Two weeks ago in a moment of over-caffeinated, I-might-be-dead-soon obligation, I started transcribing 15 years of unread family letters onto the most secure free server space in the world. I now know that my grandmother at 60 taught 6th grade, bought commercial real estate, took in boarders, thought flying saucers were a mode of transportation, worried

Two year old American Mammoth Jackstock jennet, properly called a mammoth ass, not a donkey. Jackstock were bred by George Washington for the purpose of mule production for farm work in early America.

 

My jennet cuddles with me because she wants to, not because of any combination of training or instinct. At the time of this photo she had been snuggling, dozing, and dreaming for 40 minutes with me next to her. Attention all horse crazy little girls, you might be happier with a miniature, standard, or mammoth donkey rather than that horse with the hair

My baby American Mammoth Jackstock jennet. She's 15 months and 14.2 hands (58 inches at the shoulder). She is affectionate and playful, intelligent and empathetic. My dearest companion. The compost bin of my earlier post is really for donkey doodle doo.

Outstanding eight minute Kentucky Educational Television interview with the late jackstock expert Dr.

 

This bin is made in Oregon. It consists of a heavy recycled piece of perforated plastic fastened into a cylinder with four bolts and wingnuts. It has both a top and a bottom, but I think it works better without the bottom. After I fill it completely with manure, I put a layer of sawdust on the top and water it well. At this point the temperature is 120