Byzantine Discalced Carmelites

This has been a very special Christmas! We got an insight as to why [perhaps] Jesus chose to be born in a stable. At any rate, we have been charmed by several lessons of harmony given by the barn family. Jersey cow Zoë, our newest addition is such a sweetie, and when VERY happy - or grateful, she gives even more than her daily 5 gallons of milk. We must be ready with a video after her next four day stay in the barn (which incarceration was necessitated by 5 inches of thick ice).Once outside, Zoë demonstrated her happiness. When a large 800 pound cow, whose regular pace is "largo/andante" breaks into "presto/allegro", running and bucking like a bronco, and skipping like a biblical lamb, it is really a sight to see!

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Tator-tot, our buckskin appaloosa filly, loves our dogs. Tiber, one of the guardian Maremmas, has a great time with her and her best friend, Dawn a black mare. The five month old puppy lies between them, and with tummy up, gets groomed. Tiber and brother Tuscan, have a permanent dinner invitation in Pete's stall, and do him the service of dishwashing - they love his grain. Horses are great groomers and it seems most of the animals enjoy this attention. Pete and Angora-goat Harry have a daily session. Harry has learned to raise his head to get his neck attended to.

When Pete pulls one of the lovely curls that frame Harry's face, the goat lowers his head to show the horns conveying, "Thanks, that's just enough for today". Now the pygmies have been dehorned but Marlin shows his smooth head so Pete can groom an itchy area where horns used to be. With two regular customers, Pete is busy.

Cutest of all was Zoë's wooing of timid donkey Justice. Justice was being led to pasture and had to pass Zoë's stall. True to donkey style, he stopped dead in his tracks and would not budge - Zoë's huge head hangs over her stall gate. Sister estimated the situation and began to pet both simultaneously - Zoë "caught on" and came close to the frightened donkey. Contrary to her usual Big-lick kiss (Justice would have bolted!) she gently washed his nose with the tip of her tongue. He relaxed and now they are pals. When Zoë kisses her milkmaids and care-givers it's with a lick that starts below the chin and is completed at the nose.

Following Midnight Divine Liturgy, the community goes to the "crib" (now a very real "crib") to sing. In the middle of one carol, Follow, our barn cat, crashed from the rafters onto the stable roof- demonstrating what a good job the Novitiate did in thatched roof construction. Now just incase all this seems too idyllic: When one of her beloved "milk maids" was singing, Zoë signaled approval and recognition by a "rush of water". We were grateful it was the less potent version of what could have been!

Every day the young Sisters have a story, a new lesson to tell us. Our once quiet junior membership is a constant source of delightful stories enlivening our recreation.

January 2008 has ushered in a truly new New Year for at Holy Annunciation Monastery. Zoë, our pure-bred mid-mini jersey amazes us. A cow is a gift from God, involving work but also saving on other "work" by cutting costs. Zoë has introduced us to some areas that are very consonant with monastic contemplative life … "back to the future" as one person describes having a family cow.

To date, Zoë - when she is happy - gives 5 gallons of incredibly rich milk. When isn't she happy? Well, Zoë was definitely "out of sorts" when Sister Andreja, her friend, and milk-maid was away. Her displeasure was demonstrated by giving a gallon less those two days. When Sister returned, Zoë clearly registered her complaint by (literally) a "cold shoulder". But some hugs, lots of sweet words, and coveted "treats" coaxed her to forgiveness - and the regular 5 gallons of milk!!

Zoë will have her calf in the early summer and that will be wonderful. As we are not raising a herd, that calf will be sold. To cover the weeks when Zoë is dry, we have just acquired a true mini pure-bred jersey, Annie. She is 10 months old and she will grow up here. Her sire and dam are 38 inches the size of the real mini. We are very happy, not to say elated and grateful, that at long last we have Annie. Of course Annie cannot be bred for some months.

Sister Marie Cecile is making wonderful butter, buttermilk and a variety of cheeses. A constant evening meal of soup and cheese may seem monotonous, but not when all is homemade, with a choice of 3 homemade cheeses and fresh bread made with whey. We save gasoline, time and money by no longer having to go out to purchase milk.

The fleece-become yarn of our angora goats promises to become a substantial help. Winter months provide more free hours, especially in the evening. The fleece, shorn twice a year, can be kept until one is ready to wash and separate the "locks". Then we spin it. ("Back to the future" with a spinning wheel such as St. Teresa knew!). There is a lot to learn about mohair but it is quiet work with a good market. The goats are delightful and a wonderful addition to the barn. Our two little pygmy goats contribute many smiles. Gandalf has a new name Candy because he is just so sweet.

Moon Dancer, our sweet, sociable appaloosa, who is just 24 inches high, will be great in therapy. She looks so cute in her Santa Claus outfit. But be advised! her barn "nick name" is Dragon. (Dragon fly might be better!) Moonie must think she is a horse of gigantic proportions. So sweet with us humans, with other mares Moonie is THE bossiest equine imaginable and for whatever reason, she remains unchallenged by all the other "girls".

The vegetable garden and the pastures have little hills of precious manure from Zoë stall, awaiting the plough. We hope for a rich 2008 harvest of veggies. We are expecting two foals this year and one may come in April. Of course a little filly would delight us.