Dear Granny,

We had an encounter with a skunk today! The dogs were barking, so I sent the kids out to investigate. They soon came running in all excited saying, "There's a skunk out past the manure pile!" So we all trooped outside looking for it.

Sure enough, there he was, rooting around in the field looking for bugs. It's unusual to see a skunk in the daytime. We followed him until he disappeared into the pile of brush where he hides during the day. We have also seen skunks in the tack room at night snooping around the cat food, but they don't cause any problems. The cats clear out when the skunks come in.

While we were outside, we walked around the garden area. I have some volunteer onions coming up! I may let them grow. I am going to prepare the tomato beds soon. I was looking through the seed catalog and found some really nice varieties. I can't wait to see how they taste.

Here is a picture of the kids wading through a puddle on the walk today. God is so good! We have our health, there is food in the pantry, and the roof doesn't leak. What more do you need?

I hope things are good with you. I look forward to hearing from you.

Your loving granddaughter

Urgent Notice: New disease discovered & transmitted via horse hair called “Amobacter Equuii..."

"The majority of the infected are generally female, although occasionally a male will become infected. Please put this on your status if you know, or are related to someone who suffers from this disease. Symptoms include, but are not limited to; Reluctance to cook, clean or do housework; Reluctance to wear make-up, good clothes or high heels; Reluctance to spend money on home or car repairs until after "my baby has new shoes, pad, blanket, tack, grain, hay & supplements.

Amobacter Equuii usually results in long hours away from home and exhaustion which may lead to a loss of physical contact with other humans (especially husbands). Amobacter Equuii is thought to be addictive, resulting in the compulsive need to be around even more Horse hair - the very thing that has infected you. This compulsion may lead to a "herd mentality" or, like the potato chip commercial, "you can't have just one". Beware! If you come in contact with a female human infected by this substance, be prepared to talk about horses for hours.