I now know why there is such a thing as a farmer’s breakfast. I also know why when the medical community said eggs are causing cholesterol probelms, farmers ate their eggs anyway. I don’t do half of what the typical farmer does. I only have a hobby farm here. But, I’ve had a taste of what it’s like to know you have to get up out of bed because the animals need you to- even when it’s bitter cold, wet and miserable outside. Let me tell you- this is the downside to animals and every winter I question myself as to why I have done this to myself. (Am I NUTS?!?!) I enviously think about all the women who sip their coffee while watching the morning shows. The hardest thing they have to do in the morning is put some dishes in the dishwasher and pour milk on cereal. Then, just when I’m about to snap- spring comes and I get winter amnesia. Thank God for amnesia. Lord knows I would not have 4 children if it weren’t for amnesia. Anyway- back to the original point. When it snows like today and you have to go out and clear snow for animals to get to their water, break ice and haul heavy jugs of water so they can drink, knock snow off of roofs so they don’t collapse PLUS do all your normal work- you get hungry…..really, really hungry.

This morning I was halfway done outside and my stomach was eating itself it was so hungry and visions of bacon strips were dancing in my head. If only Jim was in the house cooking up the bacon and eggs for me and brewing my coffee! This is a bum deal! I have to do the work AND cook the breakfast this morning. But, being in this unique dual position I am able to see both sides of this story. I will now confess that sometimes on the weekend I sneak back into the house and leave Jim and the kids to do the rest of the chores in the bitter cold on their own, or I don’t go out at all, on the excuse that I have to go make breakfast. They don’t complain because they want the breakfast, but it’s really selfish of me because who wouldn’t rather stand by a hot stove and sip coffee while they turn the bacon. Give me a break! Let’s see- smash your cold fingers while breaking ice, or butter toast? Drop wood on your frozen toes, or flip an egg? Chase a wayward animal in thick snow, or pour OJ? AH HA! I know now that farmer’s wives made the breakfasts out of guilt for not being out there in the cold with their husbands. It was little more than a pathetic excuse.

Now I KNOW why the farmers got their big breakfasts. I wonder how many farmers knew this? Not to sound feminist, but I am thinking since farmers were men, not many. The stomach is a powerful thing. A hungry stomach also distorts thinking. I’m sure that to this day they are still thinking their wives make them farmer’s breakfasts out of love and appreciation. Ha! And- now I also know why boxed cereal doesn’t find it’s way to a farmer’s breakfast table. Boxed cereal is only a fit breakfast for people who sit in office chairs and lift fingers, not 40 pound bales of hay. Boxed cereal is a pathetic excuse for a breakfast. It’s the breakfast for those who plan to burn say 50 calories before lunch, not 500. It was invented when office jobs were invented I’m sure.

Now that my lips are almost thawed and my speech is slowly becoming less slurred, I think I will go make my eggs now.