Weather seems to be the main topic at the coffee shop these days. Last week we broke records with temperatures in the 90 degree range; this week the weatherman is calling for frost a couple of mornings with rain and thunderstorms for four days. There is an old saying here in Missouri “that if you don’t like the weather just wait around, it’ll soon change”. How very true. The mules aren’t sure how to handle the temperature changes either, one time you look out and they are rolling around trying to get rid of their long, shaggy winter coats, the next time you look out they are trying to soak up as much sunshine as possible!

I spent the three day Easter weekend at the All American Mule and Donkey Congress in Tulsa, OK with Loren, Lenice, Cole, Camri, Cori and Cole’s girlfriend Brianna. I made the mistake of packing on one of the warm 90 degree days I mentioned, and didn’t have enough warm clothes for the cool weekend. It finally warmed up to a comfortable stage (for me at least) on Sunday afternoon. I’m sure the exhibitors enjoyed the cooler weather with their long sleeves, vests and chaps, but the mules that had been body-clipped probably would prefer just a little more sunshine.

There was a good turnout of exhibitors for the show. Of course our highlight was watching 6-year-old Camri run the barrel and pole patterns on Shadaisy in walk-trot classes. Shedaizy came out of retirement last fall for Camri; she had been Cole’s running mule for several years until an injury forced her to retire from the arena. She and Camri get along great on the trail and placed third in the barrels and poles at Tulsa. There were eight entries in 10 and under Walk-Trot Barrels, and seven entries in Walk-Trot Pole Bending. Youth in these classes are allowed to ride either a mule or donkey. Cori and Cole hauled first-time entries, Pair of Dice’s Hell On Heels, and Betty to this show, along with their usual mounts, Hoosier Daddy and BB. I’m sure by the time this issue comes out Cori will have a large number of show photos on www.mulesandmore.com. I know the Pair A Dice Mule blog already has photos posted.

Elisa Iger of Woodbine, MD is the NASMA youth director and she did a great job helping the youth enjoy Easter Sunday by having an Easter egg hunt, as well as games and a dog show. If you missed watching the youth show their dogs you missed an entertaining show; these kids (and one adult) did a great job with their dogs, and everyone went home with a prize.          

booth at this show. Be sure and stop by for a visit and check out our merchandise for mule and donkey lovers.

Okay, February was a short month and I am extremely behind on everything, including getting my column to Cori. In looking over last months’ issue I noticed I reported my surgery was to be February 16….this actually took place January 17! It’s now the first part of March and recovery wise I’m not much farther along than I was last month. Along with all the problems I incurred earlier, I now have developed fluid buildup in my leg and foot. This makes therapy hard to deal with, and at times I show very little progress. Of course, I’m not the most patient person, and after all this time I feel I should be pretty much “pain free”, but that’s certainly not the case. I have another appointment with my surgeon coming up; hopefully he will have some words of wisdom as to how we can accomplish getting me to the point of less pain.

I have therapy scheduled for three mornings a week, and along with spending an hour or so at the coffee shop I haven’t been spending much time at my desk.

About the coffee shop, Judy’s Place where friends and I have been meeting for the last few years, once again closed its doors. At least this time we have a new restaurant in town, so we have moved our meeting place (some of us even got to take our “favorite” coffee cups with us). Like a lot of senior citizens I’m acquainted with we don’t like change, and it is taking some time to adjust to the new arrangement.

Camri, Cori and Cole have been able to get in a little ride time, trying to get their mules conditioned for the upcoming All American Congress in Tulsa, OK. Along with riding Camri has been practicing for upcoming Acro meets here in Missouri. Her first meet was last week in the St. Louis area, and she had a large cheering section. She did a great job with her routine and came home was a first place award with her partner in the 11 and under division. She has another meet coming up March 25 and I hope to be able to attend that one also.

Even though it’s only the first part of March the Easter lilies and forsythia are already blooming, and the pasture is getting green. I have been seeing and hearing a few geese flying back north (a good sign of spring), and my old Catahoula Suey came home today from her winter home at Larry and Becky’s.

She has slimmed down a little again and seemed to be glad to get back in the office, although she is forced to spend most of the daylight hours outdoors. I do let her sleep in the garage on a pile of pillows at night. Another good sign of spring is the number of calls we receive from people that have been wintering in warmer climates and that are changing their addresses to “back home”.

Daylight savings time starts again soon and then we, along with the critters, will have to adjust our eating and sleeping schedules. Obviously the people (or person) coming up with this idea didn’t have mules and dogs that they had to train for new time schedules.  

We are planning on heading to Tulsa to the show and hope to see many of you there. Until then be sure and take advantage of the beautiful spring weather by heading down the trail with your favorite mule or donkey.

In my column last month I mentioned I would be having total knee replacement February 16. Since this is the third time I have experienced this type surgery I felt it would be a “piece of cake.” Well, I certainly didn’t figure on all the complications that could happen. The surgery went off great, but the day before I was to come home I developed blood clots; my recovery seemed to go downhill following that. I finally was released from the hospital and admitted to a local nursing home where I received excellent care and therapy, and also could be closer to my family.

I’m now taking outpatient therapy for the next six to seven weeks, and counting down the days until I am allowed to drive. I am so thankful for family and friends who see that I get to the places I want (and need) to go. I have even made a couple of trips to the coffee shop.

Cori and Kelly have been keeping busy in the office, and I was so glad to be able to get to my desk, even if it is only to catch up on proof reading and bookwork.

