Ken Norman and his wife Eli came to the Open House to trim the hooves of the donkeys and the pony Chloe. The donkeys took one look at him and bolted, they wanted no part of it. Maria and I were tired and distracted, we didn’t get the donkeys into the pole barn before Ken came, so we went ahead and shoed Chloe, Ken will come back for the donkeys in a couple of weeks. Ken’s new knees are strong and flexible, he looked strong and very healthy.

We talked about the willfulness of ponies, it was Ken and Eli who gave us Chloe. She is a great addition to the farm. I think we succeeded in calling attention to the art of rural life – farriers, shearers, gifted artists, creative farmers and poets. They were all here.