Tuesday At The Casa With Claire (& Honey)

Yesterday was a proof in the pudding day when it came to Claire and Honey and their warm coats. It was cold and crisp, but sunny, so the mules made the most of it.

Honey even caught a nap on the snow.

And when dusk arrived, so did dinner.

When I went outside this morning, despite being only in the high teens, which made the Moon all that prettier,

Claire was ever vigilant at the barn doorway, while Honey lay curled up in the back, in the clean pile of wood shavings, under the heaters (sounds counterintuitive, but it is safe).

So, while it is important that I run around behind the scenes like a helicopter parent to make sure all of their daily and seasonal needs are met, it is equally important that I only openly intercede in their daily lives when I’m called for (by Claire’s thunderous banging hoof on the back door). I don’t want them to feel they are dependent on me.

I’ve even stopped locking them into the side paddock at night, mostly because Claire would bang on the metal gate at any and all hours, demanding her freedom, and I was afraid the neighbors would start circulating petitions seeking to oust me from the neighborhood.

Interestingly enough, Claire doesn’t come to the back door to demand midnight tithes, but leads Honey out front and hangs under The Old Man and The Ladies copses of trees, with Jack The Spruce, the Gnomes, the Elves and the Dragons, watching the front perimeter. Then they wander back down to the barn and await the 2 am breakfast service. At around 6:30, they come to the back door for their second service. Then, they will stop by every four hours or so, as they pass, demanding a small snack.

I feel like I’m operating Westworld for Mules.

And I know I’m spoiling them.

But I want these two wonderful creatures to feel as much freedom and happiness as I can provide for as long as I can do so. It ain’t much, but it’s not bad. They get the whole run of the property.

In return, I get to occasionally gaze out upon them from different spots inside the warm house and feel like I’m doing something positive. I know, that undercuts the altruism, because I cannot deny that seeing them comfortable and happy, especially during the winter months, does provide me pleasure. But caring for them is not easy or cheap, so I’m hoping that renders the selfishness behind my motivation carbon neutral.

Indeed, no good deed goes unpunished, and this weekend, along with my usual chores, I will be humping the latest delivery of hay down the snowy hill and into the barn. I know I have a video floating around somewhere showing the fun that provides me.

But I’ve got lots to do before Saturday gets here.

Let’s start with getting over the Wednesday hump.

You fine, five readers get your skates on, or the far side of the hill will be far less fun. But take that moment at the peak and scope out Friday before the descent.

November is almost behind us. Christmas and New Years await.

And the Winter Solstice will turn the tide towards longer and warmer days.

This is a magical time of the year. Especially for the kids.

Let’s get in the spirit of things. We cannot control the world, so let’s focus on what we can control.

Our homes, our families, our neighbors.

I’ve already got a photo of my Christmas Angel, Scarlett, from Oz.

And a photo of my great nephew, Grayson Sacca, who has already shown the world he can take whatever it dishes out. He’s got his grandmother’s eyes. I can hear his thoughts: “Whose next?!”

His dad and grandpa already have his Harley picked out. I’m sure his mommy is thrilled. But their Christmas in Florida is already a guaranteed success.

So let us all enter this holiday season with the hope for better days ahead. And do what little we can each day to make that happen. Start small with what is directly in front of you, then build outwards.

I’ve got some kitties to cuddle and rounds to make.

Let us all get out there and make today a great one.