It recently snowed at our homestead. We live in the south, so snow is a short-lived novelty.

The mention of snow sends folks in a panic, preparing for snow-magedon. 

Our family was no exception- minus the panic part. We had a list of how we needed to prepare and we followed our plan. We were ready for anything except an army of zombies. 

The snow fall did not disappoint. The sled that had been hanging in our garage unused for two years soon held two little squealing boys. 

We paused the fun to go care for the animals. Not only did we have our favorite snacks, so did they.

The laughter stopped quickly when we looked in the poultry house. For all my preparation and lists, I had not thought about the ducks. I assumed if they got cold, they would go into either of the enclosed nesting boxes. They didn’t.

Lying on the floor of the coop were 3 dead ducks and the rest of the flock looked miserable and close to joining their 3 friends. 

Instead of sitting by the fire, playing games and sipping hot tea, we found ourselves feeling like an episode of “Little House on the Prairie.” All ended well for the rest of the flock. We cared for the other animals and got some more snow fun in. 

I went to bed that night disappointed that my snow day didn’t go exactly as planned. But, the next day we got a do over and made really great memories. The ducks perked up and “enjoyed the snow” from inside their warm coop. 

I learned that when you’re prepared sometimes you’re not prepared. Make the list, have the plan, then understand that life still happens.