It’s late. I’m not sure of the time, but it’s been night for a while---long enough for the dark to feel damp and for the scattered clouds to have a purple tint. In my jammies and boots without socks, I’m walking through the wet grass out to the barn where Bunny, Tee, and Baby Bodhi …
Category: family
Just Hello
I'm standing on the back patio, cool wind brushing over my skin. It's rare to feel an April chill down here in Texas and yet, here I am wishing I'd worn a light jacket. Above me, a green basket hangs with bright, pink impatiens spilling over the edges of it; sprinkles of shedded pedals flickering …
The Day of the King (Ranch)
There’s a place in the world Where fairies exist. They perch on yellow petals Watching pollen float delicately Around them like floating, golden halos. There’s a place in the world Where magnets are stronger. Pebbles and rocks roll together into Flower-like shapes and brilliant, infinite stars With a million, trillion points in a million, trillion …
‘Twas a Night on the Ranch…
Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the night, Not a creature was stirring in the cold air’s bite. The chickens were snug in their coop with care, In floofy, puffed feathers blocking raw, winter air. The donkeys were nestled all snug in their shed, While layers of clouds stretched out above head. And …
Strong Heart
I should note to my followers that this post is neither ranch nor donkey related. This is a piece I've written as a way to look for answers for myself. After all, writing is a tool to discover things. Although I do personally journal things that never make it to the public, this one, I …
Two Worlds Diverged in a Summer Afternoon
It was high, hot noon as I drove along the gravel road that leads to our house. As I pulled up, I stepped out of the pickup truck to open the rusted gate. The pink crepe myrtles along the front fence were in full, summer bloom---their tiny flowers winking as if to welcome us home. …
Black Chicken Bloomed
One year ago today, I posted this story on my blog. This was the story of the Unicorn and the first death of a chicken here and how King Ranch refused to let one of his own die in vain. It poured and it broke our hearts. This morning, I decided to wander over to the spot beneath …
Turtle World
For three days, I’ve watched a turtle become less and less a turtle and more and more a dark stain on the one road that leads out of town. I wished I had seen the turtle when it was alive: I would have pulled over to move it to the other side. Once, when I …
You’re Done, Dead Weight
On our property are several pecan trees. During the fall, literally 1000’s of pecans fall with the leaves -- some crack open and some don’t. Pecans that do crack open are quickly discovered by hungry donkeys who look forward to the tasty, autumn treat. During the summer time, however, the pecan trees turn into …
Little Foot’s Little Books
We are nearing the end of the usual soaked, Texas spring. Soon, the clay will crackle in devastating dehydration and the treetops and rosebushes will be broiled. I give it another month until we’re begging for relief from the heat. I sat on the floor in the living room sipping my coffee, watching Little Foot …