I read the story late last night when I was tired and vulnerable...and I admit I was moved by it and saddened. But I did not post at that time, because tugging at the corner of my mind, my sceptical side was trying to get my attention. So I waited and read it again this morning. And I agree with Sharon... it does seem contrived. For someone with no money to spend - not even $10 - the author seems to attend a lot of auctions. Even gas these days is expensive. Why does she go, when she so clearly hates the whole process? And lo and behold, every time Elmer winds up at the auction, there she is to note his condition and comment on the folks who bought him. I write fiction. I know the process of weaving a fragment into a story. Maybe the author attended the one sale where her neighbour was selling Elmer the first time and while there saw another billygoat in very poor condition and thought: "That will happen to Elmer too." And went home and wrote the story as a cautionary tale. It doesn't matter. The message is just as valid regardless of the veracity of the story. We all need to take responsibility for the animals in our care -- AND their offspring. I'll get off my soap box now!

that is a nice site. Plenty of crafts for kids and those of us who are still kids at heart. I like that straw hat bird feeder for the back yard.

Jasdip, My DH loves trains. Especially steam trains. We frequently go to different places to just sit and watch trains. Occasoinally, we will actually chase them. Yesterday and today, the 765 steam locomotive, think Polar Express engine, was doing staff appreciation tours between two towns within an hour and a half from us. They made three runs yesterday, and two today. There are many places along the track that you can stop to get pictures. This is what we were doing. Driving back and forth between the two towns and getting video and still pics. A few years ago Union Pacific did a promo run thru Iowa, and, I think, Nebraska. Maybe another state. I can't remember. We drove to Iowa and chases, with many others, including law enforcement! Most who do this are very considerate about thier driving. The police were there for order and because they wanted to chase it too! Some were leading the pack! I drove my big Expedition with DH sitting in the back seat where he could take video and still pics from either side of the car without me being in his way, depending on which side of the car the track was on at the time. If the file isn't too big, I am going to try to include a pic from yesterday. He tends to shoot with the biggest file the camera will support, for those familiar with DSLR cameras, he shoots in RAW file, so I don't know if it will work without re-sizing it. I haven't had time to do anything to any of them. I had a bridal shower to attend today, chaufuering my mom & aunt, plus picking up a few groceries for mom & dad. My butt is whooped again! Sorry, the file was too big and message was rejected. I'll have to re size a few and post them. Tami

I like that! If I can find some small boxes, maybe I'll try it on my stacked plates. I haven't a clue how I want to do them this year, and want to get done with my Christmas decorating TODAY. (club meeting here tomorrow, LOL. So no choice.) hugs, Karen