The Whack Of The Closing Stanchions

<DIV class=Section1><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 12pt>Jed's story begins the Summer of 1967 when he lives at his Grandparents' Dairy Farm during the confusion of War in Vietnam.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Through darkness there emerged a vision of hope for non-violence and equality.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Impressed by Dr. King's message Jed takes giant strides protecting vulnerable wildlife and neighbors.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Coco his Chocolate Lab is by his side and Jed's twin friends Nate and Effie help train Red Pony Meggie Goat and Hideaway Kate born in a thicket.</SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 12pt><SPAN style=mso-tab-count: 1> </SPAN>Jed remembers the day he searched for the calf.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Soon Jed set off for the marshy area where he was not allowed to go.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Summer sun beat down but still he sank up to his knees in tangled weeds.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>The boy stood dwarfed beside massive thorn bushes towering in his path; he took a deep breath and covered his eyes with his arms.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Bleeding Jed plunged onto a patch of raised swamp grass.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>His heart raced in the darkened cave; it felt moist and soft through canvas sneakers.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>He spied a tiny calf still wet from her cow's licking.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Jed froze; the cow looked up startled.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Seeing the boy the calf wobbled toward him shivered and toppled over. <SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Jed wasted no time lifting her.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>He hoped his arms would not give out and the cow would not gore his back.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Frantic bellowing brought the neighbor's plow horses racing to the fence to watch the barnyard commotion.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 12pt><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office /> </SPAN></P></DIV><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 12pt><SPAN style=mso-tab-count: 1> </SPAN>Missing his parents Jed finds humorous ritual in Nature's surprises. </SPAN><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 12pt>Wise and witty Grandad reinforces the boy's sense of belonging.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Jed's view from jagged Granite Ledge high above the farm brings the wounded boy calm confidence through Summer of 1968.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN></SPAN></P>