It’s time to “winterize” here in Missouri; today is a typical almost winter day with overcast skies, a light drizzle, cold winds and steadily dropping temperatures. The old mules were standing, huddled together in one stall when I went to feed this morning. Becky, the youngest of the two at 25 plus years, is having a much harder time getting around since the weather has turned colder, her arthritis in her knees is really causing her a lot of pain. I certainly can relate to her problem, as my knee that hasn’t had replacement causes me more pain since the warm, sunny days are history.

Yesterday I watched the young mules in the south pasture running, kicking and playing for about 20 minutes. They were certainly feeling good and I mentioned to Cori then that I bet the weather was going to change…and they were right!

Halloween was an exciting time for Camri, she attended a couple of parties in her costume, and of course did the usual “trick or treating” around town. She has an allergy to red food dye, so her candy has to be chosen carefully; I’m amazed at the amount of foods that contain red food dye, and have learned to be selective for her.

Now we are moving on to more holidays. I am looking forward to the family gathering for Thanksgiving, it seems it gets harder each year to get my small family together. I have started making a Christmas list of things for gifts and have even purchased a few things. This issue contains a special Christmas Gift Guide section once again, and has a number of good ideas for that mule or donkey person on your list. Who doesn’t like new tack, or other equine-related items for gifts?

We’ve had the pleasant opportunity to talk to a number of subscribers this month. Seems the postal “service” has been dragging their feet in getting the November issue delivered, and people have been calling wanting to know when they could expect their magazine. The issues did go out on our regular mailing date of the 25th, but they just seem to be extremely slow getting delivered all across the country. We appreciate your concern, and don’t hesitate to call anytime you have a problem with getting your magazine, we certainly don’t want you to miss an issue, but keep in mind we don’t replace lost issues until after the 15th of the month.

I don’t have anything on my calendar for mule/donkey events until after the first of the year, but there are still some good events scheduled, so check out the advertisers and calendar of events. Also, Cori has some good photos and videos on our website (www.mulesandmore.com), a good way to pass the time on these long winter days.

Good news, especially for family, co-workers and friends that have had to listen to me complain daily, the local coffee shop is open again. Judy’s Place was closed almost a month but opened recently on a part-time basis. Part time works for me!

On a sadder note, my Aunt Neva Bollman of Texas passed away September 29. She was 94 years of age on September 26 and had been in failing health for several years. Graveside services were held here at Bland October 2. It was a beautiful fall day, with a beautiful service attended by several relatives and friends. Following the services family and friends gathered in my home for visiting and reminiscing. I grew up next door to my aunt, her husband and their three boys…my only cousins. There is only one son surviving, my cousin, Ken of Falls City, Texas. Two of his three beautiful daughters and I had a great visit while they were here, sharing stories about their dad and their grandmother.

Mule and donkey activities are winding down, with several shows scheduled on the same weekend. It’s hard to have to pick and choose where we travel, of course we would like to attend them all. This past weekend Loren, Cori, Camri and I did attend a local saddle club Trail Challenge. Cori placed first, followed by her dad in second and fourth on two mules, and Camri brought home a third in the 12 and under division. They were riding the only mules, and made a nice impression on horse owners, even receiving compliments from the judge on how nice the mules were.

Bow deer season is open here in Missouri and hunters are out in full force. This limits where you are able to trail ride in our area until after deer season. Loren and Cole were able to go wild hog hunting since we did have a few cool days recently. Seems Loren just goes from roping to hunting, with no break in between. He also had a nice weekend recently, winning first and second in a pasture roping. Lenice has posted photos on her blog (www.mulesandmore.com - PairADice Mules).

Camri is busy with school and we miss her in the office. She is a busy 6-year-old but manages to find time to ride her mule, along with other after school activities. Of course she is looking forward to Halloween.

