Thursday Thoughts #34
Monthly Archives: December 2022
Not all Frosts are the Same
Did you know all frosts are not the same? I was well into my thirties when I heard my twinsters father-in-law talk of a beautiful hoar frost once back in the cold West Virginia mountains.
It did look rather different once I paid real attention. Since then I have paid more attention to frosty mornings both here in the East and out West. There are visual differences, though I am not able to describe the science behind them. If a reader can, kindly educate me in the comments.
The word ‘hoar’, or ‘hoarfrost’ is an old English word that describe the feathery white appearance of the formation of this type of frost. Much like the feathery white beards on old men. This is the visual difference between this frost and those I am most familiar.
From the information I think I understand, the hoarfrost is formed when cold air comes in contact with already below freezing objects, such as pine needles, and feathery crystals are formed. It seems foggy weather produces a hoarfrost.
So, while I do not know the way it comes about I do know it is pretty. And I know the One who does know all about it: He gives snow like wool; He scatters the hoarfrost like ashes. Ps 147:16 NKJ
Thursday Thoughts #33
Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Witness
Our Christian religion is the religion we believe to be true. Not just because we believe it, but because it is full of many a witness to Jesus, His teachings, His Life, Death and Resurrection. Time and witnesses proved the truth of the prophets as well.
It is resplendent with hundreds of eye witnesses. In fact, one would be hard pressed not to believe, from the value of the witnesses. Research for yourselves if you doubt. Seek and ye shall find. Glory.
John 1:6-8
There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
Thursday Thoughts #32
Make Hay while the Sun Shines
Hay fields grew thick and quietly over the Shenandoah Valley in my youth. Tractors and hay making equipment were busy working the fields, dropping hundreds of fresh-baled hay onto the ground and hauled to barns for the coming winter.
Fields full of tractors, wagons, balers, and the best part, young, tanned farm boys, were busy ‘making hay while the sun shined.” It was exciting watching those strong young men toss those heavy bales onto the wagons as if they were handling only a feather!
Baling hay is hot, hard, scratchy work. We baled it on the 1,300 acre farm we called home for many years. At that time most everyone grew their own supply.
But at they say, times have changed. At first it was the equipment that changed. I recall how ‘odd’ the big round balers looked when first they appeared. Boys were not so willing to work in the hay fields anymore, the big round bales covered that lack of manpower.
Slowly big farms got smaller and smaller, then sold. Thus was the fate of ours. The few big farms that remained supplied the need for hay.
I have purchased hay my entire adult life. So when my twinster and brother-in-law, Chipley and Kent Gordon, starting selling hay to supply local needs I understood that. What I did not understand is that they are called ‘hay brokers.’
What started out in 2015 as a small, honor-system, pick-it-up-yourself hay from their small barn has evolved into a busy, local hay supply business. A thriving family-owned and operated business.
Tractor trailer loads of hay are delivered to their new, big hay barn. Built in the Spring of 2019, this large barn holds up to seven semi-truck loads of hay, according to Chad Young, Hay Manager for Colorado Horse Hay, and also the owners son-in-law. Large orders are delivered by a compete staff of men driving their own trucks and trailers. Small orders are available for pick-up yourself.
Hay is kept orderly according to size and type. Chad knows his hay and his way around those huge stacks. Bales are much larger than ones I purchase here in the East. Bundles of Timothy is the most popular. Chad said in the summer they can go through four semi-loads a day!
Their hay is supplied as far away as Wyoming, and surrounding areas as well. He said they serve customers as far away as Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and even Florida! Check out their website: coloradohorsehay.com
Thank you for the tour Colorado Horse Hay folks. Keep up the good work!
Thursday Thoughts—#31
Five Minute Friday Prompt—Instant
The instant I learned of Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Writing Prompt, I was intrigued.
For five minutes we are to write our free-style thoughts on a one word topic she gives every week via email. Set the timer five minutes, write, done.
Once attached to her link, we can share our musings with other Five Minute Friday writers. I have ‘met’ many folk through her platform. It has been interesting and fun.
So I would like to take this instant to Thank You, Kate for hosting this platform for us. See you next year.
Merry Christmas to you, Kate, and every FMF writer!
one_local_gal 