The Chinese Year of the Metal Tiger has started with a negative bang-earthquakes, tornados, killing weather of all kinds throughout the world-we all await the good qualities of the tiger. Strength, agility, intelligence and grace are apparently required to survive this year, all in the face of an astounding array of opposional forces. We have suffered the loss of several mini-donkeys, and our beloved Mac the Lab, all in the space of the first three months. Lessons have been repeatedly held up by bad weather-my students are patiently awaiting the loveliness of sunlight and new growth on Conrad Avenue, and the animals are just plain hanging in there-at least supported by the recent rise in temperatures. My neighbor, Dennis, has produced a yeoman's effort to plow snow, keep us supplied with hay, bury our dead animals, and spread our composted manure over the two properties-I have privately knighted Dennis and now refer to him as "Sir"!

 

On the domestic front, Truman the elderly Chocolate Lab has been treated for paw cysts and cataracts, Benji takes meds for arthritis, Smokey the cat has had a third round of antibiotic for a cat-fight wound, Emily the Tuxedo mini-cat is being treated for diabetes in my sewing studio (where, amidst the fabric and stuffed animals she is injected twice daily with insulin), and Ernie the sheep has twice had his ears bitten by Bernard the pony stallion. Bernard's gelding is a necessity this year to preserve peace and health in the little herd behind the house.

 

It is supposed to rain for two days-mud will abound-will we be rewarded with a spectacular greening of the properties?  More to come-