Thursday, September 30, 2010

NYC Baby

Rumor has it Doni has made it to NYC...

Already, he has made an appearance at Hotel Griffou, Sullivan Street, and Bedford Street.
Sleeping in Brooklyn.

Meeting Mary


Mary said, "I would not have stopped if it wasn't for the beautiful goat."
She was so interesting and fun. Mary had wonderful stories of her life to share.
Doni gets an A+ for this encounter. It was also time for another cupcake moment!
I brought individual Piece of Cake boxes to make sure the cupcakes are safe.

- Marilyn

More Cops!

Doni and Marilyn hanging our in the backseat after leaving St. Louis.


Justin got pulled over again. Look carefully in the rear view mirror. What do you see? Yes, another police car. Doni loves cops! Goats for peace!


Our friend At the Rooster Cafe in St. Louis. Thank you Kate Atwood for the recommendation and the great donation for the Kid helping Kids. I think this was the best breakfast spot on the trip.

- Marilyn

A Friend is Born!

Hello!

It's Marilyn. I had a great cupcake moment:

We were at the Arch in St.Lewis and Doni reached out to a 4 -year-old boy. He said,"Goat, goat." Doni nudged him gently and a friend was born! I walked 3 blocks to the car to get him a fabulous chantilly cupcake! Wow! Yum!


Videos -----OFF ROAD IN MONTANA

Ok here are some incredible videos that i just firgured out how to put on the blog.
they are alittle older in the trip but good none the less.

Oh My, Oh My!

Marilyn is back!

I have been in the back seat making phone calls with my little special Doni. I called Newsweek, the New York Daily News, Martha Stewart and more!

Doni needs to be connecting to more people. . . a kid helping kids!

Feast of St. Francis Press Release

Doni made it into the press release for the Feast of St. Francis!


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Arches by Caitlin Mitchell Photography


Group Pic. Doni Pees on gateway to the west.

10 million and solid stainless steel wont keep us apart.

Doni loves the Arches. After peeing he looks east to realize his goat. Tomorrow we have a presentation in Pittsburgh at a K-8 school.


St Louis the arches!

Goats for peace!




Wooop Dee Dooo

Doni Loves Wooop Dee Dooo, kid-friendly faux public access television show featuring pre-planned performances accompanied by live audience participation.. He is going to bring them to portland for sure. He loves to make a huge mess with kids. Doni is a "Kid for KIDS"
Marilyn gives a cupcake to Jamie from Wooop Dee Dooo She LOVES IT. Big time!

Doni Loves it Too

Kansas city

In a meeting at a coffee shop

Eating everything

But why here?


Ocea gives 1.00$ to Doni's cause.
We Love Kansas City.


Still Crazy. Marilyn grabbed a half eaten pie form this cafe for the picture out front of the shop. I think she liked the Snack Shop sign. At least she was wearing her skunk hat!
Watch out Kansas.

Kansas city

Doni loves to eat peoples plants some times they dont like it.

This is right out side the FBI office in Kansas city I thought it was appropiate. DONI IS A GOAT FOR PEACE,


He ran but we caught him before he got to the city.

Beautiful bridges

Group pic... Mountain people, Goat and New Yorker.

Cops!

Doni makes it to RUSHMORE!!!

We play with cops.

A lot.

More stories form Marilyn and her alter ego Larry

Hello,

It’s Marilyn again.

What a trip!!!

Catlin is great at putting her blog in a chronological order.

Mine is hit and miss but they are all my stories and they did happen.

Thank God we are a live story!

We were in Montana and realized we were going the wrong direction. Justin was driving and Doni was navigating from the back seat, when he turned around along the side of the road. Justin immediately realized the back tires were not on the ground and were hanging over a cliff. This totally had us frightened and we could have die! Justin said, “don’t move” and I kept saying “put on the emergency brake.” He ignored me but kept his foot steady on the brake. His leg was shaking and I visualized the car rolling off the cliff. Thinking back, it would probably have been slow enough that we would survived.

Catlin and Doni dove out the window from the back seat. A small compact car stopped and were very helpful. They helped flag down people and Doni was doing his magic staying calm and gentle and connecting to all the wonderful people who stopped and helped us.

I thought, Are we going to make it to New York? Will the car fall off the cliff? The first truck could not tow us off of the hill and the driver said he would get help.

Justin’s leg was still shaking and I was trying to stay calm..Not!

A second truck showed up and he was our Montana hero! He had a great truck and a yellow cord that he hooked his truck to our car and pulled us out. He left without a word like the Lone Ranger! A true Montana man!

I want to stress how brave Justin acted. He had to let go of the break when the truck moved forward. Success!

We are alive and Doni is connecting to everyone.

I had to have a cupcake moment. The lovely couple in the small car posed with a piece of cake cupcake.

Kalispell Montana- left alone to raise money

Doni, Justin and Catlin went hiking at a nature park and I was dropped off to go shopping and spread the word about Doni and his cause.

