Rewards

Winter days start late and end early. The sun is far to the south, described by an Australian friend as a golf ball arcing briefly across the southern sky. When it's clear, it's cold - beautiful, but I find it difficult to convince myself I want to actually go outside in the mornings.

Then I open the door.

When someone this beautiful is waiting for you, life immediately gets brighter.

His sweet demeanor urges me to hustle to the grain bin for food for him and his chicken friends.

And as I step down and glance right, I see the chickens racing over to join us and the hooved crowd waiting patiently for their breakfast.

The wild birds join in the feast. The jaunt into the cold is well worthwhile.