Sunset Moonrise ~ From the Back of a Mule

There is no place on earth that is more pleasing to me than to be on the back of a good solid likeable mule.

Badger was feeling exceptionally well again as the weather cooled off and the winds died down.

I called out to the pasture where he and Opal were.
Badger beat Opal [although she is a little bit more wary when seeing a lead rope and halter].

I haltered Badger and pet Opal. She almost seemed to be disappointed that she wasn't chosen.

I saddled Badger quickly and we were off to enjoy an evening ride and watch the sun go down together...something we hadn't done in quite a while.

Let me tell you.
There is nothing like sitting quietly on a mule and watching the day come to an end.
Watching the deer move across the fields as the full moon rises in the east and the sun sets in the west.

Nothing better either is there than talking to a neighbor down the road.
Me, sitting on Badger.
Her, sitting in her skid steer with her cattle dogs sitting obediently next to the machine.

Naturally we discuss what interests us.
Animals, hers and mine.
She has known Badger for a long time.

She gets out and gently brushes her hand against his head.
*Fine mule,* she says.
From my neighbor, that is a mighty nice compliment.


I sit on Badger, she returns to her skid steer and we wave at each other.
She has chores to finish, and I want to get home before it is too dark to see.

Although the moon rises full.
I shrug. No hurry then.
The moon will light the way.

The Magical Skid Steer

Every farmer should have one of these magical machines.

Only when you don't have access to it [hubby won't let me touch it], do you realize how wonderful they can be.

They can haul hay, water, plow snow, clean up a cow pen, dig a hole, move small trees, help with fencing,...they are magical.
If you can run one.

Hubby is sick right now and out of commission. So today I hauled 100 gallons of water in the back of his truck for our cattle. I longingly looked at the skid steer thinking how much easier things would be if HE would educate me on how to use it.

I could fill the bucket with hay and feed the cattle. It wouldn't take 3 or more trips with a wheel barrow up the driveway.
I could could do as he does when watering the cows. Not have to lug 5 gallon jugs by hand.

Heck, I'm thinking he won't let me learn how to use it because then I'd be doing cool stuff with it all of the time.

I'm wondering if he'd notice if I just got in it and started 'teaching myself' how to use it?

I sure could use one of these magical machines today!!!

Badger + Kids = Fun

I've learned never to underestimate the strength and attitude of a good mule.

Badger has been feeling better with the cooler weather. This fall air has done wonders for him. Or perhaps it has been his time with Opal? :)

So when the grand kids came to visit, I took advantage of his moment of better health.
So I offered the kids a 'pony' ride on Badger and they jumped at the chance. I asked the neighbor kids if they wanted a ride too.
The older girl jumped at the chance.
I can recall as a child myself how wonderful it was to have an adult toss me up on a horse and lead me around. It hooked me on a life time of becoming a horse - equine person.

[I'm the one in front and my sister is the one behind me...we had our first pony ride on my Uncle's paint horse. It sealed MY fate with equine.]
The kids enjoyed it.
Badger loved the attention. He was his usual Mule-ambassador self. Quiet, well behaved, and very careful with his precious cargo.
It is days like this that I can pretend that he really isn't sick and my heart swells with pride and joy.
Even our young grand son enjoyed his ride with Grandpa. I couldn't tell who was smiling more, Grandpa or Dennis.

I'm hopeful that I can keep Badger healthy. Ariel asked if Badger was 'better' now. I told her sadly that no, he really wasn't. Only time would tell and I would hope that he didn't pass on.

The kids watched as I put Badger back into the meadow with the donkeys and Opal.

Ariel quietly said.
"Well, I guess it is in God's hands now."

It brought a lump to my throat and I couldn't say a word. But she was right.

Mix Kids and Water, Stir Gently and Sit Back

It is really quite easy you see.

Take the kids on a hike down near the *Secret Place*.

Once there they discover rocks, water, sticks, ...
and imagination takes over.

They begin to make plans to build a dam, or perhaps a 'fort'.

Rocks are very pretty, they decide on which ones to take home and show their moms.

No fighting over toys.
No ringing phones.
No cell reception.
No computers or computer games.

Imagination at work only.

Just sit back and let nature do its thing.
Kids doing what kids should be able to do, with fresh air and exercise as a bonus!

:-)

It Wasn't a Dream

Truly, this was not supposed to have happened.

On July 5th it was doubtful that Badger would live another day. His respirations and heart rate were off the chart.

The 100 degree heat indexes, dust, and allergens, along with a very tough winter and spring had turned Badger into a listless wreck who had lost a lot of weight.

My husband was prepared to dig a grave for Badger's final resting spot.

