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In addition to being a scientist, Daniel Fahrenheit, who invented the thermometer, knew something about cold, real cold, zero cold. He knew that it is no coincidence that everything acts differently once the thermometer begins to fall below zero.
Most of the billions and billions of people and most animals who reside on this planet, have no idea what it is like to exist when thermometers dip this far. Scientists and those living in warm climates get by nicely using that other thermometer, but in cold country, a Fahrenheit thermometer is the one that records real coldness
When it gets close to zero all farm life and much other life revolves around “freezing up.” Water can be trusted many degrees below 32 magical degrees, but once we approach zero nothing can be taken for granted. All the preparations for the winter freeze up will be tested and then tested again. All the old traditions and all of modern technology will be used keep warm. Even the definition of warm will have a different meaning until the weather moderates. Ice will be “king” until a thaw begins.
When it’s this cold, snow is like ice. Even bare ground, becomes slippery under foot. Spinning shafts and greased bearings don’t remember that they are expected to operate. Hardened steel breaks, wood splits and all mammals, including humans, shiver uncontrollably. Windows freeze over and many of the sounds of winter become crispy. Everything sounds crunchy.
On Christmas Eve, one of the “good producers” decided it was time to deliver her calf. Her doing so will alter most of the evening’s activities.
The spacious birthing stall is, by design, the coziest place in the barn. It is draft free, well bedded and unobstructed by gates.
A small decorated Christmas tree waiting for a spring plant-ing sits next to the medicine chest. The farm couple includes soothing music for themselves, their cow in labor, and the
rest of the herd. The dirt bank butted against the back of the barn, the filled hay barn above and rows of trees between the barn and the highway are insulating and all is hushed.
There will be a few animal sounds, some cold, creaking timbers and the crunching sounds brought on by the zero weather, but mostly it will be a silent night.
Once darkness sets in, time will become irrelevant. Even the freezing temperature will play a minor roll tonight. After taking time to call the children, eating a quick supper and doing other farm chores, their attention will be back on the big eyed cow and her calf struggling to be born.
Maybe after a reassuring phone call from the vet, and with a little luck, they may be released in time for midnight services in town. For now tomorrow, the children, the grandchildren, the ham and all the presents will have to wait. This evening is for their cow and her newborn calf.
It will be a Merry Christmas.
Orlin Brommer
