Goodbye Peaches, Hello Tri-Tip

    December 19, Thursday.  I received a text from The Millionaire to the effect that our new family member, Lady Moo, was in labor with our newer family member.  Arriving to the pen late due to extenuating circumstances, I saw that Lady Moo was already somewhat advanced in labor.  However, it ironically happened that this was the third Thursday of the month - the day of the horse auction.  I had plans to take Peaches to a nearby arena to run around and take off the "excess energy" before she was hauled off to auction.  I decided I would make it back in time to see the calf being born, as this was Lady Moo's first born and labor was likely to go long.  The Elf was on hand to oversee everything.  (She has trained and cared for Lady Moo from day one, since day one was the day of my accident and I have been disabled since then.  Lady Moo, in return, loves The Elf devotedly.)

    I was wrong.  Before I arrived at the destination, I received a call.  It was a boy, and I had missed it.  Had it been a girl, she would have had a sweet name such as Buttercup, or Marigold.  She might have had a future of providing creamy milk.  Boys, on the other hand, receive names such as Tri-Tip, Brisket, or T-Bone.  Provided he grows healthy and stout, he will be headed to what some cheekily refer to as freezer camp in a year or two.  The Elf had a unique experience, catching Tri-Tip in her arms as he entered the world, and presenting him to his proud mama.

About two hours into the world.

    Meanwhile Peaches went bye-bye later the same day, and will hopefully fulfill her greatest potential - whatever that may be (on a rodeo bucking string perhaps?).  Daddy recalled to mind that many years ago he had purchased a few 2 year old horses from a ranch as a project to break to ride.  As he worked, he demonstrated to me how to tie them and sack them out, get them used to the saddle and then break them to ride.  The biggest horse was a stout, powerful buckskin.  I think we called him Dun.  He kicked my Daddy's you-know-what.  That horse just wouldn't be broke, under any circumstances.  After too many incidents, including broken bones, Daddy offered him to the nearby stockman as a work horse.

    He found out a year or two later, after good-natured inquiry, that Dun had gone on to rodeo notoriety, having become one of the most famous bucking horses ever after being sold to a rodeo string.  Don't give up, Peaches, you'll find your niche.

    Have I prepared for Jesus sufficiently this Advent?  No.  I never have.  As usual I begin with grand intentions, and end with humbling failure.  It's probably the best place for me.  In fact, it is probably not a failure for me to enter into Christmas having failed at what I believe is holiness.  As far as the heavens are from the earth, are my thoughts from God's thoughts, and most likely my plans from God's plans.  Therefore, it is fitting that I should fail according to my plans.  I shall then lay them aside wait on the Lord, and quietly contemplate His birth.  If He wants me to know what to do, He'll show me.

    I wish all of you the best of Christmas, great joy and great peace, and may you find all happiness in the love of God.  I want to thank all my beautiful friends and family for your friendship and continued love for us from a distance.  You are cherished!

 Blooming succulents in the sun room.  A Christmas surprise.