BOYS NIGHT OUT ON THE HOMEPLACE

from life on the ranch

it is gents night out on the home ranch
and the menfolk have gone to play cards
at a neighbors home
so our homeplace is peaceful
with chores all done
and
in the silverblue silence
of the twilight blue hour
three cats sit in the kitchen window
sharing the last spot of sun
contemplating the coming of night
and
while grandma waits for the tea kettle to whistle
she lifts fresh biscuits from the oven
which we will slather with butter witch i churned today
and then drizzled with flower garden honey
i am setting the kitchen table
with my hand built stoneware bowls
spoon filled to the brim with homemade chili con carne
while mom takes the last load from the washing machine
to hang by the crackling fire on wooden indoor drying rods
next to the dogs asleep on their hand braided rug
because it is raining along the consumnes
and it is ladies night in on the home ranch
with good food, fine wine and much laughter to share...