I have added a second mule in the front pasture with Star. After Gene’s death I loaned his mule, Becky, to one of my subscribers. Unfortunately Becky has arthritis and can’t be ridden anymore, so she is hanging out with Star. Becky and Star are waiting by the gate every morning for their Equine Senior. I was concerned about how Star would handle sharing her grain, but she set Becky straight with a squeal and pinned ears, and now Becky finds her own stall and waits patiently while Star gets her grain first. The mules are getting “fuzzy,” growing their winter coats, so get out and enjoy some time with them before the weather turns cold.

My favorite mule event of the year is history, and already we’re making plans to head back to Clinton, Ark., for the National Champion Chuckwagon Races in 2012. If you’re looking for thrills, excitement and fast-paced action you’ll find it there. The announcers say, “This is the roughest playing field in the nation.” Of course, part of the excitement for me is being able to watch a grandson compete for a national championship belt buckle. For the fourth year in a row Cole and his black mule, BB, have brought home the mule race buckle.

Another interesting and enjoyable few days since the last issue was the arrival of one of our staff writers, Donna Taylor from France, coming for a visit. I picked her up at the airport in St Louis on a Monday, and we only stopped talking long enough to sleep, until I dropped her off on Thursday. What a lovely lady, she just fit right in my household and in our office. Cori and Cole treated her to a couple of short mule rides also. We all really hated to see her leave, and hope she’ll be able to come back for another visit.

The coffee shop is still closed and I’ve been forced to cook in the evenings. A few of us do manage to take turns having coffee and unbelievably fattening home-made sweets at one another’s homes two or three times a week. This gives us an opportunity to catch up on community events and our personal lives. This is only a few of the regular coffee shop group and we do miss visiting with the others.

After a hot start to the Labor Day weekend, it was actually 105 degrees as we travelled to Clinton on Thursday, fall weather has finally arrived. It is cool in the mornings as I head to the barn to give Star her morning grain, and I find myself grabbing a jacket. This is beautiful trail riding weather. The weatherman said this morning it would be back in the 90’s again next week, but would cool off at night. I don’t see my mule growing long hair yet, so I guess we’ll still have some warm days ahead.

I have been enjoying watching five deer at the salt block in Star’s pasture early mornings and late evenings. My neighbors are very avid deer hunters and I’m sure hoping the deer stick close to my house when deer season opens. I would much rather watch their activity as to find them on the kitchen table.

Camri is back in school, first grade, and I really miss having her in the office. Next week she starts back with acro, and this year will be enrolled in tap and ballet also. She is a busy 6-year-old. Of course she has to find time to fit in some mule riding with Shedaisy also.

There are still some mule events scheduled for fall, shows, sales and fall festivals, so hopefully we will see you at one of them.

August 15: the turn of a key in a lock will have a huge effect on many lives here in our small mid-western town, my life included. I don’t live in town, but close enough I can hear tornado sirens and see the street lights, and drive to town each morning to pick up the mail. The last few years I’ve picked up the habit of visiting each morning at our local café/coffee shop, acquiring a seat at what we call the “liar’s table.”

Beginning around 6 a.m. each morning, senior citizens gather for breakfast and a few hours of sipping coffee, until around 10 a.m. when we all go our separate ways. This group consists of retired, semi-retired and some still working. Occupations range from a fire chief, professional truck driver, a chiropractor, factory workers, a magazine editor (me), and many others. There are Republicans and Democrats, this makes for interesting conversation.

We discuss and try to solve personal, local, US and world affairs; I think our government could probably learn a few things from these guys and gals. We have laughed and cried together. Many of us have known one another for years, some of us went to school together 50+ years ago, some are recent newcomers to our community, and some are not natives, but have lived here a number of years. I was raised in this small town, having been born just 10 miles down the road in the small village of Cooper Hill, but I did attend school in Bland for 11 years.

At one time Bland was a booming town, never as large in population as the surrounding towns, but during my growing up years there was a local shoe factory. Workers in the factory supported several grocery stores, along with several other stores; my mom owned and operated a ladies ready-to-wear store on the main street for many years.

