The Amazing World of Electricity

You know by now that our donkey set-up is very basic and simplistic.  No well by the donks so haul water up from the house in the winter and snake a garden hose out in the summer.  In the dark winter days, carry a lantern to navigate.  The only lights are those Rick installed in the shed which either operate via solar panel or a boat battery.  Until recently that is.

Look at these beauties Rick put in at the corner of the yard.  I can now flip a switch and actually see what I'm doing in the morning hours.

You see Rick had labored a year ago to trench in an electric line from the house to put a water heater out for the trio.  They didn't tend to like frozen water.  Sooo, as the title says, electricity is an amazing thing.

The only (ironic) caveat -- I actually like to flip OFF the lights as soon as possible after clean-up.  The naturally dark surrounding are pleasant in their own right.  

Don't Bother Me With Treats!

Cut into a new bale of hay this morning (by the way it was a beautiful start to the day -- sunshine with birds singing and a little nip to the air).  This particular bale was extra green; I remember noting the color to husband Rick as we hauled it into the shed about a month ago.  Well anyway, the donkeys were drawn to it like peanut butter to jelly.  Perhaps you're asking, "Janet, perhaps it was alfalfa?"  Shouldn't be as we always get first cutting.  Anyway, I called the donks to their weekly treat of grain.  No way, we're not leaving this hay.  Offered a couple bits of carrot.  Again, too busy with the tasty green stuff.

Sorry donks, only one bale of the stuff.

Two of Everything

Only a couple of weeks ago I was up to my ankles in mud, complaining that my boots were getting sucked off with every step, and that it was impossible to slog a heavy wheelbarrow through inches of black ooze.  Now, SE Michigan has turned bitterly cold and it's time to again put two of everything on -- socks, pants, sweaters.  And don't forget a scarf covering mouth and nose.  More hay, more straw, more water for the donks to keep warm and hydrated.

Yups, it's that time of year.

Tools of the Trade

When the weather doesn't allow easy passage of the wagon to the donkey yard, it's time to get out the sled.  No well out by the beasts, which means water has to be hauled out in buckets.  (In the summer several lengths of hose snake out from the house to the water trough.)

The handy blow torch is a must in freezing temps.
I've been caught in the predicament where I didn't have my torch, was able to jockey the latch open, but when it came time to depart, oops, it had frozen up again.  Let's say I wasn't game to try to scale the gate.  After enough rubbing and working the bugger, yes, I did escape.  And my I add, the donks were of no help at all.

Fran Helps Santa

I had no idea she had made the commitment, but Fran told Santa she'd help him out this year.

Apparently Luigi tried to talk her out of it.

Bored Little Donkeys

What an attractive formation they've hit upon.  Are they practicing for synchronized swimming, planning upon becomming bookends -- the possibilities are limitless...

Friend Full Moon

Thank you moon, for so perfectly lighting my way to the donkeys this morning.  You did your job spectacularly.