Sunshine on my shoulders does make me happy. The sentiment of one of John’s more popular songs used to sound a bit over sentimental to me. But then again I was deep into my first career where the weather was as impactful as a traffic jam on the way to work: I didn’t notice it until it negatively affected my day. Now, when I step out the door and make my way to the barn, it is the sun, or its absence, that I notice first. The weather: the sun, the cold, the rain, are as integral to my day as a farmer as the mood and health of the cows, the condition of the fencing, and the list of chores to be addressed.
Sunshine on my shoulders does make me happy, John was signing the truth. But I will confess, a hard frost, makes me and the cows quite happy, too. Flies are an issue at any farm. No mater how well one keeps the pens and barn clean, flies are about. There are ways to deter the flies, but the best defense is a hard frost.
Food and open spaces to roam are never an issue for my cows. Chocolate and classical music fills their days. But there is lightness in them, an extra element of calm, when the pestering flies are taken out of the picture.
The mornings may start with a chill, but we know, soon the sunshine on our shoulders will warm us and make us happy.