WELCOME BACK

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on October 2015

A rain cloud hung heavy over the mountains. It looked as if it was having a hard time deciding to rain or move on.
Annie, who is always up before the rest, was thinking this as she made her way back from her morning stroll.
“Good morning Annie. Did you find anything unusual on your walk?â€
“Havier! Where did you come from? I thought I was the only one out here.â€
“Well, you were for a bit until we decided to do our morning check.â€
“I didn’t think you were that jumpy, Annie.â€
“Well, normally Jake, I’m not, but I was in deep thought.â€
“You must have been thinking really hard to jump that high!â€
“I was just reflecting on life.â€
“We were just talking about that on the way over here.†replied Havier.
“I was just saying how lucky I was to have this as my home and all of you as my family.†said Annie.
“We were also saying how nice it was to be here and have family close by.â€
“Well, there you go Annie, ES!.†Jake shouted as he and Havier continued to do the morning check.
“A good morning to you Annie, but why do you have that puzzled look on your face so early in the morning?†asked Baby and Joseph as they came around the corner.
Annie proceeded to tell them about the conversation she just had with Havier and Jake.
“ESP? I don’t understand what that is.â€
“I think, Annie, it is something like when you start thinking about something and someone else comes along thinking the same thing. I think that is what it is.â€
“Oh!†Annie answered still not really sure.
“Yup! I have had it a lot.â€
“You have Joseph? Then maybe you can help me understand ESP a little better than I do right now.†Annie yelled with excitement.
“ESP……..Empty Stomach Pains.â€
“JOSEPH! I should have known you would put your own spin on it! Why are you so cheerful this early in the day?â€
“Didn’t you notice that the family of birds moved out from above my head? Their nest kept needing too many repairs so they moved to the other side of the barn. Now I can get my beauty sleep and they don’t have to work so hard. In this case we are both winners.â€
“Speaking of that, our family of geese are late arriving this year. I hope they are coming back.†Joseph said.
“I am sure they will be dropping in for a night’s rest. Remember, spring was late coming so that made everything else later than usual.†Havier added as he and Jake joined the others.
“I hope they do return. even though it is just for a night. I would like to see them. Baby, you were a lot better when they came last time.â€
“Thanks Annie. I am trying to get past being afraid of the honking. I know now that it is their way of communicating with each other.â€
“Everything comes in time Baby and we feel the same as Annie.†Havier said as he gently touched Baby on the side.
“Oh look! The rain cloud has left and the sun is shining through the mist. We are going to have a nice day. Anyone have any ideas on what we could do today?†asked Annie.
“I am going to find myself the warmest spot in the pasture and give my body some rays.†Joseph replied.
“What about you Baby?â€
“Well, I think a dirt bath would feel good right now. What are you doing Annie?â€
“Well, I think I am going to see if I can read what is on
the calendar for our shows.â€
“Why do you want to ruin a perfect day doing that?â€
“Remember Joseph, I am on the roster for shows too this summer. Being a girl I have to make sure that I am completely put together.â€
“I shouldn‘t have asked, especially with her being a girl.†Baby whispered.
“Maybe we can have a game of tag in the pasture when I get back.†Annie shouted as she ran off.
“Now that sounds like a good idea! We haven’t done that in a long time, Joseph.â€
“It does sound like fun Baby, but first I have to fill my body with some energy from the rays.â€
Surprisingly, the morning went fast. The sun had fully come out, warming everything it touched.
“Can’t get any better†Joseph thought as he stretched out in the sun.
Baby finished his dirt bath. He wasn’t looking his best but he felt good.
Annie wasn’t tall enough to see what the calendar had written on it. She was alright with that. A surprise once in a while was something that she liked.
Havier and Jake decided to spend a few minutes of “quiet time†under the big tree.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by the sound of feet entering the barn. Everyone realized they had company.
“I love visitors, but look at me! I am a complete mess!â€
“Annie, you look good. On the other hand, I just had a dirt bath. I really hope I can shake some of this off before we get to the barn.†Baby shouted as he started shaking.
“Annie, what is the big rush?â€
