I think of Simon as the Crown Prince of Bedlam Farm, the King of the Hill, Mr. Studly. We hear his bray all day – the neighbors do, also. He can be grumpy. Simon is not into sharing, he chases Lulu and Fanny away from his side of the feeder and will not put up with any sheep poaching his food. He is grumpy around dogs, but is easy with Red now, snorting at him but leaving him alone. Simon demands attention, and if he doesn’t get some, he will let off a bray that shakes the rooftop and echoes through the fields.

Simon is punctual. At 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., he is at his feeder, and he is visibly annoyed if the hay is not there ahead of him. Simon is a lover. He is gelded, but doesn’t know it, and we often see him chasing Lulu or Fanny around. He is usually kicked in the head for his troubles, but this does not seem to bother him or certainly not deter him. He likes to have an apple or a cookie every now and then, but is very happy to be brushed by me or Maria. He likes to have his nose rubbed and his ears also. Simon is a lot of personality, a major presence here. I love him quite a bit.