I love vintage stuff and I love a good story.

I went for blocks looking at all the stores and meeting people along the way meanwhile handing out flyers. I met a woman that had a great clothing boutique and I told her the great Doni story. Even though Doni was hiking, I noticed people were connecting to our story and were positive in the support of our cause.

She told me her family started a woman’s shelter and would love to give us money for the kids. Something happened unexpectedly.

She wrote a check, a fifty dollar check . On the first line of the check that says name she wrote Doni’s America. Oh my gosh! Doni’s received his first check. How is he going to cash it?

I then asked the lady to please put Justin’s name on the check as well so it could be deposited in the funding website.

I skipped and jumped at the fact that Doni was connecting!
Of course Doni is so generous that all his money is given to disadvantaged youth and kids with disabilities. I love Doni!

Livingston Montana …… Save a horse ride a cowboy!

We all went to lunch with Justin’s friend in Livingston. There are only 780 people in the town and everyone knows everyone. It is very safe ( no locked doors).

Justin, Catlin, and Doni went for a hike in Paradise Valley. I roamed the streets to raise money and was telling Doni stories.

The first store I went to was a glass store. I could so relate to her store. She used old stoves as display pieces. I felt that I was taken back in time for a week similar to my bakery, Piece of cake. I told her the Doni story and she said her store is animal friendly and she would love to see Doni. Then she did something amazing, so amazing..she gave 20.00 for the cause.

The guy that worked at the store and I ran as fast as we could to stop Justin before he went hiking. Alas! We found Doni and Justin.

Justin and Doni ran to meet the glass store lady. Wow! She was Doni friendly.

She let Doni climb on their table with their glass. Doni slipped on the table and the glass went everywhere and we all laughed and Doni was spreading magic and peeing on the table.

I went to a great thrift store in Livingston. They had wonderful vintage stuff. The thrift people were so friendly and gracious, they donated blankets and a plastic sheet for Doni’s bed. Just before closing the lady behind the counter did something wonderful! She wrote a check for 25.00 to Doni’s America. Oh my goodness the only goat in the world with checks and such awareness to children’s needs. The lady that donated has a sister that has a goat named little boy. Her goat is very smart and has a job delivering phone books with a smile.

Livingston is such a small town! I met another woman at the thrift store that called one of her friends to tell them about Doni. The friend she called was on a hike and he had met Doni, Justin, and Catlin on the trail. Wow! True

Doni spreads awareness and fun on the trail. Happy trails to you!

Doni and his pals were taking along time on the trail and I kept meeting more people. I went to a coffee shop and met a college student ,Cassidy, that helped me research stuff on her computer for a future days and donated 5.00 to Doni’s cause.

When they picked me up, we gave Cassidy a cupcake from Piece of Cake. How fun to give away my cakes. Yum!

Catlin and I wanted to meet cowboys from Montana!

While we were out and about Doni had a special treat. He was on a great ranch visiting 3 large goats. He was out in the Montana air and sleeping under the stars.

Finding a great sleep over for Doni was magic but it sounds just like Doni! Justin gave the farmer a bottle of rum and he had cupcake moment from me.

We all went out to a great restaurant, an award winning restaurant. It had rave reviews from Anthony Bourdin. I asked the waitress about customers with special needs and if she ever has requests for gluten–free bake goods? “Not many,” she said. My bakery specializes in gluten-free and it is interesting to see what people are experiencing around the country.

Finally Saturday night and our chance to meet a Montana cowboy! Wow! Yee Haw!

We went to a great bar called the Mint. It was crowed, fun, and people were dancing,

Shucks, I didn’t meet a cow boy but I met two woman that donated 20.00 cash to our cause. I gave them a Piece of Cake cupcake to celebrate!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Backseat lovin'

I got an awesome new hat!!!!!!!

Doni had fun on the glass table... he peed everywhere!!!

Doni doing tricks at the glass store.

Looking for a cowboy!!!!! Didnt find one, but almost!!!

