The countryside is in winter resting mode. The tree branches are bare allowing views over the creek bank into the neighboring field. The grasslands have turned from a rich green to a dry brown and tan. The only green that can be noted are the cold green early blades of the planted wheat in the fields. Cattle are being moved to the home lots to winter or taken to pasture in brown, harvested corn and milo fields.

The only survival plants in some of the no-till fields are cover crops that were planted to help save soil moisture. The wild flowers that added colors to the landscape are no more. Round brown balesof feed are dotted about some fields or lined up along the fence rows.

Dryness is everywhere because of the lack of moisture. The strong winds whipped the dried milo and corn leaves across the country roads. They kept traveling until the winds quit or a barrier was reached. Some of the dried leaves are snagged on the barbed wire fences. The wind has blown dust onto everything.

Most of the farm machinery is stored, safe from the strong winter weather. Farmers are wearing winter coats, gloves and hooded sweatshirts as they go about their chores. More time is inside instead of outdoors as the temperatures drop. Winter is coming. Though the temperatures have recently teetered back and forth, it seems the colder temperatures have arrived and will remain for a long time.

It’s quiet outdoors as a walk is taken. In the distance a cow can be heard calling for her calf, and the call of a hawk breaks the silence. The sights are not those enjoyed during the spring and summer months. The calendar reports winter is officially here. We have switched into the winter mode, like it or not.

Snow will surely come. Though a farmer would rather see rain, it would mean ice. That would not be wanted, so prayers are said for a wet snow that is not blown about by the winter winds.

Though this is not my favorite time of the year, to me it is time to slow down and go into the resting mode.