Great Gettin' Up Morning

The moon has been so bright the last few nights I could think I'd left the lights on.  That's a good thing for Pearl as it will have made hunting easier.  Frank has come and gone in the house with impunity, trusting that Snoopy and Lucky are well contained.  Pearl, on the other hand, has wanted nothing to do with those beasties with teeth.  Had I not run into her several times yesterday while tending the chickens, I'd be worried.

Mike is also an early riser.  As it is for many unfortunate males, when the "girls" get to chattering, it's hard to get a word in edgewise.  It was nice to spend a little one-on-one time before he headed out for a golf date yesterday.  The weather could not be better for all concerned.  Christi took her dogs for a long walk up our shady road while I did barn chores, and then we spent the better part of the lovely day sitting on the deck with a cool breeze blowing and got caught up on family news.  Lucky seems to like me especially and he's a "leaner," pressing against my leg as I massage his shoulders.  Bessie will take just so much of that before she comes and leans against the other leg.  "I'm your girl, Mom.  Me too!" 

Little Mr. Full of Himself is being schooled in good manners.  Twenty-Two has started to jump up on me like a dog.  Like a dog, this is not acceptable.  In addition, he tries to hook with his horns, and this is not acceptable.  As I've told anyone who's bought a kid from me, what might be cute and feisty as a baby will not be cute when that baby is a full-grown, strong adult and bad behavior cannot be tolerated.  I want him to have a long, happy life and it's up to me to get him started on the right path.

The calendar says that fall won't be official for some time.  Nature says, "Watch me."  It isn't just that the days are cooler...acorns are dropping and the air itself has a different feel.  Summer may have a last hurrah, but it's fall.