SOMETHING IS NOT ALWAYS AS IT SEEMS

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on August 2015

The moon waited on the mountaintop for the sun to arrive so the night could turn into day. Usually Annie is the first to awake in the morning but this particular day she slept in. Baby had been up for a while and was standing in the window watching a spider that had been working all night putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece. Baby was so engrossed in what the spider was capable of doing that he didn’t hear anyone approaching.
“BOO!!!â€
Baby jumped so high it was as if he was going to attach himself to the ceiling.
“I thought I was fully awake until you did that Joseph.â€
“It was fun to see too Baby! It was as if you were moving in slow motion. Sorry if I scared you too badly.â€
“It wasn’t that bad Joseph.â€
“By the way, what had you in such deep thought that you didn’t even hear me coming?â€
“Besides watching the spider, I was just thinking about summer and the saying, “summertime and the living is easy.â€
“Yeah! Doesn’t that sound like heaven? Nothing to do but bathe in the sun, eat fresh blades of grass…. Oh! I am getting lazy just thinking about it.â€
“It does sound nice.â€
“Well good morning everyone and what sounds so tempting? I hope it is something good.â€
“As a matter of fact, it is Annie.†Baby answered explaining to her the conversation.
Just then, Havier and Jake arrived.
“It is coincidence that you are thinking about how lazy summer can be. I guess you haven’t looked at the calendar.â€
Within seconds, Joseph was gone.
“I didn’t think he could move like a lightning bolt passing through the barn.â€
“Jake, when it comes to even the smallest chance of having to work, Joseph is not himself.â€
“I want to see his reaction to what he finds.†Annie said with a smile on her face.
When the others arrived, there was Joseph was standing in front of the door that held the calendar.
“What did you find Joseph?â€
“I am going to be nothing but bare bones.â€
“Bare bones? What in the world are you talking abou?.†asked Annie.
“There must be a million things on that calendar and it sure doesn’t look like it is going to be a lazy summer! Glad I could enjoy a few moments of being lazy before this hit me…..â€
“Joseph, it can’t be all that bad!â€
“Take a look for yourself Baby and then tell me it isn’t.â€
Baby, Havier and Jake took a few minutes to see what the calendar really said.
“It looks like a normal summer to me.â€
“WHAT!!!!! Can I take you to see an eye doctor!!!!!†Joseph yelled at Havier.
“Joseph, I don’t think you meant to reply with that tone of voice, did you?â€
Joseph hung his head and quietly answered…….
“Sorry, Havier. I guess I got caught up in the moment and took my frustration out on you after I looked at the calendar.â€
“Joseph, I think you better have another look because Annie’s name is there as well.†answered Havier.
“WHAT!!!!! Are you telling me I am officially part of the summertime fun?†answered Annie being herself jumping up and down with ecitement as if she was on a trampoline.
Joseph sheepishly took another look.
“Oh! Now I feel twice as bad about my reaction because I didn’t take the time to look properly.â€
“That is all right Joseph. We can all get caught up in the moment, but the real lesson is that you recognized what had happened.†Havier answered.
Baby turned away from the others as he listened to what Havier had said.
“You don’t agree Baby.â€
“No, Havier, it is not that. You sounded so much like TC then that it made me a little sad and happy all at the same time. Sad because she is not with us anymore but happy to see that you were listening when she was teaching you the ropes. That makes me feel like we can count on you to make the right decision if you have to.â€
“Baby, that was very nice of you to say that. Like Joseph, I too will make mistakes along the way and maybe all of you can help me when I do.â€
“I second that.†shouted Annie.
“Let’s not forget Jake as his job is just as important protecting us outside.â€
“That’s right and let’s give Jake a hip hip hooray!!!!†shouted Annie.
Everyone started to feel a bit more relaxed.
“Now, I think it is time for the calendar to be set aside for now because I also feel that it is not totally completed. Sometimes it is best to step back and return another time with an open mind. What do you all think?†asked Havier.
Silence fell over them all for a moment……
“Let’s see a show of hoofs if everyone agrees.†Annie added.
Joseph leaned over to Baby…..
“Where are all these new words coming from?â€
“I think she is getting ready for the summer.†Baby laughed.
“You know what would be a good idea? Why don’t we all go back and see if the spider has finished his web.â€
“I wish I could weave a web like that.â€
“We sometimes can Annie.â€
“Would you teach me Joseph?â€
Everyone started laughing, telling Annie that she had asked the right one.
“If it has to do with getting a bath or working, I can spin a good web.â€
“I think that is over my head.â€
“It may be Annie. We will explain later.†answered Havier.
Moments later, everyone had returned to the window. The spider had finished his home, the sun had cast a beam of light through the web and the spider had retired for some sleep.
“I think I am going to go for some breakfast and do some meditation.â€
“About what Annie?â€
“Oh, if I am going to be a part of summertime fun I have to be ready for whatever comes my way.â€
“That is a good way to think Annie.â€
“I have to make sure that I am matching from my halter to my cart.â€
“Oh, I should have known….â€
“That’s right Baby and Joseph. I am a girl you know.â€
“I think I need a drink.â€
“Me too, Joseph.â€

Until next time we would like to leave you with – a little history. We have been sharing our adventures with you since 2008 and here we are in 2015 with 80 stories behind us and still going. As you can see from our opening story, we have a lot of things to share with you during the months to come. So we hope you stick around in the coming months to see what happens.
We hope you will continue to practice being safe as you start back to school and remember the lesson that Joseph learned.
Baby, Joseph, Havier, Jake, Little Annie and the cats