Marilyn's Thoughts: Yum Yum Yum

Hi,
It’s Marilyn,
I am discovering we have our own version of everything that is taking place!
It is like a family that remembers their childhood totally different from their siblings.
This trip is my new make shift family and I want my version to be told.
Doni the goat is the main character of this trip. He truly is amazing and is a magnet to children and anyone with a story.
I have always loved “the story.” When I buy things from estate sales “the story” is my favorite part. I love to ask questions and I am interested and want to know all the details.
I want to share my experience with you.
Most of my friends said don’t go on that crazy trip! However, my two daughters, one friend Raelyn and Justin my long time friend encouraged me…So I went for it.
I have owned my own business for 31 years and I am a risk taker. Of course I decided to go for the unknown…to travel cross-country with Doni the goat.
Life is about giving back!
I am a hard worker and run a successful bakery. I am passionate about life. Uncontrollably passionate about all my interests
I received a master’s degree in Special Education before I started the bakery.
One of my favorite people, Dr. Steve Brannon, was my professor and advisor 40 years ago. He frequents my bakery and encouraged me to start a scholarship fund at PSU Graduate Special Education department called the Marilyn DeVault scholarship fund. The graduate students earn degrees to help children with disabilities . I have a huge interest as to why the population of autistic children is growing. And I would like to see more research and education be dedicated to the subject.
I have been involved with Justin’s cause Pear (Programs ,education, art and recreation for homeless youth) As a previous donor, my contributions have supported and helped Pear for years. (even before I knew what the acronym stood for!
I love to support causes that I deeply believe in.
Doni as a mascot and a service animal wants to help. You can see it in his eyes! Doni loves interaction.
Doni has no barriers. He sees everything with open hooves!
When I first met Doni I could tell he had a unique way of interacting with people.
Doni loves to connect to children of all ages and disabilities.
The second day on our journey we stopped at a gas station. There were six kids from a group home with their group leader. This particular group home supports Down syndrome and dementia clients.
Seeing Doni with the clients touched my heart to see him in action. The best interaction is one that brings people together. Doni was doing his magic. Doni the kid helping kids! I really enjoyed talking to the kids. It was part of my past life, I could feel it kick in.
I went on this trip to help get the word out! We are raising awareness one state at a time.
My mission is to raise money for special education and disadvantaged youth.
My degree in special education helps me with my bakery because I make special dietary needs cakes. Many autistic children are on gluten-free diets. I can make their birthday cakes. Yum!
The challenges we face traveling with Doni was unknown before we began this trek across America.
The Buzz 105.1 was our first stop as we kicked off the tour of America .
Daria is fun and I wanted her to know more about our causes and that we are reaching out to help kids. She had so many great questions and really promotes my bakery. I even made a special sugar free carrot cake for Doni and the 105.1 crew to taste. Actually, I made hundreds of them for the trip for Doni and his new friends.
It was truly fun. Thank you.
Our first stop was Hood River.
I realized immediately we did not look legitimate. We didn’t have flyers or handouts.
I went into a coffee shop with Doni and gave a little speech about our trip without any written materials..Doni found paper. He started eating a customers important notes and it didn’t seem funny at the time but I could see Doni was breaking barriers and everyone laughed and gave us their contact information. We were wished luck on our mission
I told our group we have to go out and get our heart felt message out.
I was really impressed with Justin’s focus and connections to reach the goals. He called and arranged the printed flyers and stickers, table items for New York.
Catlin is from New York and she is also a big part of this trip. She has a photography business in NewYork and a long time friend of Justins. Thank you Catlin for the wonderful pictures. I know I interfere because I am so passionate about this trip.
I will say, “take a picture of that…..take a picture with the cupcake….”
I love to give cupcakes from Oregon after a great interaction with Doni. I personally think cupcakes and Doni go together.
Catlin and Justin have great ideas about our pictures across America. I can’t help interject-Sometimes I think they think I am interfering.
Justin, like his goat, is also a magnet for people. I met Justin 9 years ago at the bakery when he was buying ice cream.
One Sunday, I was at the bakery and met a very interesting man named Pat. One reason I love the bakery is the opportunity to meet and speak with the fabulous customers that come in.
He told me his son was gluten free and I was talking to him about all kind of topics.
Before I knew it he is trading goat dirt for cake.
I immediately called Justin because I knew this was a great connection.
I thought to myself that I just met someone who could really help Pear. They talked to each other from the bakery phone. Yahoo!
A connection was born. Justin met Pat who owns Kismic Farm in Estacada. The beginning of a long friendship.
Thank you Pat!
Pat thinks that my bakery is a Mecca for people. Lucky me!
Justin and Pat connected and the two goats were donated to the auction!
Wow!

The children of the corn

G -rated version of Justin and I in the corn fields on the way to Kansas City, Missouri
Email us if you dare to see the PG-13 version

$3.25 for eggs and toast






What a deal! Scrambled eggs and toast for $3.25. But in all seriousness the little cafe had big charm. The locals even allowed Doni to come into to say hello.

Mitchell, South Dakota


Doni did so well in Mitchell! He didn't make a peep all night, although we made him sleep in the bathroom. We didn't check into the hotel until 1:30 in the am. Can't say we saw a lot in this town but Doni made some friends in the morning.

A quick stop to get gas at a late night stop and Doni could have become hamburger. I have never been to the Midwest before and I have to admit seeing the poor cows all locked in that horrible container broke my heart. The driver told me he was about to load Doni up because he couldn't believe a goat was wondering around the parking lot. He was joking about actually taking him but I would have been more than devastated to see his little face locked behind the truck to fat camp. I really feel for those helpless animals. Doni is safe and sound with us and his fate to help children is his purpose.