed by cows enjoying the dust and shade under their canopy in the summer. The kids find these trees enchanting. I told my daughter the trees and the tracks remind me of Thornton W. Burgess books about the meadow people (e.g., Reddy Fox and Peter Rabbit). She agreed: a content, happy smile on her face.

In the summer, I saw a sparrow sit on the highest twig of the spruce tree in front of my window. I felt as I watched it that I was witnessing a celebration of flight and life. Why else the very highest branch rather than the thousands of tiny (and more sheltered) branches further down? I contemplated that again today as we came back to the house.

And all that felt very fitting to me, the contemplation, the memory of that bird and the funny and pleasant things our farm animals do.

My heart felt stretch with delight for that bird, (and my kids, and cows, and dog), enjoying the pleasure of being.

We went for a walk today. I’m sure glad we did.