Thursday, June 11, 2015

3 down.... 3 to go.....

I never really though of my Ed being one for politics... and really, he isn't.. he just really cares for the community that we live in and has always been one that has wanted to "give". So.. three years ago, he ran for selectman and was voted in. 

Overall, he has enjoyed the "job"... sure, it has it's parts.. and no one is ever happy with everything... but, he enjoyed the business side of it, the knowing the people in his town side of it, and even figuring out how to handle both the good and the bad. 

The term was (is) for three years, and when he got voted in, I thought "wow... three years, that's a big commitment... Abi will be almost six when this term is up".... Guess what.. the term is up!!!!! in the blink of an eye, three years has come and gone, and when I really think about it... I honestly find it scary....

None the less... Ed decided that he would like to try and run again. So, he did.... and so did another candidate.. which is good and bad. It's nice to have a little competition, but because Ed has been a selectman and is now known, there are always some who didn't like the way he (and the other two selectmen) did things.. and with an unknown candidate some will say  .. "let's try" him.

The vote was on the 9th.. Ed stood faithfully (12 hours) out side the polls to greet folks and remind them that he would really like another term. His running mate never showed up (except to vote) so we didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. 

About 1:00 am the town clerk called and said that Ed had "won"... it was a close race, but he was the winner.... and so, begins another three year term. Now, I think... Abi will be almost 9 when this term is done... and I really hope the upcoming years won't go by as quickly as these last three did.... but.... I'm sure they will...

in the meantime... congratulations Hunny!!!! and you know that you always have  my vote!!!!

wait!!!it's June???

I can't believe that June has arrived already.. days just zip by here at a lightening pace, I hop out of bed in the morning and then seconds later.. it's bed time. So, in catching up on things that are going on around the farm... let's start with "Lucky".. this pretty standardbred mare who has come to the farm and is calling it home. 
Just before we went away on our little mini vacation, I was contacted by a young gal who was looking for a place to board her new horse. I will be honest, at first I thought, "great.. a kid with a horse" and do I want to get into all of that. I sort of put her off and told her that when i got back, if she hadn't found another  place, I would talk with her. 
Well, as it turned out, she didn't find another place, so she came over to talk and tell me about herself and her horse. Her Grandfather came with her, and though she is a young gal, just graduating from high school, and a bit on the shy side... I began to really like her. We talked for some time and then Ed and I decided we would give it a try... and Lucky has come to the farm. 
She has actually been here a couple of weeks, but today, we tried turning her out with the big boys. We got what we expected, some high squeals, some running, some kicking and then everyone settled into place, and it felt like they had all been together for a long time. With Quimby and Honey here... we now have a seven horse farm!!!!
Never in all my dreams as a little girl, did I think that I would be surrounded by seven horses... and that my life here on the farm seems so complete.... all I can truly say is that I am very very blessed and not a day goes by that I don't think of that......
Animals abound here on the farm.. between horse, cats (Mona is just proving she is a real barn cat!!!) dogs, and the like... there is never a dull moment for sure....
And speaking of dogs..... this is a very special group of folks that I have the absolute honor of working with. Last winter I was approached by a former student who has put together a dream of her own. She finds shelter dogs, and places them with veterans, who will "use" the dogs as their pet and as emotional support animals. She asked if I might be interested in being the trainer for the group, and it seemed like an opportunity almost too good to be true. 












Up until about a month ago, i was working with just one dog and handler team.. but the group is beginning to grow and they are up to five teams now. Last week, since the building we were using was booked with another event, I invited "my" group to come and work the dogs at the farm. What better place for working with "real life situations"... we did some training on the front lawn and then walked down to the barn to show the dog the 'big animals"


All of them did quite well, though at first they were pretty interested in the horses and not so much with their owners, but some time and practicing got everyone on track... this dog is Rick...
and this is Tally......
We practiced sit and down and stays in the ally way of the barn, along with some short comes. One day we hope to have all the dogs pass the AKC Canine good citizen test.... but it will be a bit more work until that can happen.
In the meantime, i have the privilege of working with some mighty fine people who served our country and now are receiving a thank you for their time and dedication... and I think I am the luckiest person in the world.....