SOMETIMES YOU GET LEMONS

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on January 2015

The birds were nestled on the fence having a hard time keeping warm as they puffed up their feathers. Some days you just have that feeling that things are going to go as planned and then there are other days when you just know you are going to have a few hiccups. Just then from the far corner of the barn…….
“Is there such a thing called a wish fairy?â€
“Well, Joseph, not only are you up but you are talking too.â€
“You’re right Annie but I still have one eye shut.â€
“Two out of three is really good for you. I don’t understand why you are looking for a wish fairy.â€
“Just thought I could wish and get the kind of day I want.â€
“Pray tell, what would that be like†asked Baby as he made his way to where the others were.
Havier and Jake arrived a few minutes later and when they saw Joseph…..
“I guess there are miracles after all.â€
“I agree Havier especially when you see Joseph up this early. Oh by the way Joseph you didn’t answer my question and for those that don’t know he wants to know if there is a wish Fairy†answered Baby
“A wish fairy!!!!! Did anyone check to see if he had fever or something?†asked Jake.
“Ok. I guess you all think I have lost my marbles. All I want is to be able to wish and get the kind of day that I want. This is what it would be like……lots of green grass and water, sun shining as I lay down under the tree soaking it in and the most important part….NO WORK… NO BATHS…NO PROBLEMS! That would make me the most contented donkey on earth.â€
“Wow! Joseph that would be so nice. Summer, where are you???? shouted Annie.
“I think you are going to have to wait for summer Joseph. Has anyone seen Momma Kitty and the kid? If you do, let
them know I was looking for them.†Dodger shouted as he walked through the barn and out the window.
“A good morning to you too Dodger. He is on a mission for sure.†replied Baby.
“Well, it is supposed to snow some today and that will make it good for the season.â€
“What are you talking about Jake and what season…winter, is that it?â€
“Annie, I am speaking about Christmas. Didn’t you see all the boxes in the tack room stuffed with bows, ribbons and balls?â€
“How did I miss that? Maybe I should have my marbles checked.†Annie answered laughing as she ran to take a look for herself.
“Jake, this is your first Christmas with us isn’t it?
“Yes, Baby, it is and I am excited to see what happens after what Havier has been telling me.â€
“Yep, a lot happens and then there are those who have to work.â€
“Oh Joseph, stop it! I have seen your face when the kids come for a ride and see the barn dressed up for Holidays and all that stuff. Jake, don’t listen to him, he enjoys it as much as we do.†replied Baby.
“I have to protect my image for not liking baths and work. Of course, I like Christmas but what happens in the barn stays in the barn, right?â€
Joseph laughed out loud trying to keep a straight face.
“JOSEPH!!!!!â€
“I know Baby, I am going to the moon one of these days aren‘t?â€
Just then Annie came running back to tell the others what she had seen.
“Wow! I guess there are some boxes over there and I know something else.â€
“What is that?†asked Havier.
“Can’t tell. You will have to see for yourself.â€
Just then the big door opened and there stood one of the owners with this beautiful wreath. As the owner got closer they could see how big and beautiful it was. Annie couldn’t close her mouth.
“Look at this everyone. This came to us as a gift from Dodger’s owner and thought it would look nice on our barn outside. That way it could be seen by all, especially Dodger’s owner. Now I just have to put it up. Our barn is going to have some bling this holiday!â€
For a minute no one said a word as they knew how nice their home was going to look.
“I am proud of our owner when he said bling.â€
“Now why would you be proud of that Annie?†asked Jake.
“Because he was thinking like a female would.â€
“Leave it to you Annie, to point that out.†Joseph whispered to Baby.
“I wish we could tell Dodger’s owner how much we like it.â€
“We can tell Dodger the next time he comes by Baby, and maybe he can find a way when he goes home to express our thanks.â€
“Not a bad idea.†answered Havier.
The afternoon was spent decorating the barn and the carts for the ride. The weather man was calling for great weather for this event. Joseph had found a bale of hay to lean against as he watched all that was going on.
“I enjoy this part of the holidays.â€
“It is a nice time but what is it that you like, Joseph?†asked Baby.
“It is this moment in time when I can just lay here and watch everyone else work but me.â€
