Gary Hankins

12/06/2025

👑🌟 Saturday, Dec. 6 — The Third Traveler Arrives

Well folks… if you thought yesterday was somethin’, wait ‘til you hear what showed up this mornin’.

Just as the sun started peekin’ over the fence, Shady sat straight up — ears locked on the sky like she was hearin’ somethin’ we couldn’t. And right on cue, a brand-new bubble drifted in…
Inside it was the third Wise Man, carryin’ myrrh.

That means the whole set is here now —
gold, frankincense, and myrrh —
floatin’ their way across the backyard like they’ve been travelin’ a thousand miles to get here.

The Christmas Star climbed even higher tonight, burnin’ brighter than it ever has.
You can just feel it — somethin’ holy is callin’.

Our camel trio?
They’re lined up shoulder to shoulder like they’re ready to es**rt royalty.
I’ve never seen three camels look more proud — or more nosy.

The Armadillo Band is in deep rehearsal mode —
tiny hats on straight, tiny instruments tuned, tiny feet tappin’ out carols older than Texas itself.

And Shady?
She’s sittin’ there with her little wiggle, starin’ at that stable silhouette in the distance…
because today, clear as day, the shape sharpened.
Walls, roof, and a soft glow inside — the Nativity scene is comin’ alive.

Three travelers have arrived.
The star is burnin’ bright.
And the story we’ve all been waitin’ for is drawin’ near.

12/05/2025

🌟🐪 Friday, Dec. 5 — Another Sign on the Horizon

Well folks… if yesterday didn’t get your attention, today surely will.
That bright star we saw last night?
It’s even brighter this morning — sittin’ high above the yard like it’s guidin’ somebody… or maybe guidin’ us.

And sure enough, another bubble floated in at sunrise —
this one holdin’ the second Wise Man, carryin’ frankincense.
He drifted slow and steady, like he knew exactly where he was headed.

Shady spotted him right away.
She froze, ears up, eyes locked — like she was tryin’ to figure out how someone so tiny could be on such a big mission.
No tail to wag, but her little wiggle told me she knew this was somethin’ special.

Behind us, the camel trio is actin’ like they’re preparin’ for a parade — heads held high, puffin’ out their chests, standin’ taller than ever.
They’re not runnin’ anymore…
They’re waitin’.

Even the armadillos seemed to settle down — playin’ softer today, tappin’ out a slow, steady rhythm like a traveling song carried on a desert wind.

And at the very edge of the yard…
I swear I saw the faint shape of a stable —
just the outline, just a whisper —
but it’s there.

Looks like we’re movin’ closer to something bigger than any of us expected.

One Wise Man yesterday.
One today.
And the third?
Well… I got a feelin’ he’s not far behind.

12/05/2025

🌟🐪 Friday, Dec. 5 — Following the Signs

Well folks… it’s Friday, and things are gettin’ mighty interesting out here in the backyard.
Remember that bright star that showed up yesterday?
Well, it’s shinin’ even brighter tonight — like it’s callin’ somebody home.

And sure enough, just after sun-up, a new bubble drifted in…
This one carried the second Wise Man, holdin’ frankincense.
He didn’t say a word — just floated on by with a look like he knows exactly where this trail ends.

The camel crew?
Those rascals are standin’ tall and proud — all three of ‘em — like they’re gettin’ ready for a long journey. I’ve never seen camels look so official in my life.

Even the Armadillo Band settled into a slower rhythm today —
tiny bells ringin’, soft and steady, like travel music carryin’ across a desert night.

Shady’s feelin’ it too.
She’s glued to that star, head tilted, ears perked —
no tail, but her whole body wiggle says she knows somethin’ sacred is happenin’.

The stable silhouette in the distance is clearer now…
like the story itself is comin’ into focus.

Two Wise Men down.
One more to go.
And this Christmas journey is only gettin’ deeper and brighter as we follow the signs.

12/04/2025

✨🐪 Thursday, Dec. 4 — The Star Appears

Well folks, things took a turn last night — and not the kind you’d expect.
Right about sundown, a bright new star showed up in the sky.
Shady saw it first, froze in place, then gave me that look like, “Gary… something’s happenin’.”

And sure enough, the whole crew started reactin’.

That ol’ camel — who’s been pretendin’ he’s the leader of this hunt — suddenly showed up with two more camel friends. They’re all actin’ like they know something the rest of us don’t.

Then one of those bubbles floated in…
and inside was a man carryin’ gold.
Didn’t say a word, just drifted by like he was on an important mission.

The Armadillo Band didn’t miss a beat — they switched to playin’ somethin’ that sounded almost holy, little bells ringin’ like church chimes.

Even the turkey quieted down for once… which is usually a sign that history’s about to unfold.

And Shady?
She sat there proud as could be.
No tail, but her whole body wagged like she could feel somethin’ big coming.

Whatever’s happenin’…
I got a feelin’ we’ve just entered the next chapter of this Christmas journey.

The star’s out.
The Wise Men are comin’.
And the adventure’s only gettin’ brighter.

11/28/2025

😴🦃 Black Friday Hangover Hunt ☕

Gary: “Ugh, Shady… that tryptophan hit harder than a Black Friday doorbuster.
I’m runnin’ on 40% battery and 100% leftover pie.

But even a full-blown food coma ain't gonna stop the hunt!”

Shady’s lookin’ bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (well… minus the tail), ready to track down that sneaky camel again — meanwhile I’m over here negotiatin’ with gravity just to stay upright.

