What a beautiful fall we are having here in Missouri. It makes me wonder if I’ve made the right decision to spend three months wintering in Apache Junction, Arizona, with 40,000 other “snow birds.” The decision for Joann Edwards and me to travel to Arizona was made suddenly last summer when my oldest, Larry and his wife Becky purchased a beautiful new camping trailer. At first we discussed using this trailer and spending the winter in warmer climates, and as the discussion progressed we decided to “just do it.” After talking with subscribers (thanks George and Mary Margaret for all your help) and researching for hours on the Internet we decided to rent a trailer for our first experience away for this length of time.

We will be packing the car with personal belongings and we’ll head west with my little “fufu” dog Spencer November 28! This will be Spencer’s first road trip. He rides well just going to the groomers, or to the vet, but this will be a new experience for us.

He will have some adjusting to do in his new winter home, but I’m sure he will enjoy not having to go outside on cold winter mornings. He comes with a lot of baggage also, toys, crate, bed, food, treats and I’m even taking water from home so he doesn’t have to adjust to strange water while traveling. He has a new purple collar with his name and my cell phone number in case he should escape during our trip. I can’t believe how many things I need to take care of before I leave, and I’m beginning to feel overwhelmed. I know we’ll have a great time, and I also realize these 75 degree November days won’t last!

I have discussed this move with Camri, who is very adamant that I not leave, and especially not be gone for Christmas. Cori has set up a Skype account for Camri and me so we can visit using our computers. Hopefully, I won’t miss too many of her kindergarten programs and acro events during this time.

The mule and donkeys events are winding down for 2010. I’ve already starting marking dates on my 2011 mule calendar.

Cori has spent hours working on this issue of the magazine, setting up the new Christmas gift guide. Several advertisers have taken advantage of this form of free advertising, allowing readers to have several gift items at their fingertips for the mule and donkey people on their list.

My next column will be written from sunny Arizona. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The beautiful fall weather here in Missouri seems to beckon me to be outdoors for any excuse at all, rather than sitting at the computer finishing up my article for this months’ issue.

I was able to attend the Boone County Mule Sale in Columbia, Mo., in September. I have attended every single mule sale George Harris has promoted in Columbia, even prior to his move to Boone County. George and his wife Willie are extremely nice to work with, and I’ve enjoyed having a booth and meeting many mule and donkey people that have attended over the years. In February 2011 I will not be attending the sale, but I’m sure Mules and More will be represented.

Cori has been picking up where I’ve left off. She recently attended the Ada, Okla., sale with her dad, Loren and brother, Cole. Then this past weekend she ventured off to the new facilities for the Reese Brothers sale in Westmoreland, Tenn. She made this trip on her own, and of course being a grandmother I had a lot of concerns about her safety and capabilities. It’s really hard to realize she is a grown up young lady that is very capable of taking my place with the magazine. But it’s Monday morning and she is safely back at her computer with stories of her trip.

This weekend our family will be headed to the final showdeo of the season at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Locust Grove, Okla.  This is always a fun-filled weekend.

Camri is getting all excited about Halloween. I take her to school one morning a week, and we have some very neat conversations. Of course some of the stories she tells, when I relate them to Cori later, I find are a little exaggerated. She is very grown up for a 5-year old, and never seems to meet a stranger.

I was at the barn yesterday and noticed the mules are beginning to get “fuzzy.” Of course, the main topics at the coffee shop are the weather, followed closely by politics. Doesn’t seem to be a lot that we’ve been able to do about either subject. My old mule is going into winter looking good for a 40-year-old mule. She moves at a slow pace, but always talks to me as I make my way to the barn to feed every morning. She doesn’t venture very far from the barn during the day, and a lot of mornings she just stands in the barn with her head hanging out. Gene bought Star when she was nine years old and I started riding her a year later. She and I have ridden a lot of trails together and she has always given me a great ride. She has definitely earned her retirement years here.

Sounds like the dog is ready to come back indoors…just another excuse to get outdoors for me.

I would like to take this time to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!         

After the wonderful, relaxing boat trip I wrote about last month, my life has turned into this fast paced, mule show about every weekend, turn of events.

In July we traveled to the Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show in Shelbyville, Tenn. This was my 19th year for this event, and once again I was pleased to have a friend, Virginia Bertz of Mayview, Mo. travelling with me, and helping me in the booth. This gives us an opportunity to catch up on one another’s lives.

Our next trip was to Jerry Rush’s Sycamore Springs Ranch and Showdeo in Locust Grove, Okla.

Cori, Camri and I stayed in one of Jerry’s beautiful cabins on the ranch. I love to watch wild game and was surprised to see deer, wild turkey and peacocks right out the window when I got up the first morning. The weather was hot, but Jerry provided canopies so we were able to watch the Mule Challenge in the shade. His events are laid back and provide exhibitors a more relaxed atmosphere than some of the more professional shows we attend. The competition is still tough in most of the events. Be sure and note the date change for the September Showdeo from Sept. 24-26 to Sept. 17-19.

We spent this past weekend at the Fort Smith, Ark., mule and donkey show where Cori, Cole and Camri all competed in events. Congratulations go out to Cole for bringing home the High Point Gymkhana Youth Award, as well as the High Point Youth Award. Of course, 5-year-old Camri doesn’t have the pattern deal down yet and didn’t get a time for her walk-trot barrel run, but she and Ellie Mae did get second in the teddy bear pick up race. I’m sure many spectators went home knowing Camri; she is a pretty social little girl.

The weather has been a great hindrance when it comes to riding and showing all across the country, except maybe in the mountains. You really have to admire the exhibitors for getting out there in the 100 degree weather in their show attire. Also, it takes a lot of time and practice to get (and keep) their mules and donkeys in show condition. So much of the time this is a thankless job, but this is a great way to promote the industry to the public.

We still have several mule and donkey events coming up for fall. Our next exciting event will be the National Championship Chuckwagon Races in Clinton, Arkansas. Check out the calendar of event and advertising in this month’s issue; there are a lot of great mule and donkey things scheduled for fall.