I have to move those sheep tomorrow. They’ve nearly cleared a bald spot on that side of the hill. That’s not going to be a popular decision in the pen. The sheep sure have enjoyed their time over there.

I never see the bald spots in the field with the sheep, but I can see all of them from our front porch. This is the best seat on the whole farm. The trees at the back of one field frame the sunset for a wonderful view. It’s simply a great place to take in the whole day. The day’s work parades by, and the setting sun carries the burdens away.

Hopefully, Irene comes out here tonight, but I hear her flitting around the house like the birds in those trees. I suppose she’s working on a big dinner for tonight. I could use a big dinner after working harder than I expected today. However, this is normally our moment together, so guess I’ll just have to wait and see what she’s got planned.

I hate Irene misses this sunset. The colors are just stunning this evening. The orange above the trees lights the whole scene. Then, enough clouds for some pinks and purples. The whole rainbow could be spread across the sky with a few more clouds. But, I’m tired of the rain, so I’m glad for only a few clouds tonight.

Irene and I enjoy watching the sunset from here. Maybe she’ll get to see it here in a bit. That’s the thing about Irene though. Once she commits to a thing, she is all in.

Like with the quilts, she can get a whole one done in a single day. Jack knows full well to come ask me if there’s a problem while Irene is quilting. He once sliced his thumb open on a sheep pen, and Irene knew nothing about it until we got back from the doctor.

“Well, I do believe that’s the best sunset we’ve seen in an age, Eustice,” says Irene from the door to our bedroom. Adding a door to each bedroom onto the wrap around porch was one of my better ideas. Everyone can take their moment on the porch whenever they want one.

Her hazel eyes dance with the birds across the sky, so her eyes never leave the sunset. Irene says nothing during her walk to the rocking chair beside me. She doesn’t even add anything after she sits down. My shoulders flinch toward my ears as my attention drifts across the fields back to the sunset.

The squirrels seem to learn which fields are used for crops. Every new rotation, I have to fight them off on a daily basis. Yet, they always find their way to the sheep field. I see them scurrying around out there this evening. I hope they find lots of food.

My mind drifts back to Irene in the chair next to me. “I agree that the sunset is delightful,” I say for an interruption to her finger’s rhythm on her chair. “I don’t recall seeing that many colors in a while.”

Irene stammers, “Huh, oh yes. The scenery is wonderful.” Then, she gets herself together. “I was thinking this view hasn’t always been this great. Do you remember when we first moved in?”

I say, “I guess I do. All the fields were at the back of the house. This side was basically a forest. Still, I had to clear fewer trees than expected.”

“This was surely one of the best ideas you’ve ever had, Eustice.” Irene sighs a couple times. Then, she asks, “Did you see the Smiths today?” I nod, so she continues, “It was so nice to see them. I heard they were having health problems. I didn’t expect them because of that. But, it was so nice to see our neighbors from the first farmers’ market.”

“Yeah, it was nice to see them. Mr. Smith was telling me about their ailments.” I say, “It was nice to see Pastor Johnson too. I know he’s retired now, but he still seems very active around the community.”

After rocking for a moment, Irene says, “I suppose that a pastor is a lot like a farmer. Not a job that one ever really leaves. Didn’t the Peterson boy say that his mother still grows tomatoes from their farm?”

“Yeah, that makes sense. The two jobs are very much consuming. They take a lot out of you.” A pause lets Irene’s thought hang like the clouds. Still, our celebration lingers on my mind. I say, “Did you see the Ables this afternoon? They seemed to be doing well with their new chickens.”

Irene’s head jerks to the side. She says, “No, I must’ve missed them. I never imagined chickens would be much fun.”

I laugh with a pat on my chair’s armrest. “Even I never thought about chickens. Although, they seem to be a popular choice these days. I hear they’re good at pest control. Well, bug control anyway.”

Irene shrugs before changing the topic. We trade the gathered updates from our celebration this afternoon. Then, those who couldn’t make it come to our attention. Several from our trips through local farming missed our little event. However, too many of our friends did attend; there’s not much for us to linger on.

“You know: The children were a real help this afternoon too,” I say. “I don’t think our guests would have had such a great time without them.”

Irene starts to agree with me, but the sound of a bell jerks our heads to the door into our bedroom. Irene announces that dinner is ready and encourages me to get a move on before the kids eat everything.

I rise from my chair before offering my hand to Irene, and she uses it to help her up. We walk to our door. As I open the door for her, I say, “Thanks for joining me. I’d hate for you to have missed that sunset.”

“I’d of missed more than the sunset, if I missed this evening.”

We leave the porch behind us. I can’t wait to see what’s for dinner.

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