You’re looking at a Zedonk… an adorable cross between a donkey and a zebra. She’s becoming a star attraction at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve in Dahlonega, Georgia after being born there about a week ago. She has black stripes that she gets from her zebra father and a great ass she gets from her donkey mother. (But that’s just my opinion!)
C.W. Wathen, the preserve’s founder, said the foal has a zebra’s instincts, sitting up to stay alert for predators rather than lying on her side. Awww. I’m in love.

One of my favorite traditions is my annual overnight delivery of my first batch of veggies to my octogenarian grandparents in South Carolina. Every bit of the process is a delight, from anxiously waiting for the first blush of tomato red, the joy of picking, the wrapping, and the happy heart I get thinking about the smile on my beloved grandparent’s faces when they get their package. Such a small thing can bring such great joy. Here’s a suggestion: do something a little nutty and nice, like handing out bubbles to kids on the train or stopping by a nursing home with a pile of great books. It’ll make you happy. Promise.

Stop what you’re doing this very minute and take 13 seconds to watch this German shepherd mow the lawn! It’s priceless.

Rick Norsigian is my kind of garage sale shopper. He bought a collection of 65 glass negatives at a garage sale for $45. Today, his find–a never before seen collection of photographs by Ansel Adams–will go on display in California. They are estimated to be worth $200 million!!! Pardon me while I run out to follow the arrows. Surely someone has something way underpriced. I’m finding it before someone else does.

Nothing reminds me more of the carefree days of childhood than the sharp, waxy smell of Crayola crayons. A fun fact I learned this weekend: The art of Crayola crayon color-naming is ridiculously political. In 1962, the “flesh” crayon was changed to “peach” to reflect the Civil Rights Movement. In 2003, the color “inch worm” was added to reflect I have no idea what. And before Isaiah Mustafa took over the airwaves with his hunky self, there were some great Crayola commercials. I think the world would be a happier place if we all kept a box of Crayolas next to our computers.

Teresa Giudice, the Real Housewife of NJ foreclosure princess who is $11 million in debt, is selling the overblown monstrosity of a house for a few dollars shy of $4 million. But if that’s out of your budget, can I interest you in her grill, her boat, her tractor, or her wedding ring? Gawker has the photos and is saying all of these items and more (aka, everything the bank now owns) are being sold in a giant foreclosure garage sale. I must remind you: Buyer beware.

Los Lobos, the band that brought the world La Bamba (you’ll know it when you hear it, even if you didn’t know the actual title) is back for more. The Chicano rock band is scheduled to release a new album on August 3. Los Lobos has been performing since the 70′s, but they’ve embraced the new millennium, and their entire album can be streamed before its release on the NPR website. Break out the limbo stick, and get ready for some new Tex-Mex hits. Perfect for late summer barn parties.

Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty from Darragh O'Connell on Vimeo.

Here’s a Monday treat: Nicky Phelan’s Academy Award-nominated animated short Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty… a grim rendition of the classic in which a seemingly sweet old lady terrifies her granddaughter with her tale. The elderly fairy doesn’t get invited to the christening… and let’s just say that’s not good in this Grimm tale. I love this line: “When it comes to the harsh lessons of this life, beauty isn’t going to get you very far.” Happy Monday.

In a recent post, I discussed earworms. Several people wrote to suggest songs that were earworms… And then I found this: A mash-up of all the Top 25 hits of 2009. I have listened to it non-stop since yesterday. If this doesn’t get you happy and excited for the weekend, may I suggest a two martini lunch. Put on your dancing shoes people. It’s the weekend.

How exactly does one wake up and decide “I’m going to get my pug to sing the Batman theme?” Oh, who cares. It’s genius. And certainly has become an earworm in my day. Take a pug listen, you’ll thank me.