Changing Seasons and a Thankful Heart

November 21, 2022

Changing seasons. I winterized the chicken coop this past weekend.  I did it just in time because this morning I woke to frozen bird baths and 25 degrees. My breath was frosty and the air burned my lungs as I inhaled, standing at the bus stop with my daughter. It’s cold. Even poor Sara didn’t want to leave the house without her coat for her morning outing.

Sara, our miniature schnauzer is all bundled up in blankets and a coat.
Someone needed to be bundled up after our morning outing. Yes, I spoil her.

I don’t care for the chores that come with winter weather. I don’t like filling the chicken waterers, scooping up frozen poop, I dont care for shoveling snow, ice that makes me slip and feeling like I cannot warm up no matter how many layers that I seem to dress in.

But I do like one thing. I enjoy the quietness of the season ahead.

changing seasons--The chicken coop is now ready for winter with tarps and plexi glass surrounding the open area of the run.
The girls have access to the run all winter long when the plastic and plexiglass is added to the run.

I’ve only lived on Cape Cod where there are four season for the later half of my life, but I’ve come to realize that with each season there comes a purpose- at least for me, that is how I see it. The gardens where I spent most of my days and hours are now almost sleeping. Except for raking leaves and tidying up the garden plots, there are no chores.

The chickens snuggle in the coop. It is winterized. I added a deep layer of kiln-dried pine shavings filling the floor. The coop’s windows are clean. As a result, this allows abundant morning sunshine to flood and warm the coop. The spiders’ cobwebs are vacuumed and finally the heated waterer is on. I find myself bringing warming and fattening treats out to the girls. Warm oatmeal, cracked corn, stale pieces of bread–anything that will sit in their bellies warming them as blustery Old Man Winter and darkness meet. It is dark here at 4 pm.

My children are older now. One is at college and the other is about to get her learner’s permit. Soon, she too will be driving off on adventures and my days as a Mom taxi are going to be over. Their seasons are changing too. Dont’ get me wrong, they still need me, just not for the everyday things. I admit, it is strange. It’s hard for me, a struggle to want to always be there and help and do things for them. Alas, they need to spread their own wings and fly. It is their time to shine and bloom. Its been a joy to watch.

Ice filled bird bath
Fallen leaves and ice fill the birdbath

So for now, I find myself with more time here in the winter season to create. It’s when I write, dream and imagine. I like to see it as a time to reflect inward. The holidays are upon us. They are bittersweet the older I get. Things change. Families and friendships evolve. New ones are added and goodbyes are said to some we have known our entire lives. I can understand why people have a hard time. Holidays are tender spots in our hearts, when windows of vulnerability are open. Holidays are like treasure boxes where we collect memories, smiles, feelings, sometimes replaying them in our minds.

For now, it seems a focus inward awaits during this changing season. Let us think, examine and analyze just what we want. What is in our future? Where we have been and what we are thankful for? I mean really, thankful for, right down to the little things. Somehow, the chickens have always known this. They are grateful little things, even for the heel on a loaf of bread. Pondering that now, as I make some toast and pour a cup of coffee. The little things are sometimes the biggest things that matter. Cheers to warm hearts and abundant thankfulness this holiday season.

Melissa

Author/Blogger/Freelancer-Sharing adventures with backyard chickens, beekeeping, gardening, crafting, cooking and more.

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12 thoughts on “Changing Seasons and a Thankful Heart”

  1. Yes!!! This!! What a lovely post. Blessings to you and those dear to you this holiday season!
    Thank you for sharing, inspiring, and uplifting!

    Reply
  2. I used to live on the Cape. In West Barnstable for 11years while my daughter grew up with corgis and horses. We moved to New Hampshire after 11years to be near family. My daughter still lives on the Cape with her husband and year old baby boy. We come down to visit as often as possible. My cape house has always been my favorite. An 1860 half cape with extensions and a barn on route 6A. Your stories always transport me to my Cape kitchen with its rebuilt O’Keef and Merrit double oven stove and red flooring. My chickens did not come till we moved. And though we moved again to another NH town, a new coop/run was built and many chickens followed. Recently, however we have had several hawk attacks and even a bobcat which took one of my favorite Americanas. Loosing chickens is always hard, but the last one named Molly really made me cry. Today I kept the 10 remaining in the coop-run. I just could not lose another. Keep writing. Jane

    Reply
    • Oh Jane, thanks so much for sharing. I love West Barnstable and I am sure those memories made there will live forever in your heart. I am glad to hear you have chickens and they are now tucked safely in their coop and run. Losing chickens are hard for sure. I know the pain and the tears. I’ll keep writing and glad to know you are reading my musings.

      Reply
  3. Melissa, wishing you and your family a warm, wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much for which to be thankful, your blog as well! Blessings…

    Reply
  4. I’m new at this. Have a small ranch (28) acres in Sister’s, OR. and need to keep busy w/grandkids and some chickens. Plan on buying a pretty but functional hen house. What items and supplies are needed to get started? Give me the two best breeds you recommend. Us March about right to begin this venture? How does one tell difference between male and female? My email is: robertburnsknight@gmail.com. Warm regards, Bob Knight

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Sharing an inspired life from the New England seaside. Chickens, Bees, Gardens, Art and Yummy Goodness.