At one time the community supported five restaurants, but effective August 15 with the closing of Judy’s Place, our community will no longer have a hang out for us, or a place for the several bachelor/widowers to enjoy one, two or three daily meals. I will miss my morning visits with the guys and gals, but more than that I worry about some of the “older” gentlemen that won’t have the daily companionship and nutrients they need. Sure, there are restaurants in other towns, but it just won’t be the same for any of them. We all know one another here, and worry when one of the gang is missing, and most times one of the group makes the effort to check on their well-being. As I say, with the turn of a key, so many lives will change.

(top) Some of the coffee shop gang; (middle) My favorite cup at Judy's; (bottom) Camri buried in the sand at the beach in Florida

When Camri and I were spending some quality time together recently she asked me how long it was until Christmas. My response was, “we are half way there.” It’s hard to believe as I type this, 2011 is almost half over. Camri rattled off the months to me and as she did so I was thinking of the mule and donkey shows and events I’ve got marked on the calendar for the remainder of the year.

So far Camri has had a great summer. She was able to spend two weeks at acro camp, which consisted of some individual acro assistance. She, Grandma Lenice, and Lenice’s mom took her on a “surprise trip” to Disney World. It had to be a surprise as if you tell her anything in advance she worries you to death until the big day arrives. They had a great time flying to Florida early on a Thursday morning and returning home on Sunday. She has an autograph book containing photos and autographs with her and  a large number of Disney characters. Last night her Uncle Cole put on a fireworks display just for our family, but especially for Camri’s benefit. When I left her she and Cori were on their way to buy more sparklers. Of course her activities have included riding her mule, Shedaizy, as well as helping Loren fix fence.

My friend Virginia Bertz and I will head out early in the morning for our annual trip to Shelbyville. We are sure hoping the hot weather cools down a little. Here in Missouri the heat and humidity has been breaking records, following by a storm just about every night.

With Cori gone to Jake Clark Days last month I have been spending a little more time in the office, so haven’t really been out and about much. Actually, it’s pretty nice to stay in where it is cool.

Hope to see you at Clinton, Ark. at the chuck wagon races!

Unlike much of the midwest and southern states we have escaped the tornadoes. But, we are still struggling with

Camri in her graduation cap at Kindergarten Graduation

Camri and Shedaisy in their new 5-Star Mule Pad on a Mother's Day trail ride

I do have a pasture full of mules on the south side of the office and it is nice to watch them rolling in the muddy spots trying to get rid of their long winter hair. Sometimes it is almost impossible to tell what color they are. Star, my old mule, has a pasture all to herself and if she does any rolling and scratching she does this in her stall, which she has access to 24/7. She is very pampered, having her own pasture and stall, and daily feedings of Equine Senior. She looks very good for her age.

Last night was kindergarten graduation for 6-year-old Camri. During the evening a slide show was presented, with a picture of individual students and their comment of what they would like to be when they grow up. Of course, I was hoping Camri wanted to be a mule magazine editor, or at least a mule rider/trainer, but instead she opted to be on the TV shows “Victoriouas” and “iCarly.” Among her graduation gifts was a new 5-Star Mule Pad with her name in pink (not a normal graduation gift, but one she will be able to use and enjoy for years).

Cori and Cole will be flying to Cody, Wyo., in June to join their dad and mom at Jake Clark Mule Day’s in Ralston, and travel home with them after the event. Cori was able to attend Mule Day’s last year and really enjoyed all of the activities. She borrowed a mule from her dad and placed well in the team penning.

I don’t have any mule events on my calendar until the Great Celebration Show in Shelbyville, Tenn. This will be my 20th year to have a booth at this event; I believe I am the only vendor that has attended every year since the beginning of the mule and donkey show. I am hoping my friend, Virginia Bertz of Higginsville, Mo., will be able to join me again this year. She and I don’t get to spend much time together and the trip to Tennessee gives us a chance to catch up of one another’s lives.

Check out the calendar of events in this issue, or on our website (www.mulesandmore.com); there are a lot of mule events scheduled all across the country. We’ll see you in Shelbyville!

After coming back from Arizona March 1, I thought I would find Missouri having March winds and warm temperatures, only to find freezing temperatures, cloudy/rainy days and very little sunshine. Now that it is April we are actually experiencing March winds. At least the sun is shining today, and the mules are spending more and more time away from the big bale and venturing out on the hillsides looking for the tender green grass. Talk at the local coffee shop veers away from politics and leans more toward turkey hunting, fishing and hunting mushrooms.

