Friends, donkeys, and countrypeople, Putting aside the state of the world (egads!) and the nation (ugh!), 2025 was downright charmed. Here at the Cosmic Ranch, 2025 brought us Moon the laborador in May, Melvin the miniature donkey in June, and Poppy the miniature horse in August. Puck, our visiting Connemara, went back to his family and, although he was a champ and we loved him, we can't say we're sad. You see, the thing about me—Songbird Sparrowgrass—is that I am more of a follower than a leader. I am also, sadly, gullible. I generally believe what I'm told. Bird and Puck Puck, who in the past had to live with people who were less kind than his current people, told me this: "Bird," he said, "they can't be trusted. You must remain vigilent." I, who also in the past had to live with people who were less kind than my current people, believed him. Together, we were vigilant. It was exhausting. Melvin, who in the past lived with people who did nothing...