December 31

This is the last day of 2023.

I got some projects completed today. Persia of course wanted to help. 

I was looking back on Mattie’s Mountain for the year. This year was better than last year and next year will be even better. We have had a big loss with Cracker Jack passing, but we also gained Willow. We have had more visitors this year for various reasons; community service, just wanting to hang out, feeling down. We had another walk this year that went well. We have been able to donate to a few causes to help the community. We have been in the paper this year. We have met new friends along this journey. I was able to write a book this year and had a successful book signing. My favorite part of the book signing was the children’s book where kids were able to put their artwork in the book. My friend and I were able to go into a school where suicide awareness was discussed. Mattie’s Mountain was a part of several different events in the community. Mattie the donkey was in the Gebo’s calendar this year. It’s been a busy year. I’m grateful for Mattie’s Mountain. It is hard at times, but I’m hoping for big things in 2024.

All the animals are doing fine. They have no idea a new year is coming. As long as they have food and water, they don’t care about much. That’s okay. 

I did notice a pretty significant injury on Willow. I have no ide what happened. It looks like it was not recent and it is already healing up. We tried to spray it. I got a little on her, but I almost got kicked also. I am sure she will be fine. 

As we go into 2024, I hope you have some goals in mind for yourself. I hope you can look back on 2023 and see even if it’s an inch, you have moved forward. Every little bit counts. Keep moving. Keep growing. 

Word of the day is ending. Psalm 138:8

December 30

I have not been feeling well the last few days. I stayed in bed most of the day today. Ursula stayed by my side the whole time. She is the best little thing. 

When I got up, I decided to start another project. I could not even get it started without Persia wanting to get up in the middle of it. I cannot get mad at her though. I just had to move her. 

It was such a beautiful evening. I know I say that all the time, but it’s so true. And if you can look at all the beauty around you, it helps with positivity and looking more on the bright side. I will continue to talk about the beauty around here. 

The cows were still upset about the hay bale and they actually moved the whole thing. It’s pretty obvious they are not going to eat that. It’s actually really funny. 

I looked out the window at one point today and thought Willow was Pete. It looked like Willow had grow up over night. She really is getting big. 

Maggie and Pepper stayed outside most of the day. It was nice outside and thought maybe the sunshine would be good for them. Maggie dug herself a hole and then could not get out of it. She sure was trying though. I had to help her out. 

Ronnie did decide that the hay bale would not be eaten, so he took that one out and put another one in yelling at the cows about how spoiled they are. It was like they knew what he was saying and did not care one bit. I mean, it’s so true. The wheat bale will go over to the donkeys and goats when it gets super cold. The cows were happy and it showed. 

The donkeys came over to see me. I got to pet on all of them. I loved every minute of it. They have such personalities. 

Word of the day is beauty. Ecclesiastes 8:17

December 29

Saverine may be 25 years old, but she sure did look good standing by the fence tonight. She is such a pretty horse and has a sweet spirit about her. 

Nothing much new happened tonight. Willow was irritating the goats trying to get to their feed, but she could not get to the feed. I was able to get her mind on me petting her instead of her messing with the goats. 

Jasper wanted the donkey feed so badly. Ronnie was standing between him and the feed and he had this look of defiance on his face. All I could do was laugh. He would look at Ronnie and then he would look at me. It was really funny. He knew what he was doing. Him and Alex ended up eating the rest of the donkey feed. 

The other donkeys came in from the pasture this evening. They are so funny. I gave them some hay tonight. They fought over it with each other and the goats, but they all got some hay. They may fight but they love each other and will eventually share the food. 

Willow was nose to nose with one of the pigs tonight and there was no squealing, so that is a good sign. They are starting to love each other. 

We discovered tonight that Maggie is mostly blind now. She is also hard of hearing and she is losing the strength in her back legs. She still tries, but she is getting worse and my heart is broken. I know the time is coming and it is coming soon. Remember to tell those you love that you love them and spend time with them because tomorrow is not promised. 

It is also time to take the batteries out of the Christmas tree and put it away. Or we may leave it all year like we did last year. Who knows at this point. 

Word of the day is time. Proverbs 27:1

December 28

 I look out the window and see the rooster with the bad hair crowing away. It made me laugh while I was making coffee. 

I came home early with a bad headache. When I pulled into the driveway, I saw all the donkeys. I had not seen them close to the house in several days. It was good to see them. 

I watched Cinderella and Yeller chasing each other in the pen. I had never seen them do that. It was certainly cute to watch. 

The sheep are so happy all the time but I am telling you, those tails hurt when they wag them too close to you. 

The horses must have thrown a fit today. The feed trough was turned over and Ronnie was over there turning it upright. They were all standing around him watching to see what he was doing. It looked like he had their approval. Probably only because it was feeding time. 

Maggie and Pepper were laying so close to eat other like they used to do tonight. They are a sweet little pair of friends. 

Word of the day is friendship. Ecclesiastes 4:9

December 27

 It was another frosty morning. It probably will be for the rest of the winter, but we will see. The horses were eating up the last of their hay bale in the pasture with the sun rising in the background. 

Willow was aggravating the pigs again. I think they might have come to an understanding. The pigs are not squealing near as much when Willow is around them. 

Ronnie bought a wheat bale of hay for the cows and donkeys. The last time he did that, they did not eat it. They gave him the look of disbelief and displeasure in that decision. They showed him they were not going to eat it. I had to laugh. 

Yeller was laying in the corner of the shop like he was laying on eggs again, but there were no eggs. Thank goodness. 

Ronnie did block the entry way to the shop in the back where the chickens were coming in to lay eggs so we would not have to deal with the trauma. He did that yesterday and there were no eggs in the shop today, so I was able to open it a crack so they could come in and out. 

The donkeys were way off in the distance, but I could only see 3 of them. I did not know who was missing since they were so far away. I look to my left and I see Ned had walked the goats back to the barn. That was nice of him. He then stared off into the distance and ran back to his friends. I know the bond they have cannot be broken. 

It looks like all the animals were happy and healthy tonight. That is all I could ask for. It is hard work, but they make it worth it. 

I did pet and love on Gus tonight. He is still such a loving pig. He craves attention and he knows how to get it. 

The cows may not want the new wheat hay bale but Willow and Noma will eat it. 

The horses got a new hay bale tonight also. 

Oh Maggie, she is such a good dog. I loved on her and petted her tonight. I know the days are numbered with her as well. She is not doing well. Pepper is doing better than Maggie, but she is slowing down also. 

 Word of the day is bond. Colossians 2:2