Category: dogs

Remember last Friday, when I promised the babes, here in the barn, to tell you something special about each of them, one by one? Well, I didn’t forget! I’ve spent the last week observing each of them, considering what it is that makes them each so special. With this adorable bunch, it wasn’t difficult at all!

When I arrived at the barn this morning, prepared to figure out who should go first, I discovered that the party had already started… without me! In my absence, Brutus had unlocked my office door, allowing all of the little ones to basically transform things into a mini movie theatre! They’d been waiting for me… ALL night! I could have saved myself loads of time and mental energy, had I known that they’d already decided the order in which things should be done.

Upon my desk, I could see a crudely drawn picture note, as their not so good at drawing letters yet. I could see what looked like the shape of Dinky, with what looked like Boomer beside her, and then little drawings of the rest of the babes, following behind them, one after the other. I gathered that I was to go from youngest to the oldest, if I were going by the picture… it did make sense, I suppose.

If you’re wondering how Brutus had a key to my office, I often leave the barn keys with him, to unlock the food barrels for breakfast in the mornings. The babes are always awake before I get here, usually hungry enough to destroy the barn. Brutus and Tilly help me, by feeding them breakfast and playing games until I arrive. Normally, he wouldn’t ever let them into my office, as this is where the barrel of Molasses covered oats are stored. The babes are so resourceful, I’ve had to install a lock on both the barrel… and my office door!

Not only did he let them in the door, but they were having a party in the oats barrel! I was met with smiling faces, mouths full of sweet oats, and sticky fingers, as I entered my office. The moment I walked through the doorway, I was mauled by a very excited group of little ones, all trying to talk at the same time.

They’d brewed me a fresh pot of coffee, and Tilly had actually gone down the lane to the farm where we’d gotten our oats, trading a fresh ear of corn to the cow living there, for a cup of fresh cream. I was quite touched at her efforts!

My computer had been turned on, and apparently, a group of sticky fingers had fluffed all my pillows. There, sitting quietly beside my keyboard, was little Dinky Do, all ready to go!

So, here I am writing to you, of all that I love about my little Dinky Do!

Obviously, as I’m writing about her first, we know that Dinky is the youngest one living here at the barn. I discovered her inside of an old boot, here in the Barnyard, when I first arrived. In honesty, I think she must have come with the barn. For whatever reason, Dinky never grows, never changing in anyway, aside from being able to hide in plain sight by changing colors to blend with the barn… I think she is somewhat of a chameleon, but that’s just a guess.

At first, Dinky was so frightened when I tried to approach, she blew little rings of angry smoke in my direction. I saw something of myself in her that morning, though, whether it was the fear or the anger, I’m not sure. Feeling lost and alone is an awful feeling, and I just wanted to scoop her up into my arms, to bring her some reassurance. I sat there in that barn with her for several hours, cooing and singing softly to her. I actually wrote the song down later on, but in keeping with my commitment to save it til it’s published, you’ll have to wait.

To make a long story a little shorter, Dinky and I became fast and forever friends that morning, and she’s been by my side ever since! Everyone here looks out for her, and Brutus has a very soft spot for her, I think, as she’s usually found atop his shoulders wherever he goes. What I love the most about Dinky are her eyes, forever innocent and full of wonder. Whenever anyone looks upon her, they simply want to hug her and snuggle, she’s that tender and affectionate.

Whenever I’m deep in the heart of my writing, it’s Dinky who can be found beside my laptop, resting her chin on my arm, snoring softly. One might say that she embodies my childlike innocence and imagination, often giving me ideas for the very adventures you like to read.

I’m grateful that this dragon stays small,

small enough to fit in a shoe,

I’d be lost if I’d never found you,

My Little Dinky Do…

As you may or may not know, I’ve been working through my audio recordings of some of my memoirs. This week, I’ve gotten nearly three quarters of the way through the book. One of the hardest things about writing things down in such great quantities, is keeping the reader from becoming lost or confused, along the way. If someone were to pick up the book and simply start reading somewhere in the middle, I’m fairly certain they’d get lost pretty rapidly! One must read from the beginning, in order to understand the middle, which in turn carries them through to the conclusion.

Just like books, human beings have a beginning, a middle, and an end at some point! Every day we meet others who are in differing stages of their life book, leaving us to attempt an understanding of the person before us, with only bits and pieces of their actual story. It requires us to do some sleuthing, if you will, in order to make sense of the person we are encountering. Some folks say one thing, but behave in ways that are contrary to their words. Many times, we don’t exactly have the time to study the person in order to make an accurate assessment… so we guess!

Books are like people, in this respect! Some readers may skim over text, while some may get stuck overthinking a word or thought, based on their own perspective or past history.

