Two of Everything

Only a couple of weeks ago I was up to my ankles in mud, complaining that my boots were getting sucked off with every step, and that it was impossible to slog a heavy wheelbarrow through inches of black ooze.  Now, SE Michigan has turned bitterly cold and it's time to again put two of everything on -- socks, pants, sweaters.  And don't forget a scarf covering mouth and nose.  More hay, more straw, more water for the donks to keep warm and hydrated.

Yups, it's that time of year.

Tools of the Trade

When the weather doesn't allow easy passage of the wagon to the donkey yard, it's time to get out the sled.  No well out by the beasts, which means water has to be hauled out in buckets.  (In the summer several lengths of hose snake out from the house to the water trough.)

The handy blow torch is a must in freezing temps.
I've been caught in the predicament where I didn't have my torch, was able to jockey the latch open, but when it came time to depart, oops, it had frozen up again.  Let's say I wasn't game to try to scale the gate.  After enough rubbing and working the bugger, yes, I did escape.  And my I add, the donks were of no help at all.