Brookside Adventures: Santa Ynez

Friends thoughtfully invited our daughter (a/k/a Finally Five) and me to the Santa Ynez valley for an animal spotting adventure. The dream of getting my emotionally laden mind and debilitated body out of its viscous cycle was worth every herculean effort it took just to get me dressed.

Our first stop was a magnificent ranch with a potpourri of the most interesting and varied animals.  Finally Five squealed with joy upon our arrival.  Oh, how I wish I could bottle that sound and emotion…

 

 

 

 

After the ranch, our animal kingdom tour continued with a trip to the Seein’ Spots Farm (yes, that is the real name!). Their mission is to: educate everyone possible on how wonderful, intelligent, funny and affectionate mini donkeys are and to match each one with the perfect home.  Yes, I wrote “match” and “home” in the same sentence with miniature donkeys. Who knew that miniature donkeys could be pets?

In addition to the donkeys, there are ducks, hens, turkeys, and one very large and atrociously adorable pig.  I looked around for Charlotte…and her Web.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was such a Silver Lining addition to my week of misery.  Words cannot aptly describe the transition from the chemo pit of despair to a place of  pure joy filled with animals, fresh air, sunshine, and friends.

I was reminded yet again that Silver Linings come when you need them the most, in the most unpredictable of places (this time last week I would never have imagined that I would be telling you about a 3 day-old baby miniature donkey!).

 

An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.

~ Martin Buber