As I was reading through my own chapters, I happened upon the time in my history that I was attending Bible Seminary. One of the key speakers, during my year there, lectured for an entire week over the importance of Context, perspectives, and motives. whether a person is the reader or listener, if you will, it is vital to understand context, have the right perspective, and check your motives at the door! These valuable words of wisdom, from that instructor, have stayed with me all these years. As a writer, I take it very seriously when I share my thoughts, insights, and/or imaginative tales. My desire is for the reader to fully see me, understanding the meaning of my words, and feeling the emotions that I wish to convey.

Yesterday’s prompt question asked about quotes that one lives by, and I hurriedly answered it, with a verse from the book of Matthew. Jesus had been speaking, in regards to following Him or following after worldly things. Though I’m not a quote follower, I did offer a portion of the verse from Matthew 24-26, where Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Later in the day, when I read through comments from friends, someone asked how I connected that quote with the one about Jesus yoke being easy and his burden light? My immediate answer was to the effect of, it’s all connected! At the moment, it seemed a short and concise answer, but my overthinking brain didn’t wish to leave it there. I pondered things throughout the evening, waking this morning with a desire to expound upon my earlier answer.

The verse that was mentioned came from several chapters earlier in the book of Matthew, in chapter 11: 28-30 where Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you an learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

While I still agree with my own original answer, that it’s all connected, I want to make sure that you understand why I stated that, even though these two verses are about differing things. One speaks of letting go of worldly possessions, while the other refers to living a Christlike existence. Both are equally valuable words of truth and wisdom from the Son of God. The reason I can say that it’s all connected, is because it is! Everything that Jesus did and said from the moment of his birth, all the way to his ascension into heaven, was prophetic, intentional, and predestined. Jesus was never a one and done sort, but rather, everything He said added to and built up everything that followed afterward.

I hope no one took offense that I chose to give such a long winded answer, for a simple question from a friend. I guess I felt a bit bad, for leaving such a simple and benign answer to a very intriguing question. Hopefully, they will think this a more heartfelt answer than yesterday.

Well, what office doesn’t offer Pizza and Birthday cake, nearly every week?

We all say we’re sick of it, but we still plan on showing up!

Bon Appetit!

Episode 1

On a warm sunny day, well into the summer season, sat the tiniest of turtles; she rested beneath an old plastic cup that had recently washed up onto the shore. She was so very tired, but had a great distance, yet to go, before she would reach the safety of the ocean.

She’d been crawling toward the water’s edge all night long! Ever since the pull of the moon had awakened her, hours earlier, the tiny turtle was driven out of her warm and protective shell. From the moment of her hatching, she’d discovered that a sandy path could be clearly seen, marking her way to the water’s edge. But she felt very alone, as there were no other baby turtles nearby to accompany her across the beach. This tiny turtle was the last of the seasons babies to be hatched, and she’d been born a full day later than all the other babies… she was alone!

When this turtle’s mother had arrived to lay her eggs, the beach had been overcrowded with other turtles, already on their way back to the water; their nests were already safely buried throughout the area. As she considered where to safely deposit her eggs, hoping to do her duty and then catch up with the rest of her kind, the young turtle mother was approached by several local Gulls. When they suggested she lay her eggs further inland, she thought this a lucky break, as there seemed to be nowhere left, here on the beach.

The young turtle set right to work, finding a soft mound of sand beneath a bush, far beyond where most turtles would venture to lay eggs. Being too far from the beach, meant a longer and more dangerous journey for hatching young. She’d no idea that the two Gulls were up to no good!

By the light of the moon, the young turtle lay her hopes of the future, into a small depression in the sand. She hastily covered the eggs with the sand she’d kicked out of the hole, earlier. Off went the turtle, to catch up with all the others, oblivious to the danger she had placed her children in, by naively taking the Gull’s nesting advice.

The truth of things became brutally evident on the day of the hatching! The birds had been waiting, along with other predators that had been patrolling the beach.

Not one of the little turtles made it to the water, save a single tiny baby, buried at the bottom of the nest pile! Being late to her own hatching, was the very thing that had saved her life! As she now sat under that plastic cup, though grateful to be alive, the little turtle was faced with running to the water, without the safety of numbers.

Who is this tiny turtle?

Will she make it to the water?

Tune in next time, to find out who this little one is, and what is to become of her…

Hurry hurry, shut the door

The rain’s leaving water upon all my floors

Puddles of water, puddles of mud

Puddles to slip in that bring quite a thud!

Remember your coat,

remember your hat

Or your make up will run

and your hair will go flat!

I know that this Monday feels soggy

The rain might be getting us down

Our lack of some Vitamin D

Is leaving us all with a frown!

We need all this rain

though it makes us feel blue

It nourishes all the earth

which is exactly what it should do!

So, let’s whistle a tune

of all those sunny days to come

Don’t let all those looks from others

make us feel off key or dumb!

Be grateful that Mondays

only come once a week

and try to ignore

all that rain in the street!

Before you know it,

the rain will be gone

And when Saturday arrives,

we can all mow our lawns!