Mid Winter's Waiting

This year winter seems much longer somehow. Probably because we are not doing any skiing, due to tightening of the budget. But also, the house is always cold, and that gets tiring after a while. Trying to thaw out frozen water pipes, hauling firewood, shoveling walkways and barn door tracks.
God, I sound like an old person. I really do love winter, I think you are foolish to live in Maine if you don't. But this year, I am anxious for spring. In a few weeks the greenhouses will be running, with the smell of warm soil, and later fragrant flowers. The annual joy of new lambs and calves is hard to compare.
The ewes are growing larger, weekly, and seem also to be waiting patiently. Next month they will start to get uncomfortable with their bellies distended, and I will try in vain to guess who is carrying a single lamb, twins, or triplets. They will surprise me, and I will be thrilled no matter what. This year we have the possibility of 20 lambs, and I will pray for easy births and healthy babies, although I know with the larger number, the greater chance of problems, and I will not get much sleep during lambing season. My husband is the same when calves are expected.
It is always a privilege to be a witness to the start of a new life, and certainly sweeps away the winter 's chill, with the optimism and hope of good things to come.