Bittersweet

The end of the season has arrived with a nice cold flurry of snow. With the wood stove on all night and the penetrating wind blowing over our hills, last night amidst a bout of reflection, I felt both coziness and bittersweetness. A transition was indeed happening.

Today marks the first day of ‘drying off’ our cows, leading us into another winter. I have found over the years, that bittersweetness is a very positive emotion to have this time of year. It is an emotional waltz between feelings of delight and the bit of mourning that comes with saying goodbye to another season. The routine of milking cows and the joys of learning in the cheese make room will all be set aside until the spring. I have grown to appreciate a daily milking routine, it provides me with a stability and an anchor of which I can carve out my days.

I really appreciate the quality time I have spent with my father, who has been the farm intern this year. He is a great companion to have- plus an excellent dishwasher and diligent curd stirrer. I will also miss the minor epiphanies that occur while making cheese. Knowledge being stacked up higher and higher as time goes on. While now, everything is changing and although it is hard to say goodbye, winter now brings a revived sense of freedom. AND it is with these feelings I can say I worked hard this year, and I now it is time to rest and explore new territories.

Outside now, our winter hay is stacked up high and dry beside our cows with their long and shimmering fur coats. Flurries still are coming down ever so slightly, but just enough to make me hopeful and reflective. I will turn back now to my checkers game with my six year old daughter. I will have time now to watch the kids grow.

may everyone have a restful winter…