View from the front porch

This was my view off the front porch this morning. Shi mule standing in the arbor saying good morning to me. I guess it could be WAY worse - could have been a murderer or something that the dogs couldn't handle. As if Barney dog could handle much.

Redneck Ranch

Just thought I'd update you on some new things around here. Still no baby out of the last mare yet. She wants one pretty bad but it's just not ready yet.

Put a piece of barbed wire across the driveway and let the general population of big mules, mommas with baby mules, and momma donkey out to graze the yard. Can't seem to keep the lawn mower working so might just as well use that to feed the animals. Sooooo watch out for the poop in the yard. I do understand when people step in dog poop as it's not so easy to see - but if you step in the mule/horse/donkey poop there is something wrong with you. Anyhow I decided that's about as redneck as we have ever been but the animals are loving it.

Spent a couple of nights camping with Jeanie and riding her mule. Tom, Tammy, and Kelsie were camping with us and we had a great time. First time in many years I've rode after dark. Had a blast.

Mules

This is a busy time of year for our mule business as far as raising colts and making more. The draft mares will probably go home this week and their owner will have them ultrasounded soon (14 days) to confirm pregnancy. Our last mare is due tomorrow and I keep saying every day "she's gonna go tonight" but not yet. She has had such nice mule babies for us. Maybe she'll foal tonight but I bet I don't see it happen. Darn it.

What a weekend

We had a busy weekend. Saturday was our annual Garman reunion. 5 of our kids were there out of six and 13 of our 18 grandchildren were there. Papa and Grandma were pretty tired and papa was hurting pretty bad at the end of the reunion but I do believe everyone had fun and it's so great to see all the grandkids melding together.

Sunday Jeanie and I ventured out with Jeanie's truck, trailer and mules for a ride at Tod De Jong's. It was suppose to be sunny and 60's but it rained on us almost the whole ride. I was soaked to the skin except my butt and the back of my legs but it was worth it. Jeanie did a great job driving the truck and trailer. Leaving was a challenge - but Jeanie was up to the challenge and away we went. I rode Jeanie's mule "County". She is a BIG girl and she had no problems hauling this big girl around in the slippery mud. Thanks Jeanie - that was FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mocassin and Jethro outside

Here are the colts. Mocassin has grown quite a bit and is very comfortable with being handled. If she sees Bill she nickers and runs to him. Jethro had his frist fast laps around the lot just he and mom. Mom ate some hay and he made several laps around the lot. He also had his first lesson it tying as I had to drag him around behind the mare to get him back to the barn. I'm just not as strong as I use to be. These babies sure are fun but they're like Lay's potato chip - you can't have just one - as anyone who has a mule or mules. Too much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

Introducting Greystone's Jethro Bodine

Here he finally is. This is the second foal for us this year. He is colored quite a bit like Mark Taylor's mule "Ellie Mae" so with Mark's approval we picked "Greystone's Jethro Bodine" from "The Beverly Hillbillies". Now the way he was dinking around right after the rain he definately reminds you of a Jethro. The picture in the barn was at around 5:00 AM and the other two were around 6:30 PM Lots of changes in that time but he's a nice one. Enjoy the view.

Sadie and Diane coming to meet Greystone

These two Percheron draft mare were brought to us from Northern Iowa to be serviced by Greystone our mammoth jack for draft mules. Can't wait to see what these girls will have. They are definately the "Gentle Giants."