Zebra in the wilds of Farm Country

Yesterday was my 50th Birthday While I felt the love of many good friends and family, it wasn't really an exceptional day. Several miles from home, I spotted a very large chocolate colored Hog walking the ditch along the road. I pulled over and set the hazard lights to warn approaching traffic. Soon a farmer's wife pulled up with her three sons in tow and began the long 1/2 mile journey to return the wayward pig. I drove slowly along side the field, keeping traffic aware of the muddy parade the large sow was reluctantly leading. Pig headed is a term with real meaning, as the process took nearly two hours. The old girl couldn't make the last 100 yards and dad, tractor and trailer were finally called in as reinforcements.

Most people wouldn't guess that with that much lost time and meeting a new family under such stressful conditions would be much of a gift. But my best present of the day came at journeys end. Sue stood next to my open window, caked in mud to her thighs, cold and exhausted and asked very calmly if I'd like to come into the barn and see their new zebra. I looked at her with more than a little doubt I'm sure and my mouth hanging wide open. Yup she said, they in fact had just bought a Zebra from a farmer in Missouri two days ago and it was just yonder in the barn!!

I grabbed the always ready camera, plucked my way through the dark barn yard, and found this; a ten year old zebra stallion, with his donkey mate penned up inside. The donkey is heavy with his foul and it was said that the zebra follows her everywhere. Soon this spring my travels will take me past field and farms, cattle and horses, chickens and geese, and two stripped zebras grazing with a brown donkey! Pretty great birthday don't you think!! I guess 50 is not too old to see new things that you could have never imagined. I'm more than a little anxious to see what 51 brings!