SPRING REPAIRS

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on April 2014

　The trees on the mountain looked as if they were dressed up waiting to go to a ball as the snow was gently coating the tips of their branches.
As TC stood by the window she was lost in thought when Havier came up beside her.
“Penny for your thoughts TC ?â€
“Oh that’s easy Havier. My thoughts are twofold. The trees are beautiful on the mountain but winter has worn out its welcome. It’s time for it to go. Havier, this is April not December. The flowers should be thinking seriously about waking up and instead the feel of snow is in the air. I can honestly say I am totally done winter.â€
“I certainly feel the same way. I won’t miss the frozen water and having to be careful not to get my lips stuck trying to get a drink. Our owners did an awesome job trying to keep the water tub clear. I don’t think we are alone wanting winter to leave.†added Havier.
Just then Baby came bouncing into the barn as if he was being chased.
“I knew it was going to happen soon, I just knew it!â€
“Know what Baby?â€
“Oh TC, SPRING!!! That’s what is happening.â€
“And how do you know it is spring Baby?
“I just heard Cell Phone. He is back for spring!!!!â€
TC and Havier looked at one another and both whispered “cell phone?â€
“Who is Cell Phone, Baby? asked Havier.
“You don’t know who Cell Phone is!!?? Well, let me tell you! It is the red-winged Black Bird that comes every spring to the pond. Haven’t you heard the way he sings?
It sounds just like a cell phone ringing.â€
“Well, there you go Havier. We have learned something new and the day has just begun!†replied TC.
“WAIT!!!! You haven’t heard everything yet.†Annie yelled as she came flying into the barn.
“Now, what do you have that makes you think Spring is on the way?â€
“Well, now as a matter of fact TC, I think the geese are coming too. I thought I heard them in the distance. That really means that Spring is on its way!â€
“Oh, I hope winter wasn’t too hard on the family.â€
“We will know soon enough when they touch down TC.†replied Havier.
“Do you think they will stop for a sleepover like they did when they left in the fall?â€
“That means overnight guests Annie.â€
“Baby, it’s not that bad. Remember in the fall when the family gave a signal before they landed so as not to frighten you?â€
“They were very thoughtful, I have to say. I am okay.â€
Just then Joseph came strolling through just as Annie was about to ask TC a question.
â€I have an itch if anyone is interested.†he said.
“TC, do all birds make Baby nervous?â€
“Maybe you should ask Baby directly.â€
“Does my itch mean spring is coming?†Joseph muttered.
“No Annie, I am okay with birds. It is the honk that comes from their vocal cords that I don’t like. I am not even sure they have vocal cords.â€
“I don’t like getting a bath when spring comes if anyone is interested in that.†Joseph said.
“That will have to be something we can ask the family when they arrive. I know they will come and they will stop. I just know it.†Annie shouted.
“Baby, everyone has something they don’t like. I don’t like hens - especially when they have their young.â€
“That is funny TC. There you are 1200 lbs and this hen weighs what????†added Havier.
“It may top the scale at 5 lbs. But it isn’t the hen that I don’t like. It’s the attitude she has that sort of makes me uneasy. Besides, I was just showing Baby that there is nothing wrong in being afraid of something.â€
“I am different if anyone cares.â€
“Oh Joseph, we all know that.†replied Annie.
“Well, you did hear me after all.â€
Baby was trying not to smile as he watched Joseph’s reaction.
“Baby, what was that word again? You know!†Annie asked with a mischievous look on her face.
“Oh you mean THE WORD?â€
“Yes! THE WORD!!†yelled Annie.
They both turned and faced Joseph.
“Annie, on the count of 3 ok …..1,2,3.…..BAZINGA!!!!â€
“What on earth!†Joseph whispered as he tried to make sense of the word.
“Oh Joseph. It means we fooled you ,making you think we didn’t hear you. It was payback for the other night when we were so tired and all you wanted to do was chat!â€
“Oh.â€
“We were not doing it in a bad way, like totally annoying you because we didn’t want you in our conversation. We did it in a fun way and you know yourself how hard it is to get a payback on you.. TC and Havier knew what we were doing.â€
“I have to admit I was wondering why TC and Havier weren’t saying anything. I know now but you got me good. I got pranked but that itch is still there.â€
“You really do have an itch. Where is it?â€
“It’s on my back.â€
Baby noticed that Annie had a look of wonderment on her face.
“What are you thinking Annie?â€
“I was wondering if it was the same itch, or pain, that our owners were talking about the other day.â€
“What was that?†asked Havier.
“They called it Tax Pain. Do you think that is what you got Joseph?â€
“I don’t know but I do know this itch has got to leave, just like winter!â€
TC looked at the little Ones ……..
“Little Ones, you have a way of keeping me feeling young.â€
“Awwww that was a nice thing to say TC.†Baby said in a shy voice.
Just then the owners came in talking about how they better get started. Everyone was wondering what they meant when they walked over and closed the lower part of the barn door. Joseph looked from one to the other..…
“What’s up with this?†he said as Annie ran to the door.
“HELLO! HELLO! Haven’t you forgotten something? HELLO! “ Annie shouted as she stood in front of the door.
Seeing that the owners weren’t coming back, Annie walked away saying…..
“That’s just rude! First time the sun has been out in days and they shut us in! They didn’t even ask if we were okay with it.â€
“Annie, you know they can’t hear us in the first place and besides, they might have a good reason.†replied Baby.
“It just happens that they do.†TC added.
“They still could have asked us!â€
“And again, Annie, they can’t hear us….HELLO!â€
“Ok, Baby. I’m done ranting.â€
Baby and Joseph looked at one another as Havier and TC did the same…….. Ranting!!!!!!.
“The door has been closed for a reason and that is so our owners can mend the fences. With all the snow and wind this winter, the fences have weakened. It’s not because they want to upset us on a sunny day. It is because they care enough about us to protect us. Does that make sense?â€
“Well, if you put it that way, TC, maybe it does but it’s still not nice being stuck inside. Maybe we are all in for the whole day!†added Annie.
“They will be done before you know it.†replied Havier.
“Then maybe it will be like years past when our owner has to make so many trips to the hardware store because he forgot this and that.†answered Baby.
“Well, we can either stand here and say this or that can happen or we can flip it and make it work in our favour.â€
“Flip it???? Please tell me what that means.â€
“Annie, think about it for a minute. That’s Joseph talking. Wait Annie. Before you answer Havier wants to say something.†added Baby.
“I just have a question. Baby and Annie - is this going to be another 1 2 3 count answer?â€
“Now that I think about it there is no reason why it can’t Havier. Let’s do it Annie….1,2,3.…..â€
“FOOD!!!!!!â€
Even Joseph had to laugh as he had been busted again.
“I don’t see any harm in trying.
“How are we going to get the owners to come back let alone feed us?†asked Havier who by now, was quite curious as to what Joseph was up to.
“It’s not rocket science. All we have to do is roll on the floor hitting the walls with our hooves and make a lot of noise. That will get their attention. Who knows? That just might get rid of that itch at the same time.â€
“You’re thinking, Joseph.â€
“Yep Baby. A donkey has got to do what a donkey has got to do.†Joseph laughed as he took the first roll.

