It’s 15 below this morning here in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. If I didn’t live on a farm, I’d stick my head back under the covers and wait until daylight. But I live on a farm and chores are waiting.
I drag on layer after layer of clothing. No time to look in the mirror. If I didn’t live on a farm, I’d find a fabulous outfit and spend an hour or so putting on makeup and creating perfect hair. But I live on a farm and bad hair days are part of my busy life.
I open the door. Oh, it is cold. If I didn’t live on a farm, I’d grab a latte and head to the fireplace to read the morning paper. But I live on a farm where roosters are crowing, geese honking. “Hurry up!” they say.
I did it. Made myself go out into the bitter cold. Vermont winter. If you haven’t experienced it, you don’t know what you’re missing. The cold is so intense the mountains actually shimmer. Just for a moment, I didn’t want to go outside but I live on a farm and animals depend on my care.
If I didn’t live on a farm, I’d call some friends, suggest brunch and a visit to the museum but I live on a farm and there are stalls to muck, coops to clean, eggs to gather.
If I didn’t live on a farm, last week I would have been busy at work, stuck in an office, gazing out the window from time to time. But I live on a farm and my windows are made of pine trees framing mountain vistas.
If I didn’t live on a farm, my back porch step would have a flower pot or two and a wonderful, clean welcome mat. But I live on a farm where free ranging would snack on my flowers and shred my mat.
If I didn’t live on a farm, I would be at the gym every day where the din from the after work crowd and all the machines humming would drown out my thoughts. But I live on a farm where I hike snow covered fields to the top of pastures and I reach out and touch the clouds and embrace silence.
If I didn’t live on a farm, I’d hang out with my girlfriends. We’d go shopping, share secrets, have a good laugh and disdain anyone who wears fur. Now that I live on a farm, I still have girlfriends. We still share secrets. Only difference is they all wear fur.
If I didn’t live on a farm, I’d have that one best friend by my side who never worries about voicing her opinion loudly. But I live on a farm and I still have that opinionated best friend only now she has four legs.
If I didn’t live on a farm, I’d be walking down city streets, intent upon the goal ahead, never stopping to look back and see who might be following. But I live on a farm and I’ve discovered the sweetest moments are when I stop and pause and turn around.
If I didn’t live on a farm, I would still think donkeys are stubborn creatures. But I live on a farm and I’ve learned donkeys are loyal and smart and full of love.
If I didn’t live on a farm, I’d still be happy. But I live on a farm and my life is complete.
Mountain Woman, Mountain Man and their 4 legged kids can always be found at Red Pine Mountain.
