812-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 5, 1991 On being fS a farm -And other" Joyce Bupp w Silence. Rare, perfect stillness. In the murky half-light of dawn, the quiet was absolute. Unfamil iar. Almost eerie. Without so much as a glance through a win dow, the awakening part of my mind knew the source of this unusual absence of noise. Hours before, the bright glare of the barn’s night light shimmered on the pristine whiteness, fading into muted shadows around the lawn and meadow. “The snow isn’t coming down any more,” the Farmer had remarked at that late hour. “It’s blowing parallel to the ground.” Now, the cumulative effect of these billions of tiny frozen drop lets, piling together in the damp, biting cold, had seemingly insu lated our world into silence. How delicious to just lie there under a loasty warm electric blanket and listen to this absolute stillness. It was almost as if the world had just stopped operating. Then, from two stories below, came the sound of the water pump kicking into gear. Thirsty cattle keep the pump operating almost non-stop. Now, nudging their noses at some fountain in quest for water, the cows’ thirst broke the unusual early-morning quiet with a familiar background noise. The cows were still operating. A chipper, cheery voice near my right ear further confirmed that the meditative silence was gone. The clock radio’s alarm - an early morning radio disc jockey - offered a rundown on snow accu mulations of the region and lists of daycare centers opening late. Rolling Delight Express Wagons For Work or Play Model #l3OO 1000 lb. capacity I • 24x48 wood bed ONLY jj I • 13" air wheel* ( jj • 10" removable sides £1 AQ°° i I . 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Slogging through the drifts around the bam, any excuse to pause in the shelter of the haymow is a welcome one. It comes in the form of a loud, welcoming “Meow!”, from the farm’s current most beautiful cat. The 10-pound “Skunk” is far prettier than his name, with a thick, black coat accented with white feet, belly and face blaze. He pokes out from the stack of hay, begging to be held. Who could resist such a come on, even without boot-high snow out side the door? Inside stuff must wait while snow is cleared from the front walk and porch. More inside jobs go on hold while inventory of the bird feeder visitors is made. accompanied by a cup of hot cho colate and leftover holiday cook ies. A female cardinal lands on the windowsill, apparently confused by the greenery of houseplants on the inside, and pecks at the glass, special thrill on this pleasurable morning. 1-800-245-6902 See Us At Farm Show - Main Bldg. #499 Kencove Fence is • Strong • Lasting • Economical And it ftould be unforgivable to not try out the cross-country skis RUY. SEU.TRADE OR RENT THAI lll(ill Mil ——l^ (CLfISSiFigP APS ★ PALL BLAST!!! TREMENDOUS SAVINGS ON SIZES BELOW • 30x50 • 42x60 • 50x110 ATLANTIC BUILDING SYSTEMS, INC. US: 800-431*1338 NY: 800-942-1234 WAIT! Having roofing problems? Considering a new roof in the next 3-5 years? Before investing big dollars in an expensive new roof consider Pozy Coat m Posy Coat n is good for most roofs. - extremely flexible for long life • is heat resistant up to 1000°. - resists acid rain - seals and protects - comes in seven colors, plus black and white - a fraction of the cost of a new roof. For more information and a free estimate and consultation on coating your roof with Pozy Coat II contact: Paul Brosey at (717) 426-3833 or Steve Bowman at (717) 684-8642 Paul Brosey Contracting also does painting, barn restoration and roof replacement. on this fresh snow. They glide unusually well across the packed snow of the road, offering an exhi larating ride down the hill to the farmstead. Even making lunch on such a day offers an excuse to work near the kitchen windows, each fram ing a sort of Currier and Ives-like winter scene. Ken Henry Distribution Supervisor Pennfield Farms, Inc From farm to factory to family table - it takes a co ordinated communications effort. If you are seeking answers to your communication needs on the farm, in the factory, or in the office, Triangle Communications offers such solutions. TRIANGLE COMMUNICATIONS ■ New Holland Reading INVs. (717)691-2211 (219)925-4211 1-900-929-7716 By mid-afternoon, between answering phone calls and mosey ing to the window to look upon the snow and the birds, not a whole lot else has been accomplished. And yet it has been a most enjoyable respite. Good thing it doesn’t snow every day. I’d probably goof the whole winter away. ... But Not Out of Touch With today’s busy workforce employees are tut of reach when communications are rital. Many companies are still searching for the missing link. ‘We’ve solved the missing link with General Electric’s portable two-way hand held radio systems. 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