Jack or Jenny?

My good friend and neighbor decided in 2007 to give a donkey to her husband for Christmas. She searched the want ads, eBay, and Craig's list, left notes on gates where she saw donkeys in the fields. She finally made her decision to purchase a donkey from a breeder out of San Antonio. Much discussion went on as to whether to get a jack or a jenny; how to get the animal here -- the breeder consented to make delivery; when to have it delivered; and how to keep it a surprise for her husband.

She decided upon a ten-month-old jack and the donkey was delivered a couple of days before Christmas. Her husband named the donkey Gus. There was a lot of excitement about Gus and hubby and I ran across the road to take a look. A few days later, my neighbor's husband came in and said, "If Gus is a jack, I don't see any extra equipment." After much looking and discussion, Gus became Gussie.

A pasture had to be fenced off and Gussie was temporarily pastured in a huge, fenced garden. Let me just say that nothing, absolutely nothing gets past those ears. They would try to slip out of the house to go to work or school without alerting Gussie because they did not have the time to pet her or slip her carrots or apples. Gussie would hear the slightest noise from quite a distance then would neigh, or do what donkey's do, to make them feel guilty for not making a little extra time for her.

Donkeys are herd animals and Gussie got very lonesome. But she was so young, they did not want to bring in another donkey until she was at least two years old. They were talking about getting a jack; however, Tater needed a home. Gussie has a male friend, altered, but male nevertheless.

Hubby and I can hardly stand it; we may have to get one. We have some cows so that takes care of the herd part. Also, donkeys are great protectors. With all the development going on around us, the coyotes are moving our way. We've never lost a calf to a predator but there is always a first time. Donkeys are very smart and have tons of personality. Hmmm, let's see a jenny or a jack, full-sized or miniature, solid or spotted, eBay or Craig's list?

Gussie and Tater did not want us to leave.

And so goes another day on the little ranch in Central Texas. :D

Until next time, God bless.

Straight Out of the Camera Sunday

Murrieta 365 has a fun meme called Straight Out of the Camera Sunday. There are just times when the photo you've taken requires no tweaking or enhancement. The only other requirement is the photo has to be taken by you. :D Click over to her site for her SOOC for this week and then click over to the others that have joined in.

Here are mine for this week:


A friend and I went for lunch and shopping at one of our newest malls in Austin. The kids are really playing on the stage of the amphitheater which, obviously, is in front of a library. It was so hot I wanted to run down to join the kids.

Check out these misting machines surrounding an outdoor restaurant. Whew! When it is as hot and humid as it was today, getting misted is the next best thing to joining the kids in the above photo.

Say hello to Tater, my friend's, who also is my neighbor across the road, newest addition to their "family." Isn't he totally precious?! I had to keep a close eye on him because he tried to nip me a couple of time -- I guess that is friendly talk for miniature donkeys. He is standing next to Gussie, a full-sized donkey. You'll be seeing them again in another post.

Until next time, God bless.

Paint Shop Pro Week 4

Week 4 was very educational and intense. This week's lesson centered on building a scrapbook page. I've misplaced my old photos and had to use what was provided, but you get an idea.

After all is said and done, though, I might build a background page for the blog. I'll take a couple more sessions before I attempt it. Most of the background elements were provided; however, the main object was working with layers by creating the tags, cutting out the circles, grouping the layers and weaving the ribbon.

Until next time, God bless.

Skywatch

I've been away from blogging due to several interruptions in the regular schedule, specifically my oldest son is visiting, Luc had two allergy reactions this week, and a few other instances.

In trying to figure out what is causing the allergy reactions, we noticed that both dogs were eating leaves from a small tree that had grown up just inside the yard fence. Maggie never gets anything whereas Luc is another story. We decided to cut down the tree as well as some smaller starters and the grapevine. We allowed the grapevine to grow along the fence line because it looks pretty. Suffice it to say that it is hard, sweaty work in very humid temperatures.

The humidity finally came to an end yesterday evening with this sky:
I grabbed this photo from my camera's video. It is a bit grainy, I know, but loved capturing the lightening.

The night sky was a magnificent lightening show that went on for 3 or 4 hours. Finally, we got about an half-inch of rain. You would have thought we would have gotten at least 12 inches by the looks of the sky and subsequent show, but then we've learned to be grateful for every drop.

Until next time, God bless.

Manic Monday #171

If you care to join in answering the questions, please do so!

1) If you joined the circus, what act would you want to perform?

Answer: You would not catch me on the high wire! I would do the bareback riding tricks with horses. Then, I might also want to be a clown.


2) Would you generally overdress or under dressed at a party?

Answer: I'm more inclined to under dress than to overdress.


3) Do you feel children should be sheltered from unhappiness?

Opinion: It depends upon what the circumstances are surrounding the cause of unhappiness. I do not believe in overprotecting children, but then I do not feel it necessary to expose children to every little life's unhappiness either. In my humble opinion, I think children are overexposed to a lot of unnecessary facts which can be better understood and handled as they mature. Bottom line, let children be children - don't take away their childhood.

Straight Out of the Camera Sunday

Murrieta 365 hosts a SOOC Sunday where we put up photos that do not require tweaking or enhancing, etc., and has to be taken by us personally.

I took this photo of a maturing pomegranate while attending a monthly meeting of our Women of Dripping Springs Club held at Harrison Ranch Park. I did not realize pomegranates grew in our limestone soil or could make it through the winters. I've been trying to find a nursery in the area that carries the edible variety and/or has it in stock. So far no luck, but will have pomegranate trees in my yard within the next 12 months.

The day was magnificent for a picnic and the lighting perfect for photos straight out of the camera.


Some of us wanted the sun.


Others sought the shade.

Until next time, God bless.

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

The host for Brenda's Photo Challenge is Loved and Engraved.

Luc at about 8 weeks; he still has a propensity to steal items.

One foggy morning in Central Texas. I love fog.

One of the blooms on our mountain laurel tree this spring.

A 2 or 3 week-old mountain lion cub in Pagosa Springs, Colorado Wildlife Zoo

Momma