Cold is moving in, but only for a short time. My fingers reminded me of why I like to have hand warmers in my gloves when I feed on cold mornings. But I love the pre-dawn crisp and the rosy hue announcing the coming sun, and the steamy breath of cattle and horse, and the way my tractor putts along.

The bulls can get too comfortable all bedded down, and take their meandering time getting to the hay. Horses, on the other hand, are lined up and ready to sink their muzzles into the nearest pile of sweet green hay! I love to watch the stars pulling the lightening sky cover over their heads until dark comes again, and the sound of heavy frost crunching under my boots.

And I think of Cathy on this day; she would have been 52.