I spent the past week celebrating a birthday, and as I told Camri, you don’t ask a lady her age, although she did manage to talk me into telling her, which she promptly announced to everyone seated in the restaurant we were dining at. Let’s just say I qualify for the “senior discount” with no questions asked.

Lenice has written an article for this issue on National Parks and The Ozark National Scenic Riverway. As I was proofreading the article my mind wandered back to the time when my folks owned and operated the Cross Country Trail Rides. I could spend hours reminiscing about the trails I rode, first on horseback, and then from the back of a good mule. I was very fortunate to meet and work with so many wonderful people during those years, and many of those friendships have continued to the present. Some of those now own and ride mules, some are still riding horses, and then some have retired from riding. My sons, Loren and Larry, have also been able to keep in contact with friends they met while camping and riding the trails at Eminence. I keep saying I am going to document some of the history of our family and the trail ride, but other things keep interfering. I do need to do this, as my parents headed us down a trail that brings the entire family a wonderful circle of friends.

Since our last issue was printed we lost one of our longtime employees. Tracy, our bookkeeper and office secretary, resigned in order to stay home with her two boys. We now have Kelly at her desk; I think this is a totally new experience for her, but she is picking up on the ways of the office and is very pleasant to work with. She has a lot to learn so I’m sure you will be patient if she has questions when you call the office. She isn’t a mule rider but loves dogs, so that is a good thing for Spencer.

I am happy to be back in the office, and the girls are good about seeing that I get my hourly trip to the coffee shop each morning. I am looking forward to upcoming shows and mule/donkey events. Remember Mother’s Day is coming up soon, check out advertisers in this issue for a special mulish gift for Mom, and remember to treat her to a mule or wagon ride for Mother’s Day.

 I’m back; not only am I back home I am back in the office on a daily basis. I just thought I was ready to retire, but after being away for three months I soon learned I miss the phone calls, emails and hustle and bustle of deadlines. And, actually I think Cori and Tracy are happy to have a little help.

I had a great time in Arizona, and there are already a few things I miss, such as a renewed friendship with Mary Stambaugh, the beautiful evening sunsets, blooming flowers, and beautiful mountains. I also miss the warm weather, as Missouri days have been cloudy and cold since I got home. Mary, Joann and I had some really wonderful trips together, we talked, laughed and experienced some fine dining. I owe her husband George a big thank you for “loaning” us Mary for the time we were there. Also, she is a good cook and fed me quite often.

Joann and I only live about a mile apart and it was a shock when I drove down our gravel road to see the destruction to the neighboring farm that occurred New Year’s Eve when a tornado touched down between my house and Joann’s. We both consider ourselves very fortunate the tornado didn’t hit either of our homes or barns.

Camri was really glad to see me when I got home. She doesn’t have as much free time since she started kindergarten, so we hadn’t had much time together. Yesterday she and I hung out together most of the day, and had an enjoyable time. 

Cori has been busy working on this issue featuring trail riding, giving you some excellent choices for summer vacations. It won’t be long until the trees will be leafed out, mules shed off and shod, and the trailer packed ready for the trail ride season.

Loren kept my old mule Star (who is 41 years old this year); when he brought her home to me last week she was shedding. I spent some time at the hitch rack with her helping her lose some of her long winter hair. She looks great for her age, and is always standing with her head over the gate each morning calling for her scoop of Equine Senior.

Larry kept my outside dog Suey (who is 9 years old and never spent any time indoors). He and Becky have made a house dog out of her! She has slimmed down a little and when Camri and I went to visit her yesterday she was very glad to see me, but when I left she was laying in the middle of the bed snoozing and didn’t seem to have any interest in coming home with me. Now that she has spent the winter indoors she will have to wait until warm weather to come back home as my house isn’t big enough for two indoor dogs!

I’m looking forward to the show season and meeting you at the mule events this summer.