This past week has been warm, but the transition into autumn is unmistakable. The sun is setting earlier, the morning air is crisper, and the elk are passing through the valley as they migrate to their winter ranges.
Even if you’re not into drinking pumpkin spice lattes, harvesting your crops in a worn-out flannel, or listening to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors while walking through fallen leaves, this season’s potential silver lining is that it contains some great holidays.
Giving Day for Apes, Jamieween, Dia de Los Muertos, Native American Heritage Day, Election Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday… it’s always hard to pick a favorite! Of course, the best strategy is probably to cherish each one in its moment, just as we make the most of each passing season.
To kick things off, we honored today, October 4th, as World Animal Day. The first celebration of this holiday, which occurred in Germany in 1925, was chosen to honor the Catholic Saint Francis of Assisi who is regarded as a protector of nonhuman beings. In 1979, Pope John Paul II actually declared that Francis would also be the patron saint of the science of ecology, protecting the Earth’s fragile ecosystems. Rock on, St. Francis!
In celebration of this unique day, Chad and I thought it would be fitting to highlight our nonhuman friends: the cattle. Is there a better way to honor these bovine lawnmowers than with four amateur haikus, accompanied by some of my favorite seasonal photographs?
“Betsy”
Before the new grass
Look for her in the creek bed
In Nutmeg’s shadow
“Nutmeg”
Warm gentle giant
Mowing sanctuary lawns
Saxophones taste good
“Meredith”
Strolls the golden woods
Black mask over sweet nature
Real Jerseys have curves
“Honey”
Tan fur capped with frost
She awaits the alfalfa
Do not touch the horns
Happy World Animal Day, everyone!
