I glanced over by the barn door and it seemed to me as if Red had called a meeting, there was a gathering of livestock – Flo, the new barn cat, Strut the Rooster and his hens. I wondered what these disparate creatures could possibly be huddled about. It was nearly 50 degrees today and the sun came out and most of the snow melted, and I think everybody was happy about that.

Perhaps Red was reprimanding Flor for hissing and spatting when Minnie tried to get into the barn. The barn cats needed to get along. Red might have been pointing out that a path had melted out to the pasture. Perhaps he suggested to the hens that it was time somebody laid a few eggs. He was looking at me to see if I had any work for him to do with the sheep, but it was too muddy and I was waiting for the field to dry out.

Perhaps Flo was apologizing to Red for swatting him on the nose when she was walking around the floor of the vet’s office last week. Flo has caught the Bedlam Farm magic, I think, she is settling into the Peaceable Kingdom. When animals know they have food, water, shelter and attention, they relax.