In the next few minutes each had taken a couple of rolls as Havier and TC stood back watching the Little Ones as they made a game out of it. Joseph peeped out the window as he waited for Baby to finish his turn…..
“Hurry everyone! Look innocent because here they come!!!â€
The plan had worked and the owners continued fixing the fence in peace while everyone filled their bellies with hay. Later in the afternoon, the barn door was re-opened leading to a safe pasture. Just before bed, TC gathered everyone around her.
“This is one day in which we have either done or learned something new. There is just one thing though that Havier and myself want to make sure you all understand.â€
“What is that TC?†asked Baby.
“There are times when things happen that we can’t change or control. As an example - today we had to stay in even though we would have liked to have been outside.â€
“May I please say something, TC?â€
“Sure, Joseph.â€
“We did get some extra grain and hay.â€
“Yes, we did and that is what I wanted to bring up. It wasn’t right the way we got the hay and grain. There will be times in your lives when you won’t be able to have what you want when you want it. This was something that should never happen again. Our owners are the best and we have to respect them as they do us. Before I finish though, I just want to say that turning something around Joseph from being negative to positive is a good idea. Say this show season you don’t have a good showing. Instead of getting mad, you think of ways to improve when you go in the arena the next time. That is the right way. Remember, as well, you don‘t want to make someone else uncomfortable either just so you can get what you want.. Anyone have any questions?â€
“I don’t.†whispered Baby.
“Me either†added Annie.
“It was my idea TC, but next time I will give it more thought and maybe discuss it with Baby and Annie too if they are a part of it.â€
“I am impressed Joseph. My brain is tired so I think it is time for sleep.â€
“Not just yet TC. May I say something please ? It won’t take long.â€
Ok Baby.â€
“Joseph, Annie and I just want to know if you are going to keep us awake tonight chatting.â€
“Well, now that you mentioned it, there is something I wanted to talk about.â€
“Oh NO JOSEPH!!! We want some sleep. TC, can you talk to him, PLEASE!!†shouted Annie.
Before TC could get a word out, Joseph turned and said,
“BAZINGA everyone and Good Night!†he replied curling up for the night.
Good night Joseph!!!

Hello Everyone. Our story this month covered a lot of ground and we hope you can take something from all the many things we learned. Next month will be exciting as well and that is all we are going to say. Until then stay safe and respect others.

UPDATE: We have two things that we want to share with you.:

Murphy The Cat - 1994 - 2014:
We had to say good-bye to Murphy, our dear friend. He lived to be almost twenty years old and has left us with many good memories. He will be missed both in the house and barn.

NEW ARRIVAL:
On April 9th 2014 DREAM became a mom giving birth to a little Colt. He is a Chestnut Pinto named Firefox. Both are doing well. Will update as Firefox grows and goes with his mom on trips.