That camel is definitely out there blendin’ into the post-Thanksgiving chaos — probably wearin’ a scarf, hidin’ behind a rack of discounted towels, or minglin’ with shoppers fightin’ for the last TV in the aisle.

So today’s plan:
We watch from a safe distance…
Warm coffee in hand…
Far, FAR away from the discount stampede.

Happy Black Friday, y’all.
Shady’s ready to wiggle, Gary’s ready to nap, and the camel’s ready to cause trouble.

11/24/2025

🎉🐾 Monday, Nov. 24 — On the Eve of the Big Day!

Well folks… it’s Monday, and let me tell you — this place is buzzin’ like a hornet nest in July.
Gary’s big day is TOMORROW, and every critter within five miles seems to be in full-blown preparation mode.

Shady is fit to be tied — wigglin’, pacing, barkin’ under her breath like she’s tryin’ to keep the whole operation together. She’s actin’ like the project manager of this birthday mission.

The turkey and the camel?
Ohhh, they’ve DEFINITELY got somethin’ in the works.
I caught ‘em whisperin’ behind the woodpile — turkey lookin’ nervous, camel lookin’ smug. That’s never a good combination.

And the Armadillo Band?
Shoot, they’ve been tunin’ up all morning — strings twangin’, drums thumpin’, tiny hats cocked just right. Sounds like they’re gettin’ ready for a stage debut at the Grand Ole Opry. 🎶🪕

Everywhere I look, there’s hustle, bustle, and birthday energy — bows, tags, secret glances, and a whole lotta sneakin’ around. The crew is dialed in, fired up, and workin’ harder than ever to make tomorrow somethin’ special.

It’s Monday, y’all —
And everything (and everybody) is in GREAT anticipation.

1 day left… the Big Day is almost here! 🎉🐪🦃🐾🎻

11/24/2025

Better bring the fire hose!😊

11/23/2025

11/23/2025

🎉☕🐾 Sunday, Nov. 23 — Just 2 Days to Go!

Well now… we’ve rolled right into Sunday, and this countdown is gettin’ real close, folks. Just 2 days left until the big birthday — and let me tell you, things around here are anything but quiet.

Shady’s been actin’ like she drank a whole pot of coffee by herself. Wigglin’, trottin’, peekin’ around corners — keepin’ an eye on everybody like she’s runnin’ security for the Secret Service.

Meanwhile, that camel’s struttin’ around in his best “Sunday disguise” — glasses cleaned, vest pressed, bow tie straight. He’s lookin’ like he’s about to teach a college class on Camel Logic 101.

The Armadillo Band is out back pluckin’ strings and tappin’ their tiny boots, gettin’ louder and more excited the closer we get to Tuesday.

And the turkey?
Bless him — he is STRESSED.
Feathers puffed, eyes wide, actin’ like he’s caught between a birthday party and a national holiday he’d rather skip.

But the funniest thing?
More “Happy Birthday, Gary!” tags keep appearin’ around the porch — gifts tucked under chairs, behind posts, even one tied to the turkey’s leg. The whole crew is schemin’, plannin’, and tryin’ REAL hard not to let me catch ‘em.

It’s a good Sunday, y’all.
Warm coffee, good company, and more critter shenanigans than one man needs.
2 days and counting! 🎉

11/23/2025

🌤️🐪🦃🐾 Sunday, Nov. 23 — Just 2 Days Left!
Well folks, it’s Sunday — the calm before the birthday storm. Or… at least it should be calm.
But around here?
Not a chance.
Shady’s been up since dawn, wigglin’ like she’s got a secret she can’t hold onto anymore. She keeps runnin’ back and forth between the porch and the yard like she’s checkin’ on “party security.”
The camel?
He’s struttin’ around in yet another disguise — this time with a vest and a pair of glasses so thick he looks like a substitute teacher. And he keeps winkin’ at me… which makes me very nervous.
The Armadillo Band is out there playin’ their Sunday morning warm-up set, tappin’ tiny feet and tunin’ strings like they’re gettin’ ready to headline a festival. 🎶
And the turkey?
Bless him, he’s hoverin’ close by like he’s afraid to blink — both excited and terrified at the same time. I don’t know if he’s worried about Thanksgiving or worried he’ll miss the party. Maybe both.
Everywhere I look, more birthday tags are showin’ up…
More wrapped gifts…
More critters actin’ like they’re in on a plan I ain’t been told about yet.
One things for sure:
It’s Sunday, and we’re just 2 days away… and the mischief is officially at MAXIMUM LEVEL.

11/22/2025

🎉🐾 Saturday, Nov. 22 — Shenanigans Everywhere!

Well, gang… here we are.
Saturday, November 22nd, 2025 — and let me tell you, these last few days have been FULL of shenanigans.

Shady’s been wigglin’ around like she’s hidin’ state secrets, the camel’s struttin’ in a new disguise every morning (today he tried a fedora AND a fake mustache), and the Armadillo Band is playin’ bluegrass so loud they probably woke the entire county.

And that turkey?
Bless his jittery little heart — he’s been pacing around like he knows two countdowns are happening next week: one for Gary’s birthday, and one for Thanksgiving. 😅🦃

Everywhere you look there’s another wrapped gift, another goofy grin, and another one of these critters pretendin’ they’re not up to somethin’.
But we all know better.

It’s Saturday, the sun is bright, spirits are high, and the surprises just keep rollin’ in.
3 days left ‘til the big birthday… and the mischief is officially at an all-time high! 🎉