Growing up on the outskirts of town had some benefits. We always said we were living in the country in the city. We had fields all around, wildlife and lots of experiences.

One field was the home of a donkey and some horses. My dad decided to let me experience riding on the back of the neighbor’s donkey – without a saddle! He was such a friendly fellow, poking his head over the fence for carrots and hay.

His attitude after a few lumbering moments.  Quickly things changed.  He shot off like a bullet and I kept my head down concentrating on holding on to his mane to keep from falling off! We were bumping along the path and I was holding on for dear life.

I tell you know, I never saw that limb coming. That little furry bugger ran under a low limb and walloped me right off his back onto the hard, dusty Texas ground.

Soon I found myself rubbing the knot on my head and dusting off the dirt!

Isn’t that how life is sometimes?  You are stepping along, and think you have it all planned out when all of a sudden you realize you’ve lost control.  A  limb appears in front of you.  And you wind up knocked off your feet.

Sometimes “knocking you off your feet” events can be avoided if you keep yourself aware.

Had I not kept my head down and been so clueless, I would have had warning about the limb. My folks  were hollering at me to get me to look up.  Alas, I didn’t.

The Texas Wisdom:  Keep your head up and listen!  Be watchful!  And don’t ride a donkey bare back!