“Oh goodness! I should have known it would have something to do with work.â€
“Gotta love me, Baby!â€
“I do Mr. J.â€
After supper everyone settled in for the night, thinking about tomorrow with kids and everything else. Morning came before they knew it with its own surprises. The doors opened and there it was! The aroma from the big pot filled the barn.
“What is that?†asked Jake.
“That is BREAKFAST!!! shouted Annie in excitement.
“What! Our breakfast is over there in the bin.â€
“Not this morning Jake. Baby. why don’t you tell Jake about this special breakfast for us.â€
“OK, Annie I will. Many years ago our owners started mixing up a breakfast fit for kings for us on Christmas morning. It has everything that we like and the best part for me, especially, is the molasses. Wait until you try it and you will see what we are talking about.â€
The only sound that could be heard was the bowls being emptied.
“I guess you weren’t kidding. That is the best meal ever.†Jake shouted.
“If there is any left over, which usually there is, it is mixed in with our supper tonight.†answered Baby.
“Double helping is what I like.â€
“I always wondered who enjoyed it the most Joseph…..you, Missy, Scout or TC.â€
“I think we all did equally.â€
“We got so excited about breakfast that I forgot to check on the snow that came last night so we can have a great day with the kids on the ride.†Annie shouted heading for the door.
Annie looked out the window with the vision of the mountains and field being covered in snow in her mind but……………….
“I don’t understand why Mother Nature sent the rain, taking the snow away from us for the ride. I have my hoofs all shiny and clean. I even have all the dust off my coat so it will be shiny too. Now we won’t be able to do it.†Annie said looking over at the carts that were decorated and ready to go.
If there had been a time in these past weeks that Havier missed TC, it was now. He looked at the disappointment on the faces of the Little Ones. He was hoping that what TC had taught him came out of his mouth in the right way.
“You got my back Jake, if I need you?â€
“You know I do.â€
“Well, here goes.â€
“Come Little Ones. Gather around. I know you are feeling disappointed and we are too. We have no control over what kind of weather Mother Nature brings to us. We know the ride won’t happen today but one day it will and when it does the kids will be just as happy. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter when you do something as long as you make someone happy. That’s what matters. We can either sit here and be sad or we can make the best of the day by making it positive. That is something we can control. So what is it going to be?â€
Silence came over the barn for a few seconds……………..
“Havier, you are right. There is always another day. Today let’s carry on and do something positive with what we have.†said Baby.
“I agree with Baby. I can do my hoofs again another day. No big deal, really.â€
“I am in with Annie and Baby. Things have a way of working out. Havier, by the way you were a good listener when TC was teaching you the ropes because you stepped up to the plate helping us deal with this. The kids will come back for sure and when they do, we will be ready to give them the best ride ever.â€
“Wow, Joseph! You should get up early every morning.â€
“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. Maybe I will keep you all guessing. If Mother Nature can switch up things, I can too.â€
“Joseph!!!!â€
“Just kidding!â€
“Anyone got a raincoat for cats? I need to get home.†Dodger asked as he ran in the back door.
“No we don’t but tell your owner thank you from us for the wreath,†shouted Baby.
“Will do and tell Mamma Kitty and the kids I had a great day hanging out.â€
“We heard you and we did too. Come back soon.†shouted Springer.
“When I think of all the places I could have gone, I ended up here. How sweet is that!?†Jake added.
“That gives me an idea. Why don’t we have story time? We haven’t had that for a long time.â€
“What a great idea! Can we, Havier and Jake?â€
“We don’t see any reason why not. Let’s make it happen.
Now, who wants to go first?â€â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦..

Hi Everyone. Thank you for joining us for another season in 2015. Looks like you will have to come back next month to read about what goes on in story time. Glad you took the time to read about our adventures. Hope you can do what we did when things don’t go the way they were planned and make something positive come out of it. Stay safe and do what is best for your community….. It is home like our barn is our community and our home.
Until Next Time:
Baby, Joseph, Havier, Jake, Annie and all the Cats.