We have received numerous calls and emails complimenting us on the 21st annual Jack Issue. Now it’s on to spring to see what these jacks are producing across the country. We welcome photos of the new arrivals each spring.

I really missed Camri and Ali while I was in the hospital, Camri was so glad to see me when I got to the nursing home. She drew me pictures and either brought or sent a memento if she couldn’t make it by for a visit. She is extremely busy getting ready for acro competition in early March, and this week she has “cheer camp” at school, and will cheer at an upcoming ballgame. She is a busy 6-year-old.

Cori will be headed to Columbia, Mo. to the Boone County Mule Sale this weekend, and her dad Loren will be conducting a couple of clinics at the Oklahoma Horse Fair 2012 in Duncan. As usual, I hate to miss any of the mule events.

I would like to thank you for your visits, phone calls, cards and emails, each expression of care and concern means so much during this struggle to recover. Hopefully by show season I’ll be walking without a limp and free of pain.

The mule hair should be flying soon, especially with the nice weather we have been enjoying here in Missouri. The trees and flowers are already budding, but I’m sure March weather will set them back. Think Spring!

Another new year is ahead of us, and at our Monday morning coffee gathering we were discussing what 2012 might bring. We discuss religion, politics and normal day-to-day life for our small group. We are all pretty much in agreement that we don’t see things getting much better or easier for our “senior group”. Of course one of our big concerns is that of the future for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As we look to the future we can only have a positive and upbeat attitude about so many things we no longer have control over.

The sun is shining brightly today, but it is extremely cold. December was a mild month here in Missouri, and the forecast is for 60 degree temperatures coming up for the weekend. Of course, I am missing the warm days in sunny Arizona and get a weekly weather update for Arizona from my friends, Mary and George Stambaugh. I have such pleasant memories of my three months in Apache Junction, Ariz., last year and all the fun activities I was able to take in while there. Maybe next year…

I decided to stay in Missouri this winter and have total replacement of my right knee. This surgery is now scheduled for January 17, and by the time you receive this issue I should be well on my way to recovery. All of us that have had knee replacement know how confining this surgery can be (except Marsha Coleman that is, who actually was back in the saddle at the end of six weeks!). I have had my left knee replaced twice, so this isn’t a new adventure for me, and not one I’m looking forward to. My goal is to be able to attend Camri’s first acro competition the first part of March.

Christmas here was great, as usual. Camri and Ali actually were the center of attention for me; it was great to watch them open their gifts from Santa. I can only wonder at six years old if Santa will be in the picture for Camri in 2012. It seems she is so grown up, and questions so many things, that I’m sure by this December “Santa’s” existence might be questionable.

Cole’s girlfriend, Brianna of Iowa spent the holidays with us. Of course, Cole introduced her to the sport of wild hog hunting. She is very personable and outgoing, and is a good match for Cole; she doesn’t own a mule, but she doesn’t object to riding mules, but so far she is still a “horse person.” I’m sending her a subscription to Mules and More, maybe that will win her over completely to the wonderful world of mules.

As I write this our 22nd Annual Jack Issue is coming together. Several jack owners have dropped their advertising due to the economy, or having got out of the donkey business. We hate to lose them, but the issue still provides you with a wide variety of jacks standing across the country. Thanks to all of the advertisers for supporting the industry.

Camri (above) Ali and Camri (below) Photos by Sara McDaniel

Our family recently lost two good old mules. We are dedicating this issue to Blazin’ Blue, he spent the past 15 years with the Basham kids and his death has been a sad event for all of us. At the same time we put down Becky. This little sorrel mule actually was my late husband Gene’s personal mule.  I’m not sure of her exact age, but she was in her upper 20’s and was in a lot of pain, suffering from arthritis in her knees. I rode her several times after Gene passed away, but she and I never did have that ‘special click’ that you can have with a mule. The past few years I had loaned her to someone to use for coon hunting, but after Becky was diagnosed with arthritis he brought her home and she hung out in the pasture with Star. When the weather turned cooler she appeared to be in a lot of pain and spent several hours a day lying around. It was a hard decision to part with her. The good old mules are very special in our lives, and both she and Blazin’ Blue will be missed.

We have started working on the annual Jack Issue, along with putting the January issue together. I enjoy seeing all the photos of the donkeys and mules featured in the different ads. This has always been one of my favorite issues to put together during the year.

By the time this issue goes in the mail we will have celebrated another Christmas. It’s so much fun each year finding Christmas gifts for family and friends, and this year we have another little girl to buy for, along with Camri. Cori’s boyfriend has a 4-year-old daughter, Ali. Unlike Carmi she’s not a mule rider (yet). My oldest son Larry and his wife Becky have volunteered to host Christmas Eve dinner at their house this year, this sounds like a great idea to me as I am having problem with my ‘bad’ knee and have an appointment coming up next week to schedule knee replacement surgery around mid-January. The plan is to schedule this right after the Jack Issue goes to the printers. I’m certainly not looking forward to the surgery, but I would like to get this over with so I can enjoy the summer mule and donkey events.

The news from the postal service indicates some major changes, and I read this week where periodicals (magazines such as Mules and More) will start experiencing a longer delivery time, as much as two to nine days longer. Some months the magazines get delivered in a timely fashion, and some months like November the issues weren’t even delivered to some areas before the December issue went in the mail. I have no answer for this problem, but do hope you will understand we do mail on schedule, and try our best to get the issue to you in a timely fashion. We’ll try to keep you updated on the new postal service scheduling.

Our staff would like to wish each of you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!