Tyler is a young neighbor and a friend, he goes back to school in a few weeks. This summer, as I recovered from my open heart surgery, Tyler has come by to help out – he’s stacked four cords of wood for the winter, moved hay around, mowed the lawn every week. Today he came by to help out and he brought an apple for the donkeys. Then he brushed them. Lulu and Fanny love him already.

Tyler is raised differently than many kids in urban America. He rides his bike to his jobs – he’s always eager to find things to do – he takes responsibility, he makes decisions, he earns the money for the things he buys and needs. He doesn’t say much and he doesn’t waste much time. He is never late and he takes very few breaks. He loves animals, I suspect he may be one of those kids who stays in the country, it seems to suit him.