[gardengirl]

You’re welcome, and thanks again. I love how one leaf, or branch, will turn and everything around it is still green!

My grandad plowed with mules, loved mules til the day he died.

[MEG33]

So did mine..My mother spoke of the mules like loved pets..My dad used an old hand plow to plow his garden.

The whole ravine behind me is green..My pink dogwood is very colorful though.. We don't have best color until November with the red oaks..the rest of the deciduous trees may turn yellow or just fade and drop!

[yorkie]

A Plea for the Mule

In history and poetry, in music and in art
The horse has been a favored beast and played a
leading part,
And while I don't begrudge him the fame that he
has won,
There's been too little said about his sister's long
eared son.

We praise the foaming charger and weave him in a
song,
But how about the humble beast that hauls the grub
along?
He snakes the heavy cannon o'er muddy field and
road
And is never known to whimper or complain about
his load.

In times of peace as well as war the mule is not a
shirk.
When Dobbin takes a balky spell, it's Jasper does
the work.
In many ways he proves himself much wiser than
the steed
He never takes an overdose of water or of feed;
And should he chance to run away when by ambition
fired,
He always makes his dash with care and stops be-
fore he's tired.

I know there is a prejudice against this humble beast
But those who hold him with disdain are they that
know him least.
Investigate his record with a calm, unbiased mind
And you will find, as I have found, that he has been
maligned.
For even men who hold him up to scorn and ridicule
Might learn a wholesome lesson from the humble,
patient mule.
__Albert Stroud.