Over three inches of rain have fallen here in south-central Kentucky since this weather system moved in on Friday. On and off, sometimes gentle, sometimes a downpour, and it continues to rain lightly today. An inch already since sunrise. The creek that runs in front of the house is running high and fast and greets me with the sound of rushing water when I step outside. Blessedly, the temps have not been at all wintry – 60’s mostly during the day, and mid-fifties at night – so the misery factor’s been low. But that’s all about to change.
By early morning it’s supposed to be 28 degrees, and will probably be colder than that down here at the bottom of the hill where the house is. With everything and everyone wet up on the pastures, it’ll likely feel colder than that to the livestock. So I’m taking a tip from Sandra over at Thistle Cove Farm and will head up this afternoon to unroll and lay out a couple of worthless hay bales (another story, another post) for dry bedding in their paddocks. The pastures are just soaked. The little ones especially may appreciate a dry spot to lay on tonight. They have their winter coats on already, but that wet ground can suck the warmth out of a polar bear, I’m sure.
Down here at the farmhouse, we’re staying dry and warm, with a small fire blazing since the temperature started dropping, christmas music playing, and a cup of tea at hand. The little stray kitty is snug in her box of rags and sweaters under the porch woodpile tarp, the dogs are curled up in their usual daytime snoozing spots, and I am doing inside work, until time for pasture rounds.
Thistledog's Farm 