Thanks Santa!

Santa was very good to me. I got Pears! And Carrots. And a huge Peppermint stick that I didn't even know was edible. Everyone else got stuff too. There were Uncle Jimmy's Hanging Balls for each of us. And my girlfriend Copy got all pink brushes, and her little tyke Ace got a grown up set of grooming tools too. Now I don't have to share mine and get girl and teenager cooties. Then I got something Brita called "Scratch-the walls" or something.

And I got a funky new sweater. It was inevitable. But I sort of like it. It isn't something I would have picked out for myself, but it's pretty comfy, and it might come in handy if I get stuck out in the cold rain and get shivery.

I love my Uncle Jimmy ball. I didn't even know I had an Uncle Jimmy, but I sure thank him for the gift.

It's hard to get ahold of though....

Then I helped Brita install my "Scratch-the-walls" or Scratchnalls or whatever they are. At first I thought they were some sort of chewy toy. But before too long I accidentally found a good use for them. They are great for scratching my neck! Now they are all full of white hair.

So all of us had a pretty good Christmas. I know Copy and Ace got carrots too, and we shared our pears with Hairy.

Did anyone else get any goodies from Santa?

Visions of Sugar Plums

Dear Santa~

I have been a very good boy this year. But, I don’t really need any toys. Because, let’s face it, I’m a horse, so food is my main concern. I don’t need any new boots or gear. I don’t need any funky new clothes. What I’d really like is more food. Brita was telling me about Christmas, and I think those sugared plums sound really good. And if I can’t have those, then some plain old pears would be great. I’m so sad that pear season is over. Maybe they are growing somewhere else and you can find me some. Other than that, carrots would be good. Or some peppermint candy. I know it isn’t good for my teeth, but there ought to be plenty of it around this time of year, and I’d be happy to help clean it up. So in that order, fruit, veggies, candy. That would be great.

Sincerely,

William Pendleton Grey Esq.

P.S. Please bring Pinky some Christmas spirit and make him stop giving me the stink-eye. I thought we were getting along great, and he would let me hang out with the boys, but then last week the fence between us got destroyed. It wasn’t my fault at all. He started it. And it wasn't me who bit his nose. He did that to himself. Said he wanted to look like Rudolph. You can give him vitamins and stuff in his stocking, because he doesn’t deserve any fruit.

Christmas Crafts

Since it has been snowy and cold we've been staying inside a bit more, and to keep us busy, Mom helped us make Christmas wreaths for our stall doors. We think it makes the barn look very festive!



We each got to chose our own bow.

Christmas Cards

Today is the busiest day of the year at the Post Office. And, since I couldn't get there anyway, I thought I would send my Christmas Card this way instead....

To all my loyal followers and new found friends,

Have Yourselves

a Merry Little Christmas

Humans and Winter

I have decided that humans are very poorly adapted to winter. If they were expected to live in the wild, they would freeze almost immediately. No wonder they don't enjoy coming to the barn in winter. I wouldn't want to if I had to change my clothes and shoes everytime either. And their ears don't grow chickie fluff, and their noses and chins are bare. What are they thinking? I can understand getting some gear out, I never leave the barn without stopping to put on some equipment. But, a whole layer of coats? Shouldn't that be a more permanent thing? The first thing Brita does when she comes to the barn is plug in her red lamp in her Stuff Room to make it warm and cozy. Then she plugs in another cord to make the hot water. Next she rummages around for her gloves. Sometimes she puts on another layer. What a sissy!

I love snow. Snow is a cause for celebration. It's almost as much fun a my mud puddle. I can make snow angels...

....and throw snow balls from my hooves...

If I slam on the brakes, it makes a very pleasing spray. And Brita doesn't get upset when I lay in it. Snow is the best!

Hmmmm... now where was that puddle.....

Frosty Mornings

The weather has gotten quite cold now. All the mud in the back paddock is frozen and rough, with hoof shaped holes full of ice. After enjoying my hot sugar beets for breakfast, and a quick pile of hay over the fence with the cows, Ugly Betty and Ethel Merman, Brita and I went for a stroll.

I am officially on vacation until spring. I have all my shoes off (on purpose), and I have gotten a bit out of shape. I was full of vinegar, but Brita said she didn't have time to wait for me to dry if I got sweaty, so I behaved. I only tried to gallop once to race a big truck up the hill, but she talked me out of it. I saw a big flock of pigeons down by the dairy barn. At first, it just looked like the frosty field was moving, but then I saw it was birds. I would have liked to go galloping through them, but the fields are too muddy now.

It was nice getting out in the neighborhood to check on everything. We will have fewer and fewer of those opportunities now with winter on it's way. It's snowing a bit now, and it looks very peaceful drifting lazily through the outside light. The ground is just coated as if you sprinkled powder sugar on everything. It's a good thing I grew all this chickie fluff around my ears. They are quite toasty.