So Much to Say!

It has been quite the week. Much more busy than I like, but sometimes it just falls that way. There has been a lot going on. Where do I start?

The best news is that Martha is planning a visit! She and a friend are coming in May. I am so excited, and a bit anxious. I really don't have words for it. It is a happy thing though! She has expressed that she feels the same way.

Kellen, the kid who hates art, had a drawing selected for a student art show at the Highlands Museum in Ashland. The picture was made during a workshop we did there. The theme was "When I Grow Up." He wrote a bit about what he wants to be; a chemical engineer was the profession stated at the time, and drew a picture of himself with a college diploma. We won't be able to attend the opening ceremony, but the show runs from April 19- May 10. When we do go I will get a picture to post here.

And we now have guard animals. We have two donkeys, and a friend may be buying a llama to keep here too. Think that will keep the dogs away? Really, you should have only one donkey with the herd. That way they become part of the herd and protect it. (For more on using donkeys as guard animals: Protecting Livestock with Guard Donkeys) With two they go off with each other and do their own thing. These are doing that somewhat, and we are being pretty cautious with the goats and sheep still.

We do plan to separate the donkeys and put one up with the cows, but we have a pretty aggressive horse up there that needs to go first. The donkeys are young, about ten months. Sophie shows no mercy.


They are a little skittish yet, but the jenny will let me pet her fairly readily. The jack is a bit more shy. I am hoping to be able to work with them enough to be able to lead, and maybe to let the kids ride.

We haven't named them yet. We are waiting for Miles and Ashley to help decide. The names put out so far:

Mario and Peach
Luigi and Daisy
Link and Zelda

Do you see a pattern here?

Luke and Leia was also suggested.

When I suggested just Jack and Jenny, Kellen, with a sheepish grins suggested, "Jack-you-know-what, and Jenny-you know-what, JA for short." Always pushing the limits that kid is. That suggested was vetoed.

Any opinions or ideas?