Our Anniversary Gift

Yesterday, we celebrated our 35th Wedding Anniversary.

Our initial plans were made the day before, on September 3rd  and dinner plans were added  one hour before leaving the house - not quite impulsive, but pretty darn close.

We drove to Floyd County -  about a 2 hour drive from our farm.

First, we stopped to have dinner (around 3:30) at the Historic Pine Tavern, a  restaurant that has been in business since 1927.  The decor reflected that time period, or should I say,  the decor has not been updated since opening day.  The food was served family-style:  fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, pinto beans, salad, cabbage, peach cobbler and drink - all for one low price of $13.00, gratuity not included.  The menu actually stated the servers wage ($2.13/hour) and suggested that a tip of 15 - 20% was customary.  Also included: if the service is poor, let the establish know; and if the service is good, leave a good tip. Since Becky is a waitress, I think she would appreciate a similar statement on her employer's menu as most people are unaware of the low hourly wage - waitresses really do depend on tips.  Nevertheless; the food was good, the dining area quaint - an enjoyable experience.

Then, we set out down the road for the main event - purchasing our Anniversary gift for each other.  Now, the 35th Wedding Anniversary, one of those 'milestone' anniversaries, is associated with coral (traditional), jade (modern) and the gemstone emerald - none of which were purchased.  Not even close.  No, we purchased a donkey.  Yeah, you got it - a donkey - a young jenny (female), which we were told as we were loading her into the trailer, is pregnant to boot.  Due date?  Any moment or not - donkey gestation is anywhere between 11 and 14 months  - evidently, there is no need to be too exact where donkeys are concerned.

Since we arrived back home after 9:00 PM, we left Jenny (How's that for an original name? We are still considering other choices....perhaps, Jade.) on the trailer for the night. We did not want to unload her in the dark.   Glenn gave Jade a bucket of water and she seemed content.  Jake and Buddy were a bit baffled.  They could smell another critter, but could not see what was on the trailer, as they circled and circled.  

So, this morning, before the forecasted rain began (major amounts are expected) and before I canned tomatoes (for the 2nd time this season); we went to unload Jenny, Jade, JJ with the flerd.  JJ (our final name decision, we think) is to be our official' watchdog' for the sheep.  (SweetLips is better suited to guarding the rams.  Llamas definitely have an attitude to humor; less animals to defend, less anxiety for llama.)  Of course, we know absolutely nothing about donkeys.  Llama, donkey;  donkey, llama - any body's guess would be just as good as ours.  We elected donkey!

JJ stumbled out of the trailer and within seconds the entire flerd, accompanied by a lot of mooing and baaing, was running in her direction.  They either wanted to greet the new addition or they wanted to see, up close,   this strange new creature.  Her long ears perked up.  Then, JJ let out her first vocals, loud braying, since meeting her the previous day.  I thought she was on the quiet side, but I am glad to report that JJ does have a voice, quite a loud one.  JJ, apprehensive and  sneaking off in the opposite direction, was thwarted with the curiosity of  a few cows following in her steps.  She quickly moved to another section of the pasture, leaving the cows and sheep behind.  Not a great introduction, but not a bad one either...give it a day and I am sure JJ will be socializing right in among all the cows and sheep. 

Now, we only hope that JJ will be the great protector of the sheep - the reason for getting her in the first place - being cute is a bonus.  So, our gift to each other was.....

not coral, not jade, not emeralds.... only better.