Thanks Giving

Wilma here.
The partners have been talking about something called Thanks Giving. I don't know what this is, except it seems to involve food. If there is food, it must be good.

When I think about the name, though, it seems to mean two things. First, Thanks. My partner came and told me she was Thankful that I was in her life. I thought that was nice. I feel the same way about her. Because she brought me to her farm, I have a whole new career and no more babies underfoot. I enjoyed my other life, but I was done with it. So I have Thanks that we are together also.

The other thing is Giving. My partner gives me love, and also peppermint treats sometimes. She gives me a green cover to keep the rain off my back. She gives me scrubs on my neck where it's itchy and I can't reach.
I give her love back. I give her order in the herd. I give her nice rides around the forest, and I give her a feeling of safety when she is on my back. I also give her funny looks sometimes, to make her laugh. I like the Giving. I have Thanks for the Giving I receive, and also for the Giving I give, because I feel good when I Give it. Maybe that's why the Thanks and the Giving are spoken of together.

Happy Thanks Giving. I like it.

Fog and Crows

Wilma here.

My partner has strange thoughts. Last night, after a sunny, warmish day, it got cold. There was a lot of fog at the time the lights at the partner house go off for the night. The ground was warm and the air was cold. When the partners came to feed us the next day, (in the dark - some days they come so early we're barely awake in the herd!)there was no more fog. The ground was cold and the air was cold. My partner said when there's fog, it's the earth seeing its breath.

My partner also told me this morning that she saw a heron flying near the marshes, and it was being escorted by a crow. I don't know much about crows, except that they have a funny way of walking and seem to enjoy playing games. I didn't know they did escort duty. My partner said it was not like when the smaller birds fight the hawks and eagles; this crow was just flying along with the heron. The crow did have a hard time staying in formation, though. It seems crows are always looking for an opportunity to play, and was inviting the heron to do so. The heron was flying somewhere with purpose, and wouldn't be dissuaded from its task. Sometimes you just have to concentrate on the task at hand.

News from the farm

Wilma here. It has been a long time since my partner has wanted to write anything for herself or for me. She was having a "pity party", whatever that is. I guess the party is over, though, since she asked me if there was anything I would like to share on this page.
The best news is that my granddaughter Marieh is back with the herd! Her partner turned her out with us on Sun-Day. It was a Sun day for sure, even though it was raining. We were all so happy to have Marieh among us again, instead of stuck behind a barrier! Marieh was so thrilled she ran and jumped and explored every corner of the pasture. She does not think much of Dixie, our pony visitor, and kicks at her when she has a chance. I've told her that Dixie doesn't require much in the way of discipline, but Marieh isn't listening right now. She wants to strut her stuff and let everyone know she's back and taking her rightful place in the herd as second in command. She hasn't hurt Dixie, only threatens her strongly, so I've allowed it. She'll soon learn that with Dixie, all it takes is a look and Dixie gets out of the way. Marieh is feeling so good, though, that she wants to exercise all those muscles that have been doing nothing for six weeks. She's so happy, and so are we! Except maybe for Dixie.

A Holiday Preview, and a little about Marieh

Wilma here.
My partner loves this photo. I think it's nice, too. Last year around this time she put ribbons in my mane and tail, and a pad with boot-like things attached, and into the boot-things went colorful boxes. Then we went for a walk and trot down the road and around to the neighbors, and at each neighbor we left one of the colorful boxes. It was a lot of fun and everyone exclaimed about how beautiful I was in my ribbons. I enjoyed the attention, and I also enjoyed seeing all the smiles as the colorful boxes were given to the neighbors. I hope we do this again this year. I haven't been on the driving lines for a while, but I have a good memory and will know how to do it when the time comes.

Just a little about Marieh. Her wound is just about healed. My partner says Marieh will be able to come back to the herd in a few days. We are all very happy about that, and look forward to her return!