cold as sin, the day's work done

the glass is black but the fire's warm

across the room you quilt, i read my moby dick

another log on the fire, january

these should be the quiet days

feed the cattle, feed the fire, go to bed early

but winter is harsh, no respite

calves already coming, this one crawls by, february

calves are coming thick and fast

at the coffee shop the boys talk of spring and fertilizer

it's true, the crocuses have shown themselves

don't be fooled, we're not there yet, march

wait for the last calf to drop, feed the last bale of hay

if you believe in omens

this month is the one to watch

put away the woolies, pay the taxes, april

the grass is coming on, we're thinking hay

work the spring pairs, open the gate

turn out the bulls

this is the sweet one, may

signs pointed to a wet year, now it's quit

seems the rain goes 'round us

this could be a disaster

you remind me that i say that every year, june

praise the lord we're saved

rain and rain again, the coffee-shop boys are grousing

i can't get in the field to spray

i'm happy, though i won't say it out loud, july

no doubt god created horse-flies for a reason

i can't see it and sam can't see it

those and thistles try a man's soul

and a horse's, wretched month, august

breathe deep the first hint of cool

it comes at dusk, savor it

half summer, half autumn

fall calves on the ground tell the tale, september

god almighty a year flies by

frost on the pumpkin, leaves all but gone,

it happens in a blink

i can't believe i'm cutting firewood, october 

hay barn is full, or full enough, we'll get by

the calves look good

it's my birthday month

it's the quiet month, november

it is nice, the kids home for a few days, light the candles

where's your quilt

where's my moby dick

if i hear another carol i'm going to lose it, december