Sunday, September 28, 2008

surprises....

A couple weeks ago, I was given the nicest gift. A beautiful scrap book that was made by my friend/dog student Kelli. She has been taking pictures of her hubby, Rick and their Boxer, Mindy as they attended classes. She then put them into this book as a present for me. I have had a grand time looking at all the pictures and seeing all the dogs that have been in class together. She also put in all kinds of stickers and sayings that really add to the pages. I have only scrap booked one page, so I can only appreciate the time and thought that she put into it..... thank you again, Kelli, it's beautiful and I will treasure it always!!!!



Then... brother Bill, came up to the farm with another gift for me!!!! An old fashion "dinner bell"!!! He had a friend hand forge this and it is a copy of a dinner bell that was in a barn in Rowley, MA. It's hard to see, but the plate on the top is carved out and says Sweetgrass Farm. Bill was going to do the cooking for me at the tracking clinic, and he thought the bell would be perfect to call us in from the field when it was time for lunch. AS you all know, this wasn't able to happen, but, this bell will be hung and used at future meals times... maybe to call Ed in from the field!!!!! so, a big thank you to Bill... it was a great thought and I will treasure this as well!!!!




Well.... I have always felt a bit sorry for Mocha... being a mini, when she is in a regular stall... she really can't see what is going on in the barn like the big guys can. She is always sure she is going to miss out on meals or treats (and let's us know with very loud whinnies!!!)... and I just feel like she is in a big box. So, I asked Ed if we could make an opening in the bottom of her stall door, so she can peek out and be a part of the "world". Ed had our friend , Greg, weld up a panel and today he got it installed in her door. Not only does it look nice, but I can tell you Mocha certainly appreciates it....



Once she realized how much she could see... she stood in front of the door enjoying all the attention and watching me sweep the alleyway and Ed drop down a bale of hay. It does look a little like she is in jail... but really, it's her window on the world..... and now she won't miss out on anyone who wants to come and visit!!!!

all for a turtle!!!!

I got up yesterday morning and nearly pitched a fit... well, maybe I did pitch a fit.... because, there were peaks of sun and no rain at all. I cancelled the tracking clinic because "they" told us all about the "extremely rainy weekend" we would have, with chances of mild flooding, etc etc... and I see the sun!!!! I turn on the weather and now "they" say, "we have a bit of a lull in the stormy weather and for the most part the morning will be good"... thanks a lot!!!!

I run down to the barn, do morning chores and head back home. Just as I am getting out of the shower, the phone rings... it is a dog student of mine, they are at the barn looking for the tracking clinic... oh NO!!!... I sort of forgot that I had invited all of my classes to pop in and watch the clinic... I have no idea who might be showing up to watch.... great!!!

Ed and I run back to the barn... and actually find a few of my students there. Fortunately, they were all happy to look around the barn, meet the horses and "see" where I now live. I still feel bad that they made the trip and didn't see the clinic... but, you know... I really just have to let it go.



Since it appeared that we had an "extra" day, I thought that maybe we should go and move Titus. I had left him with Kas and Nate when we moved, just because moving that tank of his is a project all of it's own... and requires manpower!!! It wasn't raining, so I thought, good let's get it done.

We asked Nate if he would help (course he was happy to do so) and told Kas and Nate that if they could come to Acton to help us move the tank in, I would feed them supper to boot... such a deal.

It took me over an hour to break the tank down... I also got everything cleaned, thinking that way, I could just set it back up when we got it in. The idea worked well, but was time consuming.


Wouldn't you know just as we were ready to load the tank into the back of the truck, the sky opened and the rain began.. so much for the lull.... poor Ed and Nate were nearly soaked by the time the tank, stand, and all the equipment was loaded into the truck. (what is IT with me and the weather this weekend???)

The ride home went well. Titius wasn't too happy about being stuck in card board box... but all in all, it was uneventful.

It was pouring when we got back.... Ed and Nate hauled the tank in, Kas began to start supper, and I began to get Titus's house back together. After we were settled in, I looked at the four of us, eating supper, wet to the skin and thought "all of this for a silly turtle".... but today, as he happily swims about his tank and comes over to say hello... I am very glad... I like my little turtle!!!! I also like the idea that we will only move this thing one more time!!!





And the rain has finally come. Aside from ruining my weekend plans, it really is pretty. The lake has a different sound with the rain... and because it's tropical.. the weather is very warm... almost like an August day.

The horses seem to enjoy it, they are out grazing every day.... and Mocha is doing just fine, so what ever she had... has passed.





We got a fair amount of rain during the night, so I am watching the docks, there is a good chance the water will be over them before the day is done. We will need to pulling them out within the next couple of weeks, can't believe the "summer" season has come to the end......