Morning

Morning; after a restless night, I go out as the others sleep. It is hard to wake up and I feel I am dragging a tired body across the courtyard to the paddock in response to Rosie’s usual loud neigh. There is a chill in the air this morning, and a threat of rain on the wind. I fill feed buckets and Ben gets his in his usual spot outside the shed and as usual knocks it over in his eagerness. Rosie heads into the stable where she always has hers. She is the slower eater and I usually shut her in as I reach for wheelbarrow and skip.

This morning, I wait, watching them, watched in turn by Alice and I breathe in the mist, the promise of rain and the wind and it is all worth while, these chores, these early mornings. It is my own private meditation and I come back to the house refreshed, awake and ready for the day.