“I am getting away from Baby’s dust, Joseph.â€
“Thank goodness I am looking good.†Joseph smiled as he caught up with the others.
Havier and Jake were the first to arrive and were greeted with “OH NO!†Seconds later the Little Ones received the same greeting.
“Is that who I think it is!†Baby whispered.
“I think it is, but what happened?†asked Joseph.
Havier lowered his head saying. “When she left she was a baby. Now she is a little girl.â€
“Oh wow! She has become a butterfly!†added Baby.
“I wonder if she remembers us?†asked Jake.
Well, Annie being Annie, walked directly up to her and extended her head for a pat.
“Who is this Violet?â€
“Awww. That’s her name. I couldn’t remember it.†Joseph said in a soft voice.
Violet looked up at her mom and dad.
“Baby?â€
“No. This is not Baby. Who is it?â€
She looked Annie directly in the eye and looking back at her mom…
“ANNIE?!â€
Annie was so excited that she remembered who she was.
Violet walked over to Baby saying his name but didn’t like the dirt on him.
“Oh! Baby dirty.â€
Baby lowered his head, feeling bad that he had to pick today for a dirt bath. But then she touched his face….
“Love you Baby.â€
Next was Joseph, but she stopped for a minute looking at him. She tried to say Joseph but it was too hard, so instead she touched him saying “Oh JoeJoeâ€.
“How did she remember us when she was a baby when she left Havier?â€
“Well, Annie, her parents took photos of us that they took with them.â€
“Do you remember Havier and Jake?â€
“Yeahâ€
“Their names are hard, aren’t they?â€
“Yeah.â€
“You will be able to say their names before too long. Now do you want to give everyone some hay?â€
“Yeah.†answered Violet.
“Oh life is going to be good!â€
“It is Joseph?â€
“Why yes, Baby. When you hear those golden words……give them some hay in the middle of the day
…life is good.â€
Everyone chuckled at Joseph because he was right. It was always good getting treats. They watched as Violet used her tiny hands and her dad’s help getting hay for them.
“You know what else is golden?â€
“What?†Jake asked Joseph
“They have no idea how much we get when it is a treat. All I have to do is put on my sad face and I bet we will get more.â€
“JOSEPH!!!â€
“You have to admit it, I can work it!â€
Moments later, when the hay was gone, Joseph put on his sad face.
“Momma…JoeJoe.â€
“Ok, but we have to give it to everyone because it won’t be fair if we don’t. Ok?â€
“Told you I can work it.†Joseph smiled as he waited.
The time had come for them to leave but Violet wasn’t
fussy on having to leave.
“We can come back later.â€
“Those words are music to my ears.†Joseph said.
Then came ……..â€Maybe Bampy will give you a ride later?â€
Everyone heard it but Joseph had become one with his hay and he hadn’t heard what was said.
“I don’t think I should break his bubble right now. A few more minutes won’t hurt.†whispered Baby.
Just as the sun had started to lower in the sky, footsteps echoed in the barn once again.
“Joseph, I think you may be taking them for a ride.â€
“What makes you think that, Baby?â€
“Well, let’s just say that I overheard them talking.â€
“Then it may be Annie who goes too.â€
“Might be, but I thought I would give a heads up, just in case.â€
“Who do you want a ride with?†asked Bampy.
“JoeJoe please.†she yelled in a loud voice.
“Then JoeJoe it is. Next time we will take Annie.â€
“Oh No Bampy! Hat. Hat.†she said as she patted her head.
“It’s alright. We have our helmets. Now, let’s put them on. We can‘t ride if we don‘t have them on, can we?â€
“Ya.â€
Within minutes Joseph was ready and they drove around the field and back to the barn.
“I don’t know who has the biggest smile…Joseph or Violet.â€
“I understand Violet’s smile, Baby, but not Joseph’s.â€
“I didn’t have to work. It was a walk in the park and now I am heading back to the barn.†Joseph answered as he passed Baby and Annie, smiling.
Violet got off and then………
“Well, Joseph, we should take a run down the road and back since the shows are starting and we need to get some
Practice in.â€
“Next time, shut me up if I start bragging before it’s over and I am back in the barn.â€
With the sun so low in the sky it formed a silhouette of Joseph, the cart and Bampy going down the road.
In the silence of the evening from the steps of the house……
“Night Baby. Night Annie. Night JoeJoe, plus something that may have been Havier and Jake.
“Good Night Violet.â€
“We didn’t have our game of tag after all but we were remembered.†Annie whispered as she closed her eyes

Hi everyone. That’s our story for this month. The most important lesson we learned was that when we are doing any sort of sports we have to wear helmets to be safe. We hope you do as well and stay safe.
See you next month