Hoard’s Dairyman – Pause

This is my latest post for Hoard’s Dairyman Blog – HD Notebook

As Memorial Day passed yesterday it left me feeling rather reflective and in awe of the many blessings this dairy life provides. Particularly in the times we have to hit pause.

I’m talking those favorites times of day or moments when the long hours and years can fade to the background and we can pause to appreciate the present.

For me that time is dusk. When I’ve finally finished all the chores and know all the creatures under my care are content. There’s a sense of accomplishment in that hard days work. That is the moment I like to hit pause and just bask in that calmness. Taking just a minute to take in the view, sunsets are my favorite.

For others it’s the early morning hours that the dairy provides that moment to pause. The promise of a new day as the sun rises from the horizon is a view unmatched. Not many are as lucky to have cows waiting to be milked to catch those early hours year round.

And even better yet are the moments within that time. Appreciating as the last seed goes in the ground for spring planting. Watching as a newborn calf takes it’s first breath. Breathing a sigh of relief as the last bales of summer hay are put up before the rain. Even the smell of that summer rain on ground that needs it. Whether consciously or not, those are all times to appreciate the pause.

It’s undeniable that dairy farming provides long days with sometimes what feels like even longer hours. Especially during those times of year when it feels nonstop……{Read the rest of Pause….and Appreciate here}