Cold … snow. And a virus.
Montana can be heartless in swift and capricious weather. We had precious few days to relish the brilliant fall colors, and are now in the throes of a massive winter storm. The deer and turkeys are coming down regularly now, looking for stray chicken feed or corn. We won’t be picking any more apples, but leave them now to wither and freeze on the branch, winter feed for deer and birds, and maybe I will find a frozen treat during my explorations!
Mom says Son-in-law will come out and plow today. This weather always seems more tolerable when at least the snow is cleared back a bit. He will put out more hay for the horses, too. It will be easier for mom, now, and she won’t try to do it all alone, except I try to help.
Dad got sick and heard he has “that virus”. He is a tough old cowboy, but it has been hard. Mom is sick, too. So now we “quarantine”, although I think that is what we normally do – just stay home on the ranch. I like that best.
I worry about Dad especially, but I am a Heeler. I don’t panic and don’t wring my paws. Trials, tribulations, storms of all kinds – it just takes grit to get through. And mom and dad have confidence in a God greater than any storm. Whether you have a bug or some other storm in your life, Mom says prayer helps get you through.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” she says. 
Well, we can stay in and stay warm for now. And mom says she’ll bake me biscuits soon. I’ll let you now how they turn out, and bring the recipe here soon.
