I called it dark winter today; it was the coldest day so far, and it is snowing again. Maria and I went out to buy her some boots and stopped to shop and bring some Asian food home for lunch from Bennington, Vt. On the way home, I stopped to take some pictures of the winter pasture; it was beautiful and foreboding simultaneously. I also walked all over the farm with Zinnia and Zip trailing to check on the animals and try to capture the light and beautiful gloom.

This horse was so peaceful and proud and paid no attention to snow. I loved his color.

The yellow barn is one of my continuing photographic subjects; the yellow is lovely against the gray sky.

I saw a bull standing alone in a cow pasture, looking imperious and patient. I couldn’t tell if bulls get lonely or not, I think not.

Inside the house, there was warmth and peace. Zinnia had an excellent long walk in the woods, and when she came in, she collapsed in her big bed and went to sleep. Bud, who always loves to be close to her, jumped up on his sofa to join her. Neither of them moved for an hour.

As the snow got heavier, Maria spread the hay out so everybody could get the same amount. We have to watch the donkeys; they’ll grab all of it if we let them.

Bud left his heated cat house behind to romp in the snow and pick off some hungry mice, moles, and maybe a chipmunk. I think he’s gotten all of the rats already.

A single flower is growing in the living room; it’s pretty beautiful.

Lulu gets hungry in the cold; she is working on me to give her some alfalfa treats. I did.

The winter pasture is beautiful; I’m trying to rise to the occasion.

A winter cow pasture is a stirring site, especially on a hill like that. The cows are coming.

My afternoon meeting with Zip was right on time. 4 p.m. He was waiting in his usual spot.