Christmas in January

Our marathon Christmas continued, finally concluding on the weekend of January 15-16.  The balmy weather we had enjoyed the previous week was swept away by a Texas blue norther that arrived Friday night.  By the time Brian & Debi, Gage, Gabby & Zelda, and Mallory arrived on Saturday afternoon, the temperature was in the low 40s, with winds gusting to 38 mph.  It was really disagreeable, but we weren’t deterred.  We bundled up and took a very brisk afternoon walk around the farm.  The sun made brief appearances, but kept his face hidden most of the time.  

The very stiff wind made back porch sitting a little less than comfortable.  This time  our after-supper visiting and gift exchange took place in the living room.  

Sunday the weather was much better, and our walk was more pleasant.  While John and I, Brian, Debi and Mallory headed across the top of the mountain.  Gage and Gabby went down to the shooting range for some target practice.  

After our walk, we put out lunch for the cows.  

They were curious about visitors, but were more interested in their supper.  While the cows scarfed up the range cubes, Mallory and Gage’s friend, Gabby, tried to coax a couple of the “middles,” (the older calves) close enough for a pat.  

The calves were brave...but not quite brave enough.

Before everyone left Sunday afternoon, Brian gave John and me a lesson in flying the drone he and Debi gave us for Christmas.  The barn was the perfect place…out of the weather and where we couldn’t lose it in the tall grass and weeds. 

 The drone survived the lesson unscathed, with only one minor mishap,

not counting when John flew it straight into me!  We look forward to using it around the farm, as well as just for fun :)

It was a great weekend, and a delightful end to our longer-than-usual Christmas celebration.  We missed Grandson Myles, who couldn't come because his roommate had tested positive for Covid, and Mallory's fiancé, Daniel.  We're planning another get-together in the spring, though. Hopefully it will be a time when the Jones contingent and the Cash-Vanderbecks can join us.  Covid or cedar allergies kept them all housebound, as has been the case so many times over the last couple of years.