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.

Seasonal Cycles

As I trooped out to the donkeys this morning, in the rain, to muck out the shed, I was thinking about the seasons of donkey care.  Now that I'm throwing straw for bedding, clean-up is not the easy chore of the spring, summer and fall months.  It means not only more time to shovel up, but more trips out to "the pile" with the wheelbarrow.  (I've now shifted to the bigger wheelbarrow to help cut down on the number of those trips.)  It's not a bad shift to a new season, just a shift.

This morning, for instance, the weather convinced the donks to wait for breakfast in the shed.  This would be unheard of in warmer, drier weather.  So I had to do my clean-up avoiding three beasts.  Trying to carry a shovel full of straw and unmentionables from the back of the shed to the wheelbarrow was a feat.  Total blockage by three beasts who were really not concerned about my endeavors.  Munching breakfast was all that was on their minds. I tried to slide past Luigi with just enough room between him and the fence partition and as I gently pushed past him, he "obligingly" pushed right back.  No Luigi!  Let me through!

Anyway, although this morning's routine was more labor intensive it gave me more time to chat to the three about this and that.  I have to admit, thought, I can't find much consolation in the boot-sucking muddy mess at the front of the shed.  Thank goodness I have hole-free boots to slog my way back and forth.  

SSSSS.....

Our pals the garter snakes are finding the donkey shed a spiffy place to take up residence.  Yesterday moved a plastic bag full of grass clippings (lip smackin' good) and, yup, there was a wiggly friend.  Threw a flake a hay out and, yup, a little guy slithered away (probably sulking).  Rick says, well sure, they're looking for mice.

A couple of days ago overturned a feed pan and there was a....... salamander. The shed is definitely not for the critter-phobes!

 I'd hate to peek under the pallets.  Who knows what we'd find.