Cold day on the farm

In case the title didn't properly convey my thoughts for today, let me just say that it's bloody cold today. We're talking -4 when I got up to feed the chickens. For those of you in warmer regions I'll walk you through it: first you bundle up since you were smart enough to look at the thermometer before blithely walking outside in your pajamas. When you open the door the wind slaps you upside the head and takes your breath away which is a good thing because when you do finally start to breathe again the cold just freezes your nose shut anyway. Walking very quickly or as quickly as possible with the wind shoving you backwards you slip and slide on the icy surface of the snow. The chickens hear you crunch crunching on the frozen ground and start talking amongst themselves wondering what savory treats you're bringing them. You have to smile at their chatter but the snot running from your nose has now frozen your face into some kind of cartoon character grimace. Finally you reach the the little shelter and the door opens into warmth and the curious head cocked stares of your flock. The feathered fowl have no idea that you got up at the butt-crack of dawn to warm their rice and they don't care that you carefully measured the temperature and added cool milk so it wouldn't be too warm. They dig in as if this repast is their due, as if every chicken is served warm food on cold mornings and they purr with pleasure. Picking up a chicken and holding her for a moment might be a way to remind them of who reigns over this bountiful world or it might just be to warm your hands enough to pick up the eggs that are frozen in the little nests against the wall. You stash the icey nuggets in your pockets and steel yourself for the long walk back to house....