What happened? I lost hope, stopped the daily meds and monitoring and put him out in the large donkey meadow.


He would make it ... or not. Strangely enough his coat began to shine and he began to put on just enough weight to cover his ribs.
His respiration and heart rate was still high, but since he seemed happy....
I let him be.

The temperatures at night have dropped to 40 degrees. The air is dry and without allergens. The recent week of rains has knocked down the dust.

Badger's respiration rate had dropped somewhat. He brayed to me and trotted to the gate.

I had no choice but to take him out for a walk/ride.
Was I ever surprised.

He seemed content to walk down the valley and at times carry Morris [who was ecstatic!].
He was the old calm Badger I was so used to. He knew the trails, he walked with purpose, ...
he did not cough.
He only ran out of breath once when he followed a deer trail up a steep hill. [His choice, I let him make the decision...]

Wonderful Badger.
He stopped towards the end of the ride, suddenly alert.
Through the woods down our 'mule' trail came two deer on a dead run. I don't even think they ever saw us.
Badger sighed and we moved on.

For a small part of the afternoon I felt reconnected and strangely content.
I didn't want it to end.

I didn't want to wake up and find out it had been a dream.

Getting Stung on the Bum ~ by Morris

She is at it again.
Putting on her camera backpack and her gun belt.

I sit in my crate shivering. Trying to 'mind meld' with her [pretty hard to mind meld with a human...and a female human at that!].
I'm sending her subliminal messages.

TAKE ME
TAKE ME
TAKE ME!!

Lo and behold, she opens my door and asks if I'd like to come along!
Like.
DUH!

She announces that we are taking a hike to finish cleaning up her mule trail in the Big Woods.

Off we go. I'm happy running circles of course and racing down the old donkey trail through the little meadow.
So much to smell and mark, so little time...as she
keeps calling me to hurry it up.
Females.

We get to the creek bottom soon enough and she just marches along through the water, nagging at me to keep up.
What...!
Is this a nice hike or what?

She must have read my itty bitty mind as she grabs out her very awesome and sharp looking 'camp saw'.
She attacks berry briars, burdock, and multiflora rose that are hanging over 'her' mule trail.
She goes at it like a fury.

I hang back and watch, happy to stay out of the blade's way.

Wow. She can really go at it.

We follow the mule ~ deer trail and she stops to take a picture of some really ugly fungi. She says it was so ugly, it was kinda cute.

Whatever.

As we head towards home ... I mean she is doing the marchin' thing. No stopping and looking around, this is a female on a mission.
No time for rolling in icky stuff or sniffin' and enjoyin'.

As we get towards the end of the trail near the driveway I start poking my nose down in all the fallen apples.

Suddenly my butt is just burning and on fire!
I take off like a bat...well you know.

SHE calls me back! I make a big circle trying to bite my rear end.
Wow, it keeps burning and burning.

Like a good dog I run up to her. She bends down and plucks a wasp off my butt with her gloved hand.

...and for the first time on our hike she is all nicey like.
She pets me and gives me a big hug [even though I'm muddy].

She promises me another day in the woods were we can have more fun and I can roll in icky stuff.

Wow.
She even said that.

I didn't know getting stung on the bum would make her so sympathetic.
She must really do love me a lot.

I'm a happy dog.

How To Get Rid of Your Husband...

...for the day.
Shame on you for thinking anything else!!!

Wife gets home from a midnight shift and mentions to husband that she 'heard' from a co-worker who is a competitive fisherman about some great places to fish from the shore.

Husband gets this funny smile on his face and says, *Well you know I was thinkin' that it was too muddy after all of that rain we just got. I wouldn't be able to do much around here.*

Wife smiles broadly. *Yep, too muddy.*

Husband. *Well I could go fishin' for a bit to see what's biting while you are sleeping.*

Wife hides the smile and looks as though she is contemplating something seriously. *You know, I think that is a brilliant idea. Really I do.*

Husband hides his smile and then can't hold it back. *You don't mind?*

Wife makes a big yawn and waves her hand. *I really do think you should go and have a great time.*

Husband packs up the truck and Wife shows him how to work the cell phone.
Wife waves as Husband is grinning ear to ear as he drives off in the truck.

Wife sits a moment and admires the quiet of the house. Then looks around and gathers up laundry, vacuums, and sweeps floors.
How nice it is not to have Husband underfoot ... and the household chores go quickly.

Fishing.
Wife thinks that she perhaps she can convince him to do this a bit more often.
She smiles.

Chores are done.
House is cleaned [mostly].
Laundry is hanging on the line...and it is only 11 AM.

The house is peaceful and quiet.
It is nap time.