Another Perfect Day in the Country

There haven't been many more perfect days than today. I have a feeling that when our Creator flung this stuff together and called in terrafirma it was on a day like today.  The sun is shining, there is a cool breeze blowing and all seems right in the world.  I arose this morning a little after sunrise and went outside to do my morning chores. It was GLORIOUS.

This may be really difficult to understand because the responsibility of feeding and caring for animals is just that a great responsibility but, it is a task I really enjoy. I go out and call each animal by name. They come running to me and after I feed them I talk to them, rub and pat them and find out how each and every one of them is feeling that day. All are fat and healthy and should be happy to be an animal on the Rocking H Farm.

The cloudless autumn sky as viewed from our front porch.

Not a cloud between us and the heavens on this,
the first day of autumn.

Today is the first day of autumn and it is evident in the weather and in all that surrounds us here in our little world that is slightly removed from outside civilization.  Literally, there is not a cloud...no not even the wisp of a cloud in the azure sky overhead. As I sit here I think of all that I have to do to get ready for the cooler months ahead.  I need to gather more firewood, and finish getting the fall and winter garden ready.  I need to harvest our small potato crop and all of the other thing that need to be done in regard to our small vegetable garden.  If I can make the time at my real job, I plan on taking a few days off to build a green house so we can enjoy fresh veggies all winter.  I have gotten plans from the internet that I think will be relatively simple to build, not to mention inexpensive.  I mean what would the sense be in growing your own vegetables if the cost of a bowl of lettuce cost you $17.00 after expenses.  I guess you can tell, I am never at a loss for projects around here.  As soon as I mark one off the list, another one is added to it.  The funny thing is, I love it!

A Little More About the First Day of Fall

Sitting on my front porch I have seen at least o dozen different species of birds: hummingbirds, cardinals, red headed woodpeckers, chickadees, sparrow, eastern bluebirds, crows, blue jays, a red tail hawk, wrens, chimney swifts, mockingbirds and more.They are very active because of the cooler weather and the change of seasons I am sure but, they are darting around the yard and pastures and singing to the top of their lungs while feeding frantically on the seeds and insects that are abundant this time of year.  I mentioned that there is a red tail hawk.  If I had to guess I would guess that that is one of the mating pair that winters near our home here in the woods in central Mississippi.  I have seen it but but only at a distance.  This half of the pair has come ahead of the other one to see if all is good at their winter home.  It seems to be because this hawk is soaring overhead and sailing from tree to tree calling with its high-pitched scream in the brilliant blue sky above.

I watched a little while ago as the old white-faced fox squirrel that lives in a giant oak tree in our front pasture frantically gathered some of the first fallen acorns under our pin oak tree in the front yard.

Yep, fall is here and the weather is changing.  It won't be long until we have to pull out a sweater to sit on the porch or go for a long walk here in the country.

I thought I would share the following poem with you because today is the first day of fall.

Early Fall

I like best the early fall...
Shorter days, cool breezes and all. 
Flowing leaves, open windows, 
Refreshing thoughts replace old woes.
Summer's end means back to school
Hit the books, watch out for the "ghoul."
Baring trees display the sky...
Enjoy the night with stars on high!

Pene  Burkey

I will finish up this short post with words from Nathaniel Hawthorne.  He once said, "I cannont endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.  So i spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. 

Until next time...John

P.S. I just heard the voices of two hawks as I was closing this blog so, the mating pair is back and another cycle of nature is complete.  Happy first day of autumn to you all.

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