White Christmas

Its Christmas Eve here at Sunny Silver Maple Farm.  And, true to our name, its actually a very "sunny" day - with temps expected to be in the lower to mid 40's.  There is no snow on the ground and none expected as far as into the new year. I know many people are disappointed that there isn't snow for the Christmas holiday - I mean, this is Iowa - and usually, by now, we have a permanent blanket of white covering the ground.  I, on the other hand, am not one of those people who wants a "White Christmas". There are no nostalgic memories for me regarding snow fall.  In fact, the opposite is true.  I love not having snow.  I love being able to walk across my driveway to the barn and paddocks without hearing the crunch of white underfoot. I love not having to scrape it off of my truck, or shovel it away from barn doors before they can be opened.  I'm sure the animals here at Sunny Silver Maple Farm also don't mind not having snow. When they get up from lying on the ground, there aren't frozen patches where the snow melted from their body heat, creating an icy footing which is difficult to get up from.  No, I don't mind not having the stuff around. I also don't mind it being above freezing, and would love every winter day in Iowa to be this warm. The ease  of filling water tanks is indescribable! I don't have to drag and drain the 75 or so feet of hose that is required on an almost daily basis - back and forth between the outside and inside tanks. I can just make sure they all flow downhill and are disconnected from the spigot when I'm finished, and I'm all set for the next round of refilling. Having a "white" Christmas, for me, isn't what the holiday is about.  It's about having a sense of calm and appreciation of the gifts I have in family and friends. Its spending time with those I love.  Its having an easy day of chores, with no surprises or calamities. As we enjoy the gift of sunshine and warmth, we wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from the human and animal friends at Sunny Silver Maple Farm.