April 28, 2010
Ellsworth, a.k.a. our sentinel, evaluated a potential security breach at Morning Bray Farm yesterday afternoon.
What is that thing, Mom?
Ms. Turkey must feel safe around the boys. She fixed herself up with a nest just on the other side of the corral fence. She’s sitting on a dozen or so eggs.
April 13, 2010
After talking about this for several weeks, Ellsworth and I have reached an agreement. Our goal is for Ellsworth to be my trusty steed before summer’s end. I’ve been doing my research and I think we can do it.
A lot of my reading has been with The Donkey Companion, written by Sue Weaver. Sue says that, “Because they’re intelligent and affectionate, and they aim to please, everyday pleasure-riding donkeys are incredibly easy to train. They need not be sent to a trainer; owners can do the work themselves.”
Furthermore, (I find this fascinating) “They’re reliable; donkeys don’t put themselves or their riders in harm’s way. They rarely spook, they don’t bolt, they’re surefooted, and they won’t venture into danger of any kind. These traits make them superlative mounts for children, the physically challenged, and nervous adult riders of all kinds.”
One of my most daunting tasks will be navigating the world of tack and figuring out what types of riding gear fit donkeys. The first thing on our list is a training surcingle.
For the next couple of weeks, we’ll be working on having Ellsworth lead at my side, back up when I ask him to, and stand patiently when he’s tied. I just know he’s going to do great.
April 10, 2010
Carson has pointed out that there probably isn’t anything about the boys that I don’t “absolutely love.” Okay, fine, she’s right. But I do absolutely love the way Bernard always stands with his back feet so perfectly positioned together.
April 2, 2010
March 30, 2010
Ellsworth is a yawner. When he wakes from a nap, he tends to go through a routine of yawning several times. And he does it with much gusto.
Yawn number one:
Yawn number two:
Yawn number three:
I just yawned. Look at that adorable post-yawn face and how scrunched his nose is.
And at the very end of each yawn, the cute upper lip. Have you yawned yet?
And then – and no, I’m not pulling your leg here – he has the nerve to go back to sleep.
And do cute things even in his sleep. Every time he exhaled, he blew a dust cloud with his nose.
Cross my heart these pictures are in chronological order. This is the first thing he did when he woke back up.
Did you yawn?
March 22, 2010
March 19, 2010
He can be totally cute and coy just like Bernard.
He can be a goofball too.
We love you buddy.
March 18, 2010
First, our contest winner, of course! Congratulations to C in WI, whose name was pulled out of Don’s hat. She’ll be seeing a Morning Bray Farm travel mug in her mailbox very soon.
C in WI Says:
March 16, 2010 at 5:39 amI love my morning whiskery kisses!
Thanks to all of you for celebrating with us. We had so much fun reading all of your captions!
In addition to being the gentle soul that he is, Ellsworth has established himself as the sentinel here at Morning Bray.
He’s always the first to spot everything…
…and anything.
He’s steadfast and refuses to be distracted from his job.
So many words are appropriate to describe Ellsworth. To name just a few: loyal, constant, faithful. What an amazing boy. We absolutely love him.
March 11, 2010
It was such a pretty day. With such a handsome boy.
Bernard doesn’t seem to mind having his photo taken anymore.
At least not until he decides it’s time to get up…
So he can head on over…
To say hello.
February 23, 2010
Opposite to Bernard’s often childlike indifference to (or need to eat) the camera, Ellsworth seems to have a constant, yet gentle curiosity each time someone is out taking pictures.
Morning Bray Farm 