Springing Forward

Mercy and Grace

Feels like yesterday (but long ago) that I wrote about Falling Back and daylight savings time. The loss of an hour on Sunday has made morning chores more chore-like since it's now still dark at 6:30 AM. As I write, the early morning sky is breaking open and shades of lighter blues and grays are appearing behind the dark rain clouds. Darker than usual. Watching the light slowly increase on these mornings is one of the best parts of the time change, and it also usually signals the return of the birds. Soon, there will be a chorus of chirping birds ushering in the sunrises here.

Yesterday the lambs and their moms were placed in a large pen together, and when left alone to work it out, they did. It makes me anxious when one of the ewes head checks a lamb that's not hers - sometimes up against the barn wall - and it's not always easy to stay back and let what's happening just happen. And yet that's what a good shepherd would do.

Lessons from lambing continue to surface. Since bringing lambs up to the house at night isn't an option, and my house is feeling too empty without Beate, it's time to bring a new beast home. Spring is coming.